Latest news with #ManitobaMiracle
Time of India
25-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Back in play? NHL ban wobbles as Carter Hart draws offers after WJC trial verdict
NHL-Carter Hart (Credit: Getty Images) The National Hockey League (NHL) made headlines after banning five players; Carter Hart, Michael McLeod, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dubé, and Cal Foote, from league play despite their recent not guilty verdicts in a high-profile sexual assault trial tied to the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship. Potential return gains traction amid offseason buzz As the offseason unfolds, interest around the league is heating up. According to insider reports, multiple NHL executives are exploring ways to bring back select players from the banned group. Most of the attention is centered on Carter Hart, the 26-year-old goaltender once considered the future of the Philadelphia Flyers. Edmonton Oilers emerge as potential suitor Reports have connected Hart to the Edmonton Oilers, a team that has openly struggled with goaltending depth. With the franchise in full win-now mode, and names like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl in their prime, there's little time to waste. Teams weigh risk versus reward amid NHL's review While nothing is official yet, insiders suggest teams are gauging the public response and legal clarity. Hart remains unsigned, but if the NHLPA succeeds in lifting the ban, an offer may come quickly. The Flyers' former No. 1 goalie could find himself back in the crease by fall. FAQs Is Carter Hart officially allowed to return to the NHL? No. The NHL has deemed him and four others ineligible pending internal review, despite a not guilty verdict in court. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Why is the NHLPA challenging the league's ban? The NHLPA believes players cleared in court deserve the right to return to work, and that the ban sets a dangerous precedent. Which NHL team is most likely to sign Carter Hart? The Edmonton Oilers are rumored to be strongly considering him due to their goaltending needs. Were all five players found not guilty? Yes, all five players were found not guilty of all charges in the 2018 WJC-related trial. Meanwhile, Michael McLeod and Dillon Dubé are also believed to be drawing quiet interest behind the scenes. Also Read: 'Manitoba Miracle' to Million-Dollar Man? Cole Perfetti's NHL future with the Winnipeg Jets takes center stage For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Time of India
24-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
‘Manitoba Miracle' to Million-Dollar Man? Cole Perfetti's NHL future with the Winnipeg Jets takes center stage
Cole Perfetti of the Winnipeg Jets (Credit: Getty Image) Cole Perfetti was drafted 10th overall by the Winnipeg Jets in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft; born in Whitby, Ontario. He made a name for himself with his vision, high hockey IQ, and dual-threat scoring ability; he played for the Saginaw Spirit in the OHL. Here, his playmaking earned national recognition. Off the ice, Perfetti is known to be calm. For his thoughtful, and fiercely driven mindset, and coaches and teammates alike praise his maturity. As well as his commitment to improving every day; now entering his fifth NHL season. The young forward continues to develop into a well-rounded player. GOTTA SEE IT: Jets' Cole Perfetti Forces OT With Buzzer Beater In Game 7 Proving his worth with consistent growth Perfetti's rise hasn't been flashy, but it has been steady. In his rookie season. He posted 30 points in just 51 games; he followed that up with a 19-goal campaign. Before hitting a career-high 50 points across a full 82-game season in 2024–25. He also made headlines with the now-legendary 'Manitoba Miracle' goal a game-tying strike in Game 7 of the playoffs with under three seconds left on the clock. That moment alone solidified his name in Jets history and showed just how clutch he can be under pressure. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Indonesia: New Container Houses (Prices May Surprise You) Container House | Search ads Search Now Undo Jets' Cole Perfetti Flings Home An Incredible Diving Goal What's next as contract talks loom Perfetti enters the final year of his current deal, which carries a modest $3.25 million cap hit. With restricted free agency (RFA) and arbitration rights ahead, he's due for a significant raise potentially in the $7 to $8 million range annually. A key piece or a flight risk? The Winnipeg Jets have made major commitments to stars like Mark Scheifele and Connor Hellebuyck; if Cole Perfetti sees himself as a foundational player. He may choose to follow suit especially if the team boosts his role on the top power play unit. FAQs What position does Cole Perfetti play in the NHL? Cole Perfetti plays as a winger for the Winnipeg Jets in the NHL. How many points did Cole Perfetti score last season? He recorded 50 points in 82 games. During the 2024–25 NHL season. Is Cole Perfetti expected to re-sign with the Winnipeg Jets? While he's still under contract, Perfetti is entering a contract year. The team will need to convince him that Winnipeg is where his long-term future lies. Why is Cole Perfetti's playoff goal called the ' Manitoba Miracle '? He scored a game-tying goal with less than three seconds left in Game 7, making it the latest tying goal in NHL Game 7 history. Still, the crowded left wing, especially with Kyle Connor ahead of him, could limit his upward mobility. If the team doesn't clear a path for his full potential, Perfetti may start eyeing a future beyond Winnipeg. Also Read: Edmonton Oilers linked to $27m veteran Jonathan Marchessault, pressure mounts as Oilers eye scoring boost for NHL 2025-26 season For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Winnipeg Free Press
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Fleury happy with security Jets offer with two-year deal
Haydn Fleury didn't need to see what was out there on July 1. The mobile defenceman had already made up his mind that he wasn't interested in leaving the Winnipeg Jets on Friday night, he received an offer that ensured he didn't have to lean into unrestricted free agency. Fleury agreed to terms on Saturday to a two-year deal that carries an average annual value of $950,000, providing a slight bump in pay and some additional security with term as someone with a young family. JEFF MCINTOSH / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Winnipeg Jets' Haydn Fleury, right, checks Calgary Flames' Kevin Rooney during first period NHL preseason hockey action in Calgary, Alta., in October 2024. 'Within the last week or so, we started talking and got to a number at one point (Friday) night where both sides felt comfortable,' Fleury said in a telephone interview on Saturday. 'I'm happy to stay in Winnipeg and happy to build on what I did last year. 'Moving around a bit the past few years, it's nice to get two years of security. I'm hoping that I found a home for the next couple and hopefully beyond that.' Fleury, 28, was originally chosen seventh overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2014 and after bouncing around a bit, he signed a one-year, two-way deal with the Jets last July. With injuries to Ville Heinola and Logan Stanley in training camp, Fleury found his footing and earned a spot in the opening-day lineup on the third pairing with Colin Miller. When Dylan Samberg suffered a broken foot after blocking a slapshot from Steven Stamkos, Fleury was promoted to the second pair with Neal Pionk and even saw playing time in overtime on several occasions. 'I got some luck at the start of last season and took advantage of certain opportunities that came my way. From there, momentum started building for myself and it showed with a good playoff run,' said Fleury, who had seven assists in 39 games during the regular season. 'It was an opportunity to show people what I can do. The coaches have laid out the foundation for me on how to make me a successful player. I'm going to keep building on that and keep getting better.' Fleury, who is originally from Carlyle, Sask., suffered a knee injury on Dec. 23 in a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs and that impeded his momentum. After recovering, Fleury needed some additional time to get up to speed but showed well during eight playoff games, the highlight being a 33-minute effort in Game 7 of the opening round series with the St. Louis Blues after Josh Morrissey was injured early in the first period. 'That injury was tough and came at an inopportune time. I thought I came back strong,' said Fleury. 'When I'm looking back at the year, a lot of work culminated in that one game.' Being part of the Manitoba Miracle was part of the reason Fleury chose to stick around. 'It's one of the reasons I wanted to come back. You saw the emotional toll it had on the city. You can tell that people care about hockey there and it's a special place to play,' said Fleury. 'My family and I really loved our time in Winnipeg. The group of guys we have, I was watching a documentary that the Jets put out about the playoffs and the stuff (Adam Lowry) was saying about us being a family, that all resonated with me and made me want to come back. 'I never really wanted to leave and I'm glad both sides could figure something out.' JEFFREY T. BARNES / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES Winnipeg Jets defenceman Haydn Fleury (24) skates during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres in December 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. By retaining Fleury, the Jets now have eight defencemen under contract who spent time in the NHL last season and Samberg will be the ninth once he signs a new deal. That's led to plenty of speculation that one of the veteran blue-liners could be on the move, especially since top prospect Elias Salomonsson could be knocking on the door after a strong first season in North America with the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League. While Fleury appreciates the security of a multiyear deal at this stage of his career, complacency isn't about to set in. He's got more that he's hoping to accomplish. 'A lot of people doubted me for a couple of years there and I'm glad I could prove people wrong,' said Fleury. 'The biggest thing is don't take a step back, take two steps forward and just keep going He's also excited to see what Winnipegger and former Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews is going to bring to the group. 'It's going to be really cool to play with a guy I grew up watching, whether it be at world juniors or winning Stanley Cups in Chicago,' said Fleury. 'He's a legend of the game.' 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
30-05-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Opinion: Perfetti perfection distils the wonder of Winnipeg: A love letter to a city that is often underestimated
Opinion The fear of tumbling down rows of seats from the 300-level of the Canada Life Centre was never more real than the night of the Manitoba Miracle. A moment of genuine Winnipeg history, as forward Cole Perfetti flicked the puck in just under the crossbar with seconds left in the first-ever Game 7 on home ice for the Jets 2.0. The jumping — that frenzied celebratory bedlam — posed a real threat to the safety of all of us, stabilized only by the hugs from friends and strangers in the vicinity. And, perhaps, by the sticky beer that had been tossed in the air only to end up coating the floor. I've never screamed so loud in my life, to the point of feeling completely dizzy. It was sports at its absolute best, but also a moment, upon reflection, indicative of the uniquely Winnipeg lived experience. Amid that opening-round series against the St. Louis Blues and the subsequent clash with the Dallas Stars, despite the Jets finishing the regular season as the NHL's top team and regardless of fans' placards declaring 'We Believe,' a nagging doubt of going all the way persisted. That a city like ours could not possibly achieve such a feat. It felt as if it tapped into the core belief Winnipeggers seem to have, that we are somehow less than — not just in sports, but in many other arenas. Despite heroics by Cole Perfetti (91) and signs touting resolute belief in the Jets' playoff crusade, there was always niggling doubt the city didn't warrant this level of fame. (Fred Greenslade / The Canadian Press files) My parents said it and I know I have too, that you must be from this city in order to love it. A belief that we should reach out and name for the lie it is. Winnipeg is a fabulous city, built on a community that is unlike any I've ever seen. Is it a perfect place? Of course not. But it is a place where you find people who care about each other and get back up after our failures and try to do better. Some readers might recognize my name from past issues of the Free Press. Having been both a regular contributor to this newspaper for years from the streets of the Exchange District and the West End, and a less-frequent contributor when I moved abroad to cover Russia's war in Ukraine, somewhere along the way I set up a base camp in London, England. My most recent return forced an appreciation, perhaps for the first time from an outsider's perspective, of just how special Winnipeg is. And I'm learning the hard way that sometimes, it takes leaving to appreciate the things that matter the most. This spring I came home for a pair of weddings, taking several weeks off work to show my British partner the city that still remains 'home' no matter how long I'm away. We arrived to an overwhelming patina of brown, a city still shaking off the grungy remnants of a long winter. We arrived before the street cleaners emerged, before the lilacs bloomed, before the Beer Can opened its gate. Vapour rises from buildings downtown on a cold morning. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Free Press files) I apologized to my partner Alex for bringing him here at the worst possible time of year because, I figured, even in the thick of winter when it's -30 C, we could have gone skating down the river or attended Festival du Voyageur. If it was summer, I countered, there would have been an onslaught of festivals from Folklorama to the Fringe, the beer gardens would have all been in top form, and nearby beaches would have called our names. As I ran through the list of my favourite things to do in Winnipeg, none of them would suit in April and early May. And yet, this city still managed to enamour him, and me, with the wonder that is Winnipeg. Playoffs were an obvious boon, stoking a not-often-seen unbridled enthusiasm for the city. And hockey was a new and entertaining sport for a Brit used to the comparative crawling-pace of soccer. (Football, sorry London). But we also watched Free Press columnist Jen Zoratti try standup comedy for the first time as one of the featured performers in the Winnipeg Comedy Festival's pro-am event. Nearly three hours of non-stop laughter, only 20 per cent of which I had to 'subtitle' for the foreigner, as the humour turned self-deprecating for the city I now defend. We spent an hour watching butterflies at The Leaf, and many more walking around The Forks and Garbage Hill, and Kilcona Park, too. I introduced him to the joy of singing with beats up and the car windows down, a simple pleasure I've long taken for granted. But he doesn't even have a driver's licence. In London, why would you? Smokies lit up the grill for catch-ups with some of the best friends the world has to offer. We ate our way through the finest restaurants in town and settled down with family for Alex's first experience of s'mores around a backyard fire. (Before the fire ban took effect — safety first.) I didn't offer him a rose-coloured view. I took him to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights and talked about the struggles we face with our colonial legacies. We walked past homeless encampments and he saw the North End, too. An imperfect place, with so much work to be done. But what city isn't? On the grounds of the legislature on a sunny afternoon, a family from Hamilton told us how much fun they were having visiting Winnipeg for the first time. And it surprised me, I'm embarrassed to say — despite the fact I was having a blast showing off same city. But that's just because I'm from here, right? Evening fun on the grounds of the Manitoba Legislature. (Mike Sudoma / Free Press files) Through the years I've left for different parts of Canada, only to return time and time again, drawn back to this place. Not out of necessity, but out of a deep and enduring love that only finds new facets the more of the world I see, the more I learn about the quirks of other cities not only across Canada, but around the world. I was reading the other day an interview with Perfetti about the Manitoba Miracle. He said he couldn't remember the moment surrounding his buzzer-beating goal, and that he blacked out from the excitement amid the roar of the crowd. I just want to say the rest of us will remember it forever. A moment of absolute perfection that embodied just one part of what makes me love this city so much. Now, I wake in London to my partner relaying NHL playoff scores and highlights from games played in the wee hours of the morning, at least in our time zone. Winnipeg has clearly left an impression. And it hardly matters that the Jets couldn't top the Stars. Or that the leaves weren't out to greet us. It is a place and community that always punches above its weight. I am fortunate to have so much love in my life that I can claim to have two homes. But it feels so bittersweet leaving, saying goodbye when the time is never long enough.
Winnipeg Free Press
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
‘Put ourselves in a spot to be successful again'
Adam Lowry isn't planning on going anywhere. The Winnipeg Jets captain will be entering the final year of his contract next season but isn't worried about what that means for his future. Nor is the organization, it should be noted. 'That's kind of how I picture myself. As a Winnipeg Jet for life,' the 32-year-old said Wednesday. Matt Slocum / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES Winnipeg Jets captain Adam Lowry enters the final year of his contract next season, but pictures himself 'as a Winnipeg Jet for life.' 'I love the city, love playing in front of these fans and I think that's something that hopefully we can take steps towards getting that out of the way this summer. There's obviously a few more important pieces that will probably get done before. But I don't see that being an issue. As long as they want to bring me back, I'm more than happy to come back.' Lowry, who scored a career-high 16 goals during the regular season and then added four more in the playoffs, would be eligible to sign an extension as of July 1. It sounds like general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff is already starting to draw up the paperwork. 'I think the world of Lows. He is Winnipeg. He is what it embodies,' said Cheveldayoff. Lowry, the second draft pick of the 2.0 Jets after Mark Scheifele, will make US$3.25 million for 2025-26. While the wound of a second-round playoff exit is still fresh, he believes even brighter days are on the horizon. 'There's a lot of optimism that with another good summer, guys really pushing to get better to work on their game and to find ways to improve, that we can come back next year and put ourselves in a spot to be successful again,' said Lowry. 'Put ourselves in a spot to go on another playoff run and hopefully this one ends in late June instead of late May.' Nikolaj Ehlers will ultimately make the decision that is best for him. But the pending unrestricted free agent forward is likely going to have several Winnipeg teammates in his ears over the coming weeks trying to convince him to re-sign with the Jets. 'Being Nikky's friend, playing with him for so long, all you want to do is support him. Unrestricted free agency, it's something that you have to wait for, and he's earned that right,' said Lowry. 'I think I'd echo the statement of everyone in this room, that we'd love to see Nikky back. He's a huge part of our team. He's a game-breaker, he's great in this room. I would say I'm like the rest of you. We're all waiting, holding our breath, hoping that we can get something done.' Cole Perfetti, a frequent linemate of Ehlers, hopes he hasn't seen the last of his wingman. 'Obviously, we all want him back. It's out of our control. He's a heck of a player, heck of a person,' he said. Perfetti checked off plenty of boxes this year including staying healthy for all 82 regular-season games, suiting up for 13 post-season contests and establishing new career offensive highs. He also scored the goal now referred to as the 'Manitoba Miracle' in Game 7 of the first-round series against the St. Louis Blues — something he never gets tired of being reminded about even by complete strangers. 'Talking to neighbours and some people at the grocery store, people that were at the game saying it was the greatest moment of their life. To be able to hear that and be a part of that, it's special,' said Perfetti. 'You see how much this team means to this community and to this city. Winnipeg bleeds hockey and bleeds the Jets. We're so lucky that we have fans like that, that are so passionate and so supportive of us. I've never heard a building that loud. It was the craziest thing. I wish I would have remembered it a little better. I kind of blacked out during that whole thing.' Long-term or short-term? Gabe Vilardi says he hasn't put much thought yet into what his next contract will look like. The 25-year-old, who set new career highs this year for games played, goals, assists and points, said he won't sweat the details as he spends the summer bouncing between his girlfriend's home in California and his in Ontario. 'I'm hoping that it goes smoothly, but it's not really my thing. That's what my agent's for, and they'll get it done — I'm not too worried about that,' he said. Vilardi, who missed the last 11 games of the regular season and the first five games of the playoffs with an upper-body injury, said not winning the Stanley Cup this year feels like a 'letdown.' 'The past few days have been really hard. Just looking back, I thought we had as good a chance as anybody to win the Cup,' he said. Matt Slocum / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES Winnipeg Jets forward Cole Perfetti, who will go down in Jets lore for his 'Manitoba Miracle' goal, hopes Nikolaj Ehlers, who assisted the Game 7 equalizer, re-signs with the team. 'Last year we just kind of got steamrolled by Colorado and it wasn't really as tight. I think this year, every game, I'm not sure what the eye test says, I'm not sure what the analytics say that you guys obviously see, but being out there I felt like different bounces and we could (still be) playing.' The Jets are hoping patience may finally pay off when it comes to prospect Dmitry Rashevsky. The 24-year-old Russian forward, picked in the fifth round of the 2021 draft, is at the end of his contract with Moscow Dynamo of the KHL. Cheveldayoff and assistant general manager Larry Simmons recently had a Zoom call with him and his agent in an attempt to bring him to North America. 'He's got some decisions to make. Obviously, we think he'd be a perfect fit in our organization here but, again, there's lots of different factors that go into their decisions. We're still hopeful,' said Cheveldayoff. Rashevsky has put up 156 points (81G and 75A) over the past four seasons. Elias Salomonsson is knocking at the door of NHL work. Both Cheveldayoff and head coach Scott Arniel had plenty of praise for the 20-year-old Swedish defenceman, who is coming off his first pro season with the Manitoba Moose and had 27 points (5G, 22A) in 53 AHL games. 'He had an exceptional year and not surprisingly. We've been talking about him for several years in different settings like this, we feel like we have a really good one there,' said Cheveldayoff. Arniel went so far as to compare him to Dylan Samberg — a sentiment he admits he's shared with Salomonsson during a recent meeting. 'We're excited. If he has a really good summer, he's someone that could force us to make some big decisions,' said Cheveldayoff. 'You're fortunate as an organization when you have the ability to let the players show you that they're ready as opposed to you having to put them in a situation and hope that they're ready. We talk about with players, 'We want you here for a long time. Not just a quick minute. We want you to be a longtime pro.'' 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. Jets co-owner Mark Chipman has chartered a plane that is taking multiple members of the Jets to Kitchener on Thursday so they can attend the funeral of Mark Scheifele's father, Brad, who passed away last Saturday hours before the team faced the Dallas Stars. 'For Chipper to charter a plane to bring most of the guys and staff out, it means a lot to us as players. It certainly will be an emotional time,' said Lowry. 'To be there to support out friend, our teammate and his whole family, it means a lot to us. Brad was one of a kind, an unbelievable person, and we're really glad we can all be there to support the whole family.' 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.
