Old home night for some Jets

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This article was published 14/10/2011 (5106 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

CHICAGO — Among those who had important reunions in Chicago this week was Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff.

With his team playing Game 2 of the season in Chicago, it was a chance for him to catch up with his family.

The former Blackhawks’ assistant GM’s wife and children are staying in the Chicago area this season.

“It’s good to see my family, staying here for the year allowing me to get set up,” Cheveldayoff said Thursday. “It’s good to see all the people. When you win a championship (2010), those ties last forever and it doesn’t matter which organization you’re with. It is a big family here and it’s the type of culture I want to develop and is already developed with the Winnipeg Jets.

“But again, the events are all over now and it’s about playing hockey. That’s the key for everybody now.”

About the hockey, how much stress has Cheveldayoff been feeling of late?

“Each and every day you think about your team,” he said. “It’s a 24/7 job regardless of win or loss. You don’t pat yourself when you win and you don’t get too critical when you don’t. You just have to evaluate and keep on moving.

“There are going to lots of ups and downs throughout the season. If you get too high or low, chances are you’re going to make some decisions at the wrong time.”

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Jets defenceman Dustin Byfuglien was among the Jets met by dozens of autograph-seeking fans outside the team’s downtown hotel this week.

Nothing new there, Byfuglien said.

“It’s just Chicago in general,” he smiled on Thursday. “I don’t think it matters who you are. There are a lot of seekers around here and guys wanted autographs. It was different but it was expected.”

Thursday was Byfuglien’s first game in Chicago since winning the Stanley Cup as a member of the Blackhawks in June, 2010.

“I had a great time here,” he said.

Thursday, though, was not only about catching up with old friends and teammates.

“Everybody’s got a job to do,” Byfuglien said. “Hitting them and knocking them down, that’s part of the job.”

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Last time: The last time the Jets played the Blackhawks was Feb. 26 in 1996 at Winnipeg Arena ending in a 1-0 win for the home side.

Dallas Drake scored and Nikolai Khabibulin stopped 36 shots for the shutout.

The Thrashers hosted the Hawks last year at Philips Arena in Atlanta with the Hawks winning 5-4 in a shootout and Winnipegger Jonathan Toews was the hero for Chicago scoring two goals and two assists in regulation and one goal in the shootout.

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No pane of Glass: Grinder Tanner Glass says he and his Jets teammates should grow thick skins playing in Winnipeg.

“The media is intense but it’s a good thing. It makes us as players accountable,” said Glass. “I don’t read the papers but you don’t have to — you can tell from the line of questioning after the game. If someone has a rough night there are people on his doorstep asking questions. To me, it’s a good thing.”

gary.lawless@freepress.mb.ca tim.campbell@freepress.mb.ca