The Winnipeg Jets begin their seven-game 2019 pre-season schedule tonight at Rogers Place against the Edmonton Oilers…After tonight’s game, the Jets practice at Bell MTS Iceplex tonight before hosting the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday at Bell MTS Place.
Lotta Experience
Winnipeg’s roster for tonight’s game is led by veteran Bryan Little, whose 836 games is the most in franchise history…He’s played in all 82 games in each of the past two seasons for the Jets…Little has played his entire 12-season career with the Jets franchise…Little accounts for 836 of the 2,694 games of NHL experience in the Jets lineup tonight (31%).
Meet the New Guys
Winnipeg’s roster tonight has six players that were acquired since the end of last season…Neal Pionk was acquired from the New York Rangers via trade, while the other five were signed as free agents.
D – Anthony Bitetto
D – Gabriel Bourque
F – Andrei Chibisov
F – Mark Letestu
F – Joona Luoto
D – Neal Pionk
Backend
Five of the six defenceman slated to play for Winnipeg tonight have NHL experience…Only 2016 first-round selection Logan Stanley has yet to make his NHL debut.
Across the Pond
Three forwards are playing in their first professional game in North America tonight…Russian Andrei Chibisov played in the KHL with Magnitogorsk last season, Joona Luoto has come to Winnipeg from Tappara of Liiga in Finland, while 2018 second rounder David Gustafsson played with HV71 in the Swedish League.
Against the Oilers
The Jets went 2-0-1 against the Oilers last season and are 15-14-2 all-time against Edmonton…Winnipeg is 3-1-0 in three seasons at Rogers Place, including three consecutive wins…Josh Morrissey (1G, 3A) and Mark Scheifele (2G, 2A) led the Jets in scoring against the Oilers last season with four points in three games.
Back Outside
The Jets are scheduled to face the Calgary Flames at Mosaic Stadium in Regina on Oct. 26 for the 2019 Tim Hortons Heritage Classic…This is Winnipeg’s second outdoor game, as the Jets hosted the Edmonton Oilers in 2016 Tim Hortons Heritage Classic at IG Field.
Road Start
The Jets play five of their first six games on the road to begin the regular season, including a four-game road trip to start the season…Winnipeg visits the New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, and Pittsburgh Penguins to kick off the 2019-20 campaign…The Jets were 22-18-1 on the road last season, which was 13th in the NHL.
Rookie Recap
The Jets went 1-2 during the Rookie Showcase earlier this month in Bellville, Ont…The Jets rookies beat Montreal 2-1, while they dropped the two games to Ottawa (8-1 and 2-1 OTL)…Cole Maier led the Jets contingent in scoring with three points in three games (1G, 2A).
Pre-Season Sked
The Jets play seven pre-season games in 14 days this month…Winnipeg plays their usual pre-season counterparts twice each – Minnesota, Calgary, and Edmonton – and host the defending Stanley Cup Champion St. Louis Blues on Sept. 20 at Bell MTS Place.