Jets hit by COVID-19 outbreak

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This article was published 06/01/2022 (1376 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

DENVER — The Winnipeg Jets have taken their biggest COVID-19 hit yet, with four members of the organization testing positive Thursday and forced to quarantine in the Mile High City.

Defenceman Dylan DeMelo, forward Jansen Harkins, taxi-squad goaltender Arvid Holm and video coach Matt Prefontaine are in NHL pandemic protocols, where they must remain for a minimum of five days, at which point they could emerge provided they don’t have symptoms. However, they would not be able to fly commercially back into Canada for 14 days, so alternative arrangements — a charter or driving across the border — would have to be arranged.

Winnipeg’s next scheduled game is not until Jan. 13 in Detroit against the Red Wings. The Jets host the Ottawa Senators on Jan. 15and then start a four-game U.S. road trip on Jan. 18 in Washington, with additional stops in Nashville, Boston and Pittsburgh.

The single-day total matched the number of Winnipeg players that had previously been infected this season. Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele got the virus days apart in October, while Andrew Copp and Kristian Vesalainen both did so on Dec. 21.

With Omicron-related outbreaks happening around the world right now, there is obvious concern about whether the number of Jets could grow. Already, more than 90 NHL regular-season games have been postponed — including seven Jets contests — and more than 30 per cent of the entire league has been placed in protocol at some point already.

“I think for us the mentality is next man up,” interim coach Dave Lowry said, prior to puck drop against the Colorado Avalanche. “We talk about injuries, now we have to talk about players entering into protocol. It presents opportunities. The big thing is we’ve got some guys that aren’t extremely exciting when they’re not playing, so (Thursday night) is a really good opportunity for them to come in, bring some energy and some life into our room.”

That was certainly the case for 20-year-old Cole Perfetti, who took the place of Harkins and dressed for his third-ever big-league game Thursday.

“Obviously, it’s exciting to be back in the lineup. It’s every kid’s dream and kind of my end goal to be in the lineup and playing in the NHL,” Perfetti said, following the morning skate.

“(The Avs are) a hard team, good team — fast and skilled. It’s going to be a good test for us as a team and I think I’m excited to jump into the lineup and play against these guys. Grew up watching a lot of these guys, so being on the ice with them and playing a highly skilled game and a highly skilled team is a lot of fun. I’m just looking forward to it. Just hopefully go out there and play my game, do my thing and just contribute to the team.”

David Gustafsson was placed on injured reserve to make room for Perfetti on the roster, the result of a lower-body ailment he suffered on Sunday in Vegas.

Perfetti made the Jets out of training camp and played the first two games of the regular season in Anaheim and San Jose. He was assigned to the Manitoba Moose a few days later and has put up 15 points (six goals, nine assists) in 17 AHL games. Perfetti headed to Alberta last month as a pivotal member of Canada’s world junior team, and led the tournament in scoring with six points (one goal, five assists) in two games prior to the plug being pulled shortly after Christmas owing to a widespread COVID-19 outbreak. He was then assigned to Winnipeg’s taxi squad earlier this week.

“It’s really important. I think, especially as a young guy, I’ve only been on one NHL road trip so to come here and kind of get comfortable and see how it works. Even if I wasn’t playing, just seeing the game-day routine on the road, seeing different cities, flying around and just kind of getting the feel for it and comfortable for the future,” Perfetti said.

“I think it’s beneficial for sure, and being around the guys, watching the games and learning stuff every day, it’s going to be huge for games like (Thursday), for me being able to be slotted in. It’s crucial for me to be around the team and being comfortable and familiar with how we want to play. The last week has been great. Really glad and grateful and excited to be in the lineup.”

Unlike his debut, Perfetti didn’t have his parents in the stands. But he was expecting to feel a bit more level-headed in Denver.

“It feels a little bit more comfortable, more familiar. The more and more you do it, you’re going to get used to it,” he said. “The first games there in California, my head was spinning, just in a whirlwind. It was a surreal moment, just trying to take everything in but everything was happening so fast. That’s why having this week and this road trip just to get more familiar with the process and how it works, it’s just huge. I love being around the guys and being with this team. It’s awesome.”

Perfetti said he also has bigger expectations of himself this time around.

“I’ve kind of reflected on my first couple of games there, and I wasn’t mad with how I played or upset or anything like that. Not nervous, but it’s my first NHL game and you don’t want to make mistakes and stuff like that. To be honest, I didn’t play up to my fullest potential and what I’m capable of,” he said.

“I’ve recognized that and realized that I gotta play at a certain level, I gotta have that confidence, still manage that and be smart with the puck but at the same time make plays, try things. That’s my game and that’s why I’m here.”

EMOTIONAL EHLERS: Nikolaj Ehlers is playing with a heavy heart these days. His grandfather is in hospice care back in Denmark, the result of a six-year cancer battle.

Ehlers was visibly distraught on Tuesday night in Arizona after scoring an empty-net goal to seal his team’s 3-1 victory. Cameras caught him in tears on the bench. Ehlers had spoken to his grandfather a few hours before the game in a long-distance conversation.

“Obviously that’s tough. Dealing with these situations, they’re life matters,” coach Lowry. “What you try to do is support the player the best that you can. Obviously, it was a very touching moment for Nik. He’s very close.”

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @mikemcintyrewpg