Yardbarker
x

The Winnipeg Jets need some serious help. With a recent cold streak, the continual revolving door of injuries to key players and the addition and subtraction of players to and from the team’s COVID-19 reserve, it has been a real mess in Manitoba’s capital over the winter season.

All-star forward Kyle Connor will look to provide some of that much-needed help and a lot more and more as he returns back to the province following a weekend getaway in Vegas, Nevada as a participant in the 2022 All-Star Weekend.

Serving as a first-time all-star, the 25-year-old was selected to serve as one of the players racing in the fastest skater event, to which he completed his heat in 13.851 seconds, finishing less than half a second behind the first-place winner, St. Louis’ Jordan Kyrou.

The Skills Competition did see Connor’s participation in the Save Streak, to which the Pacific Division’s Thatcher Demko (Vancouver) and John Gibson (Anaheim) got the better of the Jets’ sniper in his two penalty shot attempts.

Despite not walking away with any hardware, Connor did enjoy some personal success at the annual showcase.

“I was just grateful I didn’t fall coming around the corner,” Connor said jokingly of his performance in the fastest skater event. “It’s a little tough, pretty steep coming into some of those turns. It seemed like they moved them back a bit, but all in all, it was good.”

Able to take in all of the other events from T-Mobile Arena and Las Vegas Boulevard as a spectator, Connor did enjoy the Breakaway Challenge, watching his fellow peers put together some unheralded solo moves, with the use of a number of props/assistants.

“Most times you come down and try something creative, but it’s Vegas, they did it up. They brought in some extra props and even a magic trick out there… I’ve got a ton of respect for that,” Connor said of Trevor Zegras‘ blindfolded spinning lacrosse move. “He was telling me you only get one chance at it. I’m sure he had a little bit of nerves coming into that one. He pulled it off. It was pretty sick.”

The following day saw Connor’s Central Division mates take on the Atlantic Division in the semifinal game of the 3 on 3 All-Star Game tournament, before battling with the Metropolitan Division in the Final. He had a goal and an assist in his two ‘games’ for the Western Conference.

“The first game we mixed it up a bunch then in the second game we stuck with the same line,” Connor said of his linemates. “You get a lot of ice out there. Every single one of those guys can make plays. It seemed like we were finding each other open at the right times.”


Skating alongside Minnesota’s Kirill Kaprizov and Nashville’s Roman Josi, Connor later found himself playing with a combination of Colorado’s Nazem Kadri and Cale Makar, as well as fellow speedster Kyrou.

“It was a fun day; I really enjoyed it,” Connor said. “Playing three-on-three hockey, the first game was a bit more wide open than the second game. It was a lot of fun getting to know a lot of the guys too, playing with guys you don’t necessarily get a chance to.”

Heading back to a slumping Winnipeg Jets team, Connor will be revitalized following his first career appearance at the All-Star Weekend. Serving as the Jets’ lone representative, he will have a few physical reminders of the weekend in the form of mementos to hang in his trophy case.

“There are a bunch of sticks and jerseys going around,” he said. “I think we’re getting two jerseys signed by everybody. That will be cool, something you can always look back on and remember experiences like that.”

The Central Division did not win the $1 million prize, but Connor and Co. will feel the pride of finishing in the top-two of the four divisions as the players head back to their respective teams for the season’s official kick-off of the second half on Monday. Winnipeg will host Minnesota from Canada Life Centre at 7:00 PM central on Tuesday.

Late Monday afternoon, the Jets received word that COVID-19 tests on defenceman Neal Pionk and forwards Pierre-Luc Dubois and Austin Poganski came back as positives, so the three will need to sit out until symptoms subside. Connor’s efforts will need to be even greater with a significant portion of offence now missing from Winnipeg’s attack for the foreseeable future.

This article first appeared on Full Press Hockey and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

+

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.