Winnipeg Free Press https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/jets/jets-say-hendricks-ok-to-play-send- petan-back-to-moose-453071203.html

Petan back with Moose

By: Mike McIntyre

Nic Petan’s bumpy road to becoming an NHL regular has taken another detour as he’s headed down to the Moose.

Petan, 22, was held pointless in six games with the Jets this season despite opportunities on the power play. He had just six shots on and was a minus-two while averaging just under nine minutes of ice time a game.

"We got probably four or five guys there that haven’t really distinguished themselves in any real part of their game. The easiest to answer is Nicky’s waiverable and we can keep our players," Jets head coach Paul Maurice said on Wednesday. "Nic will go down and get some bigger minutes and keep his game going."

Petan doesn’t have to go through NHL waivers, where another club could claim him.

"Sometimes it’s just a little bit of focus. He’s an offensive guy and there wasn’t a lot of offence happening," Maurice said. "I like Nic. I think he’s a real good player. The fact he’s not playing top-six in the NHL at 22 for me is not an issue. He’s a good player and he’s got lots of time ahead of him. He’s got to find a way to take the nine minutes he’s playing, some of that’s power- play time, and get a little more happening for him."

For now, Petan has essentially lost his spot to energy forward Brendan Lemieux, who made his NHL debut last week. Lemieux will start on the fourth line but could see some time on the power play in front of the opponent’s net, Maurice said.

"Obviously really excited. It was great to be able to enjoy the first game and get through that. But now it’s back to business," Lemieux said. "This is a business. This is pro hockey and it’s about getting wins. So I’m excited about being able to help."

"There’s some guys that can get their stick on the puck and get those tips, and he’s got that in his game. He’s also got a real good shot... He’s a big, strong guy in front of the net and he’s not afraid to stand there," Maurice said of Lemieux. https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/rutherfords-quest-for-success-453216273.html

Rutherford's quest for success Penguins general manager believes his team has a good shot at a three-peat

By: Mike Sawatzky

PITTSBURGH — Above his office desk at PPG Paints Arena, Jim Rutherford has two reminders of some of the most satisfying years of his professional life.

In one photo, an elated Conor Sheary can be seen celebrating the overtime goal that brought the Penguins a Stanley Cup title in the spring of 2016. To its right, another photo depicts Patric Hörnqvist, arms raised, signalling what proved to be the Cup winner in 2017.

Rutherford, 68, has spent his life in the game. First as a player — he had a solid 13-year goaltending career in the NHL — and since then he’s spent the better part of 25 years as a general manager in Hartford, Carolina and Pittsburgh.

Winning like the Penguins have, with style and a sense of purpose, doesn’t seem to get old.

Heck, Rutherford doesn’t shy away from all the talk of a three-peat going around town.

"Even when we won the last two years, we talked about winning (again)," Rutherford said Wednesday afternoon. "So, we’re certainly not sittin’ here saying it’s guaranteed we’re going to win. We recognize how many other good teams there are out there that have a chance to win. But we also recognize we have a chance."

It’s also getting more difficult.

The two-time defending Cup champs usually get the best an opponent can offer — and more. The club’s star players — namely Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Phil Kessel and Kris Letang — take more than their fair share of abuse.

"It was there before I got here," said Rutherford, who was hired to replace Ray Shero during the summer of 2014. "When you’re a top player, you’ve gotta expect to get it. But as we had more success, teams played us harder and harder. And those guys were getting played harder in all aspects of the game, especially the physical side. I felt there were times where opponents were actually trying to take them out of games and so, it got to the , and as successful as we were with how we built our other teams, we needed a guy. When we decided to do that, I decided to get the best guy in the league to do it and so we did."

That guy — Ryan Reaves — was acquired from the St. Louis Blues to help solve the problem. But in a league where true enforcers are an endangered species, some considered the move counterintuitive.

Rutherford makes no apologies; he’s been fine-tuning this formula successfully for years.

"There’s more than one way to win," he said. "We’ve won with rolling four lines and having a well-balanced team. Of course, (it helps) having the top players along with a well-balanced team with a lot of speed. I see a lot more teams now that have a lot more speed that are harder to play against. But I don’t think there’s one set way."

But success in Pittsburgh begins with Crosby.

"It can be done with teams like Winnipeg and Edmonton, they have good players and they have really, really good young players, but part of it is the leadership on the team is not just from the coach, it’s from the players," Rutherford said. "When our captain goes on the ice for practice, it’s like he’s playing at the pace he would play in a playoff game. And you better be ready to practise and get ready to go, and if you practise that way, the game becomes easier to play.

"What the coach does is very important, but having that leadership with Sid and his work ethic, Sid really drives our players."

Rutherford’s most recent personnel move was to bring Riley Sheahan over from the Detroit Red Wings in a trade. The Pittsburgh GM admitted his pro scouting staff had coveted Sheahan since last season, even though he was struggling to supply offence. Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan immediately inserted him into the lineup Tuesday as the club’s third-line centre, apparently solving a problem created by the off-season departures in free agency of Nick Bonino and Matt Cullen.

"I don’t want to say it’s the best organization because I’ve never played for another one but Detroit," said Sheahan, whose locker stall is next to Crosby’s. "But from a players’ perspective, with the recent success they’ve had here, it’s hard to beat that... it starts in the locker room. I’ve only been here two and a half days but I already feel that leadership. Even from the younger guys. Everyone’s been so welcoming."

Rutherford also seems to have a good sense of timing with coaches. He hired Sullivan midway through the 2015-16 season to replace Dan Bylsma and he also hired and fired current head coach Paul Maurice twice. The first time, Maurice was replaced by Peter Laviolette, who led the to a Cup title in 2006.

Maurice and Rutherford are friends to this day.

"I’m not sure, outside of family, that there’s anybody in my life more important than Paul Maurice to this day," Rutherford said. "I care for that guy so much, but friendship is friendship, business is business, and when I made the change with Paul, the two times I made the change, I didn’t even see the change as being his fault. It was a matter of a timing thing and it was a matter of something had to be done to change things. But he’s a wonderful guy and I think he’s a terrific coach."

That begs the question: can Maurice turn the Jets into a perennial contender?

"Well, it depends how some things fall... in order to succeed and to go to the next level, everything has to work for you," Rutherford said. "You have to have the leadership within the team, you have to have exceptional goaltending... you have to have things go right for you, and as good as a coach as he is, if you don’t get that good fortune, there’s nothing you can do about it.

"Winnipeg had the issue with goaltending last year. If it solidifies, that’s going to make a huge difference for them. They know all the other parts of their team are very good."

The biggest issue for the current Penguins is something Rutherford has no control over. Pittsburgh and the both have a league-leading 19 back-to-back series in 2017- 18. The Jets have nine, which is the lowest total in the league.

That, coupled with playoff runs extending into June in each of the past two seasons, means fatigue could be a big issue for the Penguins. They’ve already suffered blowout losses to the and Tampa Bay Lightning in the second game of a back-to-back series.

"The guys don’t get enough breaks... It doesn’t concern me when we have an off game or an off week or something like that because I know we have the players that can get it done," Rutherford said. "I don’t put that much stock in those games, frankly. I’d prefer to win them — and I recognize those are good teams and I give them full credit — but the results don’t concern me."

Reach the post-season and Rutherford will be happy to take his chances with his battle-tested Pens.

"You just have to get into playoffs," he said. "If you’re hitting on all cylinders, any team that gets in can win. We have an advantage with respect to the fact we’ve won before and our guys know how to win. Our guys know how to deal with the ups and downs." https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/rested-recovered-jets-ready-for-sid--co- 453137523.html

Rested, ready for Pens After five days off, team faces seven games in 12 days

By: Mike McIntyre

If practice really does make perfect, the Winnipeg Jets should be at the top of their game when they hit the ice tonight against the .

After all, the local NHL squad has spent the past five days trying to hone their craft while nursing themselves back to health. To have such an extended break in the schedule is a rarity.

The Jets will have quite the challenge on their hands as they kick off a busy stretch that will see them play seven games in 12 days.

Whether rest translates into rust should become clear rather quickly.

"In a lot of ways, you’re fortunate going into Pittsburgh because you know when you play the Stanley Cup champions you’ve got to be buzzing because you know they’ll make you look bad if you’re not," said Jets head coach Paul Maurice after Wednesday’s practice.

"Fear is a great motivator. You gotta be on your game against those elite teams and that usually gets you skating, which is what we need to do."

The Jets look to get a burst in the form of veteran centre Matt Hendricks, who will make his regular-season debut tonight. Hendricks suffered a foot injury in the pre-season.

Hendricks will play on a line with another energy player in Brendan Lemieux, called up last week from the and getting his second look. is the other winger on that line.

"Hopefully I can come in, give them a little bit of help, a little bit of support," Hendricks said.

Maurice said Hendricks is a perfect "mentor" to the team’s young players and hopes he can help spark some offensive production from the bottom-six forwards.

"Getting the most out of his linemates is part of a veteran’s job on that line. Get those guys wound up and teach them the game while it’s going on," Maurice said.

"We gotta get some production out of that bottom six. And it’s not always the nifty three-pass plays. It’s puck to the net, driving the net, that consistency. Matt will help bring that."

Andrew Copp, Shawn Matthias and Brandon Tanev look to form the other bottom-six line for the Jets, while Marko Dano is expected to be a healthy scratch.

Pittsburgh got off to a rough start this season, losing their home opener 5-4 in overtime to the St. Louis Blues and then getting embarrassed by the Blackhawks the next night in Chicago to the tune of 10-1.

They’ve won six of eight games since, including a 2-1 overtime victory over the on Tuesday night.

"That’s a heck of a hockey team in Pittsburgh. A tough building to play in. Stick to our detail, though, and I think we have a good opportunity to come out of there with two points," Hendricks said. "Just come out, get our feet wet right away. Don’t dip your toes in."

Connor Hellebuyck will get the start in goal for the Jets, looking to continue his winning ways (4- 0-0).

Defenceman Dmitry Kulikov draws back into the lineup after missing the past two games with an injury. That means Ben Chiarot and Tucker Poolman will be scratched.

Centre Adam Lowry is not expected to play as he recovers from an upper-body injury that has kept him out the past three games. He remains on injured reserve, along with forward Mathieu Perreault, who is out at least three more weeks.

"With this much time in between games, it’s important to keep that intensity and make sure you’re ready," said defenceman of the multiple days of practice.

"A big part of our team’s success is playing with speed and keeping it simple. So just go out there with that mindset."

Steve Mason, who has struggled out of the gate at 0-3-0, will likely be in the crease on Friday night when the Jets play the Blue Jackets in Columbus.

Winnipeg then returns home to play the Pens on Sunday night, hits the road for a game against the Wild in on Tuesday, comes back to host the Dallas Stars next Thursday and the on Saturday, then plays the Stars in Texas the following Monday.

"We’re not complaining about the five days off. I’d like to take that seven-in-12 and maybe spread it over those extra days. We’d have been fine with that. But our schedule is fair now. So much better than it was last year," Maurice said. "But we got a real tough stretch. It starts really this week."

Winnipeg Sun http://winnipegsun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/winnipeg-jets/petan-needs-to-do-more-to-earn-spot- with-jets

Petan needs to do more to earn spot with Jets

By Ted Wyman

PITTSBURGH — There are many among the Winnipeg Jets faithful who believe Nic Petan can be a solid contributor at the NHL level if just given the chance to play with strong offensive players.

They may be right.

But Petan, the 22-year-old former WHL scoring star, is not going to get into the Jets top-6 forwards unless there’s an injury, and he’s not doing enough to make the team’s bottom-6 better in his limited opportunities.

The Jets sent Petan to the Manitoba Moose of the AHL on Wednesday to make room for veteran centre Matt Hendricks on the roster. Hendricks has been injured since training camp, but the 36-year-old was always part of the Jets plans because of his veteran presence and his ability to kill penalties and win big faceoffs.

Petan got the demotion because he has zero points through six games and because he does not have to clear waivers to be sent down.

With three goals and 19 points in 86 career games, Petan has disappointed numbers-wise, and has become somewhat of a polarizing player with the fans.

Many believe he has been hamstrung by playing on the third and fourth lines with grinders. Others see a player who has not produced despite numerous opportunities.

I’m more in the latter camp. At some point a player has to show something, regardless of whom he is playing with, to prove he belongs in the NHL.

“Nic Petan is an offensive guy and there wasn’t a lot of offence happening,” Jets coach Paul Maurice told reporters after practice at Bell MTS Iceplex Wednesday. “The argument would be he’s not playing with real offensive players. Those guys that he’s playing with are making the same argument. There’s just not a lot happening down there.”

Those who disagree with Maurice make some good points. Petan seems like a bit of a scapegoat for a bottom-6 that hasn’t scored at even strength this season.

Why is he getting sent down instead of Brandon Tanev, Shawn Matthias, Andrew Copp, Joel Armia, Marko Dano and Brendan Lemieux? Those players have combined for three points, two of them on shorthanded goals by Tanev and Armia.

Maurice’s answer was two-fold. For one thing, Petan has “waiverability,” and for two he has a chance to play increased minutes with the Moose, put up some points and earn his way back to the NHL.

“He’s got to find a way to take the nine minutes that he’s playing — some of that’s power play time — and get a little more happening for him,” Maurice said. “It’s tough for him to get into a rhythm at nine minutes — he’s going to want to play more minutes — but he’s going to have to do more to play those minutes.”

The Jets will face the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins here at PPG Paints Arena on Thursday night before travelling to Columbus for a tough back-to-back on Friday.

They are going with a lineup that has some added grit in Hendricks and rookie winger Brendan Lemieux, who will play his second career NHL game. Those two will skate on the fourth line, along with Joel Armia.

Maurice believes Hendricks can get the most out of his linemates, which is clearly something he didn’t believe Petan was doing.

“Driving those guys is part of a veteran’s job,” Maurice said. “He can teach them the game while it’s going on. He’s a real good mentor for any of those guys but especially the two guys we have him with. We think Armia’s got more to his game and Brendan is new to this game so there’s a lot for him to learn.”

The fan frustration surrounding Petan is understandable. Hopes were high that he could provide some secondary scoring for a team that has relied for years on the top two lines to carry the offensive load.

But just wishing him to be a better player doesn’t make him one.

If he’s not producing offensively, Petan doesn’t serve much of a role on the Jets.

While he is no scorer, Hendricks is a killer, a shot blocker, a grinding centre and a leader. Every team needs players like that.

Tanev plays a similar role, albeit on the wing. He’s not going to create a ton of offence but right now Maurice is happy with his game.

“It’s a completely different game (to Petan’s) but I’ve seen Tanev do (enough) the last few games,” Maurice said. “He made a case for us to give him more minutes and we played him more.”

Fans will just have to be more patient when it comes to Petan. If he plays well with the Moose he’ll surely get another chance.

“He can deal with it a couple of different ways,” said Hendricks. “You can take your time here as a positive, or you can be down on yourself and real negative and it’s not going to help you out.

“I know he’s going to go down there and he’s going to work hard every day because he’s a great pro and he wants to get back here.” http://winnipegsun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/jets-lemieux-looking-forward-to-playing-with-father- figure-hendricks

Jets' Lemieux looking forward to playing with 'father-figure' Hendricks

By Ted Wyman

PITTSBURGH — Brendan Lemieux has earned a second look with the Winnipeg Jets and on Thursday the raw rookie will line up with a grizzled veteran in a game against the two-time defending champion Pittsburgh Penguins.

Lemieux, who made his NHL debut last Friday against Minnesota, will play left wing on a line with veteran centre Matt Hendricks, who will suit up for his first game with the Jets.

Hendricks has 521 games of NHL experience and has scored 49 goals and 100 points. He also has 664 penalty minutes and is known as a good leader, penalty killer and faceoff man.

“Hendy lives in the same building as me, he’s like an older brother, father-figure for me around the group,” Lemieux said. “I can learn a ton. He reminds me of a lot of the stories similar to my dad’s (his father is former NHLer ).

“He’s had a great career and he’s an awesome guy for me to learn from. He’s been through it all, he’s a real humble guy and he treats everyone with respect. He’s a really well-loved guy in the dressing room. That’s a guy I aspire to be like.”

Hendricks was injured in training camp after signing as a free agent with the Jets. His last four years were in Edmonton and he also made previous stops in , Washington and Nashville.

Hendricks believes consistent play from the fourth line is a key to success.

“We’re not going to go out and put up the numbers like (Mark) Scheifele’s line or (Bryan) Little’s line but we’re going to do everything we can to drive practice every day, to make sure that those guys are being pushed as hard as they can be pushed,” Hendricks said. “We’re fighting for our jobs every day and trying to push these guys for theirs.

“I know we’re a team and a tight-knit group but it’s important that we push each other to become better. That’s what I’ve been taught in this league. You’re never comfortable and you have every opportunity to come in every day and improve your role and your spot on the team.”

POWER PLAY TIME? Lemieux played 9:53 and took 12 shifts in his Jets debut but he could see more ice time on Thursday night.

The 21-year-old left-winger was working out on the power play at practice Wednesday and could be used to fill the net-front role normally belonging to injured centre Adam Lowry.

“He’s got a history of being really effective in that front,” Maurice said. “There’s some guys that can get their stick on the puck and get those tips. He’s got that in his game.

He’s got a real good shot. He’s got some good skills down there. He’s a big, strong kid in front of the net and he’s not afraid to stand there.”

Lemieux, who admitted there were “a ton of nerves” in his first game, is relishing the opportunity to get some time with the man advantage.

“It’s a good opportunity,” he said. “That’s definitely one of the strong areas of my game. I’ve prided myself on being a good net-front guy my whole career. That’s one of the things they’ve seen in me since the Jets traded for me.”

LOWRY RULED OUT Lowry made the trip with the Jets for games in Pittsburgh and Columbus Thursday and Friday but he won’t play.

Lowry is recovering from an upper body injury and while he has been skating every day this week, was not able to take part in full practices.

Defenceman Dmitri Kulikov will return to the lineup after missing two games with a lower body injury and defenceman Jacob Trouba, who missed practice on Wednesday, is reportedly fine and will be playing Thursday.

REAVES MAKING IMPACT Winnipegger Ryan Reaves had to win over a few of the fans after the Penguins traded a first round draft pick to get him from the St. Louis Blues at the draft last June.

The rugged 30-year-old winger seemed to do so when he recorded a goal and engaged in two fights in a win over the earlier this month.

That had fans in the stands chanting his name.

“ I got a couple of hate tweets from a few (fans),” Reaves said. “It was obviously nice to hear my name being chanted. It was a fun game and when you’re a new guy, you obviously want to be on the fans’ side and I’m chipping away at it right now.”

Reaves expects to play an important role when the Penguins take on the Jets Thursday night. The teams played two physical games last season and there was plenty of bad blood.

It’s a new season and that might have subsided, but Reaves and the Penguins know the Jets can be effective when they start hitting.

“Every time we played Winnipeg when I was in St. Louis I would say those were some of the biggest wars we had all year,” Reaves said. “They are fast but they play a real physical game and they try to wear you down like that.”

Penguins captain Sidney Crosby hopes Reaves can make a difference.

“It’s nice to have Reaves in the lineup and knowing that he can keep things in check a little bit,” Crosby said. “It doesn’t mean it’s not going to happen but it’s probably more of a deterrent.”

Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan had nothing but praise for Reaves.

“I think his personality is great for our room,” Sullivan said. “He’s a passionate guy, he loves hockey, he loves his teammates, he loves being around the dressing room. “He brings a lot of energy to our room and his teammates certainly appreciate his role in what he does as far as sticking up for our team and how hard he plays. He’s fitting in extremely well.”

NO HARD FEELINGS Blake Wheeler and Penguins star Evgeni Malkin fought last March in Winnipeg, a carry-over from Malkin’s hit to the head of the Jets captain in February.

Both players expressed respect for one another after the fight and Malkin certainly doesn’t expect to re-visit the matter.

“I think we both forget that,” he said. “We’re fine right now.” http://winnipegsun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/five-keys-to-jets-game-vs-penguins-no-1-is-speed

Five keys to Jets game vs. Penguins ... No. 1 is speed

By Ted Wyman

WINNIPEG AT PITTSBURGH

6 p.m., PPG Paints Arena, TV: TSN3, Radio: TSN1290

FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME

MATCH THE SPEED The best way to contend with the Penguins is to try to match their speed. Sidney Crosby and Co., play a high-tempo game, as they displayed in a 2-1 overtime win over Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night. The team speed makes the Penguins strong at both ends of the ice and played a huge role in them winning back-to-back Stanley Cups. The Jets have been practising with pace all week in an attempt to be ready for what the Penguins have to offer.

CONNOR’S TIME Connor Hellebuyck has been in net for all four of the Jets wins this season and will get a chance to make it five on Thursday night. He’s been very good so far, playing square to the puck and absorbing rebounds for a .927 save percentage. Jets coach Paul Maurice said it’s likely Steve Mason will play Friday at Columbus, so he’ll be looking for another strong performance from Hellebuyck against the Penguins.

GET PHYSICAL? The Jets tried to take it to the Penguins twice last year, using a physical style to attempt to throw the champs off their game. It didn’t work as the Penguins won 4-3 in overtime and 7-4. Still, the Penguins are expecting to see more of the same this time, though the Jets have to be disciplined in doing so to have any chance of winning.

SECONDARY SCORING Almost all of the Jets scoring this season has come from the top two lines. They’d love to see something, anything, from the bottom six, even though they sent the most offensive player in the bunch — Nic Petan — to the minors on Wednesday. Jets coach Paul Maurice is looking for something to come from more of a bang and crash style, which is why he put together a fourth line of Matt Hendricks between Brendan Lemieux and Joel Armia.

CONTROL THE STARS It’s not easy but the Jets must do whatever they can to neutralize Penguins stars Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel. All three are dangerous scorers and slowing them will give the Jets a chance, even though the Penguins have proven through two Stanley Cup runs that all of their lines can beat opponents.

THE BIG MATCHUP Jets G Connor Hellebuyck vs. Penguins G Matt Murray

All Murray has done in two NHL seasons is win two Stanley Cups. He’s also 6-0-1 this season. The Penguins lost all three games they played when he didn’t start. It’s a similar story with Hellebuyck, who has won all four of his starts this year. The Jets have lost all three games when he didn’t start.

CBC Manitoba http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/winnipeg-bomb-sniffing-dogs-1.4371382

Winnipeg Jets fans adopt bomb-sniffing dogs as furry ambassadors at Bell MTS Place Hockey fans flock to pose for photos with highly trained explosive-detecting dogs at games

By Caroline Barghout

Winnipeg Jets fans have fallen hard for two highly trained bomb sniffing dogs and have adopted them as the furry new ambassadors of True North Sports and Entertainment, which owns and operates both the Jets and Bell MTS Place, their home arena.

Daisy, a three-year-old Belgian Malinois, and her eight-year-old brother, Dante, have been appearing at Jets home games at Bell MTS Place since the start of the 2017-18 hockey season, as part of an enhanced security initiative at the arena.

"In light of recent events that we've seen with security events, like in Edmonton and Las Vegas, I think this is just an important initiative that we have security dogs in place," said Rob Wozny, vice-president of communications and community engagement at True North Sports and Entertainment.

The dogs are highly trained explosive-odour detectors. This year, the NHL mandated all venues hosting hockey games include bomb-sniffing dogs as part of their security measures. It's something True North said it was already looking at doing.

"We had been working with security dogs for probably the last 10 years on an event-by-event basis but this year we made the commitment because we invest in security protocols," said Wozny. "It was time to bring a security-dog team into Bell MTS Place and for True North."

The dogs belong to David Bessason, a 27-year member of the Winnipeg Police Service who retired this past spring.

"True North has been very supportive of the whole program. It's awesome working for them. Great organization. I can't say enough about them," said Bessason, who worked as a canine unit handler and trainer.

Not for every dog Hours before the start of each game, Bessason and his dogs do a thorough search of the downtown hockey arena to make sure there are no suspicious packages.

"Unfortunately that's the way of the world these days," said Bessason. "Public safety and being out front is paramount, and that's what we want — to make sure everybody's safe as can be and that we're doing everything that we can."

But he said not all dogs can become explosive-odour detectors.

"As long as you get good genetics then it's up to the trainer and the handler to actually bring out the other parts of that dog," said Bessason.

First he introduces an odour associated with an explosive device to the dogs. He then teaches them to sit or lie down when they smell it. When they do that they get a reward — either a treat or a ball to play with.

"We continually have to challenge our dogs and make them search longer and harder, but obviously dogs need a reward at the end too, so we use training aids to make sure they get that — to make sure they are stimulated and they want to continue searching after they've finished their first search," said Bessason.

Bomb dogs only part of enhanced security On Sept. 1, True North implemented a no re-entry policy to reduce what it called "heavy pedestrian flow" outside the building during games and events.

'No re-entry' policy coming to MTS Centre in September The change brought Winnipeg in line with an NHL standard that had been adopted by teams in other cities, including five of the seven Canadian teams in the league.

In 2015 metal detectors, known as magnetometers, were installed at the Winnipeg arena.

"It sends a message to our patrons and to those who come and enjoy hockey games and events at True North Sports and Entertainment at Bell MTS Place that we're committed to security protocols and measures that make sure patrons are safe when they are in our building," said Wozny.

Bomb-dog breeding program In 1999, while working in the Winnipeg Police Service canine unit, Bessason started Canada's first municipal police-dog breeding program, which has since bred and sold more than 115 puppies to police services in Canada and the United States.

Daisy is one of the pups that came out of the highly sucessful program.

Bessason is now looking at starting the same type of program with his bomb dogs.

"True North's footprint's getting bigger, and just like we did with the police and building our program, we want to do the same things there, to look down the road for succession planning," said Bessason.

"Like the Manitoba Moose and the Jets — you're developing a program," said Bessason. "It's kind of like a draft. So we're going out finding the young prospects and developing them within the program."

Bessason said True North will keep only the best dogs so they can be trained to work at Jets games, concerts and other events. The pups that are not needed will be sold to organizations across Canada and the U.S.

"[At WPS] we sent dogs as far west as Utah [and] down into Florida. A lot of people have heard what's going on here," Bessason said.

"I was in Nashville this summer — just came back from Michigan. They know what we're doing and [there are] a lot of inquires into the training, and the dogs that we're producing as well."

Global Winnipeg https://globalnews.ca/news/3824937/winnipeg-jets-activate-matt-hendricks-send-nic-petan-to- ahl/

Winnipeg Jets activate Matt Hendricks, send Nic Petan to AHL

By Mitch Rosset Reporter/Anchor

Matt Hendricks is set to make his Winnipeg Jets debut when the team visits the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday.

The forward was activated from injured reserve just before the Jets departed Wednesday for their two-game roadtrip. He’s missed all seven games this season with a lower-body injury.

Hendricks landed in Winnipeg as a free agent this past summer. He has 49 goals and 51 assists in 521 career NHL games split between the Edmonton Oilers, Nashville Predators, and .

To make room on the roster for Hendricks, the Jets sent Nic Petan to the AHL’s Manitoba Moose. The forward was held pointless in six games with Winnipeg this season. Petan, 22, has 13 goals and 24 assists in 56 appearances as a Moose over the last two years.

TSN.ca http://www.tsn.ca/poolman-provides-option-for-jets-1.896088

Poolman provides option for Jets

By Paul Edmonds

PITTSBURGH – Understandably there was a lot of buildup to the signing of Tucker Poolman last spring and his subsequent arrival at training camp this fall.

Even coming off double shoulder surgery this past off-season he was a player – a defenceman no less – that arrived with major promise because of his size, puck moving and scoring ability and high-end hockey sense.

It also didn’t hurt that he hails from East Grand Forks, Minn., and played just two hours south of Winnipeg at the University of North Dakota the last three seasons. As such, he was certainly under close scrutiny by Winnipeg and their fans because of proximity since being selected by the Jets in the fifth round (127th overall) in the 2013 entry draft.

And clearly to this very early juncture in the regular season he hasn’t disappointed.

In fact, he’s likely exceeded some expectations, especially considering he forced the team into including him on the opening night roster with his exceptional play during the preseason. Moreover, after sitting for the first of seven scheduled exhibition games, he suited up for the second and then every game after that because his play dictated it.

The Jets’ coaching staff quickly became so enamored with him during the exhibition schedule that they even experimented by using him on the left side of the ice to explore his versatility.

There again, even as a right-handed shot, he didn’t disappoint.

Overall, his play thus earned him a shot to make his NHL debut as the first depth defenceman to be inserted into the lineup (even ahead of veteran Ben Chiarot) earlier this month against Edmonton when Dustin Byfuglien wasn’t able to play due to a lower-body injury.

Over the past two seasons especially, the Jets have learned that having extra D-men around is more than a luxury. It’s become a necessity for the club when you look historically at the injuries they’ve experienced on the blueline going back the last three seasons.

Poolman, 24, provides the team with roster options and utility, significant not only for this season but also in the team’s near and exciting future.

Looking ahead, all signs point to the fact that veteran defenceman Toby Enstrom won’t be re- signed after his contract expires at the end of this season and with Byfuglien inching toward his mid-30s, Poolman appears to be an impactful part of the future on Winnipeg’s backend.

In addition, Jacob Trouba will also be coming off a bridge-deal contract after this season. He could be a restricted free agent for the second time in two summers if he and the Jets are not be able to come to an agreement beforehand on another contract, only this time for something expected to be longer than a couple of years.

Now, Poolman himself is also set to become an RFA on July 1, meaning he’s in line for a raise, but there’s little doubt the Jets won’t make a qualifying offer and try to get him signed long term. He’s already become too valuable for that to not happen in such a short period of time and provides them with stability and some interesting depth.

It remains to be seen if Poolman spends all season with the Jets or finds himself at some point down with the AHL’s Manitoba Moose to ensure he continues to develop by playing significant minutes and in all situations.

But for right now, he’s earned the opportunity to continue with the Jets as a depth player and one who provides options to the team should anything change today, tomorrow or next season.

HE SAID IT: “He’s the best player I’ve ever played with. He doesn’t get enough credit for how good he is, period.” - Mark Scheifele, when asked if linemate and captain Blake Wheeler gets enough positive notoriety for his defensive contributions. ---

“As they say, let the guys that play the piano play it and the other guys got to move it.”

- Head coach Paul Maurice, on the addition of forward Brendan Lemieux into his lineup last week against Minnesota and the edginess he provides to the team with his gritty style of play.

NOTES: The Jets have quietly increased the capacity of BellMTS Place this year from what was a maximum seating attendance of 15,294 to 15,321. It doesn’t seem like a lot, but on the revenue side even conservative estimates would predict the increase would generate an extra $200,000 in gate and ancillary money. And when you’re the smallest market in the NHL every dollar counts….Head coach Paul Maurice has celebrated both his 500th and 600th career NHL wins behind the Jets bench. Entering this week’s back-to-back games with Pittsburgh and Columbus he now has 139 wins as Winnipeg’s bench boss….Tyler Myers is one point away from 200 in his nine-year NHL career….The Jets have three short-handed goals this season to tie with two other teams (New Jersey and Anaheim) for the league lead. Of those, Joel Armia has one to go along with his team-leading four from last season. That’s five shorties in his last 62 games.

The Sporting News http://www.sportingnews.com/ca/nhl/news/matt-hendricks-returns-nic-petan-assigned-minor- league-ahl-nhl-transactions-winnipeg-jets-manitoba-moose-roster- lineup/lujs41k5dkwu18foa66qw9lnd

Matt Hendricks returns and Nic Petan heads to minors for Jets

By Scott Billeck

Matt Hendricks is finally getting a chance to scratch an itch that’s pestered him since the end of the 2016-17 regular season.

Hendricks has not played an NHL game since early April, a healthy scratch for the Edmonton Oilers throughout their playoff run last spring, and sidelined by injury for the past month after signing with the Winnipeg Jets as a free agent over the summer.

But the wait is now over as Hendricks, who practiced the past two weeks, will suit up for the Jets as they hit the road for a quick two-game trip beginning Thursday in Pittsburgh.

“I’ve been looking forward to this one for quite a while, actually,” Hendricks said on Wednesday morning at Bell MTS Iceplex.

Hendricks, who shed his yellow non-contact jersey earlier this week and practiced fully over the past two days, said his jubilation of signing with the Jets quickly turned to frustration in training camp.

“I came in and I felt good, felt comfortable early with the guys,” Hendricks said. “I think the guys were very welcoming to me early and I had a good camp going, was playing my game. These things happen, but to happen at the beginning of the season when you put in all that work in the offseason to come in and be in shape and be ready to go, have a good start, it’s tough.”

Jets head coach Paul Maurice is expecting Hendricks to play a pivotal role in the Jets bottom six and on special teams while helping boost Winnipeg's middle-of-the-pack face-off numbers.

“Energy, intelligence in our end of the ice, really good faceoff man, penalty killing and that role, driving those guys, he plays probably with (Brendan) Lemieux and (Joel) Armia,” Maurice said. “And getting the most out of his linemates is part of a veteran’s job on that line, get those guys wound up and teach those guys the game while it’s going on. I think he’s a really good mentor for any of those six guys, but especially the two guys we have him with. We think Armia’s got more and Brendan is new to this game so there’s a lot for him to learn.

“We’ve got to get some production out of that bottom six and it’s not always the nifty three- passes plays, it’s pucks to the net, drive to the net, consistency in that and Matt will help bring that.”

To make way for Hendricks, the Jets sent Nic Petan to the Manitoba Moose of the on Wednesday.

Maurice said there were four or five players in his bottom six that haven’t distinguished their play from one another, but Petan being immune to having to clear waivers played a role in his demotion. A good showing from Brendan Lemieux in his NHL debut last Friday also played a part.

“(Lemieux), I liked his game. I like what he brought,” Maurice said. “I’m interested in seeing, especially in the next two, him being able to do that, getting on the forecheck, real good speed through the neutral zone.”

There are a couple ways to look at Petan being the chosen one to be sent down.

First, he hasn’t produced any offence in his time with the Jets this season, having failed to register a point in six games in a limited role, even though he saw power-play time with the likes of Patrik Laine and Mark Scheifele.

Secondly, sending Petan down allows him to play top minutes with the Moose, which Maurice alluded to on Wednesday, It's a better fate for the 22-year-old than him sitting in the press box on game nights. Petan is averaging 8:59 a game with the Jets, with 1:14 of that coming on the power play.

The demotion, then, becomes an opportunity for Petan to re-establish himself as an offensive player while commanding top minutes in 5-on-5 and power play situations on one of the top lines with the Moose.

“For Nic Petan, he’s an offensive guy and there wasn’t a lot of offence happening,” Maurice said. “The argument would be that he’s not playing with real offensive players, but those guys who he is playing with are making the same argument. There’s just not a lot happening down there.

“I like Nic, I think he’s a really good player. The fact that he’s not playing top six in the NHL at 22 (years old), for me, is not an issue. He’s a good player and has lots of time ahead of him. He’s got to find a way he’s playing the nine minutes he’s playing, some of that’s power play time, and get a little bit more happening for him. It’s tough for him to get in a rhythm at nine (minutes), he’s going to want to play more minutes, but he’s going to have to do more to play those minutes.”

TSN 1290 (AUDIO LINKS) http://www.tsn.ca/radio/winnipeg-1290/ates-lowry-a-solid-performer-on-jets-third-line-1.895976

Ates: Lowry a solid performer on Jets third line

Murat Ates of the Athletic joins the Afternoon Ride to discuss the Winnipeg Jets depth forwards, their performance in different scenarios, and how they compare across the league. http://www.tsn.ca/radio/winnipeg-1290/dreger-hendricks-bringing-work-ethic-leadership-to-jets- lineup-1.895938

Dreger: Hendricks bringing work ethic, leadership to Jets lineup

TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger joins the Afternoon Ride to discuss what Matt Hendricks brings to the Winnipeg Jets lineup. Dreger also talks about what’s going right for John Tavares, what’s not going right for the Oilers, and what’s going on in Arizona. www.winnipegjets.com https://www.nhl.com/jets/news/hendricks-to-make-debut-as-jets-embark-on-two-game-trip/c- 292268194

Hendricks to make debut as Jets embark on two-game trip Penguins, Blue Jackets on tap on back-to-back nights by Ryan Dittrick @ryandittrick / WinnipegJets.com

WINNIPEG - Matt Hendricks will make his Jets debut on Thursday when the Jets open a quick two-game road trip against the two-time defending Cup champions, the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The forward suffered a lower-body injury after a blocking a shot during the preseason, and was activated off injured reserve Wednesday before the team departed for the American northeast.

"I've been looking forward to this one for quite a while," Hendricks said. "The team's been playing well. Hopefully I can come in, give them a little bit of support and a little bit of help. … I'm going to do anything I can to help support these guys and help our team become a better one."

Hendricks, who was brought in to help tidy up the penalty kill, win faceoffs and be a voice in the dressing room, will debut at centre alongside Brendan Lemieux and Joel Armia.

In a corresponding move, Nic Petan was re-assigned to the Manitoba Moose to make room on the roster. Petan was held without a point in six games and was averaging just under nine minutes per game in ice time.

"The easiest answer with Nic is that he's (waiver-exempt), and we can keep all our players this way," said Head Coach Paul Maurice.

"He's an offensive guy and there wasn't a lot of offence happening. The argument would be that he's not playing with real offensive players, but those guys who he's playing with are making the same argument. There's just not a lot happening down there.

"I like Nic. I think he's a really good player. The fact that he's not playing top six in the NHL at 22 (years old), for me, is not an issue. … He's got to find a way to take the nine minutes he's playing - and some of that's power-play time - and get a little bit more happening for him. It's tough for him to get into a rhythm at nine minutes, and he's going to want to play more minutes, but he's going to have to do more to play those minutes."

What may have also impacted the decision was the play of Lemieux, who made his NHL debut last week in a 4-3 win over the and showed well in his 9:53 of ice time.

"I liked his game, I liked what he brought and I'm interested to see, especially in the next two (games), him being able to do that again," Maurice said.

Lemieux will have a fourth-line job at even strength, but will see plenty of power-play time as well as he assumes the net-front role previously occupied by the injured Adam Lowry. (Lowry, by the way, is improving and will the join the team on the road, but will not suit up in either of the next two games.)

"(Lemieux) has a history of being really effective in the net-front (position)," Maurice said. "He can get his stick on the puck and get those tips. He's also got a really good shot. He came in and his mindset was that of a two-way player, but an offensive guy. … He's got some good skills in front of the net and he's not afraid to stand there."

Lemieux is excited to play a key role in Thursday's matchup, but has already turned the page on the 'honeymoon period' that was his NHL debut.

"I'm really excited [to stay with the Jets]," Lemieux said in response to Wednesday's roster move. "It was great to be able to enjoy the first game, but we're back to business. This is pro hockey and it's about wins and losses. I'm excited to be able to help, but it's not about me anymore - the first game is over. I'm just going to do what I can do to contribute, and go into Pittsburgh and get two points."

The Penguins, meanwhile, are coming off a 2-1 overtime win over the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday, improving their record to 3-0-1 at PPG Paints Arena, and 6-3-1 overall.

Phil Kessel scored the OT winner, while Matt Murray had a marvelous night in goal, stopping 29 of 30 shots in the win. The 23-year-old had a rough start to the year, allowing 11 goals on only 65 shots in his first two games, but has been lights-out ever since, posting victories in each of his last six starts.

For the Jets, the key after a five-day break will be matching the speed of a team that has an awful lot of it.

"That's the big challenge for us - getting our game up to speed," Maurice said.

"Really what they're good at is they defend really, really hard. Because of their talent, they can be a little bit patient in the game. … The confidence they have in their offensive game allows them to compete and play smart."

Here are the forward line combinations and defence pairs the Jets will be going with against the Penguins:

Connor - Scheifele - Wheeler Ehlers - Little - Laine Tanev - Copp- Matthias Lemieux - Hendricks - Armia

Dano

Morrissey - Trouba Enstrom - Byfuglien Kulikov - Myers

Chiarot - Poolman

Hellebuyck Mason

- Ryan Dittrick, WinnipegJets.com https://www.nhl.com/jets/video/practice--matt-hendricks/t-277437442/c-53859003

PRACTICE | Matt Hendricks

Matt Hendricks talks about being activated off IR and making his Jets debut on Thursday in Pittsburgh