Vet Lewis stars in scrimmage

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This article was published 06/01/2021 (1708 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It’s a journey few would care to travel, leaving the land of sunshine to settle in the cold confines of the Canadian Prairies. But such is life for Trevor Lewis, who has traded in his flip-flops for boots as he looks to land a new NHL home with the Winnipeg Jets.

Lewis has spent his entire 12-year career with the L.A. Kings, a tenure that included 674 regular-season games, 79 playoff tilts and two Stanley Cup rings (2011, 2014). But he turns 34 on Friday and with the Kings ushering in a new era following a dreadful 2019-20 season in which they tied the San Jose Sharks for last place in the Western Conference, it was time for the two sides to part ways.

“It’s definitely different. There wasn’t too much snow in L.A., that’s for sure. But everything just kind of happened so quick that it was such a quick turnaround just to get in,” Lewis said following Day 3 of training camp Wednesday. “Everyone here has been very welcoming and have answered any questions I have. It’s been different but it’s been great.”

The question for Lewis now is how long will he be here? The Salt Lake City native is on a professional tryout (PTO), meaning he’ll need to show his best over the next week to earn a contract. The Jets first regular-season game is Jan. 14, at home against the Calgary Flames.

Because Lewis didn’t sign the PTO until just before camp, he had to miss the first two skates in order to fulfil the quarantine requirements set out for the NHL by the country’s top health officials. That only added to his long layoff, as the Kings were one of seven teams that didn’t qualify for the playoffs last season. 

Lewis would have had a fine excuse to be rusty on Wednesday, in what was the first scrimmage session of training camp. But he looked anything but; in fact, he was among the more noticeable players on the ice. With a goal and an assist to show for his effort, he led Team Blue to a 3-2 victory over Team White. Lewis took a pass from Jansen Harkins for a nifty one-timer goal and then returned the favour by setting up Harkins for the game-winner. Another newcomer in centre Nate Thompson rounded out the trio.

“Those veteran guys know their game. He knows when he hits the ice in a scrimmage what he’s trying to accomplish every shift,” Jets head coach Paul Maurice said. “He looked like he’d been ready to roll for a while. He looks fast, and he played with the two right guys in Thompson and Harkins to bring that out. It was a good day for him.”

With the Jets boasting an abundance of talent up front, where  Lewis fits will be debated over the coming days. Known more for keeping the puck out of the net than filling it — Lewis had 70 goals and 93 assists with the Kings — he’ll likely be vying for a spot on the fourth line.

Lewis said he’s able to play centre and both wing positions. He can also be a reliable piece on the penalty kill. That versatility and his championship pedigree should serve him well when the final roster decisions are made.

There’s also a chance Lewis could slide in as the team’s 13th forward or as part of the taxi squad of four to six players. Both roles would result in sitting in the press box come game night.

“Leadership goes a long way. It’s just experience of being (to the Stanley Cup) and when I look at this group, it’s got a lot of talent, a lot of skill and a lot of good leadership, so it’s definitely a good group,” said Lewis. “I love the game and I love to compete. I’ll just come in and help any way I can.”

 

jeff.hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @jeffkhamilton