WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Jets held their final skate in the Manitoba capital hours before heading out on a three-game west coast road trip that starts the post-Olympic schedule in Vancouver.
Another Olympian rejoined the team on Tuesday, as Kyle Connor slotted in on the top line with Mark Scheifele and Gabriel Vilardi.
“It was awesome. A really cool experience. Obviously, a dream. And some of the things were out of my control, the way it was. And all you can do in that situation is trying to be a great teammate,” said Connor.
“And if your time is ever called, go out there and play your game and play the way I know how to play. That being said, that's kind of how I approached it, trying to contribute in any way possible.”
Connor played the first two games for the United States but couldn’t find a way back into the lineup but the best parts for him was watching his teammate Connor Hellebuyck play as well as he did in the final and Connor’s new shiny gold medal.
“For sure. I don't know if it's really set in at this point. It's been a whirlwind. It was surreal,” said Connor.
“And to be able to share that with those teammates in that moment, waiting in line and getting that put around your neck, it's a pretty cool feeling.”
Connor arrived early back in Winnipeg because he wanted to get back to practice with the Jets who have a big second half in front of them and for other personal reasons.
“He hadn’t seen his daughter in about 12 days. He wants to play tomorrow. That’s the biggest thing. He wants to get back on the ice, get going and help us,” said Scott Arniel.
“When I got that phone call, it was great to hear. To see him here today and get a chance to congratulate him on a historic moment that he was a part of.”
That was the good news from practice this morning, but Arniel had some updates on the availability of some key players going forward.
“Neal (Pionk) injury isn’t from his other one. He got hurt again this past week and he is now week-to-week. Nino (Niederreiter) now is going week-to-week. He came out to see if it was (okay). He had an injury prior to the Olympics that had been bothering him, so he’s going week-to-week. Josh (Morrissey) will not be coming on the road trip. He’s got some things, with his injury that they’re going to follow up on. We’re hoping for him maybe next week when we get home,” said Arniel.
“(Haydn) Fleury out of non-contact, which is a great sign, but not for (Wednesday). We’ll go day-to-day. With (Colin Miller), that’s the first time he’s been out with us in a yellow, so he’s getting closer. He’ll travel on the road with us, but you won’t likely see him on this trip.”
The Morrissey injury means an opportunity for Ville Heinola who skated with Luke Schenn on the team’s third defence pairing. He will be dressing for his first NHL game this season on Wednesday.
“It's been mentally tough, for sure, but I think my game has been improving all year, and I feel like my game is in a good spot right now,” said Heinola when asked about his season so far.
“So yeah, right now. I feel confident, but yeah, it's been a tough year for me so far.”
Hellebuyck will join up with the team later this week in Anaheim.
