GAMEDAY: Stars at Jets

WINNIPEG – “Yes, he is in the lineup.”

Jets head coach Scott Arniel confirmed that Jonathan Toews will make his Winnipeg Jet regular season debut tonight in front of his mom and dad and 15 thousand others at Canada Life Centre. The Toews’ watched their son take part of the morning skate.

"It's nice. I always enjoyed that part, coming back to play here against the Jets all these years,” said Toews.

“My family would come out to morning skate, some buddies would maybe take the morning off work and come watch the skate, too. But it's a little bit different this time, playing for the home team, so I'll be pretty excited."

It’s the 37-year-olds first regular season game since April 2023. It’s been a long and challenging road fighting through health issues, but Toews wants the focus to be on his play.

“It's a long season. Guys work really, really hard just to get here to the first game and have the opportunity to suit up for an NHL hockey club. And there's a lot of challenges that come your way throughout the year,” said Toews.

“It's just fatigue and trying to recover and trying to deal with little minor injuries that pile up here or there. It's the same for everybody and I'm just happy and grateful to be back at that point where I know I'm confident I can contribute to this team, put these last few years behind me, and just go enjoy this life once again."

Make sure to watch the Jets pregame show "Check In" with Sara Orlesky and Jamie Thomas.

After a long training camp and preseason, the big day is finally here. The schedule makers at the NHL office couldn’t have picked a better opponent than the Dallas Stars (7 CT, TSN3, 680 CJOB, Power 97), the team that ended the Jets season back in May.

"Yeah, it's always great to play that team that knocked you out -- anytime, whether it's the first game of the year or towards the end, down the stretch, or in the playoffs, we're going to be seeing these guys and we're going to have to go through them,” said Kyle Connor.

“We know what kind of team they are so we're going to be excited for that one and it's a great way to start the year."

The Stars eliminated the Jets in six games in the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Winnipeg will begin the new season minus three important pieces, captain Adam Lowry (lower body), defenceman Dylan Samberg (lower body) and forward Cole Perfetti (lower body).

“I’m really excited to just get playing hockey again and playing some meaningful games. And obviously it starts off with a big one against Dallas,” said Mark Scheifele.

“So, obviously a couple injuries have been a damper on your lineup. But we need guys to step up and be ready for a big game.”

Despite those key players missing in action, the team will rely on its depth and defensive structure for success. It also helps that they locked down Connor for another eight seasons after this one with his new extension being announced on Wednesday. Mark Scheifele who is now nine points from becoming the all-time points leader in Thrasher/Jets history, touched on the importance of Connor to the Jets.

“He just does everything. He can kill penalties, he's obviously got an amazing shot, but he really just does everything. He's so dynamic,” said Scheifele.

“He's so exciting to watch and exciting to play with. He reads the game so well, he works so hard. He comes in every year in tip top shape, and he's just a guy that loves to get better. And that's what I love about him.”

Arniel is ready to face the Stars who will be without their captain Jamie Benn and have a new head coach in Glen Gulutzan.

“Losing to them in the second round, they are banged up a little bit too, but at the same time, you want to set the tone off right, not only your opening game but you want to make sure in our division that we can get out in front of these guys, and we want to get off on a good note,” said Arniel.

“I felt that training like training camp was real good, everybody built their game towards (Thursday). We have checked all the boxes on all stuff, on all the stuff we wanted to present to the players and now it is time to just go play.”

Connor Hellebuyck will start in goal for the Jets, he has a .922 save percentage and a 2.45 goals against average in 29 regular season appearances against the Stars.