<h2>First-year Jets forward to play first game since November 14</h2>The Winnipeg Jets will get a boost on Saturday, as Rasmus Kupari makes his return to the lineup following an extended injury absence.Kupari, 23, has been out of the lineup for 60 days after suffering an injury to his AC joint in the shoulder on a play against the boards in a game vs. the New Jersey Devils in mid-November.He missed two months of action before rejoining the team for practices over the past couple weeks. The offseason acquisition from Los Angeles was then reassigned to the American Hockey League's Manitoba Moose, where he played one game on a brief conditioning stint. This stretch in the minors was likely originally expected to be longer, but the injury to Jets forward Mark Scheifele on Thursday may have sped up the process, as Moose coach Mark Morrison liked what he saw from the speedy forward. Kupari will likely be eased into the action on Saturday and not expected to serve any time on the power play. The Jets host the Philadelphia Flyers at 6:00 PM central time, as the host looks to continue its eight-game winning streak and 14-game point streak.

Rasmus Kupari Expected to Return to Jets Lineup Following Injury

<h2>Another big week for manitoban goaltenders</h2>Brandon, Manitoba's Kristen Campbell has been named the PWHL’s inaugural Goaltender of the Year."It's an honour to win this award," Campbell told the Grand Forks Herald. "There are so many great goaltenders in this league and I think that was showing throughout the year in all the low-scoring games. I'm just really grateful and thankful for all my teammates in Toronto who also made this possible."Campbell was the only goaltender to record more than 10 wins this season, tallying 16 wins with PWHL Toronto—seven more wins than Emerance Maschmeyer of PWHL Ottawa, who finished second in wins with nine.Campbell’s 1.99 goals against average also led all PWHL goaltenders who recorded more than 10 starts this season.Her .927 save percentage finished third among PWHL goaltenders—a category led by fellow Manitoban netminder Corinne Schroeder.Campbell’s historic season comes as no surprise to people who have been following her career.Impressive campaigns with Manitoba’s Westman Wildcats AAA program, and Shaftesbury Titans women’s high school club earned her national recognition, where Campbell suited up with the Canadian Women’s U18 team—earning a silver medal.At the collegiate level, Campbell transferred from North Dakota’s Fighting Hawks to Wisconsin, joining the Badgers in 2017. Campbell went 90-13-7 over three seasons with the Badgers, where she averaged an incredible 1.03 goals against in 41 starts in 2018-19 en route to a national championship.With few avenues to continue her illustrious career after college, Campbell dressed in only 14 games from 2020-21 to 2022-23.The founding of the PWHL changed the narrative for Campbell - and women across the world - providing an opportunity to continue playing the sport they love on a professional basis.Campbell is expected to return to Toronto next season for her second year of a three-year contract—where she will try and defend her title of the PWHL’s best goaltender.Corinne Schroeder inks two-year extension with PWHL New YorkAnother Manitoban netminder, Corinne Schroeder, has agreed to a two-year extension with PWHL New York.“Corinne has definitely proven that she belongs among the world’s elite at her position,” said PWHL New York general manager Pascal Daoust. “Beyond her physical presence and athleticism, her relentless determination to improve every day on and off the ice and become the best version of herself makes her a key player in our pursuit of excellence and championship.”Schroeder’s .930 save percentage led all PWHL goaltenders in the league’s inaugural season, where she averaged 31.67 saves per game.The extension makes Schroeder the first New York player to re-sign with the club this offseason.“I’m incredibly excited to be back in New York” said Schroeder. “The fans are so supportive and encouraging, to play in front of them again will be an honour."The Elm Creek native posted notable stats in minor hockey with the Pembina Valley Hawks and the Balmoral Hall Blazers prep program.After four seasons and 91 starts with Boston University of the NCAA, Schroeder transferred to Quinnipiac for the 2021-22 season, where she finished third in the nation with a save percentage of .951.Schroeder joined the Boston Pride of the Premier Hockey Federation in 2022-23, earning PHF Goaltender of the Year and Rookie of the Year honours after posting a .955 save percentage, going 19-1-0 during the regular season.After her debut season with PWHL New York, the 24-year-old backstop is excited to get back in net and help guide the team to its first playoff appearance.“This past season I experienced a lot of growth as a person and a player, so I’m excited for further growth personally and as a team. I’m looking forward to playing a greater role in continuing to build our organization and community.”

PWHL Goaltenders Campbell and Schroeder Representing Manitoba at the Highest Level

<h2>Ste. Anne product taken 42nd overall by Toronto at 2024 pwhl draft</h2>Three months ago, Ste. Anne's Raygan Kirk led the Ohio State Buckeyes to their third-straight National Championship appearance and was perfect, stopping all 27 shots she faced in the 1-0 win over Wisconsin in the title game. Her stellar performance helped Ohio State win its second Championship in the past three seasons.&nbsp;The 23-year-old backstop then turned her attention to the upcoming PWHL Draft.&nbsp;In her final draft-eligible season, Kirk shined between the pipes. She owned an outstanding 22-2-0 record, a 1.05 goals-against average, a .945 save percentage and a phenomenal 10 shutouts (combined between the regular season and playoffs).&nbsp;Pre-draft rankings had the former Eastman Selects standout all over the board.&nbsp;The Athletic&nbsp;had Kirk ranked 24th overall and the No. 2 netminder in the draft, while&nbsp;The Hockey News&nbsp;ranked her as the third-best goaltender and the 55th overall prospect, which would have seen her go undrafted.&nbsp;Based on her outstanding senior season, it seemed like a lock for Kirk to be selected at Monday’s draft, but she had to wait for the very last pick to hear her name called by PWHL Toronto.Before going to college, Kirk won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2019 IIHF U18 World Championship, starting all four games and earning MVP of the tournament. She also became the youngest player ever to be invited to a Team Canada Summer Showcase camp (2019).But the road to the 42nd overall pick wasn’t only national championships and gold medals. Back in 2021, the place she started her NCAA career folded its women's and men’s hockey teams.In her two years at Robert Morris University, Kirk posted a combined 23-13-2 record and seven shutouts. She really started to break through with a .939 save percentage in her sophomore season which was 11th best among Division I netminders in 2020-21.&nbsp;After finding a new home at Ohio State, Kirk went from being a top goaltender in the NCAA to sitting on the bench behind Amanda Thiele and Andrea Braendli. Kirk started a combined 15 games in her first two years with the Buckeyes, remaining behind both Thiele and Braendli which saw Ohio State go to back-to-back National Championships (one win, one loss).But this past season it was a whole different story; Kirk stole the starting role from Thiele and she never looked back.&nbsp;With four postseason shutouts and a .942 postseason save percentage, Kirk capped off her college career by earning the Women’s Frozen Four MVP - an award that has been won by a goaltender just nine times in its 24-year history - and a place on the all-tournament team.&nbsp;Kirk will now head one province east from her hometown, where she will join fellow Manitoba product, good friend and PWHL Toronto star netminder Kristen Campbell.And once again the road will not be easy for Kirk, as she will likely have to battle Erica Howe and Carly Jackson for a backup role behind one of the PWHL’s very best puck stoppers.

Ste. Anne’s Raygan Kirk the Lone Manitoban Selected at 2024 PWHL Draft

<h2>Capital region junior hockey league expands to seven member clubs</h2>The Capital Region Junior Hockey League announced on Tuesday that junior hockey will return to the town of La Broquerie, Manitoba, for the 2024-25 season.The La Broquerie Habitants (Habs) - a team rich in hockey history - have become the CRJHL’s second expansion team since 2022.“We are very happy to be able to build on the tradition of hockey in La Broquerie by bringing a Junior 'B' team to the community,” said team president Ken Tallaire on Tuesday. “There is already a lot of excitement from players and community members, so we can’t wait for the start of the season.”In January of 2024, La Broquerie celebrated 75 years of Habs hockey through its senior, junior, and community programs. Not even five months later, the community has welcomed back its junior hockey club, which will compete at the highest level in its program history.La Broquerie Habs junior hockey history dates back to 2002-03, competing as a junior “C” club in the Hanover Tache Junior Hockey League.In their inaugural season, the Habs went 19-3-1-1 during the regular season, finishing as league champions after defeating Mitchell in the HTJHL final to secure their only junior title. After the cancellation of the 2020-21 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Habs never returned to the HTJHL – leaving the town without a junior hockey team the last four years.The Habs name pays homage to La Broquerie’s senior men’s team, which was founded in 1948-49. The club won 17 league championships in its history, including two provincial senior titles.After 70 years, the senior Habs ceased operations in 2019 – they have yet to return. &nbsp;Though the Habs’ spirit has been carried on in La Broquerie’s minor hockey programs, the community has missed its senior and junior clubs.“Growing up, I always saw a junior team as well as senior team,” said Denise Turenne in an interview with SteinbachOnline.com during La Broquerie’s 75th anniversary of hockey celebration in January. “My son, who's also in the U18 group, will no longer have anywhere to play once that team has done this year. So, I would love to see more groups added throughout the junior and senior team.”Just months later, Denise and her son’s wish has been granted – an opportunity to continue playing the game of hockey at a junior level within the community.The CRJHL was founded in 2018 when five southern Manitoba teams – the Arborg Ice Dawgs, Lundar Falcons, North Winnipeg Satellites, Selkirk Fishermen, and St. Malo Warriors – split from the northern Manitoba teams of the Keystone Junior Hockey League to form a new league, citing travel as the main reason for leaving.After welcoming Beausejour as the sixth member of the CRJHL in 2022 (the league's finalist this past season), the CRJHL now adds La Broquerie as its seventh team in the league’s six-year history."We are incredibly excited to welcome the La Broquerie Habs to the CRJHL family," league president Chris Poponick said. "The inclusion of this new team reflects our commitment to growing the sport of hockey in the Capital Region and providing more opportunities for young athletes to develop and compete at a high level. We look forward to seeing the Habs hit the ice and make their mark in the upcoming season."

La Broquerie Awarded CRJHL Expansion Team

<h2>Flyers' Andrew given invite to Pittsburgh Penguins' development camp</h2>On Friday, the Manitoba Junior Hockey League announced that Winkler Flyers forward Dalton Andrew has been invited to attend the Pittsburgh Penguins development camp this summer.The comical transition from Flyer to Penguin will be a great opportunity for the MJHL’s leading scorer to prove his talents on an even bigger stage with much tougher competition.The 6-foot-5, 205-pound forward just wrapped up what was, by all accounts, a breakout season, racking up 43 goals and 39 assists for 82 points in just 54 regular-season games. These totals nearly doubled his production from last year, when he finished the 2022-2023 season with just 42 points.The offensively dominant 82-point season from the Brandon, MB. product was also the most by anyone on his team and the entire MJHL, which earned him the MJHL First Team All-Star honours. The next highest point scorer in the league went to teammate and MJHL MVP, Trent Penner, who trailed four points behind Andrew with 78.&nbsp;After Winkler finished second overall in the MJHL standings during the regular season (42-11-2 for 89 points), Andrew carried over his offensive prowess to the post-season, putting up 14 points in 15 playoff games. These offensively potent numbers helped earn Winkler its first Turnbull Cup in 26 years with a four-game sweep over the Steinbach Pistons in the final.And although Winkler’s fortunes came to a close at the Centennial Cup after a quarterfinal loss to the AJHL’s Calgary Canucks, Andrew once again stood out from the competition, being awarded the Best Forward of the 2024 Centennial Cup (six goals, three assists in four preliminary games including a four-goal game).As Andrew continues to make a name for himself in the hockey world, heading to Pennsylvania for Penguins development camp could serve as a unique opportunity to learn what it takes to make it in this sport.After development camp in the summer, Andrew will look toward a big 2024-2025 campaign in the fall with the Division I University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks.

Dalton Andrew Earns Opportunity in Pennsylvania

<h2>Five Manitobans listed in 2024 nhl central scouting's final rankings.</h2>NHL Central Scouting released its final rankings for the 2024 NHL Draft on April 16 with five Manitobans making an appearance.&nbsp;This is a weaker class when it comes to Manitobans, but there are some intriguing prospects. This year, the centralized draft will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada over the familiar two-day period: Friday June 28 to Saturday June 29.Game On's Jackson Bachewich has put together a scouting report on each of the five Manitobans listed, with each set to be revealed in the coming weeks as a five-part series leading up to the draft.No. 216. Josh Fluker (Wenatchee Wild, WHL), Boissevain MB 6’0”&nbsp;160 lbsDefenceMid Term Rankings: 139Final Rankings: 216Season Stats: GP:64 G:3 A:12 PTS:15 - Playoffs: GP:5 G:0 A:0 PTS:0&nbsp;Former Teams: Southwest Cougars U15/U18 AAAJosh Fluker Scouting report:&nbsp;&nbsp;Strengths:&nbsp;<ul><li>Defensive play&nbsp;</li><li>Physical&nbsp;</li><li>Skating</li></ul>Weaknesses:&nbsp;<ul><li>Offence</li></ul>After being taken 7th overall by the Swift Current Broncos in the 2021 WHL Bantam Draft, Josh Fluker was expected to take a big step forward in his NHL draft year.Last season was disappointing for both Fluker and the Broncos as Fluker has one goal and two assists in 55 games - two fewer points than he had in 10 games the year before - and Swift Current needed him to take a big step forward as the team's 7th overall pick.&nbsp;By the WHL trade deadline Fluker had two goals and nine points in 36 games for the Broncos, not as much as they would hope but his defensive game was shining. Then a bombshell. The Western Conference's third-place Wenatchee Wild decided to blow it up and trade all their star players. Manitoba's Conor Geekie was sent to Swift Current. Heading back was Josh Fluker along with other assets.Fluker finished out the season with six points in 28 games with Wenatchee and a rough five-game playoff series to close out the year. It's safe to say Fluker has never been known for his offensive game, only scoring 20 points in his final year of U18 AAA hockey. But he is known for what he can do on the defensive side of the puck.Fluker is a confident player who can carry the puck up ice or dish it out with precise passes. He can open passing lanes for himself with his quick feet and deceptive puck handling.You don't usually find a 6’0” defensive defenseman, but that is how Fluker plays. He is calm and composed under pressure in his own end and has great energy and physicality for a smaller d-man.&nbsp;Fluker may go undrafted, but he is a player that is worth taking a gamble on when it comes to the later rounds. His offensive game may not be the best when looking at a smaller defenceman, but his defensive poise may be what gets him selected on June 29.Stay tuned for the next player to be revealed on Game On's Manitoba Draft Spotlight.

Counting Down to the Draft - Manitoba Spotlight: Josh Fluker 

<h2>Oh, What Could Have Been...</h2>The Winnipeg Jets made multiple noteworthy moves before the 2024 NHL trade deadline in March, but what could the team have done differently to prepare for a deep playoff run?The Jets prioritized their offence at the deadline, acquiring veteran centreman Sean Monahan from Montreal. Additionally, the Jets traded for forward Tyler Toffoli of New Jersey, later trading for Devils’ defenceman Colin Miller.After Toffoli and Monahan combined for just two goals and three points in five postseason games, with Miller dressing in only Game 5, it’s easy to look back upon the Jets’ deadline decisions critically.&nbsp;&nbsp;So, could general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff and the Jets have looked elsewhere, or added to their three springtime gets?Winnipeg was regarded by many as the league’s best defensive team this season. The Jets allowed the fewest goals throughout the regular season behind another fantastic year from netminder Connor Hellebuyck, whose efforts earned him his fourth Vezina Trophy nomination.In their first-round series against Colorado, the title of “best defensive team” could not have been further from the truth. The Jets averaged 5.6 goals against per game, as well as an average of 37 shots against per game – both ranked worst among the 16 postseason teams.With that in mind, Winnipeg finished 15th in goals per game this season in the NHL, averaging 3.16 goals per game. The Jets’ powerplay struggled as well, operating at 18.8% for the season, placing them 22nd in the NHL.It’s clear there was room to improve on both sides of the ice for Winnipeg. These are four affordable names that may have been worth considering as well at the NHL’s trade deadline.1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Joel Edmundson (LD) Age: 30 Cap hit: $1.75M (UFA in 2024) Cost: Third and seventh-round pick in 2024 (Toronto) Brandon, MB. product Joel Edmundson is a 6-foot-4 defenceman who would have added some depth to the Jets’ blue line. He is a physical d-man who gives his team an extra edge in the defensive zone. He is a left-handed defenceman, who could have filled the role of either Dylan Samberg (-7 in five postseason appearances) or Nate Schmidt (-5 in just three postseason appearances). With a contract worth $1.75M – which expired at the end of the 2024 season – Edmundson would have been a low-risk loan who the Jets could release or extend at the end of the season. 2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Alexandre Carrier (RD) Age: 27 Cap hit: $2.5M (UFA in 2024) Projected cost: High second-round pick or low first-round pick Nashville Predators defenceman Alexandre Carrier was rumoured to be on the block ahead of the trade deadline in March. At 5-foot-11, Carrier makes up for his size with a high hockey IQ and great mobility. He has a weapon of a shot, which makes him a great option on the powerplay. He logged over 21 minutes of ice time per game in the postseason for Nashville. Carrier’s versatility made him an attractive piece at the deadline and may have been available for Winnipeg’s second-round pick from Montreal. However, giving away their second-round pick means the Jets would have had no picks in the first three rounds of the 2024 NHL Draft. 3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; David Savard (RD) Age: 33 Cap hit: $3.5M (UFA in 2025) Projected cost: First-round pick Montreal’s David Savard is another reliable defensive defenceman who would be placed in the Jets’ top two pairings. He is a fearless shot blocker who tallied 163 blocked shots this season (third on the team) and plays a shutdown role that may have been useful against Colorado. He averaged over 20 minutes per game this year with Montreal. The Canadiens were not desperate to move him at the deadline, allegedly seeking a first-round pick for the 33-year-old defenceman. At his age, Savard is not worth a first-round pick. However, after the Jets sent a first and a third-round pick to Montreal for Monahan in February, one wonders how much extra it would have cost the Jets to add Savard to a package deal. 4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Jason Zucker (LW) Age: 32 Cap hit: $5.3M (UFA in 2024) Cost: Sixth-round pick (Nashville) Jason Zucker has averaged 40 points over his last two seasons and could have provided the Jets some scoring down the depth chart. His $5.3 million cap hit seems alarming at first, but the Jets $13 million-plus in cap space indicates that he was indeed affordable as a loan player for the remainder of the 2023-24 season. Zucker has fan favourite appeal as a talented forward who has struggled with injury but is capable of a career resurgence with the right fit. Perhaps the most attractive element to Jason Zucker was the cost. The Arizona Coyotes, now Utah, dealt Zucker at the buzzer to Nashville for the low cost of a sixth-round pick. There may have been some risk in acquiring Zucker given his injury history, but for a sixth-round pick, he may have been worth pursuing. Hindsight is always 20/20, and it’s easy to look back and wonder what the Jets could have done differently to extend their five-game visit to the 2024 postseason.Tyler Toffoli had 44 points in 61 games with New Jersey before coming to Winnipeg, where he totaled 11 points in 18 games with the Jets.&nbsp;Sean Monahan found his rhythm as a Jet, posting 24 points in 34 appearances with Winnipeg.&nbsp;Colin Miller didn’t get enough ice time in Polar Night Blue, but looked solid in his sole postseason appearance in Game 5. With just five appearances for the Jets, it’s hard to determine Miller’s value going forward.With their contracts set to expire this summer, will we see any of Winnipeg’s deadline additions back in blue next season? NHL Free agency begins July 1.

Re-imagining the Winnipeg Jets’ Trade Deadline Decisions

<h2>Five Manitobans listed in 2024 nhl central scouting's final rankings.</h2>NHL Central Scouting released its final rankings for the 2024 NHL Draft on April 16 with five Manitobans making an appearance.&nbsp;This is a weaker class when it comes to Manitobans, but there are some intriguing prospects. This year, the centralized draft will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada over the familiar two-day period: Friday June 28 to Saturday June 29.Game On's Jackson Bachewich has put together a scouting report on each of the five Manitobans listed, with each set to be revealed in the coming weeks as a five-part series leading up to the draft. No. 223. Gavin Hodnett (Edmonton Oil Kings, WHL), Winnipeg MB5’6”158 lbsLeft WingMid Term Rankings: 224Final Rankings: 223Season Stats: GP:61 G:23 A:47 PTS:70Former Teams: Rink Hockey Academy Winnipeg U15/U18NHL Comparable: Tyler JohnsonGavin Hodnett Scouting report:&nbsp;Strengths:&nbsp;<ul><li>Finish</li><li>Skating</li><li>Defensive game</li></ul>Weaknesses:&nbsp;<ul><li>Size&nbsp;</li><li>Consistency&nbsp;</li></ul>Gavin Hodnett is a dynamic forward for the Edmonton Oil Kings, presenting an intriguing blend of offensive prowess and defensive reliability. Despite his small stature, he has demonstrated the ability to excel in a competitive league, showcasing his skillset in both ends of the ice.&nbsp;Hodnett's offensive game is his most notable asset. In 61 games, he recorded 23 goals and 47 assists, tallying 70 points. His ability to generate offense from various situations, particularly at even strength, where nearly 70 percent of his shots come from high-danger areas like the slot, underscores his effectiveness in creating scoring opportunities. He is great at producing off the rush and cycling the puck, using his speed and vision to read the defense.One of Hodnett’s standout qualities is his speed. His ability to accelerate quickly and maintain high speeds allows him to be a constant threat on the ice. His quickness enables him to forecheck effectively, forcing opposing defensemen into making hurried decisions. This speed is crucial for a player of his size, as it allows him to evade larger opponents and find open ice to operate.Defensively, Hodnett is a responsible player. He consistently positions himself well and uses his speed to backcheck efficiently. His defensive awareness and ability to disrupt plays make him an asset in all situations, not just when his team has possession of the puck.At 5'8" and 158 pounds, Hodnett’s size is a concern for some scouts, especially when projecting his game to the professional level. However, his fearless play style mitigates these worries to hopefully some extent. He is not easily pushed around and battles in high-traffic areas.While Hodnett is effective when moving and creating space, he sometimes relies too much on his linemates to generate opportunities and he does need to leverage his speed more consistently on his overall weak forecheck.&nbsp;Gavin Hodnett's blend of speed, offensive skill, and defensive responsibility makes him a compelling prospect, particularly for teams looking for a high-energy, two-way forward. While his size remains a potential barrier to higher draft rankings. We could see him selected in the later rounds of the draft if he is selected at all.Stay tuned for the next player to be revealed on Game On's Manitoba Draft Spotlight.

Counting Down to the Draft - Manitoba Spotlight: Gavin Hodnett

<h2>Trucker Jaskirat Singh Sidhu ordered deportation on friday</h2>The truck driver deemed responsible for the 2018 highway bus crash involving the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League's Humboldt Broncos has been ordered to be deported to India.Currently on full parole (2023) from his eight-year sentence, Sidhu appeared at an immigration and refugee board hearing in Calgary on Friday, to which the board determined he would, in fact, be sent back to India.Having immigrated to Calgary in 2014, Sidhu does hold permanent resident status in Canada, but the only requirements for deportation is physical proof that someone who committed a serious crime is not a Canadian citizen, which Sidhu is not.He was charged with dangerous driving in the Tisdale, SK. wreck that killed 16 members of the SJHL's Broncos, while injuring 13 others.Despite the ruling, Sidhu may still remain in Canada for a number of months or even years as appropriate paperwork and legal proceedings begin talking place to arrange for his departure as the board looks through his pre-removal risk assessment.Sidhu lives with his wife and Canadian-born child who has serious lung and heart conditions. Sidhu's lawyer spoke of the challenge that has brought to the family."It's been a rough ride for them and that child requires a lot of medical attention," lawyer Michael Greene said. He mentioned that immigration officials will soon be receiving an appeal for Sidhu's permanent status to be returned based on his levels of remorse, his current danger to the public and other possible considerations, including the health interests of his young child.

Humboldt Truck Driver to be Deported

<h2>Jets Choose Scott Arniel as Head Coach</h2>The next head coach of the Winnipeg Jets will be Scott Arniel.First coming to Winnipeg from Atlanta in 2011, the Jets began their 2.0 history in Manitoba's capital with Claude Noel as the initial bench boss. Paul Maurice replaced Noel in 2014, in a post that he held until midway through the 2021-22 season. After Maurice's resignation, Dave Lowry took over behind the bench. Lowry remained in charge throughout the remainder of the 2021-22 hockey season, before the team opted to bring in Rick Bowness that summer.Bones served atop the bench for two seasons, before announcing his retirement early this month.Bowness, who missed time at two separate points this past season, saw his Arniel (his associate) step in and perform well as interim head coach. He went 15-7-3 in his two stretches as head coach this past year.He is no stranger to coaching, that is, having served a year-and-a-half with the Columbus Blue Jackets from 2010-12. Arniel worked as an assistant coach on both the staffs of the Washington Capitals and the New York Rangers. His time in Manitoba began in 1981, when he was drafted by the Jets in the second round, before suiting up for five seasons in Winnipeg. After his playing career concluded, Arniel transitioned to coaching and helped the Moose to a sensational run of four years from 2006-10. Having spent the past two years in Winnipeg as the team's associate coach, Arniel should provide his players with a similar mantra to that of his past head coach in Bowness. Winnipeg will begin its preseason in late-September.

Jets Announce Scott Arniel as Next Head Coach

<h2>Winkler Flyers Bow Out of CEntennial Cup with Quarterfinal loss</h2>By their standards, the Centennial Cup was a failure. But according to the official Canadian Junior 'A' hockey cross-Canada rankings, the Manitoba Junior Hockey League's Winkler Flyers finished the 2023-24 season fifth in the country.No, they didn't fare all that well at the year-end National Championship, but the experience in Oakville, Ontario as the MJHL's representative certainly provided the league's first-place team with an added reward.Riding the high of a four-game MJHL Finals sweep over the Steinbach Pistons, Winkler rolled into Oakville and took care of business in the tournament's opening game with a 4-2 win over Sioux Lookout. MJHL top scorer Dalton Andrew collected all four goals for the Flyers, which looked to keep the good times rolling against Melfort in their next game.That contest, however, resulted in a loss, a narrow 6-5 loss, albeit, but it did affect Winkler's record. The Flyers then split their final two preliminary round games by way of a 4-0 victory over the hosts and a 3-2 loss to Miramichi, concluding with a 2-2-0 record through four games.Winkler ended its tournament with a 4-2 loss to the 3-1 Calgary Canucks of the Alberta Junior Hockey League. Battling back from a 2-0 hole, the Flyers tied things up by the end of the second period. But an unsportsmanlike penalty served by Gavin Schmidt gave the Canucks an early third period power play, to which Calgary pulled back ahead. It added another goal just four minutes later, finishing off the Flyers, 4-2. Calgary eventually lost to Melfort in the semifinal, before Melfort fell 1-0 to the OJHL's Collingwood Blues in the championship game from Sixteen Mile Sports Complex.

Rasmus Kupari Expected to Return to Jets Lineup Following Injury

First-year Jets forward to play first game since November 14

Read Next

PWHL Goaltenders Campbell and Schroeder Representing Manitoba at the Highest Level | 3 hours ago

Ste. Anne’s Raygan Kirk the Lone Manitoban Selected at 2024 PWHL Draft | 4 days ago

La Broquerie Awarded CRJHL Expansion Team | 5 days ago

Dalton Andrew Earns Opportunity in Pennsylvania | 8 days ago

Counting Down to the Draft - Manitoba Spotlight: Josh Fluker | 12 days ago

Re-imagining the Winnipeg Jets’ Trade Deadline Decisions | 16 days ago

Counting Down to the Draft - Manitoba Spotlight: Gavin Hodnett | 18 days ago

Humboldt Truck Driver to be Deported | 22 days ago

Jets Announce Scott Arniel as Next Head Coach | 23 days ago

Flyers Fall to Canucks in Centennial Cup Quarterfinal | 25 days ago

Carter Brooks

Comments

Top Contributors

Trending Now