2013-14 InFlight Magazine Vol.4

OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE WINNIPEG JETS HOCKEY CLUB

PHOTO: LANCE THOMSON

IN THIS ISSUE:

BAND OF BROTHERS PALS & PERSONALITIES IN THE JETS’ DRESSING ROOM p.58

THE ART OF THE SHOOTOUT PAVELEC & MONTOYA SHARE THE GOALIE’S PERSPECTIVE p.66 ALL IN THE FAMILY KEATON ELLERBY ON HIS HOCKEY PATH AND FAMILY TREE p.74

2013–2014 NHL SEASON • PRICELESS

VOLUME 4

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OF THE MAGAZINE OFFICIAL JETS HOCKEY CLUB WINNIPEG

I NE T MAGA Z IN FL IG4HSE A SON: 201 3 -1 E 4 ph y V OL UM D or ia n M or

g Ed it o r: W il ki ns on M a n a g in Ed it o r: A nd re w ud yc h A ss o ci a teg n Ed it o r: Jo sh D d G re en w oo A rt & D e si h & Je ss ie sh D ud yc Jo t: u yo La Clin to n; to rs : C o n tr ib uM ar co u x; M it ch ell nd re w W il ki ns on A t; ne or an Sh R hé ll y; R ob in K al en Q ua y: h b; p ra P h o to g son; Jonathan Kozunwood; Lance ThomImages; Jessie Greeawks HC; Gett y/NHL /Por tland Winterh Br yan Heimnada; Jeff Parsons/ s Blazers HC Hockey Ca eCaps HC; Kamloop St.John’s Ic y: P ri n te d bri n ti ng Lt d .

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GUESITCES SERVLINE T UR – O H BEHAVIO Y L U R N U REPORORT TEXT OUR T LINE: CALL T SERVICES HO GUES 117 9 0 7 7 4 20

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F over 30 years r o F We’ve been helping Canadian hockey players, big and small, realize their dreams of playing the game we all love.

The Esso brand is proud to be a part of the past, present and future of Canadian hockey.

Esso is a trademark of Imperial Oil Limited. Imperial Oil, licensee. ÂŽ Official mark of Hockey Canada.

FAN

GUIDE

FAN BEHAVIOUR

GUEST SERVICES

Disruptive behaviour and profane language will not be tolerated and is not permitted. Behaviour could result in ejection and potential loss of season ticket privileges. To report disruptive behaviour or a concern you can call or text 204-770-9117

Our Guest Services representatives are professionally trained to provide assistance with an understanding of how to accommodate your needs.

Guest Services is located on the Main Concourse across from Sections 103/203, at the Concierge Desk located at the North entrance to the Private Suite Concourse in the Skywalk Level lobby along Portage Avenue or on the Upper Concourse across from Section 325.

Seating maps, brochures, ticket information and many other services are available. The Guest Services phone number is (204) 926-5747 during all Jets games.

GUEST CONDUCT The Winnipeg Jets are committed to providing all guests with a superior patron experience, and a safe, comfortable and enjoyable atmosphere.

In order to maintain a safe and enjoyable environment, we request that all guests be courteous to those around them and abide by all building policies and regulations.Guests who engage in inappropriate behaviour including aggressive behaviour, the use of foul language or guests that appear intoxicated will be removed from the building without refund. Patrons attempting to make contact with event participants or officials or attempting to access restricted areas will be removed and may face criminal prosecution and/or be restricted from attending future Jets games and other MTS Centre events. Please contact a Guest Services employee if you need assistance.

GUEST SERVICES HOTLINE If you require assistance for any reason at an event call or text 204-770-9117.

When texting, please provide your seat location (section, row and seat number) and the nature of the issue.

LOST AND FOUND If you have lost an item please visit Guest Services located on the Main Concourse across from Sections 103/203, at the Concierge Desk located at the North entrance to the Private Suite concourse in the Skywalk Level lobby along Portage Avenue or on the Upper Concourse across from Section 325. Lost items will be transferred to MTS Centre’s security office for 30 days at which time, if not claimed, will be forwarded to a charity.

TO VIEW THE COMPLETE MTS CENTRE FAN GUIDE VISIT: WWW.MTSCENTRE.CA/GUESTSERVICES-1/GUEST-SERVICES WINNIPEG JETS FRONT OFFICE 345 Graham Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 5S6 Phone: (204) 987-7825 OFFICE HOURS Monday–Friday 8:30 am–5:00 pm TICKET SALES & SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES customerservice@winnipegjets.com Phone: (204) 987-7825

GUEST SERVICES HOTLINE TO REPORT ANY UNRULY BEHAVIOUR IN YOUR AREA PLEASE CALL OR TEXT OUR GUEST SERVICES HOT LINE:

204-770-9117

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IN THE COMMUNITY

PLAYER HOLIDAY VISITS

On December 9th, 2013, The Winnipeg Jets Players visited The Rehabilitation Centre for Children and the Children’s Hospital as part of their annual holiday tradition. “If we can come in here and put a smile on their face for a little bit it’s just great and it’s something we really enjoy doing” said Winnipeg Jets Defenceman Mark Stuart.

The special holiday visits meant as much to the players as it did the kids as echoed by Jets Captain Andrew Ladd. “We realize the impact we have in this community so to be able to show up and go visit some kids and make their day is a pretty cool thing to be able to do. It’s a lot of fun for us and we’ve met a lot of cool kids”. Winnipeg Jets Forward Blake Wheeler shared similar sentiments on the experience. “To be able to affect those people that maybe aren’t feeling their best and come and brighten their day, that’s what makes this job special”.

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE WINNIPEG JETS HOCKEY CLUB

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pLAYER HOLIDAY VISITS

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IN THE COMMUNITY

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE WINNIPEG JETS HOCKEY CLUB

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MY ROAD:

MATT HALISCHUK EARLY MINOR HOCKEY MEMORIES – TORONTO, ON “I definitely had a lot of fun playing. I was playing a bunch of different sports at that time, and just had a lot of fun playing hockey.”

ON TRANSITIONING TO AND PLAYING JUNIOR HOCKEY IN THE OHL: (DRAFTED 2004, ROUND 2 #38 OVERALL BY ST. MICHAEL’S MAJORS IN THE OHL PRIORITY SELECTION): • PLAYED FOR TORONTO ST. MICHAEL’S MAJORS (2004-06), AND KITCHENER RANGERS (2006-08) – 2008 MEMORIAL CUP “I had started focusing on hockey a couple years before that.

Making the jump was exciting and I definitely learned a lot in my first couple years and learned a lot of life lessons as well.”

ON WINNING GOLD FOR TEAM CANADA IN THE 2008 IIHF WORLD U20 CHAMPIONSHIP (HE SCORED THE GAMEWINNING GOAL IN OT OF THE GOLD MEDAL GAME): “At Christmas time when you’re watching the guys play it brings back memories. It was pretty emotional for sure.

It was something you dream about.”

ON BEING DRAFTED – SELECTED 117TH OVERALL IN THE 2007 NHL ENTRY DRAFT BY THE NEW JERSEY DEVILS. “It was exciting. I didn’t know if I was going to get drafted at all. I still remember getting the call. When you look back on it, it’s one of the first steps of ‘making it’”.

ON HIS FIRST NHL GAME, OCTOBER 29, 2008 VS. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS AT THE PRUDENTIAL CENTER (RECORDED AN ASSIST) “It happened pretty quickly. I think I was able to get up in my 10th (AHL) game. They had a bunch of injuries and I got recalled on emergency. It was pretty exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time.”

SCORING HIS FIRST NHL GOAL AGAINST JOSE THEODORE IN A 5-2 VICTORY OVER THE WASHINGTON CAPITALS ON NOVEMBER 14, 2009.

“I still remember that one pretty well. It was a pretty exciting moment. Just a 3 on 2, and I was able to get a quick shot away, and I saw the red light go on.”

ON JUNE 19, 2010, HALISCHUK WAS TRADED BY THE DEVILS, ALONG WITH A SECOND ROUND DRAFT PICK, TO THE NASHVILLE PREDATORS FOR JASON ARNOTT. 14

ONE TIMERS

ON DROPPING THE MITTS FOR THE FIRST TIME, FIGHTING SAM GAGNER ON NOVEMBER 22, 2011 AGAINST THE EDMONTON OILERS “It was the first one of the career. I haven’t thought about that in a while. It definitely wasn’t a heavyweight bout, but it’s fun to look back on stuff like that.”

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE WINNIPEG JETS HOCKEY CLUB

ON BECOMING A WINNIPEG JET: SIGNING A ONE-YEAR CONTRACT ON JULY 11, 2013.

“It was exciting. You look back at all the history and tradition here and everything that’s been said about the Jets since they came back, the organization and stuff, just very proud to be a part of it and I’m excited to be here.”

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Mad Libs

ONDREJ PAVELEC 5 years old and I first tried playing goal when I was also 5 years old . I first knew I wanted to become a Goaltender right away . Growing up my favourite hockey player was Martin Brodeur because he’s been successful every season . When I was young, If I wasn’t a hockey player I wanted to grow up to be a bus driver (beca use they neve r had to . l) I started playing hockey in the Czech Republic when I was

go to schoo

Atlanta wanted me .to When I first came to Canada the hardest thing to get used to was the food and I I decided I wanted to play junior hockey in Canada because

family + friends the most. Once I made the transition, my favourite part about playing in Cape Breton was great billet s and great fans . missed

Atlanta because it was my first NHL game . Before a game I usually eat rice, veggies + chicken and listen to Bru ce Spri ngsteen on the way to the rink.

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My first impression of playing in Winnipeg was During the season, I live with

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THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE WINNIPEG JETS HOCKEY CLUB

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PROSPECT PROFILE

NIC PETAN

BY RHÉANNE MARCOUX

Position: Centre Height: 5’9” Weight: 165lbs Shoots: Left Born: 22 MAR 1995 Birthplace: Delta, BC CAN Junior Team: Portland Winterhawks (WHL) Drafted: Selected by Winnipeg Jets in Round 2, #43 overall in 2013 NHL Draft.

Over the last 93 years, the average NHL player’s height has shot up from 5-9 in 1920 to just over 6-1 today. The increased physicality of the game demands players to be stronger and bigger to keep up to the fast pace and hold their own in the corners.

But among the taller, heavier players, there are a few anomalies. Nic Petan is the latter.

“Growing up I watched Joe Sakic and Martin St Louis, watching as they grew in the NHL,” said the 5-9 centreman from Portland, where he leads the WHL’s Winterhawks in points. He tallied 23 points in eight games to climb more than halfway to his total of 120 points last season. His size has never been a disadvantage. Much like his role model, Martin St. Louis, Petan sees his size as an advantage on the ice, -a mindset his parents instilled in him early on.

“He’s always been one of the smaller guys but he handles himself quite well on the ice. His thing is he’s a point-getter and a playmaker type of player,” said his father, Frank. “Yeah, he’s never let his size ever get in the way,” laughed Petan’s mother, Rosanna.

“It hasn’t deterred him. But he’s going to bulk up. Our older son, it’s the same thing. He was smaller and now he’s getting up to that size. So he’s going to have to bulk up in the lower part of his body, but he’ll make it. He’s doing fine,” winked Frank.

“It’s always in the back of my mind but I try and use my size to my advantage. It’s motivation as well to prove to people that it’s not an issue,” said Petan, echoing the words of his parents. “If you’re me, that’s

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what you think all the time. It’s sometimes easier to spin around guys. It’s definitely easier at times,” agreed Petan.

Known for his agility and quick stride, the speedy forward’s keen hockey sense and impressive skating ability contribute to his impressive point streak so far this season. Petan set a franchise record in his first season with the team, scoring four goals against Seattle, the first time in Hawks history a 16-year-old scored four times in a game. A feat he repeated again this season against the Saskatoon Blades.

But the Jets’ 2013 second round draft pick (43rd overall) doesn’t think about the stats. His focus is the team’s success, and nothing more. After seeing former line mates Ty Rattie and Seth Jones make the jump to the pros this season, Petan took on a big leadership role this year. The new responsibilities have helped him elevate his game. “Accepting a leadership role and playing in the bigger moments has pushed my all-around game to help the younger guys on our team. I try not to think about it too much, but I’m just trying to play with consistence and confidence,” said the Delta, BC native.

There’s no question the small forward exudes a confidence many bigger players his age have yet to find. But the young player shies away from the spotlight. When asked to describe his style of play, Petan laughed and halted. “I’m a play-maker… I guess a good defensive and offensive centreman… I’m on the bus, it’s kind of hard to answer that one!” he said with a laugh, explaining that he was sitting on the bus with his teammates on the way back from the rink.

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE WINNIPEG JETS HOCKEY CLUB

23

PROSPECT PROFILE

NIC PETAN

Though his parents regularly drive down to Portland to watch him play, Petan admits they may have preferred him to pursue a career in soccer.

“Both my parents aren’t really hockey parents,” he laughed. “My dad was a soccer player and I played soccer until I was twelve. At that point I had to pick one sport and I chose hockey. I just loved it more.”

“We usually try and get to wherever he is. If we can, we go,” said Rosanna. “It’s nice to give him the support, you know he has friends and new friends he’s made – apparently the team is getting along really 24

ONE TIMERS

well, but it’s nice to have a little family support here and there,” added her husband.

Petan has a busy schedule ahead as he prepares for the Canada’s National Junior Team Sport Chek Selection Camp and the chance to crack the roster and fill a spot on the Canadian bench. “The U-18’s was a great experience, but this is a whole different level. It’s every kid’s dream to play in a tournament like this so I’m looking forward to prove myself at camp,” said Petan. “I watch the tournament every year at Christmas time, so it would be pretty cool to get to play in it.”

His parents couldn’t be happier to watch their youngest son live out his goals, starting with the 2013 draft, and now with an opportunity to head to the 2014 IIHF World Junior Championship in Malmö, Sweden. “We always knew he was a special player. He worked really hard to get where he is today. I mean you never know, you can only dream. Of course this is his dream, so it’s kind of cool watching him fulfill his dream,” said Rosanna with a smile.

PHOTOS COURTESY: BRYAN HEIM/PORTLAND WINTERHAWKS HC

His quiet confidence makes him a great leader on the ice, a rare quality for an 18 year-old. Petan credits his parents and brother for making him the player and person he is today. “It’s been them all the way and also my brother. All three of them have helped me along the way and have been a big support. They’ve taught me a lot,” said Petan. “My brother is three years older so we never really got to play with each other, but we practiced together a lot in the summertime.”

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ICECAPS MID-SEASON REVIEW

BY ROBIN SHORT

The St. John’s IceCaps have been mostly a middle-of-the-pack team through the first half of the 2013-14 American Hockey League campaign, although there have been some players making big strides on the Winnipeg Jets’ farm club.

One of the measures of minor league success is the ability of the development system to supply players for the big club, and the IceCaps were doing their part heading into the New Year as five different skaters from St. John’s – John Albert, Zach Redmond, Patrice Cormier, Ben Chiarot and Julian Melchiori – were recalled at some point in time earlier this season.

You could make that six if you count Adam Pardy, who started the season in Winnipeg, was reassigned to St. John’s, played one game and THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE WINNIPEG JETS HOCKEY CLUB

was recalled to Winnipeg where he’s remained.

Ironically enough, one player who has yet to be summoned from the minors but is very much a part of the Jets’ plans is goaltender Eddie Pasquale. After a bit of a slow start, Pasquale, in the words of Coach Keith McCambridge, found his game and was among the league leaders in saves at the Christmas break.

The fact Pasquale was one of the busiest goalies in the league, logging major minutes, didn’t hurt. Which is exactly what Pasquale had hoped for this season. The Toronto native would like to face as much rubber as he can this year as he pushes for the backup job to Ondrej Pavelec in Winnipeg next season. “I always gauge a goalie’s performance,” McCambridge said, “based on the quality of shots he’s faced, and if he’s outplayed 29

the other goaltender. For the most part, Eddie’s done that. “He’s given us a chance to win just about every game we’ve been in. This is a big year for him.”

Because of an assortment of nagging injuries, McCambridge and the IceCaps were not able to see a great deal from Zach Redmond early this season.

When he did get into the lineup, Redmond was recalled to Winnipeg after two games and started for the Jets in three of nine games before being reassigned to the American league. Since his return to St. John’s, Redmond has been dominant at times. “I feel his game has been real strong,” McCambridge said, “and certainly I haven’t seen any ill-affects from the injury last year.” After a strong start in St. John’s last season - his second as a pro - Redmond got his shot in Winnipeg and was fitting into the Jets’ lineup quite nicely until the well-documented, near-tragic injury occurred in Raleigh, N.C. in February when the right femoral artery and vein in his leg was lacerated.

Surgery to repair the damage took nearly three hours, and he was done for the rest of the year. “I have no concerns with Zach Redmond,” McCambridge said.

Through the early part of the season, Ben Chiarot was the team’s leader in plus-minus, and was also chipping in on the offence. Likewise fellow Ontario native Melchiori, although McCambridge acknowledged Melchiori’s start to the 2013-14 season was a, “little

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ICECAPS UPDATE

rocky.” But a callup to Winnipeg in November gave Melchiori a boost of confidence, as did Chiarot’s first NHL game against the Chicago Blackhawks in early November, although it was a rough outing for Chiarot who finished minus-three. “Ben Chiarot has made some strides,” said McCambridge.

“He’s played like a big, strong defenceman which he needs to be.

He’s played with that edge and he’s been real consistent moving pucks to the forwards, being hard to play against and being physical.

“And since Melchiori has been back (since the recall), he’s had a real polish to his game, and he’s more confident.”

Another young defenceman, rookie Brenden Kichton, has been a surprise, suiting up for the all the IceCaps’ games prior to Christmas, and playing a healthy portion of minutes on the power play.

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Up front, two IceCaps stand out. One has enjoyed a taste of life with the Jets, while the other is still waiting.

John Albert, who played on an AHL contract his first two years in St. John’s before signing an NHL deal for this season, scored on his first shot in his first NHL game at New York’s Madison Square Garden in early December. The key for Albert this season has been his health. He’s playing most of the time, vs last year when he was limited to 24 games due to an assortment of injuries. “With John, what’s noticeable is the offensive side of his game is really starting to come around,” McCambridge said of the Ohio native.

“He controls the puck more. He’s not as quick to move it, or take low percentage shots. He’s grown tremendously from a development perspective.

“He’s moved up into a second-line role. Before, he was a chip-and-chase, third and fourth line energy guy. He still has the great speed, but he’s earned the opportunity to play a second-line role.”

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ICECAPS UPDATE

Since the start of the season, leading the IceCaps in scoring has been Ottawa’s Eric O’Dell, who enjoyed a strong training camp and was lauded by Winnipeg assistant general manager and St. John’s GM Craig Heisinger. O’Dell topped the IceCaps in scoring last season, and simply picked up where he left off this year. “He continues to be a point-per-game player, and as a result is drawing attention of the other teams,” McCambridge said. “I’ve talked to him about that, about finding a way to continue to get those Grade A scoring chances. And he’s done that. “There’s been no drop-off offensively. And Eric O’Dell has always been reliable in his own zone. The area where we continue to work on with him is faceoffs, and he’s gotten better at that.”

If there is one big bugaboo with the IceCaps this season, it’s the inability of St. John’s to take two games from visiting opponents.

Because Newfoundland is an off-the-beaten-path location in the AHL, teams play back-to-back games when they travel to St. John’s, and the IceCaps have taken both games of a two-game series only once before Christmas.

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SHOWDOWN November 12, 2013. Ondrej Pavelec stares down Red Wings’ Centre Pavel Datsyuk in the shootout during the Jets’ last trip to the Motor City.

Photo by: Dave Reginek/NHLI-Getty

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FROZEN IN TIME

52

YEAHH BUDDY! December 7, 2013. Andrew Ladd congratulates Blake Wheeler on his tip-in goal off a nifty wrist shot from the point courtesy of Jacob Trouba, during action against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Photo by: Scott Iskowitz/NHLI-Getty

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FROZEN IN TIME WHAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF… December 2, 2013. Jets teammates celebrate with St.John’s IceCaps callup John Albert after scoring on a breakaway with his first shot in his first ever NHL game, against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.

Photo by: Scott Levy/NHLI-Getty 55

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BAND BROTH 58

OF

HERS

BY RHÉANNE MARCOUX

They can be easily picked out on the ice by the number on the back of their jerseys, but who are the true personalities that make up the Winnipeg Jets? From young rookies to older veterans, North Americans to Europeans, and everything in between, the Jets locker room is an eclectic mix of characters. But that’s precisely why the group gets along so well.

“We have a good mix. From young guys to older guys, and funny guys to serious guys, it’s a good dressing room to be part of,” said Chris Thorburn, a veteran on the team who has watched the group evolve over the last three years.

Teammate Bryan Little agrees. “There are so many different personalities, but everyone gets along and jokes around. It’s hard to play on a team where you come in everyday and some guys don’t get along. But this team, we can all go out for dinner together and get along and have fun. It’s definitely a good group.”

Nevertheless, there are distinctive groups that are easily distinguishable within the locker room. To start, the Europeans form group number one, specifically the Czechs, Ondrej Pavelec and Michael Frolik. “We’ve got Jokes (Olli Jokinen), obviously Finnish, Tobs (Tobias Enstrom) - Swedish,” listed Thorburn. “Then you have the Czechs - Pav and Fro, who have been buddies their whole lives, they’re like brothers. It’s great.”

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“I just call them the Czechs, they go everywhere together,” laughs Little, referring to childhood friends, Pavelec and Frolik.

The second easily recognizable group is the “young kids”, comprised of Mark Scheifele and Jacob Trouba. New additions this season, the youngest players on the team are fifteen to sixteen years younger than the team’s most veteran player.

“They bring in some youngness, if that’s even a word,” laughed Thorburn. “They keep things fresh. They say some stuff that… you just realize how big that gap in age is sometimes. But they keep things fresh and funny and they’re just good kids.”

“Those guys are really young,” agreed Little. “I’m not too sure what they do in Winnipeg on their spare time,” he added with a laugh. “Troubs is living with Bogo (Zach Bogosian), so I feel like he’s taking after Bogo’s tendencies more and more. They’re sort of meshing personalities, which is funny to see. Bogo is definitely rubbing off on Troubs, which is good and bad,” he laughed.

Captain Andrew Ladd noticed the shift in the younger players as well. “I’m sure Bogo’s personality will rub off on him a little bit. Not many people have the amount of energy Bogo has,” he said with a smile.

But the discrepancy in age isn’t an issue when it comes to game time. “We’re all a team trying to achieve the same goal,” said Thorburn. “With Scheifs and Troubs, they understand. They get the respect factor. That’s something that’s kind of gone away a little bit, but whether it’s the way they were brought up, they respect their elders. Not saying that Jokes is that old, but they have that respect factor and that goes a long way with the older guys.”

Even the older players on the team can be young at heart, and one in particular is a character all his own.

“Buff will do anything for a laugh, he’ll go to extremes.

There’s definitely no limits with Buff,” said Thorburn, speaking of defenseman Dustin Byfuglien, the selfproclaimed team jokester. “He brings it every night and he’s the kind of guy who can balance it. That’s the thing with Buff – just when you think it’s time to get serious because it’s a big game, he can fool around and still perform. Not many guys can do that. A lot of guys need to be in a certain mindset in order to be successful and play well. But with Buff, the more goofy he is, the better he plays. He definitely keeps the room light, so it’s good to have in the room,” noted Thorburn.

If Byfuglien is the prankster, then James Wright is the team’s bookworm and gamer.

61

“Wright is pretty under-cover nerdy,” grinned Little, shaking his head.

“He’s read all of the Lord Of The Rings and Game of Thrones. And I remember playing video games last year, he was pretty unbelievable so he must play a lot of those. I can see that household having a lot of video games and Lord of the Rings marathons.”

“I would totally agree with that,” laughed Ladd. “I think we have a few of those though. I think Scheifs as well, and he lives with Wrighter. Nothing wrong with that though, he likes his crossword puzzles,” he shrugged.

But Little and Ladd will be the first to admit they themselves form a distinctive group.

“I think I’m in the dad group,” admitted Little, who doesn’t have any children. “I’m not a dad, but I live around all of those guys – Wheels, Laddy, and Buff. Those are probably the guys I used to hang out with the most before and now they all had kids so… I hang out with them and kind of distract their kids so they can have free time. Every dinner we have, I’m the only one without a kid there, it’s kind of weird,” he said, laughing and pausing at the thought.

“I don’t know how that happened!” exclaimed Ladd, laughing at his friend’s response. “I honestly don’t know how that happened. Maybe his fiancé would be the honorary babysitter, I would never let him babysit my kid,” he added hastily with a laugh. “He (Little) has his dogs and likes to pretend that he’s a dad. Me and Wheels have our son’s initials on our sticks, so Litts started putting his dog’s initials on his stick. I think that’s when he started scoring goals too,” laughed Ladd, looking over at Little a few seats down.

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The two friends have known each other since the team’s days in Atlanta, but another unlikely duo on the team has drawn much attention over the years - Thorburn and teammate Evander Kane have given “bromance” its meaning.

“It just kind of evolved since he first came to Atlanta,” shrugged Thorburn, unsure of how the friendship began.

“He’s an interesting kid. He has a lot of talent, works hard.

We just kind of took a liking to each other right off the bat.

I’m the kind of guy who’s easy to talk to and he’s the kind of guy who likes to talk, so I guess I’m just a good listener,” he smiled with a gleam in his eyes.

“You know, we’ve been through a lot of years together, ups and downs, and at times it’s painful for both ends because he just doesn’t shut his mouth, but I like it. It keeps me involved, I just like listening to Kaner and some of the stuff that he says. It makes me laugh. Some of the stuff he says is just mind boggling, but it goes both ways,” laughed Thorburn, running a hand through his hair.

“He’s very sensitive and his chirps are terrible, so you know, I have to give him the courtesy laugh and all that kind of stuff,” he added, rolling his eyes. “Mine are pretty good so I almost feel bad after I do it because he just doesn’t stand a chance against me really. It’s all in good fun.”

Fun is the name of every exchange in the locker room.

The players tease and push each other constantly, but never maliciously. The ability for all twenty-four players to be able to joke and get along as well as they do is a rarity that bonds the team closely together. “There’s no uncomfort. You can have conversations with anyone on the team, and with other dressing rooms I’ve been a part of, you don’t get that all the time,” noted Thorburn.

“This is something special that we have here and I think as we continue to grow, that will translate onto the ice and we’ll have much more success.”

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THE

66

A

ARTOF THE SHOOTOUT

BY MITCHELL CLINTON The scene is set at MTS Centre. Over 15,000 fans are sitting on the edge of their seats. Sixty-five minutes of hockey have been played and the game is tied. It all comes down to the shoot-out. The winner leaves the rink with two points, the loser leaves with only one. It could be described as drama at its highest level.

Ondrej Pavelec hates every bit of it.

The pressure doesn’t bother him. He loves the passion of the fans. He still remembers the first exhibition game against Columbus in 2011 and the atmosphere that came with it.

The shoot-out however, Pavelec despises.

“We should play hockey. You play 65 minutes, then you wait five minutes for them to clean the ice, then you face three breakaways, I just don’t like it,” the 26-yearold Pavelec said. “I think it would be more fair to decide a game as a competition. There’s nothing I can do about it. It’s part of the game and it is what it is. The fans love it, I don’t, but that’s my opinion. Some guys like it, some guys don’t.”

Pavelec’s partner between the pipes, Al Montoya, is on the fence when it comes to the shoot-out. But he does recall it actually offered a bit of motivation to get from the American Hockey League to the National Hockey League, at least for goaltenders.

67

“THE BIGGEST THING FOR A GOALTENDER IS TO TRY AND BE PATIENT. THE SHOOT-OUTS ARE ALMOST A GAME OF CHICKEN.” “The year I turned pro, they started experimenting with it in the American League. Then it was five shooters, so once you made it to the NHL, it went down to three so that was a nice bonus. Less is more for us,” the 28-year-old from Chicago, Illinois, said. “Not such a fan of it, but I’m more of a fan of a shoot-out than the new rules that they’re trying to implement with the 3-on-3 or extended overtime.”

Winnipeg Jets goaltending coach Wade Flaherty was still playing for the Manitoba Moose when the shootout came into effect at the start of the 2005-06 season. He says teams have to avoid getting locked into the emotional roller coaster each shoot-out can be.

“I think the shoot-out is one of those things, if you’re having success with them, they have the potential to put you on a really big high. When you’re not having success with them it has the potential to put you on a low,” Flaherty said. “I think it’s important as a team that we manage the highs and lows. You’re not going to win every shoot-out, but when you lose, it can be a devastating loss at times. When things are going well, you don’t like them. But they’re part of the game and that’s the way it is.”

It can be difficult, if not impossible, for goaltenders and coaches to come up with a perfect shoot-out strategy. Shooters are constantly coming up with new ideas, from the traditional triple deke to putting the puck between their legs. Flaherty says each shot is a bit of a waiting game, on both sides of the puck.

“The biggest thing for a goaltender is to try and be 68

patient. The shoot-outs are almost a game of chicken,” he said. “A goalie is waiting for the players to make the first move, but the player is trying to make the goaltender bite on something different. So it has a lot to do with patience on both sides and trying to wait each other out. The biggest thing is trying to hold your depth and be patient. Then try to react to the player when he makes his move.”

By the time the shoot-out comes, the goaltenders have played 65 minutes. Flaherty believes this is when goaltenders have to dig the deepest to find ways to stop the puck, and give their team a chance to pick up the crucial extra point.

“A lot of that has to do with focus and staying focused,” Flaherty said. “We obviously do some research. The goalies are familiar with the potential guys that are going to come down, as the players are with the opposition’s goalie. It’s more to give them a guideline of what could happen. The players get research on their goalie, how aggressive he is or if he’s not aggressive. Things like that.”

Flaherty and video coach Tony Borgford meet to go over footage of potential shooters, and then Flaherty brings that information to Pavelec and Montoya. This part of game preparation doesn’t take long.

“HOLD YOUR DEPTH AND BE PATIENT. THEN TRY TO REACT TO THE PLAYER WHEN HE MAKES HIS MOVE.” 69

“YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT THEY’RE GOING TO DO. IT’S GOOD TO HAVE AN IDEA WHAT THEY MAY DO. I JUST HAVE TO BE PATIENT.” “It’s short and sweet,” Flaherty said. “We look at the potential guys who could be coming. You can usually nail it down to two guys for sure. Everybody does it, everybody prepares for the shoot-out. At the end of the day it’s the goaltender that has to do it. He has to be focused and he has to be patient. The ball is in their court and they have to go with it.”

Pavelec and Montoya believe the video work helps to a point. But shooters sometimes switch things up to keep goalies guessing.

“You never know what they’re going to do.

It’s good to have an idea what they may do. I just have to be patient. It’s 50/50. It could go both ways,” said Pavelec. “You need some luck to stop some shooters.”

A prime example of a shooter changing moves throughout the season is Winnipeg Jets captain Andrew Ladd. The 28-yearold forward was 5-for-5 on shoot-out attempts to start the 2013-14 campaign, and 7-for-7 dating back to last season.

Just like the goaltenders, he attributed his success to Flaherty.

70

“Wade Flaherty does a great job of letting us know before the game. He sends us some video clips the night before so just checking that out, see their tendencies, and just going from there,” Ladd said. “I’ve tried to switch it up.

I try to keep them guessing and I think that’s part of the trick. It’s trying to not let them feel like they know what you’re going to do when you come down.”

Montoya believes that versatility that makes shooters like Ladd dangerous.

“These players are the best in the world because they’re reactive,” he said. “I like to do the same myself. Maybe draw from a few tendencies from a few video clips but other than that, it’s just getting ready for it, being ready, taking them in practice, and knowing they’re part of the game and you’ll be seeing it all night long.”

And after seeing pucks come at him from every direction all night long, Montoya keeps one thought in his mind when he prepares for a shoot-out.

“Knowing that one stop you make could be the difference,” he said. “There is a lot of mental awareness that you’ll need to have and focus. At the same time, it’s doing what you’ve done your whole life, stopping the puck.”

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ALL FAMIL IN THE

BY MITCHELL CLINTON

Family often plays a huge role in getting players to the National Hockey League. But Winnipeg Jets blue-liner Keaton Ellerby doesn’t necessarily need to call home for advice. A call to the Montreal Canadiens or Phoenix Coyotes will do the trick.

That’s because Ellerby is related to Canadiens goaltender Carey Price, and Coyotes forward Shane Doan.

The three cousins keep in touch throughout the year, regardless of how busy the schedule gets.

“I was Carey’s best man at his wedding last year. We’re best friends and we stay in contact quite a bit. Shane is quite a bit older than us, 10 or 11 years older. He’s my first cousin, and I kind of grew up idolizing him,” said Ellerby, a native of Strathmore, Alberta. “Watching him go through junior then get drafted by the Jets, and playing there for a year. He was kind of my hero as a kid. He actually called me the other day and left a message, I haven’t listened to it yet. It’s great to have those guys as role models and see how they carry themselves. They’ve both been all-stars and won gold medals for Canada. It’s a cool thing to have, a couple cousins to look to for advice and see how they carry themselves, how they prepare, and how hard they work.”

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But it wasn’t just a bond with Price and Doan that helped Ellerby get to the NHL. Hockey runs deep in the Ellerby family.

So will his first NHL goal. While some players may exaggerate the telling of their first goal, Ellerby doesn’t need to embellish his story. He also makes light of the fact that with three NHL goals to his name, it’s not hard for him to remember the first one.

“My dad and my uncles all played junior and a bit of pro,” said Ellerby, who turned 25 in November. “It’s a little bit of a family thing, but also a Canadian kid thing. Everybody grows up playing hockey and putting on skates at a young age and getting out on an outdoor rink. I’ve kept it going. Love the game and love playing it.”

“Only had a couple of them so it’s not hard to forget,” he said with a laugh. “It was on Henrik Lundqvist in MSG. That was pretty cool one to get. Madison Square Garden is obviously one of the most famous arenas in the world and Lundqvist is arguably the best goalie in the world. Definitely a cool experience.”

That love for the game pushed Ellerby through his fouryear Western Hockey League career with the Kamloops Blazers and Moose Jaw Warriors. All that hard work paid off at the 2007 NHL Entry Draft in Columbus, when the Florida Panthers selected Ellerby 10th overall. It’s a moment he hasn’t forgotten.

The puck still sits in a plaque in his father’s office today. That first goal was just one step Ellerby had to take when adjusting to the NHL. On the ice, the game is faster and the players are bigger than in junior hockey.

But the adjustments happen off the ice as well.

“It was a cool experience. A little nerve wracking, excitement and adrenaline all rolled into one. I can’t believe how long ago that was--almost seven years ago now,” said Ellerby. “All those things, getting your name called, walking up to the stage, shaking hands and meeting people and putting that jersey and hat on for the first time. It’s a young hockey player’s dream to get drafted and that’ll be a memory of mine for the rest of my life.”

“You go from living with your family and a billet in junior, and you get thrown into pro and you’re living on your own. You have to figure out getting groceries and doing your own laundry. That’s something I haven’t figured out yet,” Ellerby said with a smile. “You have to learn to be independent. You’re playing with men, nothing comes free and nothing comes easy. You have to learn to work as hard as possible every day and learn how to be a pro.”

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Learning to be a pro can also mean adjusting to new surroundings. After being drafted and playing four seasons with the Panthers, Ellerby played in 35 games with the Los Angeles Kings last season. Then on November 2, the Winnipeg Jets claimed the defenceman off waivers.

“It’s a whirlwind when you first find out you’re going to a new team. You basically have to pack up your stuff that morning and go wherever the team is. It’s a bit of an adjustment period, but I mean it’s part of the game so you just have to battle through it, roll with the punches, and get adjusted as quickly as possible,” said Ellerby. “Its been awesome so far, an easy adjustment. The guys in the room are awesome. Coaching staff and management has been awesome getting me settled and all that. It’s been a great change for me, and I’m just happy to be part of the Jets organization.”

Ellerby fit right in on the Jets blue line, first with Adam Pardy, and more recently with Mark Stuart.

“He’s a hard nosed gritty guy. It’s a good partner for me,” Ellerby said of Stuart. “He tells me if I ever want to jump up in the rush to do it because he’ll be back supporting me. We complement each other well, we ‘re both big guys and play good defensive games, it’s a good pairing.”

Stuart, now in his 10th NHL season, likes playing with Ellerby as well.

“I’m comfortable playing with him. We communicate well and we kind of complement each other’s game. I’m more defense first, he gets up in the play a little bit,” he said.

Head coach Claude Noel likes what Ellerby brings to the team every night, but thinks the defenceman’s best asset might be something that won’t show up on a score sheet.

“I like his hockey intellect. I think he thinks the game real well. He can separate players off the puck,” Noel said. “He skates the puck well, and he makes good decisions.”

Everything seems to be going well for Ellerby as he continues to adjust to life in Winnipeg.

Having his girlfriend with him in the city has also made the transition easier, although the pair’s last adventure around the city wasn’t so routine.

“She’s got some family there so that’s made it nice,” he said. “Last time we went to check the city out I got in a car accident, so that was a bit of a downer. It’s been a good adjustment though, and I’ve liked it so far.”

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2013-14 WINNIPEG JETS

SEASON SCHEDULE SUN

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9

12

BUF TSN

FRI

6:30pm 3

6:00pm

TB

7:00pm 13

THU 2

OTT

SAT 7

FLA

9

WED

PHX

FRI

6:30pm 6

NYR 8

2:00pm

MIN

NYI

MON 2

23

CHI

MARCH 2014

DECEMBER 2013

SUN

7:00pm 16

PHI 20

NJ

1

NSH

DET 25 6:00pm 26

24

TUE

CHI

FEBRUARY 2014

NOVEMBER 2013

MON

MON

1

STL

SUN

3

SUN

JANUARY 2014

OCTOBER 2013

1

SJ

LA

ANA

AWAY

ALL GAME TIMES CENTRAL SUN

APRIL 2014

80

MON

TUE 1

WED

9:00pm 2

THU 3

PHX 6

7

13

14

20 27

7:00pm 8

FRI

7:00pm 4

SAT 5

PIT

TOR

7:00pm 11

8:00pm 12

9

10

15

16

17

18

19

21

22

23

24

25

26

28

29

30

MIN

6:00pm

BOS

CGY

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