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Winnipeg Free Press
5 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Bombers rookie returner Vaval looking like rising star
It was during the dog days of training camp when Trey Vaval, one of the many unknowns trying to crack the Winnipeg Blue Bombers roster, revealed how beneficial it was to be in a new city where all he knew was how to get from home to work. After practice, the wiry defensive back and return specialist spent most of his time alone, diving into his playbook, studying the nuances of the Canadian game and reading the good word. Not only did it give the 24-year-old an edge on the field, but he believed it helped him grow as a human being and strengthen his spiritual faith in a short period. FRED GREENSLADE / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES 'I try to grow every day, as a man, as a football player, as a son — all of that. Every day I try to do it, don't matter what I'm doing,' Vaval said after Monday's practice at Princess Auto Stadium, where the Bombers are preparing to face the Stampeders in Calgary on Saturday (7 p.m. CT). A grateful Vaval went on to win the returner job, and nine weeks later, the rookie affectionately known to his teammates as Mighty Mouse looks like a budding star in the Canadian Football League after taking two returns — a 93-yard kickoff and a 97-yard punt — back for touchdowns in the first half of Winnipeg's 40-31 victory over the Toronto Argonauts. He became the first player in Bombers franchise history to return a punt and a kickoff for a touchdown in the same game. Both of the returns showcased his elite elusiveness and speed, and by the second half, the Argos were OK sacrificing field position in the name of keeping the ball out of his hands. 'I'm not even gonna lie, I really just kind of blacked out and just trusted the guys in front of me,' Vaval said. 'After the first one, I was kind of telling myself, 'You're not gonna score again. Just secure the ball for your team, set the offence up, make sure they have good field position. And the second one hit, and I just blacked out and just trusted my blockers and just ran.' His kickoff return in the first quarter was the first touchdown of his professional career. Unaware that players can receive fines for taking home game balls, Vaval kept the one from that play as a memento. FRED GREENSLADE / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES 'If I wasn't supposed to, I'm probably going to get a fine, but, hey, I'll take it,' he said. 'I'm actually gonna send it to my mom (Lori). I kept that game jersey and that ball. My mom, she got stuff since I was a kid, so all that stuff means more to her than to me. So I give all that stuff to her.' Vaval has been a revelation for the Bombers to begin this season. The club struggled in the return game in 2024 then was thought to have acquired the fix to those issues when it landed Peyton Logan in free agency. However, when Logan went down with an injury early in training camp, questions began to swirl — until Vaval arrived. Since then, the 5-11, 163-pounder from Blue Springs, Mo. has impressed with his talents and his professional approach. 'It was right for when he showed up,' said special teams co-ordinator Mike Miller. 'He had a willingness to want to learn and understand the nuances of the Canadian game, and talking scenarios and stuff. 'I'm actually gonna send it to my mom (Lori)… My mom, she got stuff since I was a kid, so all that stuff means more to her than to me. So I give all that stuff to her.'— Blue Bomber defensive back and return specialist Trey Vaval commenting on keeping the game ball he held to score his first touchdown. 'So stuff that sometimes as a rookie, people are maybe a little more shy to ask the questions, because they don't want to be perceived to be wrong, and he had no problem asking the questions, asking the right questions, and then putting it to the field of play afterwards.' Following his breakout performance, Vaval leads the CFL in punt return yards (449) and is third in punt return average (13.6). He's also third in total kick return yards (437) and combined yards (886). 'Immediately what was evident was you got a guy who's kind of nicked up in camp and not really getting an opportunity, and we somehow have the foresight to make sure he stays, and a couple weeks later, he's cleared, and you like what he's doing,' said head coach Mike O'Shea. 'Now, when he gets that opportunity, he's just got a thirst for knowledge. He wants to do it, right? He wants to understand the CFL game and all the particulars of the special teams play here. That can be different than other returners that are as gifted as he is, that are just happy with their gift. But he is certainly interested in more opportunities and becoming a pro.' FRED GREENSLADE / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES The first seven games of Vaval's professional career have featured more bright moments than dull. He's dealt with several learning moments while navigating issues when fielding the ball early on, and he's proven he's worth watching every time he touches the ball. 'It's kind of how college was for me, just the whole mental game,' Vaval said. 'Not just (learning) stuff, but kind of like you always have self-doubt. But it's not like I don't believe in myself, I don't believe my teammates, it's just that mental battle, like the devil trying to get in your head. So you're always at war with yourself. That's probably the biggest (lesson), if I mess up on a play, just next play mentality.' The Bombers have a significant decision looming. With Logan returning to practice on Monday, it's only a matter of time before coaches will need to choose between the player they originally tabbed to return kicks and the one who has restored the spark in the third phase of their team. Vaval has also taken on significant snaps at field corner in the last two games, which raises questions about whether coaches would want him to play defence and special teams — a demanding task for the best athletes. FRED GREENSLADE / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES It's something Mighty Mouse has prepared for since turning pro. 'When I was with the Atlanta Falcons, Marquice Williams, special teams coach there, he told the whole room, 'You can't be a professional athlete and just play one position. You got to be able to play multiple positions,'' Vaval said. 'Doesn't matter what you're doing, you gotta be able to play multiple phases of the game. It's just how the game is, being a professional athlete. So, yeah, I'm sure I can go out there and do both.' X: @jfreysam Joshua Frey-SamReporter Josh Frey-Sam reports on sports and business at the Free Press. Josh got his start at the paper in 2022, just weeks after graduating from the Creative Communications program at Red River College. He reports primarily on amateur teams and athletes in sports. Read more about Josh. Every piece of reporting Josh produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
One for the road
DALLAS — There is one more riddle left for the Winnipeg Jets to solve if they are to extend this memorable season, again. Those plucky Jets took the first step in seeing another series go the distance, but in order to achieve that next goal, the organization will need to do something they haven't done since April 27 of 2023. That's the last time the Jets came away victorious in a Stanley Cup playoff game that wasn't played on home ice. FRED GREENSLADE / THE CANADIAN PRESS Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck stopped 22 shots to shut out the Dallas Stars Thursday night at Canada Life Centre and force a Game 6. Just like they were going into Thursday's convincing 4-0 victory over the Dallas Stars, the stakes are clearly defined. The three wins required to advance to the Western Conference final against the Edmonton Oilers have been reduced to two. Although the Jets earned a reprieve from their summer vacation, there's another important piece of the puzzle left to complete, one that has proven to be rather confounding. For a team that led the NHL in road wins with 26, how in the world can one explain the nine-game road playoff losing streak the Jets are currently mired in? For those keeping score at home, that stretch of misery includes a 0-5 record in 2025. So while there is plenty for the Jets to build on after matching shutout wins in Games 2 and 5, they were outscored 8-3 at American Airlines Center in Games 3 and 4. 'I'm just worrying about this year. I know, and I've been here for it, too,' Jets head coach Scott Arniel said before the team departed for Texas. ' Every streak ends, whether it's a good one or a bad one. And we're planning on doing that (on Saturday). Can't do anything about what's all behind us now. It's a case of us making sure that what comes on the ice (in Game 6) is the best product we can bring. Continue what we did (Thursday) night. There's a lot of real positives there. And build on that and just put that forward.' Following the Game 5 victory, Arniel said he would be looking for a carbon copy of Thursday's effort when the clubs face off again. There are no residual effects being felt in the Jets' camp relating to the road drought, even though many of the core pieces have been together for the entirety of the road losing skid. Like all of the other areas they've worked so hard to combat, this is simply the next one to tackle. 'Doesn't matter what happened in the past,' said Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck, who posted a 22-save shutout in Game 5. 'We got one game ahead of us and we just need to focus on winning that one.' Hellebuyck and the Jets have no other choice than to channel all of their energy on that next task. It's been a calling card of the Jets this season, that combination of working through the game review and turning the page, while routinely showing they can rise to the occasion, even when the pressure is mounting. It's also true that the Jets played their best road game of this postseason just a few days ago and, while the 3-1 loss didn't bring any gratification, there were pieces of the template that were evident throughout the course of the contest. Were it not for losing the special-teams battle 2-0, the Jets managed to do a lot of things well in that outing. Things that they did even better on Thursday in finding a way to extend the series with their most complete effort of the spring: having a strong start and scoring first, even if it only happened in the second period; winning the special teams battle 2-0.; finding some valuable secondary scoring that had dried up a bit of late. Lastly, Hellebuyck found a way to outduel Stars goalie Jake Oettinger for the second time in five games. 'We have so much confidence in Connor, (in) what he does, what he means for our team,' said Jets captain Adam Lowry. 'In games like (Thursday), he's certainly the reason why we have that belief.' There was a sense of pride as the Jets spoke about delivering a rock-solid effort under difficult circumstances, but there wasn't a sense of achievement either. This was merely the next step in the process for a team that still has championship aspirations. FRED GREENSLADE / THE CANADIAN PRESS Winnipeg Jets' Mark Scheifele said Friday the team wants to give it their all in Game 6 to get back in front of their fans. 'It's important that we don't just hang our hat on this one, but we come back in the next one attacking and we see areas where we can make improvements and put our best foot forward,' said Lowry. 'We're still down 3-2 in this series, we haven't accomplished anything. We want to keep playing and we want to come back here.' Should the Jets get the job done and make it back to Winnipeg for Game 7, they'll turn up the temperature on a Stars team that hasn't scored on Hellebuyck inside Canada Life Centre since Game 1, when Dallas earned a 3-2 triumph to steal home-ice advantage from the Presidents' Trophy winners. Can the Jets finally return the favour? They've got no other choice. Otherwise, all of the strides that were taken and the incremental growth that has been on display throughout the 100 games the Jets have played dating back to the exhibition schedule will lead to another far-too-long off-season than this group is interested in having. For a team that has rewritten the franchise record book and taken massive steps towards rewriting the narrative surrounding the lack of playoff success for much of this core since the remarkable run to the Western Conference final in 2018, there's still plenty of items left on the to-do list. 'It's the toughest time of year, and I thought we stepped up,' Jets left-winger Kyle Connor said after Game 5. 'But obviously, the job's not done.' To get the job done, the Jets will require another effort that is passenger-free. The star players need to deliver another round of rock-solid performances and the supporting cast has an opportunity to create another moment they'll never forget. 'We've got a great group in here, a lot of character. We just have a good team. That desperation can bring the best out in you,' said Jets centre Mark Scheifele, who was on the receiving end of a punch to the chops from Jamie Benn in the third period on Thursday. That resulted in the Stars captain receiving a US$5,000 fine for roughing — which is the maximum penalty under the collective bargaining agreement. 'It was hard for me to understand what was going on. My face hurts. There's not much I can really say in this situation. 'I'm not much of a fighter so I can't really remember (the last time he had his bell rung by a punch). It was tough, I couldn't really protect myself. My arms were pinned at my sides, so definitely didn't feel good.' Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. What would feel good for Scheifele and his teammates is having an opportunity to play in another Game 7 on Monday night at Canada Life Centre. 'Yeah, obviously, we haven't had a road win (yet), but (we've) just got to treat this like it's Game 7, have that desperation and give it our all to get back in front of our fans again,' said Scheifele. 'We've liked our game and that's obviously very important. Obviously, we got a big win in front of our fans (Thursday) night, so we just want to continue to do what we're doing and stick to our structure and our game plan and go from there.' X and Bluesky: @WiebesWorld Ken WiebeReporter Ken Wiebe is a sports reporter for the Free Press, with an emphasis on the Winnipeg Jets. He has covered hockey and provided analysis in this market since 2000 for the Winnipeg Sun, The Athletic, and TSN. Ken was a summer intern at the Free Press in 1999 and returned to the Free Press in a full-time capacity in September of 2023. Read more about Ken. Every piece of reporting Ken produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Jets need to bring ‘A' game into Dallas
DALLAS — It's the most important business trip of the year so far. Did the Winnipeg Jets remember to pack all the essentials? Change of clothes? Check. Toothbrush? Check. Phone and charger? Check. Razor? Not necessary this time of year. The style of play that has made them a powerhouse on home ice, winning their first-round series and getting them right back into this second-round series? We're about to find out. 'It's going to be a tough building. They grabbed home ice from us by winning Game 1 so we're going to have to win down there,' Jets coach Scott Arniel said following Friday's 4-0 victory at Canada Life Centre in Game 2 which has now turned this best-of-seven into a best-of-five. FRED GREENSLADE / THE CANADIAN PRESS Winnipeg Jets' Mark Scheifele (55) celebrates a goal by Nikolaj Ehlers on Dallas Stars' goaltender Jake Oettinger (29) during first period NHL playoff action in Winnipeg, Friday May 9, 2025. Three of those contests are slated to be played inside American Airlines Center, with Game 3 set for Sunday at 3:30 p.m. and Game 4 Tuesday at 7 p.m. We now know there will be Game 5 back in Winnipeg on Thursday night. The Jets are 0-3 in enemy territory so far in these playoffs, have been completely outclassed during a trio of lopsided losses against the St. Louis Blues in which they were outscored 17-5. They managed to survive — just barely — by going a perfect 4-0 in their own backyard. However, that series-opening 3-2 loss against the Stars on Wednesday night in downtown Winnipeg now means winning at least one on the road is a must if this magic carpet right is to continue. 'We know what it looks like and we know what it feels like,' Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck said of his team's 'A' game, shortly after he pitched a 21-save shutout. 'That being said, we've got to wipe it and go play a hard road game. It's never easy on the road, especially at playoff time.' No player has appeared more Jekyll and Hyde this spring based on where the puck is being dropped than Hellebuyck. He's stopped 119 of 132 shots he's faced for a .902 save percentage at home but has turned aside only 50 of 66 shots on the road (.758 save percentage) in being chased from all three games in St. Louis. What did he learn from that series that he can now apply to Dallas? 'We wiped that one clean. We're moving on,' he said. FRED GREENSLADE / THE CANADIAN PRESS Dallas Stars' Mikko Rantanen (96) is pursued by Winnipeg Jets' Dylan Demelo (2) during first period NHL playoff action in Winnipeg, Friday May 9, 2025. A short-term memory might be best in this case, but it sure feels like this might be another one of those mental hurdles Hellebuyck and the Jets need to get over. 'You know what, it's (about) lessons learned. Take some of the things from what we've talked about, what we've looked at from that series, and we know we have to do a lot of what we did (Friday),' said Arniel. 'This is a really good hockey team we're going against and they're… They'll be behind their fans in that building so we've got to play that type of game like we played (Friday).' Hellebuyck sure looks a lot more comfortable and confident with his play and you get that sense in hearing him speak as well. 'We're still playing hockey and it's May. So, that's fun,' he said following his first playoff shutout in four years. 'It's the best time of year because you've dialed your game in all year long and you're just going out and playing hockey and having fun.' DeBoer said the Hellebuyck they watched on Friday night is 'the guy we game planned for. He's a goalie that if he sees it, he'll stop it. We have to make it more difficult too, we play a part in that.' Dallas was one of the better home teams during the regular season and went 3-1 in the first round against the Colorado Avalanche, including a dramatic third-period rally in Game 7. 'We have to respond. We've been a really good response team in my time here. We're at home. We know how well we play at home and the advantage our fans give us here,' said DeBoer. FRED GREENSLADE / THE CANADIAN PRESS Winnipeg Jets' Gabriel Vilardi (13) celebrates his goal against the Dallas Stars with Nikolaj Ehlers (27) and Kyle Connor (81) during first period NHL playoff action in Winnipeg, Friday May 9, 2025. 'We've got to come out at home on a quick turnaround, the quickest turnaround of the playoffs so far with an afternoon game (Sunday), and play a good game. I think there was some good stuff in that game that we can take, it wasn't all bad. I don't think the score was necessarily reflective of the entire game. So we've got to keep that and fix some things too.' Something the Jets might not want to forget is that they won 26 road games during the regular season which led all NHL teams. One of those was a 4-0 victory in Dallas on April 10 which essentially wrapped up the Central Division, Western Conference and Presidents' Trophy in one impressive 60-minute effort. Now, they're coming off another clean sheet against the Stars with even higher stakes. 'It's a game we can build off. There were a lot of good things out there,' said Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey. 'Momentum in the playoffs is often in-game, I don't think it often carries over from game to game. We'll try to look at things we did well (Friday). It will be a whole different animal going on the road here. But definitely a lot we can build on. Obviously power play was great, penalty kill as well, goaltending. Lots we can build on and take to Dallas.' One major development is that with Morrissey's return to the lineup on Friday, the Jets are now fully healthy for the first time since early March. Dallas, meanwhile, is still without top defenceman Miro Heiskanen who is recovering from a serious knee injury he suffered in late January. Stars coach Pete DeBoer told reporters on Saturday that Heiskanen will not return on Sunday. He wouldn't rule out Game 4 on Tuesday. 'Like we've talked about all year, we're focused on what we need to do to be successful. Obviously you get into the playoffs and you're facing the same team maybe seven times in a row, there's the chess match element. The changes from game to game,' said Morrissey. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 'But our number one focus is our own game and preparing to play the way that's made us successful this year. Regardless of the opponent there's a way we have to play and I thought we got to that a lot faster (Friday) to start the game and played that way for the majority of the night. So that's what we're focused on. What we can do to be at our best.' FRED GREENSLADE / THE CANADIAN PRESS Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (29) makes a save on Winnipeg Jets' Gabriel Vilardi (13) during first period NHL playoff hockey action in Winnipeg, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. The teams will not hold a morning skate with the mid-afternoon puck drop, but don't expect any lineup changes for Winnipeg. The bigger question is which version of the Jets we're going to see? 'We're a good team. They're a good team. It's going to be a tight series every game,' said Jets forward Gabe Vilardi. X and Bluesky: @mikemcintyrewpg Mike McIntyreReporter Mike McIntyre is a sports reporter whose primary role is covering the Winnipeg Jets. After graduating from the Creative Communications program at Red River College in 1995, he spent two years gaining experience at the Winnipeg Sun before joining the Free Press in 1997, where he served on the crime and justice beat until 2016. Read more about Mike. Every piece of reporting Mike produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
