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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.
Winnipeg Free Press
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
‘I love being a Winnipeg Jet'
Mason Appleton not only wore his heart on his sleeve, he stated his intentions just above the brim of his cap. As he stood in front of reporters on Tuesday, the Winnipeg Jets right-winger was sporting a lid with WPG on it. For someone who is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, it wasn't an accident Appleton chose to show his support to a community he's grown to be a big part of, spending nearly seven-and-a-half of his eight NHL seasons in the Jets' organization. 'Obviously each side has to talk and stuff has to get figured out. I love being a Winnipeg Jet. It's all I've really known. I was in Seattle for a short while. I love it here and I love this organization. If we could work it out, I'd be happy to be a Jet,' said Appleton, who was asked a follow-up about what was on his checklist for his next contract. 'I'm 29. I'd like some term, some stability on that. But, at the same time, sometimes that changes the numbers on that. I guess I kind of got an idea in my head. We haven't really had much communication with them. Hopefully, in the next little bit here maybe we could get to work and see what both sides want and go from there.' Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Winnipeg Jets' Mason Appleton is one of eight pending unrestricted free agents in the organization. Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Winnipeg Jets' Mason Appleton is one of eight pending unrestricted free agents in the organization. With some unknowns surrounding his future, Appleton admits that saying goodbye is a bit different this time around. 'Yeah, it is. I've never been in a spot like this, as a potential UFA,' said Appleton, originally chosen by the Jets in the sixth round of the 2015 NHL draft. 'When you've got a term left on your deal, a loss stings and the season ends and you end up where you dwell and you get over it and then, 'It's OK, we've got next year.' 'That's not the reality for me right now. You don't know what next year brings or where that will be. But, like I said, I love being a Winnipeg Jet.' Appleton is one of eight pending UFAs in the organization, which includes Nikolaj Ehlers, Brandon Tanev, Dominic Toninato and Axel Jonsson-Fjallby, defencemen Haydn Fleury and Dylan Coghlan and goalie Chris Driedger. Ehlers is the highest profile player on the list and even as he was suiting up for Denmark at the 2025 IIHF men's world championship, his future was one of the topics discussed. 'I love it here and I love this organization. If we could work it out, I'd be happy to be a Jet.'–Mason Appleton After being added to the top power-play unit this year, Ehlers saw an uptick in his production, registering 24 goals and 63 points in 69 games before adding five goals and seven points in eight playoff contests. 'He's an awesome guy to be around and it's been such a pleasure watching him grow his game — not only on the ice but off the ice as well — and watching him become the guy he is,' said Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck. 'He's such a big part of this family and the heart and soul of a lot of things we do here. Not only does he bring it on the ice, but just around the rink he's a pleasure to be around. 'You know he's going to have your back no matter what you're going through. He's a big part of the group.' Tanev was reminiscing about his first tour of duty with the organization and thankful for a second crack at a playoff run in 2025. 'Obviously, I had my start here and to come back for a second go around, it's awesome,' said Tanev. 'It was an opportunity to come to a good group, a great city with good people in it and to live out your dream playing in the NHL. I think no matter where you are, your goal is to play in the NHL and to win a Stanley Cup. 'So I've always been grateful for my time here in Winnipeg, and it's been awesome and the fans and everyone have made it that way.' 'Being able to play in a city where hockey matters for me is huge.'–Haydn Fleury Defenceman Fleury signed a two-way deal to play a depth role, but ended up suiting up in some of the Jets most important games of the season, including a Game 7 victory over the St. Louis Blues in the opening round. There were ups-and-downs to endure, as injuries opened the door for Fleury to see some second pairing minutes with Neal Pionk during the first half of the season, but a lower-body issue he sustained on Dec. 23 against the Toronto Maple Leafs impeded his momentum to the point he was a healthy scratch down the stretch and for the beginning of the playoffs. But Fleury appeared in 39 games during the regular season and then got into eight of the 13 post-season contests, enhancing his value, whether he sticks around or hits the open market. 'I'd love to stay. I really enjoyed my time here,' said Fleury. 'My wife and my kids really enjoy it. And being able to play in a city where hockey matters for me is huge. And just to be able to show my kids how much a sport can do for a community is something that I'm really proud that I got to show my son this year.' The Jets already have eight blue-liners under contract for next season, while Elias Salmonsson will be trying to work his way into the equation as well. Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Winnipeg Jets' Haydn Fleury makes his way out of the locker room as the players pack up for the season. Fleury is also an unrestricted free agent this off-season. Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Winnipeg Jets' Haydn Fleury makes his way out of the locker room as the players pack up for the season. Fleury is also an unrestricted free agent this off-season. THE CHANCE: Appleton had the best chance to give the Jets the lead in Game 6 on Saturday, but Dallas Stars goalie Jake Oettinger made a sprawling glove save to prevent his backdoor shot from going in with roughly eight-and-a-half minutes to go in regulation time. Appleton brought up the chance unprompted and got emotional when talking about the glorious opportunity to provide the go-ahead goal. 'The puck didn't really settle how I wanted it to, so I didn't really hit it how I needed or wanted to,' said Appleton. 'You look back at it, (if) you score the goal, you're winning the game. So, yeah, obviously it's kind of haunting in a sense. Frustrating. 'But at the same time you see goalies make incredible saves. I didn't get what I wanted on it, but at the end of the day it's a game of inches.' 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. As haunting as the missed chance was, Appleton said it was one of many moments that could have gone either way in the tight series with the Stars. 'You think about those things for days,' said Appleton. 'It's athletes competing. It's not pen and paper where you're just figuring out stuff and it's yes or no answers. That's not how the game of hockey works. There's what ifs in everyday life, but there's a million in hockey with two teams competing at that pace for 60 minutes. What if they didn't hit the post there close to the end and it just went in? Like a million what ifs on both sides, but man, yeah, it's a sport and it is what it is.' Appleton finished the playoffs with seven assists in 13 games, which left him tied for third on the team with Ehlers and defenceman Pionk. Only Mark Scheifele (12 points) and Kyle Connor (five goals, 17 points) produced more than Appleton offensively during the first two rounds. Appleton had 10 goals and 22 points in 71 games during the regular season, a slight dip from the career-high 14 goals and 34 points he had in 82 games in 2023-24. INJURY UPDATE: During the playoffs, Jets defenceman Luke Schenn dropped a hint that he wasn't necessarily a healthy scratch when he was replaced by Colin Miller early in the second-round series with the Stars. On Thursday, he revealed that he had been playing with a pair of cracked ribs, the result of a hit he delivered in the third period of Game 2 against the St. Louis Blues. 'I just went to go hit a guy and felt it right there,' said Luke. 'I had that for the remainder of the playoffs, so yeah, it's obviously, it's tough. I mean, that was a hard-fought, physical series and then you're trying to continue to play with that. So, no, it's not an excuse, it's just, you're trying to battle through that while not being hesitant, that was the grind. But the training staff did an incredible job and just sort of, yeah, tried to push through and help the team any way I could.' Are cracked ribs the same as broken ribs? 'It's not, but I'm not the doctor,' said Schenn. 'But all I know is it doesn't feel great.' Luke wasn't the only Schenn brother playing through pain. Nor was he the only member of the Schenn family keeping a secret. '(Brayden) did not know about that,' said Luke. 'Funny enough, he had an injury that was almost very similar to mine, and I didn't know about his either, and he comes up after Game 7 and he goes, 'Yeah, I'm pretty banged up,' and I go, 'Point,' and he shows me the spot, and I'm like, 'That's literally where I'm sore, too.' And my dad knew, and he didn't tell both of us either.' 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.
CBC
30-04-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Winnipeg Coun. Jason Schreyer dead at 57
Council adjourns monthly meeting following passing of Elmwood-East Kildonan councillor City council is mourning the loss of Coun. Jason Schreyer, 57, who represented the Winnipeg ward of Elmwood-East Kildonan. Council announced the councillor's death in a statement Wednesday morning, calling him a "strong and independent voice in the council chamber" who was "always focused on fighting for the residents of his community and keeping life affordable." The son of former Manitoba premier and governor general of Canada Ed Schreyer and Lily Schreyer, Jason Schreyer was first elected to city council in the 2014 general election, when he defeated one-term councillor Thomas Steen, a former Winnipeg Jet. Schreyer won 55 per cent of the vote in that election. He secured 55 per cent support when he won a second term in 2018 and then 62 per cent when he won a third term in 2022. On the floor of council, he raised concerns about a wide array of municipal issues, including food security, community safety and construction inflation. When it was his turn to recite a prayer at the start of city council meetings, Schreyer occasionally sang songs instead. At city hall, a monthly council meeting slated for Wednesday was adjourned due to his death and flags will be lowered to half-mast. Several councillors hugged each other. Mynarski Coun. Ross Eadie called Schreyer his best friend. North Kildonan Coun. Jeff Browaty cried. Councillors then gathered in Mayor Scott Gillingham's office, where they told stories, laughed and cried, the mayor said in an address to reporters shortly before noon. Gillingham said all of council was shocked by the death of their colleague. The mayor offered condolences to Schreyer's family, noting the Schreyers are dedicated to public service. Schreyer worked for NDP MLAs Steve Ashton and Jim Maloway before his election to city council. Schreyer retained his affiliation with the NDP and Winnipeg's labour movement throughout his time on council and often voted alongside other left-of-centre elected officials. Schreyer attended outgoing Elmwood-Transcona NDP MP Leila Dance's gathering on election night, when she was defeated by Conservative MP-elect Colin Reynolds. In its statement, city council also praised Schreyer's "joy and creativity" outside of politics. "He had a love of music, often being the first to grab the mic at karaoke, delighting colleagues with performances at national conferences [and] sharing his talents in multiple languages at Folklorama," council said. "He was fun," Gillingham said. "He was a very talented individual so he is absolutely going to be deeply missed." The mayor said the city will commemorate Schreyer, possibly in a manner that honours the late councillor's interest in food security. The mayor's office will help Schreyer's executive assistant, Chris Hurley, manage the additional workload in the coming weeks and months, Gillingham said. The mayor said he will leave any discussions about an Elmwood-East Kildonan byelection until the future. Corrections:
