Morris shows hometown pride at inaugural Jets Town Takeover

Listening to the home ice voice of Jay Richardson surrounded by a full production light show and fog effects while munching on a famous Jet Dog, Winnipeg Jets fans in Morris, Man. may have very well felt like they were in front row seats at Bell MTS Place.
On March 5 the Winnipeg Jets brought the action to Morris for the inaugural Jets Town Takeover initiative. The energy and excitement at the Morris Multiplex mirrored that of a home game where more than 500 fans from Morris and surrounding communities gathered for a social-style viewing party of the Jets vs. Tampa Bay Lightning away game.

But the action was underway well before the 6:30 p.m. puck drop as the Jets brought the fun to students at Morris School with Project 11 programming, including yoga, mindfulness activities, a pizza party and presentations by Craig Heisinger, Senior Vice President & Director, Hockey Operations/Assistant General Manager and Project 11 pioneer.
The initiative is all part of the Winnipeg Jets' efforts to make Jets hockey accessible to fans outside of the perimeter, allowing communities to celebrate together and share their excitement for the home team and for the great game of hockey.
"Hockey is a sport that brings communities together, and that is a big part of our Canadian culture," said Kory Harnum, Manager of Community Relations with the Winnipeg Jets. "The Jets realize that we have an entire province of support behind us and we want to share that excitement with fans who may not be able to take in the action in person on a regular basis."
As the inaugural hosts of the Jets Town Takeover initiative, Morris residents were thrilled at the opportunity to take in the excitement, and there was plenty with Mick E. Moose on hand, goals to cheer for, prize giveaways all night long and even an appearance on the national TSN broadcast.

Jets alumni Derek Meech and Mark Stuart signed autographs at the viewing party following their skate with the town's youth hockey teams earlier in the afternoon.
"Hockey in Morris is what happens in winter," said Dan Sullivan, Supervisor of Maintenance & Operations with the Morris Multiplex, noting that this correlates to a strong Jets following in the community.
"With the demographics from young to old (the Jets Town Takeover viewing party) probably covers the biggest spectrum of people ever attracted to one event (at the Morris Multiplex)."
As well as being excited to be part of the first-ever Jets Town Takeover, Sullivan said that Morris residents were also proud to show their Jets pride.
It was a good opportunity to "show that Morris cares and that small-town Manitoba can put on a good show."