Stevenson set for first Jets start against Penguins

DETROIT — Clay Stevenson, the stage is yours.

As the Winnipeg Jets wrap up a two-game road trip on Monday against the Pittsburgh Penguins, the newest member of the team will be between the pipes after Stuart Skinner got the call in the first two outings of the campaign.

There will be an element of familiarity for Stevenson, as PPG Paints Arena is where he made his first NHL appearance with the Washington Capitals on April 17, 2025.

“There is some comfortability in that building,” said Stevenson, who made 33 saves in a 5-2 loss to the Penguins in that NHL debut. “It’s always a great challenge to play against (Sidney) Crosby and (Evgeni) Malkin and those guys. It’s an honour to get into the crease anytime.”

Watching Viggo Bjorck and Tyrel Bauer make their NHL debuts for the Jets on Friday was a friendly reminder to Stevenson about what it was like to realize his own dream.

“I kind of felt it was perhaps a long time coming, but I was definitely blessed to be able to get that first start,” said Stevenson. “Having Ovie (Alex Ovechkin), Crosby, Malkin, (Erik) Karlsson out on the ice, it was kind of surreal. You take a look around in that building especially and yeah, it was fun. My dad got to be there for it. Seeing him in the stands was amazing. I felt comfortable. I felt at peace there.”

With five NHL games on his resumé, Stevenson recognizes the opportunity presented to him after being claimed off waivers by the Jets last week.

That 24-hour period was an interesting one for Stevenson, who wasn’t sure what was going to happen or where he might land.

“It’s always a great challenge to play against (Sidney) Crosby and (Evgeni) Malkin and those guys. It’s an honour to get into the crease anytime.”

Obviously, he was familiar with the Connor Hellebuyck situation but there was no way of knowing for sure if the Jets would put in a claim or be successful until the moment of truth arrived.

For the first time in his career, the 27-year-old Albertan has a pathway to clearly establish himself as the No. 2 guy on the depth chart while Hellebuyck continues his holdout.

It was a whirlwind week for Stevenson, working hard to settle in with his new team while getting a handle on the Jets style of play.

“I’m always interested in learning different perspectives on different things. On how different teams do different things,” said Stevenson. “I guess the puck doesn’t really change wherever you are, so yeah, it’s fun getting to know the guys and being here and learning their system and learning about what they do and how they try to be successful.”

Although it’s only been a short time working together, Stevenson appreciates the feedback he’s already received from goalie coach Wade Flaherty.

“I love different perspectives on my game and how he sees myself in the net,” said Stevenson. “We’ve been working on some different things, challenging myself in different aspects, maybe gaining a little more depth in certain situations and playing that way. That’s been my biggest best takeaway so far.”

Asked to assess his strengths, Stevenson immediately pointed to his athletic ability.

“We’ve been working on some different things, challenging myself in different aspects, maybe gaining a little more depth in certain situations and playing that way.”

“Definitely skating, flexibility. The ability to get to pucks, close down on pucks and read the game, see the game,” said Stevenson, who posted a record of 63-31-9 with nine shutouts, a 2.50 goals-against average and .910 save percentage in 109 American Hockey League games with the Hershey Bears over four seasons. “But definitely probably flexibility and ability to maybe make some saves that maybe seem that (I) shouldn’t.”

Stevenson’s teammates are excited for him to have the opportunity to get into game action.

“Obviously, he’s pretty new to the team, so I’m sure he’s itching to get into that and kind of show the guys what he’s got,” said Jets left-winger Kyle Connor.

With the Jets engulfed in a stretch that will feature five games in eight days, there’s a good chance Stevenson will get his second start in short order.

“It’s a busy schedule to start the year, so both guys will be going,” said Jets head coach Scott Arniel, noting that he leaves most of the goaltending discussions to Flaherty and the masked men. “Honestly, I don’t go down that road very often with those guys because nobody will do a two-pad stack. I always want two-pad stacks.”

Skinner has made a favourable impression with his new team, turning aside 59 of 65 shots he’s faced in helping the Jets collect three of a possible four points to open the new season.

“We really hoped we could have done it the other night,” said Arniel, referring to the 4-3 overtime loss on Friday to the Boston Bruins. “He’s given us real solid goaltending. He’s a real popular guy.”

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