Chipman high on future with stars in fold long-term

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This article was published 10/10/2023 (1014 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

These deals were not made for sentimental purposes, though that doesn’t mean there wasn’t an emotional element involved for Mark Chipman.

The governor and co-owner of the Winnipeg Jets is stoic by nature, but couldn’t hide his enthusiasm as a press conference was held by the organization to officially sign franchise pillars Mark Scheifele and Connor Hellebuyck to identical seven-year extensions that are worth US$59.5 million and carry an AAV of US$8.5 million.

As the scrums were being held, Chipman expressed his gratitude for what had transpired and what figures to be a transformative moment for the franchise.

“It was something that I always hoped we would be able to do,” Chipman said during a conversation with the Free Press on Tuesday afternoon.

As the interview was winding down, a final question was uttered and before the query was complete, Chipman couldn’t hold back a smile before delving into his answer.

“I don’t know what the circumstances were, but I always really regretted the fact that Dale left, as a fan,” said Chipman. “I’ve always had it in my mind that given the opportunity, we would not want the same thing to happen to us.”

The relationship between Scheifele and Hawerchuk is well told and dates back to when the head coach of the Barrie Colts convinced the teenager to join the Ontario Hockey League team after previously committing to going the NCAA route.

There was no denying the impact that being around some of Hawerchuk’s former teammates had on Scheifele leading up to and during the statue unveiling last October.

Seeing how revered Hawerchuk still is in this community resonated with Scheifele.

“In many ways, Mark is our Dale,” said Chipman. “First picks, etc. And the relationship between them was very powerful. I am just really grateful that he’s going to finish his career here.”

Scheifele should be able to follow in the footsteps of his favourite player growing up, Steve Yzerman.

That’s something Scheifele and Chipman discussed before inking the previous eight-year deal worth US$49 million back in 2016 and it was a conversation that took place again earlier this week before the latest deal was agreed upon.

“There’s something really unique about the Steve Yzerman’s, the Joe Sakics and the Patrice Bergerons of this world. Guys that commit to their teammates and to the organization,” said Chipman. “That’s unique and it doesn’t in and of itself guarantee success, but it’s a really important element if you can have it.”

Where keeping Scheifele is akin to avoiding the same fate as Hawerchuk, locking up Hellebuyck delivers in an area the original Jets of the NHL never quite figured out, with all due respect to Bob Essensa, Nikolai Khabibulin or Pokey (Reddick) and the Bandit (Daniel Berthiaume).

As good as some of those Jets 1.0 teams were that ran into the Smythe Division powerhouses that were the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames, not having elite goaltending to go with the No. 1 centre was something that held those teams back.

That won’t be an issue for the Jets in the short term or beyond.

“It was important that they both – BOTH – understood, because they’re both such a big part of the franchise,”– Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff speaking on signing Mark Scheifele and Connor Hellebuyck to identical seven-year extensions.

Essentially righting the wrong of Hawerchuk’s departure without maintaining the goaltending side of things would have represented a half measure.

This is an all-in commitment at two premier positions.

“It was important that they both – BOTH – understood, because they’re both such a big part of the franchise,” said Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff. “It would be exciting if we signed one. It would be exciting if we signed the other. But the fact that we were able to discuss and go through two real intricate negotiations. Obviously every individual is different but to know their desires are two things: two win and to win with the guys that are in that room.”

The level of admiration Hellebuyck and Scheifele have for one another was on display as both players spoke to reporters on Tuesday afternoon.

It’s hard to fake that, no matter how much your bank account has been filled.

“I don’t think you can. I was grateful that they were communicating and leaning on one another through this because in a sense, I’m not sure it makes as much sense doing one (contract) without the other, to be honest with you,” said Chipman. “Signing a Vezina goaltender is in and of itself, something that we’re very proud of. Mark is an elite player as well, in his own right. The numbers bear that out, with how successful he’s been. They have a very deep respect, not just for one another’s abilities, but for how committed they are and how hard they work.”

As far as how he felt the signings were being received or what message it sends to the rest of the NHL, Chipman took the high road, choosing not to engage in any of the why high-end players would choose to re-up before testing the market chatter.

“To have both of these players commit, it really has put a lot of wind in the sails of the organization.”– Mark Chipman

“I don’t know that I’ve thought about that. I’ve just been focused on what it means for our group,” said Chipman. “To have both of these players commit, it really has put a lot of wind in the sails of the organization. Not just because of their playing ability, but the fact that we were able to draft them and to see them graduate through the development process and then become the players they’ve become. Elite players. But you get to know them as human beings as well and you can’t ignore the extent of the relationship that gets developed in this business over many years. The ups and downs. When we’re all trying to achieve the same thing, there’s a bond that develops amongst the whole group. I’m just very grateful that they believe in what we’re trying to do and they understand what we’re trying to do and how we’re trying to do it.”

Chipman did take a moment to praise the general manager he hired in the summer of 2011 and has stood by ever since, both in good times and the challenging ones.

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“Chevy is the same guy today that we hired (in 2011) and I said back then: I’ve had a chance to observe his work for a long time. There’s never been a surprise in anything that he’s done, in terms of the way he approaches things. Thoughtfully, methodically,” said Chipman, who also provided a stick tap for assistant GMs Larry Simmons and Craig Heisinger for their efforts. “The game of hockey is so deeply embedded in him and his desire to win is so deeply entrenched. That just manifests in everything that he does. In how hard that he works at it. There was a lot of work that went into this.

“But I really give credit to Kevin, not just for getting this deal done, but for setting the table to get the deal done. The changes we made this summer were an important step in this process and to communicate the long-term plan to both of them, face to face, was really important. Without that process, I’m not sure that we get to where we are. I think he’s done a wonderful job.”

In time, the Jets will find out if the players they’ve made a massive investment in and received one in return can deliver the championship that everyone involved so deeply covets.

ken.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca

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Ken Wiebe
Reporter

Ken Wiebe is a sports reporter for the Free Press, with an emphasis on the Winnipeg Jets. He has covered hockey and provided analysis in this market since 2000 for the Winnipeg Sun, The Athletic, Sportsnet.ca and TSN. Ken was a summer intern at the Free Press in 1999 and returned to the Free Press in a full-time capacity in September of 2023. Read more about Ken.

Every piece of reporting Ken produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press’s history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.