Kevin Cheveldayoff
General Manager
Kevin Cheveldayoff is in his 13th season as General Manager of the Winnipeg Jets after being named to the position in June 8, 2011, eight days after the franchise relocated to Winnipeg from Atlanta, and has held the position ever since. He signed a multi-year contract extension on Sept. 7, 2017.
The Jets have posted a winning record in 11 of his 13 seasons as General Manager and have reached the Stanley Cup Playoffs in six of the past seven seasons. The Jets advanced to the Western Conference Final for the first time in franchise history in 2018 and won a franchise record 52 games during the 2017-18 regular season. Winnipeg has reached 40 wins in four of the last five seasons. Following the 2017-18 season, Cheveldayoff was a finalist for the NHL's GM of the Year Award, finishing second.
Prior to his time in Winnipeg, Cheveldayoff spent two seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks serving in the role of Assistant General Manager/Senior Director, Hockey Operations. During Cheveldayoff’s tenure, the Blackhawks won the 2010 Stanley Cup championship.
Before joining the Blackhawks in 2009, the Blaine Lake, Sask. native spent the previous 12 seasons as the General Manager of the American Hockey League’s Chicago Wolves, guiding the franchise to four league championships, which included the 2002 and 2008 AHL Calder Cup championships and 1998 and 2000 IHL Turner Cup championships. Overall, Cheveldayoff has been a part of seven league championships during his management career, which includes two Turner Cups in three seasons as the Assistant Vice president of Hockey Operations and Assistant Coach for the Denver and Utah Grizzlies.
Originally drafted by the New York Islanders with their first pick (16th overall) in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft, Cheveldayoff began his career in the AHL with the Capital District Islanders, serving as the alternate captain from 1991 to 1993. He held the same role with the Salt Lake Golden Eagles in 1993-94, earning the team’s “Unsung Hero Award” after racking up a career-high 216 penalty minutes in 73 games. Known as a defensive defenceman during his playing days, a knee injury cut his professional career short after five seasons.
Cheveldayoff spent four seasons with the Brandon Wheat Kings of the WHL where he played in 214 games and collected 81 points (12G, 69A), as well as 759 penalty minutes.
Cheveldayoff resides in Winnipeg with his wife Janet. They have a son, Chase, and daughter, Lexi.
Craig Heisinger
Senior Vice President & Director, Hockey Operations/Assistant General Manager
Craig Heisinger is in his 13th season with the Winnipeg Jets in his role as Senior Vice President & Director, Hockey Operations/Assistant General Manager. In his role, Heisinger also serves as the General Manager of the Manitoba Moose, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Winnipeg Jets.
In July 2017, Heisinger was honoured with the Thomas Ebright Award in recognition of career contributions to the AHL.
Heisinger joined the Jets organization after working with the Manitoba Moose in different capacities throughout the team’s initial 15-year existence in both the International Hockey League and American Hockey League. Most notably, he served as Manitoba’s General Manager for nine seasons and reached the Calder Cup Playoffs in eight of those years, including a berth in the Calder Cup Final in 2009.
Heisinger began his tenure with the Manitoba Moose as the team’s Equipment Manager in 1996. “Zinger” then transitioned to a managerial position when he became Assistant General Manager of the hockey club in 1999. Three years later, Heisinger was appointed General Manager of the Moose on July 15th, 2002, succeeding Randy Carlyle. Zinger retained that position until the end of the 2010-11 season. During that time, Heisinger was named the winner of the James C. Hendy Memorial Award as the outstanding executive in the American Hockey League following the team’s most successful season in 2008-09. That season, the Moose finished first overall in the AHL and reached the Calder Cup Finals.
Heisinger received his start in hockey as the Equipment Manager of the Fort Garry Blues of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League during the 1978-79 season. In 1988, after his final year with the Brandon Wheat Kings, he represented Canada as the trainer for the Gold Medal winning World Junior Team in Moscow. After the championships, Heisinger joined the Winnipeg Jets as Assistant Equipment Manager. In 1990, he became the Jets’ Senior Equipment Manager and was with the team until their move to Phoenix in 1996. In 1997 he worked with the Gold Medal winning Canadian Team at the World Championships, and in 1998 he was selected as the equipment manager for the Canadian Olympic Team in Nagano, Japan.
Heisinger and his wife Vickie, have four sons, Jake, Mack, Tucker, and Zachery.
Larry Simmons
Vice President & Assistant General Manager
Larry Simmons is in his 13th year with the club, joining the Jets upon their return to Winnipeg.
In his position as Vice President & Assistant General Manager of the Winnipeg Jets, Simmons assists Executive Vice President & General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff in all facets of the daily management of the hockey operations department, including player personnel decisions, management of staff, player contracts and salary cap management, scouting, and statistical and competitive analysis.
Simmons held the position of Vice President & Assistant General Manager with the Atlanta Thrashers from 2004 through the team’s relocation to Winnipeg in 2011. Simmons, who originally joined the expansion franchise in Atlanta before play began in 1999, held various roles within the hockey operations department prior to 2004, including player contract research and negotiations, player transactions and personnel management, salary arbitrations, strategic planning, budgeting, scheduling, and the administration of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Simmons also served as the direct liaison between the Thrashers and the organization’s top development partners and was instrumental in developing and managing the minor league affiliations with the 2002 and 2008 AHL Calder Cup championship-winning Chicago Wolves and the 2001 IHL Turner Cup champion Orlando Solar Bears.
Prior to joining the Thrashers organization, Simmons spent six years working for RDV Sports in Orlando, the parent company of the NBA’s Orlando Magic and the Orlando Solar Bears, where he served as a key member of the start-up efforts of the Solar Bears IHL expansion franchise.
Simmons holds both a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Business Administration degree.
He and his wife, Cheryl, reside in Atlanta with their daughter, Maci, and son, Rylan.
Rick Bowness
Head Coach
Rick Bowness was appointed as the eighth head coach in franchise history on July 3, 2022 and the third head coach since the club’s relocation to Winnipeg.
Bowness, 67, most recently served as head coach of the Dallas Stars from Dec. 10/19 until the end of the 2021-22 season. The Moncton, N.B. native led the Stars to an 89-62-25 record in 176 regular season games. Under Bowness’ leadership, Dallas also went 18-16 in the playoffs, highlighted by a trip to the 2020 Stanley Cup Final. Dallas earned postseason series wins in 2020 over Calgary (4-2), Colorado (4-3), and Vegas (4-2) before falling in six games to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Bowness was drafted in the second round (26th overall) in the 1975 NHL Draft by the Atlanta Flames. His NHL career spanned 173 games for Atlanta, the Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis Blues, and Winnipeg Jets where he recorded 55 points (18G, 37A) and 191 penalty minutes. Bowness played 45 games for the Jets 1.0 in the 1980-81 season and he played and coached with the organization for nine seasons until 1988-89. He spent the 1982-83 season as player-coach for the Jets’ AHL affiliate in Sherbrooke and retired following the season to become an assistant coach for Winnipeg. He worked three seasons as an assistant with the Jets before serving as head coach and general manager of their AHL affiliate, the Moncton Hawks, beginning in 1987-88. Bowness took over as Winnipeg’s head coach on Feb. 9/89 and led them to an 8-17-3 record.
Following his time with the Jets, Bowness has served in a number of different coaching capacities at the NHL level for the Boston Bruins, Ottawa Senators, New York Islanders, Phoenix Coyotes, Vancouver Canucks, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Dallas Stars. He has a 212-351-76 record as an NHL head coach over parts of 12 seasons with Winnipeg (1988-89), Boston (1991-92), Ottawa (1992-96), the New York Islanders (1996-98), Phoenix (2003-04), and Dallas (2019-22). On Jan. 1/20, at the 2020 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic, Bowness became the third coach in NHL history to have held a head coaching position in five different decades, joining Hockey Hall of Famers Pat Quinn and Scotty Bowman.
Scott Arniel
Associate Coach
Scott Arniel was been appointed as the associate coach under new head coach Rick Bowness on July 3, 2022.
Arniel, 59, most recently served as assistant coach of the Washington Capitals for the past four seasons. The Kingston, Ont. native’s Capitals made the Stanley Cup playoffs in each of those four seasons.
Arniel was drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in the second round (22nd overall) in the 1981 NHL Draft. He played his first five seasons with the Jets and returned to Winnipeg for another stint in 1990-91. The left winger played 730 games for Winnipeg, the Buffalo Sabres, and Boston Bruins and recorded 338 points (149G, 189A) and 599 penalty minutes. Arniel also played 34 playoff games and posted six points (3G, 3A) and 39 PIMs. He spent the latter part of his career in the AHL and IHL, including playing his final three seasons for the Manitoba Moose where he recorded 171 points (67G, 104A) and 233 PIMs in 222 games.
Arniel’s playing career highlights included winning a pair of Memorial Cups (1980 and 1981) with the Cornwall Royals on a roster that also featured Winnipeg legend Dale Hawerchuk. He also played for Canada in the 1981 and 1982 World Junior Championships and won the gold medal in 1982. As a professional, his 1995-96 Utah Grizzlies won the IHL’s Turner Cup.
Arniel’s first experience in coaching was as a player/assistant coach with the Houston Aeros in 1995-96. After his 1999 retirement as a player, he served as an assistant coach for Manitoba for the 2000-01 and 2001-02 seasons. He spent three seasons as an assistant coach for the Buffalo Sabres before returning to the Moose and serving as their head coach from 2006-10, including a trip to the Calder Cup Final in 2009. Arniel was hired as the head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets on June 8/10 and was dismissed midway through his second season. He returned to the AHL as head coach of the Chicago Wolves in 2012-13 before serving as associate coach of the New York Rangers for five seasons (2013-18). Arniel’s NHL experience is highlighted by a trip to the Stanley Cup Final with the Rangers in 2014. He also made the Eastern Conference Final on two other occasions (Buffalo – 2006 New York Rangers – 2015) and the Rangers also won the Presidents’ Trophy in 2014-15.
Brad Lauer
Assistant Coach
Brad Lauer was named an assistant coach with the Winnipeg Jets on July 21, 2022.
Lauer, 55, served as the head coach for the WHL’s Edmonton Oil Kings for the past four seasons, winning the WHL Championship in 2021-22. The Humboldt, Sask. native previously served as an assistant coach for the Tampa Bay Lightning (2016-18), Anaheim Ducks (2012-15), and Ottawa Senators (2009-11). Lauer also worked as an assistant coach in the AHL with the Syracuse Crunch (2011-12) and Milwaukee Admirals (2007-09) and his first coaching experience was as an assistant coach for the Kootenay Ice (2002-07).
Lauer was drafted by the New York Islanders in the second round (34th overall) in the 1985 NHL Draft. He played 17 seasons professionally, including parts of nine in the NHL with the Islanders, the Chicago Blackhawks, Ottawa Senators, and Pittsburgh Penguins. Lauer played 323 career NHL games and recorded 111 points (44G, 67A) and 218 PIMs, adding 12 points (7G, 5A) and 24 PIMs in 34 playoff games.
Marty Johnston
Assistant Coach
Marty Johnston was named an assistant coach with the Winnipeg Jets on July 21, 2022.
Johnston, 43, served as an assistant coach for the Manitoba Moose for the past five seasons. The Gloucester, Ont. native previously served as the head coach of Carleton University Ravens men’s hockey program for seven seasons and coached them to a 129-49-12 record.
As a player, Johnston spent three seasons with the QMJHL’s Hull (Gatineau) Olympiques and won the Memorial Cup in 1997. He played for Dalhousie University before starting a professional career with the AHL’s Lowell Lock Monsters in 2002-03 where he recorded four points (2G, 2A) and 20 penalty minutes in 17 games. He suited up for 177 games in the ECHL for four different clubs before spending his final pro season with the Edinburgh Capitals in 2004-05.
Wade Flaherty
Assistant Coach
Wade Flaherty is in his fifth season as an Assistant Coach after spending seven seasons with the Winnipeg Jets as Goaltending Coach.
Flaherty, 51, came to Winnipeg following three seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks as Developmental Goaltending Coach where he worked with Stanley Cup winners Antti Niemi and Corey Crawford. He was instrumental in helping Connor Hellebuyck post a franchise record 44-win season in 2017-18.
The Terrace, B.C. native ended his playing career in 2008 after 19 seasons of professional hockey between the pipes. During his pro career, Flaherty played in the IHL, ECHL, AHL and NHL, including 120 games between the San Jose Sharks, New York Islanders, Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers, and Nashville Predators. Flaherty won the Calder Cup with the Milwaukee Admirals in 2004, earning playoff MVP honours.
Flaherty has a close connection to Winnipeg, having spent three seasons with the Manitoba Moose in the AHL from 2004-2007. In that time, Flaherty played in 112 games, compiling a record of 62-36-9 and nine shutouts. The Moose reached the second round of the Calder Cup Playoffs in two of three seasons with Flaherty.
Matt Prefontaine
Video and Analytics Coach
Matt Prefontaine is in his 10th season with the Winnipeg Jets as video and analytics coach. The Winnipeg native is responsible for all the video needs of the Jets coaching staff, including pre-scouting upcoming opponents, analyzing game tape and producing game-day preparation videos.
Prior to joining the Jets, Prefontaine spent four seasons with the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League. He originally joined the IceHogs organization as a Broadcast Intern in 2010-11 and became their Video Coach the following season.
Prefontaine attended Brock University in St. Catharines, Ont. before joining Rockford. Matt and his wife Lisa reside in Winnipeg.
Jimmy Roy
Director, Player Development
Jimmy Roy is in his 11th season with the Winnipeg Jets in a player development capacity, currently with a role as Director, Player Development. Roy's responsibilities include working with the Jets' prospects, both amateur and professional, as well as planning the annual Winnipeg Jets Development Camp.
Prior to joining the Jets, Roy spent five seasons playing for the Iserlohn Roosters of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga. Roy retired in April 2011 from a 14-year professional hockey playing career. He began his professional playing career in 1997-1998 with the Manitoba Moose, and remained on the team until the end of the 2005-2006 season. In his nine seasons in Manitoba, Roy played in a franchise record 603 regular season games, tallying 101 goals, 111 assists and 1,434 penalty minutes. In the playoffs, the fan favourite compiled nine goals, seven assists and 148 penalty minutes in 59 games.
In 2002-2003, Roy won the AHL’s Yanick Dupre Memorial Award in recognition for his involvement in the community.
Mike Keane
Player Development
Mike Keane is in his ninth season for the Winnipeg Jets in player development. He works closely with Jimmy Roy and focuses mainly on amateur and professional teams, with a particular emphasis in the evaluation and development of players with the Manitoba Moose.
Keane played in 1,161 career NHL games between Montreal, Colorado, NY Rangers, Dallas, St. Louis and Vancouver. In his 16 year NHL career, Keane recorded 470 career points (168G, 302A) and 881 penalty minutes. He won three Stanley Cup Championships - Montreal (1993), Colorado (1996) and Dallas (1999).
The Winnipeg, Man. native finished his playing career with the Manitoba Moose, playing in his hometown from 2005-2010. In his time with the Moose, Keane played in 365 career games, compiling 114 career points (36G, 78A) and 244 career penalty minutes.
Mark Hillier
Director, Amateur Scouting
Mark Hillier is in his eighth season as Director, Amateur Scouting for the Winnipeg Jets. Hillier is no stranger to the club though, as he served as head scout for the previous five seasons. He is responsible for overseeing all amateur scouting activities and for the evaluation of all amateur talent on a worldwide basis.
Prior to joining the Jets, Hillier worked in the Atlanta Thrashers organization as an amateur scout. He was responsible for the evaluation of talent in the Ontario region and performed crossover scouting in other regions. Hillier spent 13 years with the Toronto Maple Leafs organization from 1990-2002, his last position with the Maple Leafs was Director of Amateur Scouting from 1999-2002. Hillier also worked as Director of Hockey Administration for Toronto’s top farm team, the St. John’s Maple Leafs, from 1993-95. Hillier earned a Sports Administration Diploma from Durham College of Applied Arts and Technology in Oshawa, Ontario, in 1990. He and his wife, Kelly, have two sons, Cole and Jamie, and reside in St. John’s, Newfoundland.
Peter Ratchuk
Director, Pro Scouting
Peter Ratchuk is in his fourth season as Director, Pro Scouting for the Winnipeg Jets after serving as a pro scout for the past eight seasons. He responsible for overseeing the Jets scouting efforts of the NHL and AHL.
Prior to joining the Jets, Ratchuk had a 13-season professional hockey career from 1998-2011. A former first-round selection by the Colorado Avalanche in 1996, he played 32 games for the Florida Panthers from 1998-2001. He also played in 410 career AHL games, collecting 170 points (55G, 115A). He won the DEL championship in Germany with the Frankfurt Lions in 2003-04 – a season in which he led DEL defencemen in goals with 21 goals in 52 games.
Ratchuk resides in Buffalo, New York with his wife Julie, daughters Carly and Anna, and son Sam.
Scouting Staff
| Head European Scout | Jari Kekalainen |
| Pro Scout | Ryan Caldwell |
| Pro Scout | Jack Birch |
| Pro Scout | Jari Gronstrand |
| Pro scout | Danny Richmond |
| Scout | Mark White |
| College Scout | Sydney Daniels |
| Amateur Scout | Scott Scoville |
| Amateur Scout | Brian Renfrew |
| Amateur Scout | Chris Snell |
| Amateur Scout | Kjell Dahlin |
| Amateur Scout | Jeff Finley |
| Amateur Scout | Vladimir Havluj |
| Amateur Scout | Pat Carmichael |
| Amateur Scout | Tony Martino |
| Amateur Scout | Troy Dumville |
| Coordinator, Scouting | Barrett Leganchuk |
Jason McMaster
Head Equipment Manager
Jason McMaster is in his 13th season as Head Equipment Manager for the Winnipeg Jets. McMaster served as equipment manager with Team Canada at the 2014 IIHF World Championship in Belarus and for Team Europe at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
Prior to joining the Jets, McMaster spent one season as an Assistant Equipment Manager with the Los Angeles Kings. Before his time in the National Hockey League, McMaster completed three seasons as Equipment Manager for the Manitoba Moose. He came to the Moose from the Memorial Cup champion Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League. McMaster joined the Giants in 2005 and spent two seasons in Vancouver. Prior to that, he was an Assistant Trainer with the Lethbridge Hurricanes for one season in 2004 and Head Trainer for the La Ronge Ice Wolves of the SJHL for two seasons.
Mark Grehan
Assistant Equipment Manager
Mark Grehan is in his 13th season with the Winnipeg Jets as Assistant Equipment Manager after spending five seasons with the Manitoba Moose. A member of the Canadian Athletic Therapist Association, Grehan received a Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science (Athletic Therapy) Degree from the University of Manitoba. Grehan spent the 2009-10 season as the Head Athletic Therapist for the Victoria Salmon Kings of the ECHL before spending the 2010-11 season as Head Equipment Manager for the Moose.
Originally from Kingston, Ont., "Lloyd" has called Winnipeg home for 15 years. He and his wife Robyn are proud parents to Kale and Hillary.
Robert Cook
Assistant Equipment Manager
Jake Wolff
Head Strength and Conditioning Trainer
Jake Wolff is in fourth season season with the Winnipeg Jets as head strength and conditioning trainer and seventh with the organization. Wolff joined the Jets just prior to the start of the 2019-20 season after serving with the Manitoba Moose for six seasons as assistant and then head athletic trainer and strength coach.
A native of Culbertson, Montana, Wolff graduated from the University of North Dakota in 2011 and is a certified athletic trainer and certified strength and conditioning specialist.
Wolff resides in Winnipeg with his wife Brooke and daughter Piper.
Rob Milette
Head Athletic Therapist
Rob Milette is in his 13th season with the Winnipeg Jets Hockey Club as the Head Athletic Therapist. Milette worked his 1,000th professional game Jan. 26/16. He worked as Head Therapist for gold medal-winning Team Canada at the 2015 IIHF World Championship in Prague, Czech Republic and silver medal-winning Team Canada at the 2017 World Championship in France and Germany. Milette spent nine seasons with the Manitoba Moose, six of those years in the head athletic therapist role. Prior to his time with the Moose, Milette was the Therapist and Equipment Manager for the University of Manitoba Bison men's hockey team for two seasons. He was also an Assistant Trainer with the Winnipeg Goldeyes during the 2000 season.
"Mullet" is a member of the Canadian Athletic Therapists Association and received a Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science (Athletic Therapy) degree at the University of Manitoba. Milette and his wife Camille have two children, Bauer and Janelle, and live in St. Adolphe, Man.
Brad Shaw
Assistant Athletic Therapist
Brad Shaw is in his 13th season as Assistant Athletic Therapist for the Winnipeg Jets. Prior to his time with the Jets, Shaw spent the 2010-11 season as Head Athletic Therapist with the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL. From 2007-10, he had a dual role with the Western Hockey League's Kootenay Ice acting as Head Athletic Therapist and Equipment Manager. The Cardale, Man. native started his career in his home province spending four seasons as the Head Athletic Therapist for the Winnipeg Goldeyes.
"Shawzy" is a member of the Canadian Athletic Therapists Association (CATA) and received a Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science (Athletic Therapy) degree from the University of Manitoba. Shaw and his wife Cori reside in Niverville, Man. with their son and daughter.
Al Pritchard
Massage Therapist
Al Pritchard is in his 13th season as Massage Therapist for the Winnipeg Jets. A native of Roland, Man., Pritchard has been working independently as a massage therapist since he graduated in 2002.
A valuable member of the team’s medical staff, Pritchard worked with the Manitoba Moose for five years in a dual role as a Game Day Assistant and Massage Therapist. After studying at the Massage Therapy College of Manitoba for two years, Pritchard earned his certification as an Advanced Remedial Massage Therapist.
"Pritchy" and his wife Rachel reside in Niverville, Man. with their two children Nicholas and Addison.
Chris Kreviazuk
Director, Team Operations
Chris Kreviazuk is in his 12th season with the Winnipeg Jets, and seventh in the role of Director, Team Operations. In this capacity, Kreviazuk’s main responsibilities include the coordination of logistics related to team travel and hospitality, as well as managing the day-to-day itinerary of the Winnipeg Jets.
Ken Shipley
Director, Team Security
Katie Ferniuk
Manager, Hockey Administration
Katie Ferniuk is in her ninth season in the role of Manager, Hockey Administration and Family Relations for the Winnipeg Jets Hockey Club. In this capacity, she assists the General Managers of the Winnipeg Jets and Manitoba Moose, as well as looks after a wide range of tasks in the hockey operations department.
In this fast-paced environment, her responsibilities include coordinating player and family relocation, immigration, and assisting with hockey special events. She is the liaison for the Winnipeg Jets Wives & Girlfriends group and is responsible for all aspects of coordinating and executing their charitable initiatives. During the 2018-19 season the Wives & Girlfriends group raised nearly $60,000 for local charities. Katie is also a member of the Project 11 team, an arm of the True North Youth Foundation. Project 11 was inspired and created in honor of Rick Rypien, a former player of the Winnipeg Jets and Manitoba Moose. It is available to support and educate students in kindergarten through eighth grade with virtual tutorials educating students about mental wellness.