From fan to crease: Poulter lives out Jets dream on home ice

Jonathan Toews may have been missing in action as a healthy scratch, but Winnipeg hockey fans still had a hometown debut to cheer about on Sunday as the NHL’s pre-season got underway.

Goaltender Isaac Poulter took over in the third period for the Jets, replacing starter Thomas Milic. The announcement alone drew a roar from family and friends scattered throughout the crowd at Canada Life Centre.

“It’s just so special,” the 24-year-old told the Free Press following the game. “I grew up watching the Jets for years, and the Manitoba Moose before that.”

Poulter was tested early, coming up big on a sharp chance from Minnesota Wild prospect Danila Yurov to preserve a 2-1 Jets lead at the time.

“People might say ‘Oh, it’s only the pre-season.’ But, you know, it’s a chance for me to make an impression on everyone in the organization because it’s my first year here,” he said.

“I tried to enjoy it, rather than just focus on the nerves. My goal was to have fun with it, and try to get in front of as many pucks as I could.”

Unfortunately for Poulter, he was victimized by a bit of bad luck when Wild forward Hunter Haight took a shot that deflected off the stick of Jets defenceman Logan Stanley and beat him high to tie it up with 2:58 left in regulation. Stanley came over to his stall after the game to apologize.

Then, in three-on-three overtime, Poulter stopped an initial shot from Matt Kiersted before Yakov Trenin snapped home the rebound with 61 seconds left on the clock to give the visitors a 3-2 triumph.

Still, with nine saves on 11 shots, Poulter left the rink smiling.

“To have an experience like this, hopefully can keep the ball rolling and maybe get in a real game this winter,” he said.

“To have an experience like this, hopefully can keep the ball rolling and maybe get in a real game this winter.”

The Jets have a bit of a crowded crease within the organization right now behind the obvious No. 1 man in reigning Vezina and Hart Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck and his trusty sidekick, Eric Comrie. Those two are clearly locked and loaded with the big club.

Beyond them lies opportunity.

Milic, 22, is about to enter his third year as a pro after being drafted by the Jets in 2023 (fifth round, 151st-overall). He’s bounced between the AHL and ECHL over his first two seasons and seems likely to be given the first crack at winning the No. 1 job with the Moose this fall. The B.C. product stopped seven of the eight shots he faced Sunday through two periods.

The Jets also have 21-year-old Domenic DiVincentiis in the system. The seventh-round pick from 2022 turned pro a year ago and split his rookie campaign with the Moose and the Norfolk Admirals of the ECHL.

Might Poulter edge him out for the other AHL job to start the year?

Poulter, despite not being drafted, is the most experienced of the trio at the pro level. He’s logged 77 AHL games with the New Jersey Devils organization during the past three years, posting a 16-13-6 record with a 2.86 goals-against average and .898 save percentage for Utica last season.

Winnipeg targeted him in free agency this summer to create more internal competition.

“We didn’t know what was going to happen. Once the phone rang and it was (Winnipeg) it was kind of a no-brainer,” said Poulter, who spent four seasons with the Swift Current Broncos of the Western Hockey League prior to turning pro in the fall of 2022.

“But it’s weird now, because I haven’t left yet. I haven’t gone anywhere. I’ve been playing on the road since I was (a teenager). Now, all these years later, to be back home, it’s so different and so nice. It’s been such a blessing.”

Poulter already has NHL regular-season games on his resume, although not in an official capacity — he dressed as the backup in New Jersey eight times during the past two years. He’s hoping that next milestone comes at some point here in his own backyard.

“When the chance comes, I just want to be ready.”

“Just kind of waiting and trying to make the most of the opportunity I have when I am in playing games (at any level),” he said. “When the chance comes, I just want to be ready.”

For now, Poulter is soaking up every chance to learn from Hellebuyck, with whom he shared a practice group Saturday.

“I had some time to watch him and chat briefly. It’s pretty crazy,” said Poulter. “There’s a lot of things I can learn from him and try to take into my own game. Even if it’s just on the mental side.”

And should he ever want to talk with another member of the organization about what it’s like to lace up the skates in front of a hometown crowd, Poulter can now turn to Toews — who is expected to make his Jets debut on Tuesday when the Edmonton Oilers come to town.

“He’s someone I grew up watching. I have one of his jerseys at home. I even had the chance to meet him when I was nine or 10 in Toronto and watching a (NHL) morning skate. He happened to be there and even signed a picture for me,” said Poulter.

“He’s a guy who has won three Stanley ups and played for Team Canada on multiple occasions. And his preparation is next to none. I’d say I get to the rink here pretty early, but he was up there in the gym a couple mornings before me. Watching how he prepares, how seriously he takes it, that’s something a lot of young guys can learn from and appreciate.”

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

X and Bluesky: @mikemcintyrewpg