The Winnipeg Jets return to the ice in just 16 (Andrew Ladd) days for their 1st pre-season game. The regular season countdown is now down to 34 days, the new number for Jets defenceman Ville Heinola. Preparations for the new-season continue, and today the media and reporters spoke to several members of the Jets. One of the informal Jets media availabilities that caught my attention was from Luke Schenn. The veteran defenceman is preparing for his first full season as a Winnipeg Jet.

Luke Schenn was one of the Jets 2025 trade deadline acquisitions, joining them from the Penguins at the deadline for a pair of draft picks. Schenn was asked several questions during his brief 4 minute conversation with the media following an informal team skate.  Topics included his preparations for his first full season with the team, what he thinks of the new additions to the Jets, and how he can feel more comfortable with his new teammates.

After observing the Jets off-season where most of the players are returning, Schenn said “it’s going to be great to get everyone back together”. Schenn is no stranger to playing for a new team (having played for nine NHL teams before the Jets), so he understands the importance of adapting to whoever is in his locker room. Entering his 18th season in the NHL, Schenn says he’s already feeling comfortable with his teammates and coaches, and his family is joining him this season in Winnipeg too. Schenn said “it’s more of a seamless transition, rather than being the new guy or the new kid in class”.

Shifting topics to the Jets newest off-season acquisitions, Schenn echoed the buzz that the city has around Jonathan Toews. In terms of the other moves the Jets made, Schenn said “in every off-season, every organization goes through changes and we’re no different. You lose a couple of guys in free agency, and you gain a couple awesome veteran players who have won Stanley Cups before”. Schenn went on to acknowledge Tanner Pearson and Gustav Nyquist, players who he’s played with in the past on different teams.

Toews and other Jets veterans will be back in Manitoba next week ahead of the training camp that will start in less than two weeks. Schenn told the media that he knows that Toews, a three-time Stanley Cup winner, will be able to help the Jets in more ways than one. Schenn said “he probably won’t even have to say a word the entire year, just his presence, walking around and being here would be enough. But when you’ve got three Cups and the resume he has… you dream of [that] as a kid for sure”. Schenn is excited to see the city of Winnipeg welcome Toews to the team as he makes his return to the NHL after 2+ years.

The 35-year old appears excited and ready to get things started on October 9th against the Dallas Stars. The right-handed defenceman should be slotted into the Jets’ 3rd defence pairing alongside Haydn Fleury to start the season. Schenn brings 1072 games of NHL experience into this season, scoring 44 goals and 161 assists for 205 points. Stay tuned for more media availability with other Jets players as the 2025-26 NHL season approaches!