The wait is over for Winnipeg Jets players and fans, as the team is finally kicking off their season Friday, at home against the Boston Bruins. It has been a long offseason after the Jets missed the playoffs and it has been plagued by star goaltender Connor Hellebuyck requesting a trade, which eventually led to him being suspended by the team for failing to report to training camp. However, there are some positives to look forward to, as a pair of rookies have made the opening night lineup this year and will make their NHL debuts in front of a raucous crowd at Canada Life Centre—2026 8th overall pick Viggo Bjorck and 2020 6th round selection Tyrel Bauer. “Definitely gonna be a little bit nervous, but I guess that’s normal,” said Bjorck. “It’s been a dream to play in the NHL and get your debut game. It’s gonna be special.” Bauer said he feels a lot of gratitude to finally become an NHL player and is ready to hit the ice. “The last few days have been some time for reflection and just where you come from, where you’ve been. Your minor hockey rinks and just the stories and people you met along the way. So it’s pretty cool; it’s a special feeling.” Bjorck will slot in as the second-line centre, while Bauer will be on the third defensive pair. Head Coach Scott Arniel said it’s always a cool experience to be able to tell players that they are making the team and will get to make their NHL debut. “There’s genuinely a great big smile that goes on their face when it happens,” said Arniel. “Those kids were really excited. Both of them recognize, you know, the start of something special, something they’ve been working for their whole hockey lives and just to see that kind of look on their face, the excitement that’s there.” As for who will be out on the ice first for the traditional rookie lap, Bjorck said he isn’t going to fight Bauer for it. “I guess he’ll decide. Maybe I’ll pass (to) him for the shot,” said Bjork. With the season now here, the Jets are focused on proving their President’s Trophy campaign from two years ago wasn’t a fluke and they can get back into the playoffs and make a deep run in a fight for the Stanley Cup. Arniel said the team was humbled last season and they are now more motivated than ever to get back to where they feel they should be. “They guys are determined to get themselves back to where we were and we still believe we’re a real good hockey team,” said Arniel. “For us, it’s zeroing in on our daily process and that’s what we kind of hammered home here on the short camp that we saw last year six new teams get into the playoffs and it’s something that you have to make sure that you get off to a good start.” The start of the NHL season has been a chaotic one so far with several lopsided and high-scoring games. Arniel said the Jets need to work to brush the rust off and keep things simple to ensure they end the night with two points. It’s also important for the team to manage their emotions and settle into the hockey game. “Early in the game when it’s kind of high flying early…just the excitement of those home openers, kind of the delay that it takes to get going and your heart is running very high for an extent (of time) probably all afternoon for a lot of these guys. So it’s just trying to get settled in, especially for that first 10 minutes.” Once the home opener is out of the way, the Jets will immediately be on the road for a pair of games in Detroit and Pittsburgh on Sunday and Monday. Tonight’s clash with the Bruins gets going at 7 p.m.
