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Sports

Byfuglien excited about NHL's return to Manitoba

By National Hockey League
Published | Updated

ST. PAUL – Winnipeg is new territory for most members of the recently relocated franchise now known as the Jets.

The current Jets roster doesn't feature any Manitoba-born players, so 2010 playoffs scoring star-turned-defenseman Dustin Byfuglien might have to serve as the club's honorary Manitoban. Byfuglian, who grew up in Roseau, Minn., stopped by the NHL Entry Draft on Saturday morning.

Roseau is a two-hour trip from Winnipeg – a short hop by prairie standards – and Byfuglien logged a brief stint with the Western Hockey League's Brandon Wheat Kings at the start of his junior career. Brandon is a quick drive down the Trans-Canada Highway and the team counts new Winnipeg senior vice president and general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff and executive vice president and director of hockey operations/assistant general manager Craig Heisinger among its alumni.

Since then, Byfuglien's career has blossomed. The 26-year-old won a Stanley Cup in 2010 with Chicago, where Cheveldayoff then served as an assistant general manager. A trade last summer that included Winnipeg captain Andrew Ladd sent Byfuglien to the former Atlanta franchise, and Byfuglien delivered a career-best season with 20 goals and 33 assists over 81 games after becoming a fulltime defenseman.

Now Byfuglien is on the move again, though this journey will bring him closer to Roseau. Byfuglien said he expects more requests from his family. Given that Winnipeg sold 13,000 season-ticket deposits in just four days and a Jets ticket could be among the most sought-after in the League, it may not be easy for Byfuglien.

But Byfuglien said he believes that a full MTS Centre is going to be a tremendous boost for the Jets. What's more, he expressed support for True North Sports & Entertainment Limited's decision to respond to intense public fervour for the club to adopt the Jets name.

"It's going to be fun," Byfuglien said. "It's going to be exciting. Any time you have a full building behind you, it's just like having another player on the ice."

Winnipeg's oft-discussed winter climate will not be an issue, Byfuglien predicted.

The Jets in turn hope to repay the local enthusiasm by delivering a hard-working club with a young core that is beginning to find its way in the League.  The former Atlanta franchise reached the Stanley Cup playoffs only in over 11 seasons, and the club has not played a postseason game since 2007. But Byfuglien sees reason for hope.

"It will be a fun team to watch," Byfuglien said. "Everyone should be excited. I think we're more than capable of making [the playoffs], and there is no reason that we should be satisfied with not making it."

Yet another change for Byfuglien and his teammates is new head coach Claude Noel, who will in turn hire an all-new coaching staff.

"Good guy -- I have no problems so far," Byfuglien said, smiling.