Gagner feels Winnipeg is a perfect fit

WINNIPEG -At 33-years-old, Sam Gagner knows he has plenty more in the tank, and he's looking forward to proving that with the Winnipeg Jets this season.
But it's not just him that thinks that way.
The father of three also has the full support of his family, and he wouldn't have signed on the dotted line in Winnipeg if the fit wasn't right.
"I've heard great things about Winnipeg, the community, the fan support, and the team. It was a pretty easy decision," said Gagner, shortly after signing a one-year deal with the Jets. "There are different things you have to weigh with family and where I'm at in my career. I'm really happy with the decision. I think we're going to have a good team. There is opportunity, and I'm looking forward to getting there and getting to work."

The forward has played 15 seasons in the NHL, racking up 967 career games for six different teams - Edmonton, Arizona, Philadelphia, Columbus, Vancouver, and most recently Detroit.
"I'm excited. I think it's a great opportunity," said Gagner. "I look at the roster of the team and the expectations and everything that goes with being in a market like Winnipeg - I'm excited about it. I think it's a great fit and I'm looking forward to getting there and getting to work."

Gagner had 31 points in 81 games with the Red Wings last season. He also recorded a career milestone, his 500th career point, on April 6, 2022. It was part of a two-goal effort that produced a Red Wings win - against the Jets at Canada Life Centre.
A grin comes across the face of the London, ON product when he looks back on it. And now, the sixth overall pick in the 2007 NHL Draft sits just 33 games away from another milestone - 1,000 games played.
"I've played in a lot of different situations, up and down the line-up, on rebuilds, on teams that have made the playoffs," he said. "So I think I have a lot of different experience and good perspective because of the amount I've played. It's a matter of bringing your game on the ice and I feel like I have a lot of game left."
The 1,000-game mark is something Gagner's father, Dave, never reached during his incredible NHL career. In fact, the younger Gagner surpassed his dad's 946 career games during the 2021-22 campaign.
Dad still holds the edge in career points with 719, and has been a constant source of advice throughout Sam's career.
"Between him and my mom, my sister, my upbringing was fantastic," Gagner said. "My dad is someone I've always leaned on throughout my journey as a kid going up through the ranks and over the last 15 years as an NHL player. It hasn't really changed. The fact he played for a long time allows me to bounce a lot of different things off him and lean on his experience. There is no way I'm where I'm at without his support and his guidance."
Which brings Gagner's story right back to where it began, with family.
There are still a couple weeks left for the Gagner family to enjoy their cottage in Muskoka in Ontario before they make another move as a family.
"My wife (Rachel) is incredible," said Gagner. "The support she's given me allowing me to chase my dreams and play as long as I've had, we've had to move a lot since we had kids. That can sometimes be challenging for a family. My wife handles it all. She's so supportive and I'm so thankful to have that support. We're looking forward to getting to Winnipeg and being a part of the community there."