‘It’s just so much fun’: Winnipeg Jets hype continues to grow as playoffs are just days away

The NHL playoffs are just around the corner and excitement for the Winnipeg Jets is close to bubbling over. CTV's Michelle Gerwing reports.

The first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs is just around the corner and Winnipeg is already abuzz with excitement.

The Winnipeg Jets will be facing the St. Louis Blues in the first round. The first two games will be in Winnipeg and the support will be felt in and outside Canada Life Centre.

Winnipeg Whiteout gear is flying off the shelves at the Jets Gear Store as fans like Tracey Howse prepare for the playoffs.

She said the city feels alive ahead of game one.

“Everybody is walking around supporting their team. It’s just so much fun, you can totally feel the vibe and I just love it,” said Howse.

It’s not just the fans feeling the energy.

“We’re feeling it in the office for sure,” said Kevin Donnelly, the senior vice president of venues and entertainment with True North.

“We’re seeing it, evidence of it around the city.”

Tickets for the first two Whiteout Street parties were gone in 10 minutes and Donnelly expects the watch parties for away games to go fast as well once the schedule is known.

“We’re feeling it, that people want to participate and take any advantage, whether that’s live games or away games. We’re going to make that arena available so we can do that.”

While the street parties for the first two games have sold out, there are around 100 tickets left for the Party in the Plaza for game two.

The party isn’t limited to the official street parties. Downtown bars are cashing in on the extended season by hosting watch parties of their own.

“So there’s a little more drinking than normal. More partying, and everyone’s always in a good mood,” said Dwight Benson, the general manager of Elephant and Castle. “We’re always excited to serve it.”

Clean-up crews are also working around the clock so downtown and the businesses in it can put their best foot forward.

“When we look at the 2024 playoffs, that very first game, it was on a Sunday, businesses saw a 90 per cent increase in sales. So it really can be huge for their bottom line,” said Kate Fenske, the CEO of Downtown Winnipeg BIZ.

It means the more the Jets succeed, so does the city.