Latest news with #RUTHBONNEVILLE
Winnipeg Free Press
10-08-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Jets mailbag: Breaking down the off-season storylines
Who's ready for some hockey? Judging by the quantity — and quality — of questions coming our way, plenty of you are. The bad news? We've still got about six weeks to go until NHL training camps open. The good news? Our boys on the Winnipeg Jets beat, Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe, are here with answers in this month's mailbag. Hopefully this helps scratch the itch — and make the wait a little easier. Predictions from both of you: What will Jonathan Toews' goals/assists/totals be this year? RODGER Where will Toews fit in on the PP? @ WIEBE: These questions are separate but could be intertwined, to a certain degree anyway. With the departure of Nikolaj Ehlers, there is a vacancy on the top power-play unit. That spot will likely be taken by one of Toews or Cole Perfetti, depending on what assistant coach Davis Payne has in mind. Perfetti got some reps with the top unit last season in the pop position in the high slot and he's someone that can handle the responsibilities if called upon. As for Toews, he has some experience in that spot as well and having him on the top unit will provide some additional touches in the offensive zone. RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS FILES Winnipeg Jets forward Jonathan Toews RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS FILES Winnipeg Jets forward Jonathan Toews As for projections, trying to figure out what to expect from Toews offensively poses its own set of challenges since what he's coming back from on the health front is pretty rare. However, even with the two-year absence, Toews shouldn't take long to find his touch. Though his value is going to stretch far beyond the boxcar statistics — his leadership and intangibles and whatever value he brings in point totals. But since you asked, I'm going to go with 15 goals and 50 points for Toews this season, provided he plays north of 74 games. MCINTYRE: As Kenny states, there is a job opening on the PP, one I fully expect Toews to fill in some fashion. Whether it's on the top unit or PP2, he's going to get a look. Which, in turns, should help boost his offensive production. I'm going to take the 'over' on Kenny's prediction and say 16 goals and 55 points for Toews, which I say happens in 72 games. Fun fact: That's the exact stat line Blake Wheeler had in his final season with the Jets. When do we start becoming concerned about the lack of a Kyle Connor extension? CORY Can the Jets sign KFC to an 8-year extension today, or would they be limited to the 7-year maximum that the new CBA has, which will be in place when the new deal would start? JIM MCINTYRE: Concern? Certainly not right now. General manager Kevin Cheveldayoff had plenty of pressing matters to attend to this summer, the final one being the contract extension with Dylan Samberg, which were bigger priorities given the timelines. With that now in the rearview mirror, I expect attention has turned/will turn to Connor and captain Adam Lowry, who will both be entering the final year of their current contracts. Let the record show I firmly believe both men will put pen to paper and have new deals done by the time the puck drops on the new campaign on Oct. 9. If it's still crickets by that date, then I'd say it's time to start worrying. But I'm confident that we're not looking at another Ehlers situation here. As for the length of any contract, the new collective bargaining agreement kicks in next summer and has taken that eighth year off the table. Because Connor (and Lowry) are both signed to July 1, 2026, seven years would be the maximum. Connor turns 29 this December, so a max deal would take him through to the age of 36. I'm curious if he'd want to go that route, or perhaps something shorter (three or four years) which might allow for another big deal to get done at the age of 32 or 33, with a salary cap that will likely be ever higher at that point. Either way, I expect his annual average haul to be in double-digits, likely in the US$10-11 million range regardless of length. Lowry, now 32, will obviously not be signing a max deal, but something in the four to five year range would make plenty of sense, likely in the US$4-5 million dollar range. Is there any update on why the Jets didn't sign Dylan Samberg to a longer term? MARK WIEBE: Although both the Jets and Samberg's representatives kept things pretty close to the vest, by all accounts, this negotiation was amicable and it just came down to the fact that a bit more time is needed in order to determine the longer-range value of the shutdown defenceman. A three-year term allows both sides to get a clearer picture of what the longer-term AAV looks like and Samberg remaining a lifelong Jet very much remains a possibility. That the Jets are paying Samberg US$6.5 million in each of the final two years of the deal shows that they believe the 2017 second-rounder has the ability to continue his upward trajectory. JULIO CORTEZ / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES Winnipeg Jets defenceman Dylan Samberg JULIO CORTEZ / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES Winnipeg Jets defenceman Dylan Samberg The US$4.25 million salary Samberg receives this coming season represents a dramatic boost from the US$1.4 million he made in each of the previous two campaigns, that's how the Jets landed at US$5.75 million over three years. This bridge deal amounts to the Jets buying two UFA years at a premium. Of course, the risk is that by not going seven or eight years (a number that won't be available under the terms of the new collective bargaining agreement that begins for 2026-27), Samberg can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 of 2028. However, it's also true that if Samberg plays the way he did last season — in his first year logging 20-plus minutes on the second pairing — for the next two seasons, that the Jets will have no problem ponying up a contract that resembles the seven x US$7 million pact that Vladislav Gavrikov signed with the New York Rangers this summer. It's possible that it could cost the Jets more in the long run by not extending Samberg sooner, as he's trending to become a foundational piece for them. However, the current deal aligns with the point of the winning window that should be the widest, given the age of the vast majority of the core pieces. Ensuring Samberg and Perfetti are part of that next wave will remain a priority for the Jets, with Perfetti needing a new deal of his own next summer. On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being outstanding, what number best reflects Jets management efforts so far this off-season? And why that number? ED MCINTYRE: If we're talking about off the ice, then I'd say the number is close to 10. Signing the hometown hockey hero in Toews was a slam dunk when it comes to marketing and PR. However, I know your question is about the hockey product, so I'll give that a six at this point. Not great. Not terrible. But — and I know this will be a bit of as controversial take — there's nothing really wrong with that. The Jets didn't need to go out and hit a grand slam this summer. There's not a whole lot that was broken and needed fixing. I'm not sold on the idea of counting on Toews to be your No. 2 centre, but then I'm reminded of the fact the guy who held down that spot all of last year — on the team that finished No. 1 in the standings — is still on the roster. That would be Vlad Namestnikov. In other words, is 'Plan B' really that bad? Obviously the loss of Ehlers looms large, but I am intrigued to see what Gustav Nyquist can bring. He's just two years removed from an offensive explosion and could help fill the void left by the dashing Dane if he can find that game. Toews, and Tanner Pearson and Cole Koepke, were the other forward adds while Brandon Tanev, Mason Appleton and Rasmus Kupari were the other losses. Winnipeg's bread and butter last year was goaltending and defensive structure, and all the same personnel in those positions is back. The real key to me is that the Jets still have about US$4 million in cap space, which could accrue to a much bigger number by the trade deadline. That's when any holes in the lineup will need to be addressed, and you'd hope the Jets try and find a way to weaponize that in the best way possible. They didn't do so last year, so we'll see if history repeats itself. Do you think Alex Iafallo starts the new season on the third line? LEE WIEBE: After signing Iafallo to a three-year extension in mid-April, it's clear the Jets value what he's brought to the table since being acquired from the Los Angeles Kings in the summer of 2023. Where he fits on the depth chart is a little more difficult to project, mostly because of his versatility. The easy answer is to say that he will start on the fourth line because that's often where he's ended up — especially post-deadline — in each of the past two years. But Iafallo isn't a traditional fourth-line player, especially since he is one of the most-used penalty killers and is deployed on the second power-play unit. JOHN WOODS / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES It's clear the Jets value what Alex Iafallo's brought to the table since being acquired from the Los Angeles Kings in the summer of 2023. JOHN WOODS / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES It's clear the Jets value what Alex Iafallo's brought to the table since being acquired from the Los Angeles Kings in the summer of 2023. Because of his smarts, tenacity and consistent double-digit goal-scoring production, Iafallo could find himself in the mix to play on a line with Toews and Perfetti — though Nyquist likely gets the first opportunity in that spot. Because Lowry is going to miss the start of the season as he works his way back from hip surgery, Iafallo is definitely an option to line up beside Morgan Barron (or Namestnikov) and Nino Niederreiter or someone like Brad Lambert, Koepke or Pearson. Since it's unclear if Barron will be playing centre or potentially being used as a winger on the third line, the crystal ball remains a bit cloudy when it comes to where Iafallo slots in. But since a prediction was asked for, I'm going to say no, Iafallo starts the season on the fourth line — but he'll spend ample time on the third line over the course of the campaign. I've always liked the idea of Iafallo of playing on a line with Lowry and since they were often used together as penalty killers last season, perhaps we'll see them used more at even-strength as well. Upgrading the 3rd pair LHD should be one of the simpler tasks for a GM. Is re-signing Haydn Fleury the best option management could come up with? CORY MCINTYRE: Did it really need an upgrade? I happen to like what Fleury brings to the lineup, with solid decision making, smooth skating and efficient puck-moving along with some size and snarl. Like it or not — and I know many will chose the latter — they also still have Logan Stanley and Ville Heinola in the mix to play as well. On the right side, you've got Colin Miller, Luke Schenn and Elias Salomonsson all competing for work. In other words, going out and adding another blue-liner to an already crowded back-end wasn't really a priority, nor should it have been. If anything, I'm surprised someone hasn't been moved out to alleviate a logjam that is going to come to a head provided everyone stays healthy. The Jets have nine guys on one-way deals, all of whom would require waivers to be sent down. I fully expected one of Heinola or Stanley to get moved, even for a late-round draft pick, just to try and recoup something. Is it possible one or both would clear waivers at this point? Perhaps. The Jets have been the best defensive team in the NHL for two straight years, so status quo on the blue-line seems like a decent play to me. Who plays more games this season: Nikita Chibrikov, Brad Lambert, Elias Salomonsson, or other? PETER WIEBE: The answer is not as easy as it would appear on the surface, particularly when it comes to how Chibrikov bounces back from the season-ending ankle injury he suffered late last season with the Manitoba Moose in the American Hockey League. The feisty winger has shown well during his small snapshot in the NHL, chipping in three goals and four points in five games with the Jets during the past two seasons — his first two playing in North America. The timing of his injury was tough, since Chibrikov might have earned another call-up and had another chance to keep improving his standing before he was sidelined. The word in the summer was that Chibrikov's recovery was progressing nicely, though it's the lost development time that concerns me when it comes to predicting he gets the most games among those in the prospect pool. I see Chibrikov as a full-time NHLer by the following season, but he's likely going to need some additional time in the AHL to get himself back up to speed, given his style of play. My feelings about the ceiling of Salomonsson are well known and he projects to be a solid top-4 D-man within two or three seasons, but the right side of the blue line is crowded right now with Dylan DeMelo, Neal Pionk (who is starting a six-year extension this fall), Schenn and Miller. So it would take a trade or an injury or two for Salomonsson to immediately jump the queue this season. Since Salomonsson was also injured and missed precious development time last season (his first season playing in North America), additional time in the AHL will serve him well over the long run as well. But he will make his NHL debut this season and could force his way into the equation. As for Lambert, the door appears to be open for him to have the best chance to make the team out of training camp — though it won't be easy, given the veterans that were brought in during free agency. However, since the Jets like to play a fast game and quite a bit of speed is leaving the lineup (Ehlers, Appleton and Kupari), Lambert has the inside track to make the jump. Should he do that, it will be up to him to show that he's ready to be a full-time player. Nobody is asking Lambert to replace the production of Ehlers, though he could become a viable secondary scoring option that brings speed and creativity to the lineup, provided he shows he can handle the defensive responsibilities. In the 'other' category, Brayden Yager is the guy with the skill set and dependability to move his way to the front of the line — though he's not going to be rushed by the Jets. Yager is the sleeper in this category, but for the time being, my answer is Lambert. Have the Jets learned their lesson with playing Connor Hellebuyck into the ground because he says he's 'good to go' or is there hope for something other than a repeat of the last 4 seasons / post-seasons? @balewski748 MCINTYRE: There's no question Hellebuyck is among the last of a dying breed: A true workhorse No. 1 goaltender who owns the net. Want proof? Consider that he's appeared in 66, 64, 60 and 63 games over the past four seasons despite having a very capable backup (Laurent Brossoit, Eric Comrie) at his disposal. Of course, his usage has become a big storyline given that his playoff numbers haven't mirrored his regular-season ones. The theory is the Jets wear him out to the point he's running on fumes. I've never been a huge believer in that line of thinking. I think his spring struggles have as much to do with everyone on the team — forwards, defencemen and even Hellebuyck himself — not properly adjusting to the different style of hockey the playoffs require and, in some cases, not being able to get out of their own way or out of their own heads. JULIO CORTEZ /THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES As long as Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck is healthy, the team will lean on him as much as possible. JULIO CORTEZ /THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES As long as Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck is healthy, the team will lean on him as much as possible. Just look at how many tips and screens get by him once the stage gets bigger. Other teams have figured out how to get to the net against Winnipeg. That's got to change as much as anything, and no doubt the hockey club is banking on building off some very painful lessons they've learned in recent years. I'm expecting Hellebuyck to once again play at least 60 times this coming year. Winnipeg has nine back-to-back games, so you can count on Comrie splitting those with him. The team will then likely find another dozen or so outings for him to spell off Hellebuyck. I believe every NHL team would ride Hellebuyck as much as possible if they were lucky enough to have him on the roster, and I don't expect the Jets to tinker much with that. The reigning Hart and Vezina Trophy winner knows his body as well as anyone, and plenty of in-season rest is built in by having him skip selected practices along the way. A few less games during the season? Perhaps. But don't expect to see anything resembling a job-share no matter how solid the No. 2 guy is. As long as Hellebuyck is healthy, you lean on him as much as possible. Has or did Kevin Cheveldayoff ever officially close the door on a Kristian Vesalainen return? @goombugga WIEBE: To my knowledge, the Jets have not officially closed the door on Vesalainen returning to the NHL. But given that this will be the fourth consecutive season that Vesalainen is playing overseas, the chances of him returning to the NHL with the Jets seems to be dwindling. Although Vesalainen is only 26 years old, the 24th overall selection in the 2017 NHL draft hasn't expressed any interest to this point in rejoining the Jets, who still hold his rights. Vesalainen actually is coming off a solid season, posting 17 goals and 36 points in 40 games in SM-liiga with HIFK Helsinki. The left-winger recently signed with HPK in Liiga. That Vesalainen only ended up playing 70 games (with two goals and five points) for the Jets is somewhat surprising, given his size (six-foot-three, 207 pounds) and skating ability. But the adaptation to the North American game wasn't a smooth one and he never truly found his way offensively — outside of the 12 goals and 30 points he had in 60 games with the Moose in 2019-20. The NHL draft remains an inexact science and the Jets hit the jackpot in the second round with Samberg, who was chosen 47th overall in 2017. But some of the players taken after Vesalainen and before Samberg include Dallas Stars goalie Jake Oettinger, Calgary Flames centre Morgan Frost, Nashville Predators blue-liner Nicolas Hague, Seattle Kraken winger Eeli Tolvanen and Stars sniper Jason Robertson. Assumption: You're the Jets GM (as Chevy is on vacation) and trading for a 2C is your top priority (as it's been determined that the Jets' 'internal' prospects, I.e. Brayden Yager, Brad Lambert, etc., won't be ready for at least one more year; at bare minimum). Question: Which player would be your top trade target, why & what assets (roster players, prospects, draft picks, etc.) would you (seriously) be willing to spend/use in order to acquire said trade target? TONY MCINTYRE: Brayden Schenn. I thought he'd be a perfect fit prior to the trade deadline last year, and that was solidified for me when I watched him be a one-man wrecking ball against the Jets during their first-round playoff series against the St. Louis Blues. Could Winnipeg find a way to pry him loose this time around? I'd certainly be asking. Nazem Kadri is another interesting one for me, given that he's the type of player who can really help you in the playoffs. There's talk about Calgary looking to move him, and the Jets should be in on that if true. In terms of what would go the other way, I firmly believe these Jets have to 'live in the moment' and do everything in the here and now to try and win a Stanley Cup. So, essentially, everything should be on the table — first round pick, all your top prospects, etc. Are there any Jets' draft picks on the radar for Canada's world junior team this year? GARY WIEBE: Although there weren't any of them invited to participate in the summer evaluation camp, it's possible that forwards Kevin He and Kieron Walton could force their way into the mix if they're able to get off to hot starts like they did last fall in the Ontario Hockey League. His explosiveness and dogged pursuit on the forecheck, coupled with his offensive outburst, would make him an interesting candidate. Walton's ability to level up as an 18-year-old at his size makes him someone who could warrant a look as well, but there are a lot of high-profile draft picks among the forward group at the summer camp that would either need to be in the NHL or get off to slow starts for opportunities to open up. However, 2025 first-rounder Sascha Boumedienne should be on Team Sweden and he could be joined by 2024 second-rounder Alfons Freij on the defence corps. So, there should be plenty of Jets fans watching the event with interest. With Jack Roslovic still being a UFA, does Winnipeg sign him? @ MCINTYRE: It's quite interesting that the 25th-overall draft pick from 2015, who put up a solid 39 points (22G, 17A) in 81 games last year with the Carolina Hurricanes, is still available this late into the off-season. It tells me that Roslovic and his agent, Claude Lemieux, are likely seeing either a term and/or salary that nobody at this point is willing to bite on. For those reasons alone, I say the answer to your question is a resounding 'no.' Just as he was during his time in Winnipeg, Roslovic continues to be the ultimate streaky player — hot for a week or two, then ice cold after that. He got off to a roaring start last season but by the playoffs was a healthy scratch at times. That's just who he is. I fully expect he signs with a team between now and mid-September when training camps begin — Vancouver reportedly has interest — but he may have to lower his asking price to make it work. Do you think the Jets will do anything for Dustin Byfuglien's retirement? That is, of course, if we could get him back here for a day or two. I assume there will be something for Blake Wheeler also. MARSHALL WIEBE: Byfuglien has yet to officially retire, but if and when he takes care of the paperwork, giving the fan base an opportunity to salute one of the most popular players in the history of the 2.0 Jets seems like something the organization would like to do. JIM MONE / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES While Dustin Byfuglien has yet to officially retire, when he does, giving the fan base an opportunity to salute one of the most popular players in the history of the 2.0 Jets seems like something the organization would like to do. JIM MONE / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES While Dustin Byfuglien has yet to officially retire, when he does, giving the fan base an opportunity to salute one of the most popular players in the history of the 2.0 Jets seems like something the organization would like to do. When that takes place is anyone's guess, since Byfuglien has done a great job of staying out of the spotlight since walking away from the sport during the 2019-20 season. Byfuglien prefers to stay in the shadows, but might make an exception at some point. As for Wheeler, he made his retirement official earlier this month after not playing in the NHL last season. Given the impact he made during 12 seasons, it's logical to think that he will also be honoured by the Jets at some point down the road. Former captain Andrew Ladd would also fall in that category — along with a few other players from the Jets 1.0 days. X and Bluesky: @mikemcintyrewpg X and Bluesky: @WiebesWorld Mike McIntyreReporter Mike McIntyre grew up wanting to be a professional wrestler. But when that dream fizzled, he put all his brawn into becoming a professional writer. Read full biography Ken WiebeReporter Raised in the booming metropolis of Altona, Man., Ken Wiebe grew up wanting to play in the NHL, but after realizing his hands were more adept at typing than scoring, he shifted his attention to cover his favourite sport as a writer. Read full biography 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
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
When it comes to Winnipeg stylophiles' caches, only the write stuff will do
In 2010 a fountain pen manufactured by Italian company Tibaldi set a record amount paid for a writing instrument, fetching an astounding $8 million at an auction in Shanghai. Renz Adame laughingly admits the so-named Fulgor Nocturnus pen, which is adorned with 945 diamonds and features a solid-gold nib, is a tad out of his price range. Nevertheless, the professional musician and dedicated stylophile — the term assigned to one who collects fountain pens, a style that relies on an internal reservoir or cartridge to hold ink — still plans to reward himself with something special when he toasts a milestone event later this month. RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS Professional musician Renz Adame has been collecting fountain pens — writing implements with an internal ink reservoir or cartridge — since he purchased his first in Ottawa in 2017. RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS Professional musician Renz Adame has been collecting fountain pens — writing implements with an internal ink reservoir or cartridge — since he purchased his first in Ottawa in 2017. Adame turns 30 on July 25. Lately he has been tossing around the idea of marking the occasion with a Pilot Custom Urushi, a Japanese-made fountain pen that is vermillion-red in colour and, according to online reviews, is 'beautifully resilient' and 'an absolute joy to write with.' While a new model goes for close to US$2,000, the West End resident is hoping to scoop one up for significantly less than that via second-hand sources. 'People might wonder who would ever spend a couple grand on a pen but I compare it to fine wine,' says Adame, an English horn player/oboist who performs with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra on a freelance basis, and who has also guested with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and Ottawa's National Arts Centre Orchestra. 'As your taste develops, you start liking better and better wine. It's the same thing with pens.' RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS Adame says he really went down the fountain-pen 'rabbit hole' during the pandemic lockdowns. RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS Adame says he really went down the fountain-pen 'rabbit hole' during the pandemic lockdowns. Adame, the eldest of four siblings, was born in the Philippines. He was 11 when his family immigrated to Winnipeg. He recalls his initial impression of his new home, as if it was yesterday. It was mid-April when he stepped out of the airport. Given the glowing sun and bright-blue sky, he expected to be greeted by a warm breeze, except he was immediately halted in his tracks. 'It was absolutely freezing out. The second the cold hit me, I was like, 'nope, I'm getting back on the plane.'' He toughed it out, and as he got older he developed a fascination with stationery, journaling and calligraphy thanks to his mom, an expert at cursive writing who never failed to create elaborate signs for family celebrations. Adame was studying music at the University of Ottawa in 2017 when he happened upon a store called Paper Papier in that city's ByWard Market. RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS INTERSECTION Renz, collector of fountain pens, Close up photo of one of Renz's favourite fountain pens created with hand-poured resin. Story: Intersection piece on Renz Adame, an avid collector of fountain pens, both modern & vintage. He has close to 300 that he sorts according to colour, brand, age, etc. He is also a calligrapher and classical musician. Reporter: Dave Sanderson July 2nd, 2025 RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS INTERSECTION Renz, collector of fountain pens, Close up photo of one of Renz's favourite fountain pens created with hand-poured resin. Story: Intersection piece on Renz Adame, an avid collector of fountain pens, both modern & vintage. He has close to 300 that he sorts according to colour, brand, age, etc. He is also a calligrapher and classical musician. Reporter: Dave Sanderson July 2nd, 2025 He poked his head inside and thought 'my goodness' when he spotted a $50 price tag attached to a Faber-Castell Loom fountain pen that caught his eye. He left the shop empty-handed. After mulling it over for a few hours, he retraced his steps and splurged on the aluminum model. 'Because I didn't know very much at the time, what I failed to realize was that the pen, which has a smaller nib, was more for map-making than calligraphy, so it wasn't overly practical,' he says, adding he would bring it along to class from time to time, but for the most part it was kept in a drawer in his apartment. Adame moved to Vancouver in the fall of 2019 to pursue a doctorate in music at the University of British Columbia. His pen predilection might never have moved past that first specimen, he feels, if COVID-19 hadn't come along in the spring of 2020, throwing the world into lockdown mode. Practically overnight, he went from rehearsing and performing '24-7' to being stuck at home, unable to do much of anything. One afternoon, he was scrolling through YouTube, only to come across video after video of individuals showing off their penmanship by writing with fountain pens. There was a chat function and after posing a few queries about what he was witnessing, 'the rabbit hole opened up,' he says with a wink. Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Adame was initially intrigued by stationary, journaling and calligraphy thanks to his mother, who is a skilled cursive writer. Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Adame was initially intrigued by stationary, journaling and calligraphy thanks to his mother, who is a skilled cursive writer. Unable to shop in person, he began perusing online stores. Within a month, he was up to 15 pens, a number that continued to increase as soon as pandemic-related restrictions were relaxed. 'I lived on West Hastings (Street), a couple of blocks from the Vancouver Pen Shop. Probably once a day when I would start to lose my mind from boredom, I'd walk over to the shop and hang out for a few hours — so much so that they eventually offered me a job on weekends, since I already knew where everything was,' he says, listing ultra-fine craftsmanship along with the wide range of what's available as reasons he was drawn to the hobby. Since moving back to Winnipeg, Adame has maintained an Instagram account dubbed There he regularly shows off models from what is currently a 300-strong collection, along with examples of his highly skilful handwriting. And while a lot of his fellow collectors specialize by focusing their attention on a specific category of pen — choosing between modern or vintage, or concentrating on a certain make or shade — his cache is 'all over the map.' 'I have a bunch that are probably 100 years old at least, but I also love the look and feel of new pens,' he says, citing 26 Market on Princess Street, Seduta Art on Arthur Street and the Pen Counter, inside U.N. Luggage on McDermot Avenue, as local suppliers he frequents on a regular basis. 'I get the question all the time — 'what's your favourite pen?' — and I tell them they can't ask me that. It's like asking me what my favourite food is. It changes depending on the day.' Maja Furlong is the president of the Vancouver Pen Club, a 19-year-old organization Adame joined when he was living in B.C. Furlong grew up in Thompson. She remembers picking up a $15 Sheaffer fountain pen from Woolworth's in 1976 to assist her with a Grade 6 essay. 'My thinking was if I used a good pen I would get a good mark, and even though I still have it, I never used that pen again,' says Furlong, seated on an outdoor patio at the Vancouver Public Library's Kitsilano branch, where the club is holding its monthly meeting. (Forget Stanley Park or the Capilano Suspension Bridge; during a recent trip to the West Coast, we made a point of attending the Vancouver Pen Club's June get-together.) Furlong bought her second fountain pen in 1992, during a trip to Vienna. No. 3 — the one that got her 'hooked' — came along nine years later, by which time she was living in B.C. 'I was working at a pharmacy and one of my co-workers would use a fountain pen to write in the pharmacy's communications book, which everyone was required to read. I asked him about it and he mentioned an online store, which in turn led me to all these other stores in Vancouver that sold fountain pens.' There were only five people, Furlong among them, when the Vancouver Pen Club held its inaugural meeting in December 2006. At last count, there were 353 members, she says, ranging in age from 10 to 80. 'There's a small handful like Renz who have moved away, but the majority live in the metro Vancouver area,' explains Furlong, who now lives in Tsawwassen, B.C. 'We usually average between 20 and 25 at the meetings, which are a great opportunity to be in a room for two hours with people who all speak the same language — fountain pens.' Furlong has attended pen conventions in Los Angeles and Portland, Ore. She currently owns a shade over 1,000 fountain pens, which she stores in zippered pen cases, glass shelving units, even coffee mugs — anything to have one close at hand, she says. 'The problem is my husband and I don't have any kids, and we're not getting any younger,' she continues, noting she especially loves chancing upon pens — 'the thrill of the hunt,' she terms it — that carry a personal inscription such as a name or date on the casing. 'We do have twin nieces, but they've both told me they have zero interest in fountain pens. So like a lot of people who collect pens or whatever, you start to wonder, hmm, what's going to happen to all this down the line?' Back in Winnipeg, Adame allows that he may not be the easiest person to go for a bite with. Reach into your pocket for a pen to jot something down and right away he's curious, be it a fountain pen in your hand or not. 'I honestly always glance at what people write with. I've run into a few people in coffee shops who write with fountain pens, which is always super fun,' he says. Additionally, he'll study still frames from movies and TV shows that other pen aficionados have posted online in an effort to determine the precise sort of pen a character is employing. 'Even when I'm at the grocery store, I always have a fountain pen in my pocket. I'll be walking through an aisle and go 'oh yeah, don't forget to buy lettuce,' and I'll pull it out to make a note to myself.' Monthly What you need to know now about gardening in Winnipeg. An email with advice, ideas and tips to keep your outdoor and indoor plants growing. David Sanderson Dave Sanderson was born in Regina but please, don't hold that against him. Read full biography 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
29-06-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
New transit system launches
Winnipeg's new bus network is now in effect, with the first bus on the Primary Transit Network departing Portage Avenue at Spence Street just after 5:30 a.m. Sunday. The new spine-and-feeder transit model means most bus routes have changed with this overhaul to the city's transit system, and teams of Winnipeg Transit staff are set to hit the streets in high-bus-traffic areas to help transit users navigate the changes. Users can map their new bus routes in advance using Winnipeg Transit's Navigo online or on the app. RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS FILES Bjorn Radstrom is the manager of Transit Service Development and project manager for the new transit network. 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. The city has said the new network, consisting of a main bus line (spine) that connects to feeder buses along community routes, will provide more reliable and frequent service. It's being hailed as the biggest change in Winnipeg Transit's 142-year history. The project manager for the Primary Transit Network, Bjorn Radstrom, Winnipeg Transit's manager of service development, is set to provide an update this morning about the launch. MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES The new Winnipeg Primary Transit network came into effect early Sunday morning, representing an overhaul of the city's bus system. We want to hear about your experiences with the new Winnipeg transit network. Share your thoughts online. Here's an online survival guide to help navigate the transit changes.
Winnipeg Free Press
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
All-Canadian mixtape: Manitoba radio personalities share their top picks for a patriotic soundtrack
Elbows up and headphones on. Canada Day falls on Tuesday and veteran radio personality Howard Mandshein doesn't mince words when he is asked how, in his expert opinion, music acts from the Great White North stack up against their international counterparts. 'I'm from a radio era when it was decided you had to — check that, you were forced to — play Canadian music,' says Mandshein, the longtime host of the Sunday Morning Resurrection, heard weekly on 92.1 CITI-FM. 'Excuse my language but f—- that. Canadian music has always been able to stand on its own two feet. It's as good as anything else heard around the world, if not better.' As for homegrown songs he enjoys most, sure he can come up with a few off the top of his head, but question him again tomorrow, he says, and those recommendations will probably be completely different. 'Any list of mine has to include Tom Cochrane, he's a god to me,' Mandshein states. 'If Brian Wilson wrote the California dream, Tom wrote the Canadian dream with songs like Good Times and Big League.' Mandshein also cites a little-heard soul band from Toronto called Mandala. 'They had a song Love-Itis. It was a cover, but it absolutely captured my heart when I was a kid.' Thirdly, Mandshein adores 'everything' about River, from Joni Mitchell's classic album Blue. 'The hypnotic music, the pictures she painted, her voice… I get a tear in my eye just thinking about it.' Now if you're debating what tunes to include on your personal July 1 playlist, you've come to the right place. Here's what other local radio types had to say in regard to their favourite Canadian tracks, each of which, we should point out, is 100 per cent tariff-free. RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS Vicki Shae in studio at Country 99. RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS The Girl — City and Colour (2008): This song is like a warm sweater, then it shifts into an Irish folk mode that's so joyful. These Eyes — Guess Who (1969): I could easily make all five of my selections Guess Who/Burton Cummings songs. They're all so catchy and melodically interesting. This piano riff is everything. Lost Together — Blue Rodeo (1992): It was hard not to pick a Blue Rodeo song with Jim Cuddy singing because I absolutely love his voice. But this song (with Greg Keelor on lead vocals) is so anthemic. AMBER BRACKEN / THE CANADIAN PRESS Blue Rodeo AMBER BRACKEN / THE CANADIAN PRESS Blue Rodeo Rosy and Grey — Lowest of the Low (1991): I don't even know how this song came onto my radar but ever since I first heard it, I've been charmed by it. It's earnest and cheeky. It's All Coming Back to Me Now — Céline Dion (1996): Céline Dion was my idol when I was a kid, so I had to include her. This song is so epic and booming and dramatic. Don't watch the video for it though. It's brutal. Supplied Phil Aubrey, left, and Joe Aiello of 92.1 CITI Supplied Phil Aubrey, left, and Joe Aiello of 92.1 CITI Under My Thumb — Streetheart (1979): After all these years, I still remember that night at the old Winnipeg Arena. It was my first concert and I will never forget seeing Kenny Shields holding his thumb up in the air and giving us an incredible version of the (Rolling) Stones' cover. Big League — Tom Cochrane and Red Rider (1988): The memory of Tom Cochrane and (guitarist) Ken Greer giving us an amazing acoustic version of this song in the 92.1 studios many years ago blew me away. Superstitious Feeling — Harlequin (1982): One of the first bands I had the pleasure of seeing live, I believe in 1982. To this day I love hearing (lead vocalist) George Belanger ripping through the lyrics with that raw and gritty voice. Just great. Wheat Kings — Tragically Hip (1992): I remember introducing them at Another Roadside Attraction, early on in my career. Hearing this great ballad just feels like Manitoba. JOE BRYKSA / FREE PRESS FILES The Tragically Hip JOE BRYKSA / FREE PRESS FILES The Tragically Hip All Uncovered — Watchmen (1994): I have loved this song since the day it was released, and I still love seeing them perform it live. Canadian Railroad Trilogy — Gordon Lightfoot (1967): It's like an epic poem in musical form. I also reckon it's a song before its time, as it doesn't just celebrate the evolution of our nation, but acknowledges this land was here 'long before the white man' settled what we now know as Canada. They called him a troubadour for a reason. Constant Craving — k.d. lang (1992): A beautifully produced song that, to my ears, still sounds as fresh today as when it was released. She has a voice like warm honey. I don't know if there's a better song about yearning. Try Again — Andy Shauf (2019): He's a great songwriter, with such a unique voice. This song is such a heady mix of bittersweet nostalgia, self-deprecating humour and melancholic self-awareness, both lyrically and musically. The clarinet makes it. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES William Prince MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES William Prince Breathless — William Prince (2015): A man with a voice so warm and fuzzy it wraps you up like a cosy blanket. An incredible ambassador for Manitoba in Nashville and around the world. He was amazing live at the Winnipeg Folk Fest a few years back. Lovers in a Dangerous Time — Barenaked Ladies (1991): A Canadian band covering a Canadian songwriting legend, Bruce Cockburn; and one of the rare occasions where I genuinely believe the cover is better than the original. The line 'Got to kick at the darkness 'til it bleeds daylight' is so incredibly visceral — and a phrase that rings true now more than ever. Lunatic Fringe — Red Rider (1981): How fitting my favourite Canadian song comes from Lynn Lake's Tom Cochrane. My heart loves the guitar solo and the best way to listen to it is as loudly as possible. This song remains as relevant today as when it first was released. Nothin' at All — Maestro Fresh-Wes feat. George Banton (1991): A thank you to my partner Colin for educating me on all that is Maestro Fresh-Wes. Maestro is Canada through and through, from sampling Canadian artists in his songs to educating the country on injustice faced by Indigenous and Black Canadian communities on songs like Nothin' At All. JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS FILES k.d. lang JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS FILES k.d. lang Luck in My Eyes — k.d. lang (1989): Yes, Constant Craving and the entire Ingenue album are great, but Luck in My Eyes from Absolute Torch and Twang, is a nod to lang's country roots. I love her delivery, and it's so fun to sing. Confetti — Charlotte Cardin (2023): This song is very new. Charlotte's voice is sultry and at times it sounds as if she's singing her way through sticky maple syrup. She also switches seamlessly from English to French in her pop catalogue. It's a Good Life If You Don't Weaken — Tragically Hip (2002): I love many Hip songs but for this particular list I've chosen this one. It's beautiful, it's haunting. The call and answer 'find somewhere to go, go somewhere we're needed' hits hardest while listening to it in the early-morning hours. SUPPLIED Tom Cochrane SUPPLIED Tom Cochrane Life is a Highway — Tom Cochrane (1991): Mad Mad World was the first CD I ever purchased from Columbia House, and boy did I rock out to this song. Now my four-year-old son does the same thing with the Rascal Flatts version, thanks to the animated movie Cars. Wheat Kings — Tragically Hip (1992): Growing up in rural Manitoba, there was something special about Canada's biggest band at the time releasing a song about a massive story on the Prairies. That and I loved the Brandon Wheat Kings. Any Man of Mine — Shania Twain (1995): It's extremely difficult for a Canadian to break into the country-music world south of the border. Shania broke across every border in the world with this banger. If it's getting quiet on the dance floor at a social, all the DJ has to do is put this song on. FRED GREENSLADE / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES The Guess Who FRED GREENSLADE / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES The Guess Who No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature — Guess Who (1970): My high school science teacher was a massive fan of the Guess Who. At least once a week we'd walk into his class with this song on in the background. Lifted — Dallas Smith (2014): When Dallas Smith left Default and came over to the country world, this song off his first country album 'lifted' his name to the top of the Canadian country charts. He's been a massive presence on the Canadian country scene ever since, and has helped us host many charitable events in Winnipeg, so he'll always get a ton of love from me. Working Man — Rush (1974): Forget Canadian, this is one of the greatest rock songs ever created in any country. Cordelia — Tragically Hip (1991): The best song off the Hip's best album, Road Apples. Fight the Good Fight — Triumph (1981): Three of my top five could have been Triumph. Or the Hip. TREVOR HAGAN / FREE PRESS FILES The Headstones TREVOR HAGAN / FREE PRESS FILES The Headstones Three Angels — Headstones (1993): Seeing Hugh Dillon (lead vocalist) live is something everyone should experience. Rock You — Helix (1984): Don't judge me. Helix is an important part of growing up in Transcona. Grace, Too — The Tragically Hip (1994): The Tragically Hip must be represented and if I have to pick just one, it'd be Grace, Too. Gord's performance here takes you for such a ride. Such a dreamy little hook off the top as well, with the whole thing turned up to 11 by the time they wrap it up. Having an Average Weekend (Kids in the Hall theme) — Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet (1985): Every time I heard that bass line, I knew something bananas was about to happen. Constant Craving — k.d. lang (1992): Painful and pure and timeless. THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Gordon Lightfoot THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Gordon Lightfoot The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald — Gordon Lightfoot (1976): That moment in the third verse, right around the time the 'wave broke over the railing' and the steel guitar kicks in… Even if you aren't familiar with the story, you know at that moment no one is coming home. Gets me every time. The Rest of My Life — Sloan (2003): I played these folks on the radio a ton in the late '90s, and I loved every song. I named my daughter partly in honour of their awesomeness. This one has the edge for our purposes today, very simply for the reason it mentions the word Canada. Hasn't Hit Me Yet — Blue Rodeo (1993): Instead of changing the words to O Canada, they should've junked it entirely and substituted this song. Anyone who's ever been part of a crowd and sung along with it at the top of their lungs knows why. Who cares if it's just a song about getting dumped? I Pity the Country — Willie Dunn (1971): The only song on my list that's specifically about Canada and it's not too positive. But an ability to recognize one's own shortcomings and do something about it is a special kind of greatness itself. (Definitive cover: Leanne Betasamosake Simpson) I'm an Adult Now — the Pursuit of Happiness (1986): When I look back on my wasted life while recuperating from knee-replacement surgery, I'll still be playing air guitar to this one. Mercury — Kathleen Edwards (2002): There's only six lines in this song that captures a moment so pure and real. SIX lines. Have Not Been the Same — Slow (1985): The title of this song was used for the title of an encyclopedic history of Canadian rock music from 1985 to 1995 with good reason. It rocks. My Girl (Gone, Gone, Gone) — Chilliwack (1981): I played this song so much my parents would stand at the top of the stairs and yell 'gone, gone, gone!' That was my cue to turn it down. Turn Me Loose — Loverboy (1980): I loved their debut album and played it to death. Mike Reno's voice is/was amazing. Tonite Is a Wonderful Time to Fall in Love — April Wine (1975): The melodies were coupled perfectly with the vocals. Great song all the way around. Innocence — Harlequin (1980): I actually went to the record store in Brandon to meet and get autographs from the band after falling in love with this song and album (Love Crimes). Who would have known that years later (lead vocalist) George Belanger would become a great friend? One More Time — Streetheart (1982): The vocal prowess of Kenny Shields and anthemic sounds from the band equals a fantastic party tune. Today's Empires, Tomorrow's Ashes — Propagandhi (2001): The title track from my favourite Winnipeg band's third album is a brilliant reminder that our voice is the most powerful gift we have. Unrelenting riffs and intelligent lyrics that suggest we are doomed to keep repeating the same history if we don't pick up the mantle and start driving the change that we want to see. Which Way You Goin' Billy? — Poppy Family (1969): Everyone loves Ian and Sylvia (Tyson), but I'll take the melancholy pop from this group led by Terry and Susan Jacks every day of the week. This track is so sad and beautiful, I think everyone can relate to trying to move on from a love that's no longer shared. My Definition of a Boombastic Jazz Style — Dream Warriors (1991): Summer of 1991, the video for this was all over MuchMusic, which I was consuming with a daily vigour. With its classic Quincy Jones sample (Soul Bossa Nova) and the sly nod to the classic Canadian game show (Definition) whose theme shared that same hook, this track helped broaden my burgeoning love of hip hop and showed me there were some really talented rap cats north of the border. Coax Me — Sloan (1994): I remember the uproar when Chart magazine declared Twice Removed the greatest Canadian album of all time. The more time passes, the more I believe they weren't wrong. 'It's not the band I hate, it's their fans' is one of my favourite lyrics of all time, and it anchors this indisputable indie-rock anthem. HANDOUT / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Weakerthans HANDOUT / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Weakerthans Left & Leaving — Weakerthans (2000): I've lived in this city for the better part of my life, something I wear like a badge of honour, as many Winnipeggers do. The lyrics of this song paint the city in a stark, honest light and its poignancy hits on multiple levels. Some of us are here because we couldn't escape, some because we couldn't resist the pull to return, and then there are those who chose to stay, never wanting to leave in the first place. Theme from 'A Summer Place' — Percy Faith (1959): I was eight when this song topped the charts for weeks. To this day it always means summer to me… and I never even saw the movie. Mom and Dad controlled the radio back then. Born To Be Wild — Steppenwolf (1968): Long before Bryan Adams gave us a great driving song (we think he means Summer of '69), this was my go-to. Plus it's the song that gave us the term 'heavy metal.' These Eyes — the Guess Who (1969): Having grown up in East Kildonan near Chad Allan, I've always been a fan of theirs. It was so exciting when this song started making waves across North America in 1969. We were so proud they were from Winnipeg. Amy Harris / Invision / The Associated Press files Neil Young Amy Harris / Invision / The Associated Press files Neil Young Heart of Gold — Neil Young (1972): I could have picked so many of Neil's songs but this was one of the first records I ever played at my first job in radio, at CHTM in Thompson. I Just Wanna Stop — Gino Vanelli (1978): I was working in Montreal at the time. I was in love with both the city and a special lady. The lyrics say it all. All That I Know — Winnipeg's Most (2010): An absolute masterpiece. Danny's Song — Anne Murray (1972): I love Anne Murray so much. My dad graduated from the University of New Brunswick with her, which is my biggest claim to fame. Friction — The Lytics (2018): This song could have been made in any era and still been a banger. I'm With You — Avril Lavigne (2002): No apologies. Nathan Denette / The Canadian Press files Roll On Down the Highway — Bachman-Turner Overdrive (1974): I didn't grow up with BTO, so it's still kinda new to me. One of the greatest driving songs in history. David Sanderson Dave Sanderson was born in Regina but please, don't hold that against him. Read full biography 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
22-06-2025
- Automotive
- Winnipeg Free Press
Righting Portage and Main wrong the first step on way to a better downtown
Opinion Winnipeg is poised for one of the most important do-overs in its long and storied history. If all goes to schedule, Portage Avenue and Main Street will — finally, thankfully — be open to pedestrians this week. The intensive work to remove the brutalist concrete barriers is, rather remarkably, approaching completion. After having debated it for so long, Winnipeggers can now stop talking about if it's going to happen, and start asking themselves what it means. RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS FILES After having debated reopening Portage and Main for so long, Winnipeggers can now stop talking about if it's going to happen, and start asking themselves what it means. That is an incredibly different question to answer, given there is still likely a deep divide between those who think this is a good idea, and those who consider it to be a colossal waste of money. Regardless of which camp you're in, let's consider what it could mean. The closure of the intersection to pedestrians was an enormous error. However, it was an error that was very much in lockstep with urban-design thinking in the late 1970s, when the barriers were erected. At that time, cities all over North America bent over backwards to make it easier for cars to move in, about and back out of downtown areas. The Portage and Main barriers, along with the Winnipeg Square underground mall, were considered best practices for helping vehicular traffic and giving pedestrians a safe and warm place to go. Today, we can see rather easily that this kind of approach to downtown design was deeply flawed. Making it easier for cars and trucks to move around is not conducive to a livable neighbourhood. Nor are measures that take people off the streets, even in a city such as Winnipeg, where harsh weather makes going outside a somewhat challenging concept. Cities of all sizes are undertaking do-overs for this kind of design thinking. Boston, San Francisco and Milwaukee have completed projects to remove downtown freeways built as monuments to the automobile. Even Halifax recently replaced its infamous Cogswell Interchange — a multi-level highway that bisected the downtown — with a more traditional street grid design that sought to restore pedestrian traffic and improve active-transportation links. That makes the decision to remove the Portage and Main barriers, which was undertaken rather courageously by Mayor Scott Gillingham and council last year, very much in keeping with current thinking. However, before anyone questions whether this contemporary mindset is, like its predecessors, doomed to be abandoned within a few more decades, consider that we're quickly moving to a model of downtown pedestrian and vehicular traffic that has proven to be both successful and enduring in other countries. When you don't spend money on building bigger, longer, wider roads, you have a lot of additional money to spend on other things, including walkability, active and public transportation and promoting densification of residential development. These are the building blocks of sustainable, livable downtowns. In fact, if we should hope for any single consequence from the reopening of our famous intersection, it should be that it's just the start of more courageous decisions to make downtown more welcoming for foot traffic. The city is already inching closer to this idea in other areas of downtown. Graham Avenue, for example, will undergo an initial conversion, losing its designation as a dedicated bus route and allowing car traffic, albeit with a much lower speed limit. Longer term, Gillingham has talked about the possibility of turning it into a pedestrian mall and cycling route. The same conversation needs to unfold on the future of the west Exchange District. Bannatyne and McDermot avenues, along with Albert and Arthur streets, are ripe for a pedestrian mall. As it stands now, parts of all of those routes are closed periodically during the summer to accommodate music and theatre festivals. Those closures provides valuable insight into how a permanent pedestrian mall would impact that area. Just about everyone who lives or works in the Exchange knows that in the first few days after the barriers are put up for a festival, traffic is a hot mess as drivers get trapped on the area's network of one-way streets. After the initial shock and awe, however, they choose different routes to avoid the most-affected streets and intersections. It's proof that like rainwater, traffic that is stopped from going in one direction will eventually leak out and find another way to get where it wants to go. Tuesdays A weekly look at politics close to home and around the world. Our aversion to permanent pedestrian malls is one of the mindsets that prevents Canadian cities from taking downtown revitalization to the next level. In the United Kingdom, for example, it is rarer to find a town or city that has not closed its core to vehicles. Sometimes, vehicular traffic is allowed in these areas during business hours but is blocked during the evening and on weekends. Combine pedestrian malls with robust and accessible transit hubs — as is almost always the case in the U.K. — and you've got a tried and true way of pulling people into the core. On its own, reopening one intersection isn't going to transform the downtown, but as an incentive for local government to continue pressing for similar innovations, it could be transformative. Dan LettColumnist Dan Lett is a columnist for the Free Press, providing opinion and commentary on politics in Winnipeg and beyond. Born and raised in Toronto, Dan joined the Free Press in 1986. Read more about Dan. Dan's columns are built on facts and reactions, but offer his personal views through arguments and analysis. The Free Press' editing team reviews Dan's columns before they are posted online or published in print — part of the our 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.
