Time to get it on

Posted: 3:00 AM CDT Tuesday, Sep. 22, 2015

LET THE GAMES BEGIN: Pre-season games can be monotonous and dull for veterans. But the first one, especially after a long off-season, does help get the competitive juices flowing again.

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LET THE GAMES BEGIN: Pre-season games can be monotonous and dull for veterans. But the first one, especially after a long off-season, does help get the competitive juices flowing again.

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This article was published 22/09/2015 (3695 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

LET THE GAMES BEGIN: Pre-season games can be monotonous and dull for veterans. But the first one, especially after a long off-season, does help get the competitive juices flowing again.

“I think everyone’s excited. You could tell yesterday that everybody’s ready to play a game, that’s for sure,” said Jets defenceman Jacob Trouba. “It’ll be exciting.

“Build on last year… that’s the common goal we all have. We did some good things last year, but it’s going to be hard to get back there. We know that. What it took last year to get there is tough to replicate. We’re just going to have to work, play our game and do what we do.

Maurice said he wouldn’t hesitate to use exclusively forwards in 3-on-3 hockey, but noted his team also has some very offensive-minded defencemen who could fit nicely into the format as well. (JOE BRYKSA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES)

“It was important to learn how hard it is to get there, first of all. Getting there was something new for a lot of us and just having that experience under our belt and know what to expect when we do get there will be a big help going forward.”

D-DAY COMING: Maurice said Monday he doesn’t envision much roster trimming this week, but a few could come after the Jets get through their first two pre-season games tonight and Wednesday.

Those, the coach said, might well be some of the team’s junior-eligible players who would be sent back to begin the season with their respective CHL teams.

Maurice said he wouldn’t mind keeping the numbers up for a few extra days, even run second practices, because it would help the club take advantage of having its AHL affiliate in town.

The Manitoba Moose don’t begin their training camp until next week.

Later this week, the Jets players will undergo another wave of fitness testing, either Wednesday or Friday. Thursday will be a complete off day for everyone in camp.

— Tim Campbell / Ed Tait