Winnipeg Jets axe plans to play home games in Saskatoon

In this week's 32 Thoughts article, Elliotte Friedman stated that one executive was curious if any Canadian team would consider a temporary move to Saskatoon to play in front of fans. Saskatchewan is the only province that is currently allowing fans at 100% capacity.

"Interesting question posed by one executive: would any Canadian teams consider temporarily playing home games at the 15,000-seat SaskTel Centre, home of the WHL's Saskatoon Blades? Saskatchewan is still allowing full capacity at this time. Obviously, the NHL, the NHLPA and the province would have to approve," Friedman said on Tuesday.

Then last night, Friedman reported that the Winnipeg Jets were showing real interest in playing home games in Saskatoon, going as far as sending a survey to fans asking for their thoughts.

"Earlier tonight, the Winnipeg Jets sent out a survey asking season-seat holders their opinion on the possibility of home games in another jurisdiction. It is believed the Jets are exploring playing some games at Saskatoon's SaskTel Centre while there are attendance restrictions in Manitoba. That arena seats 15,000. At this point, Saskatchewan does not have restrictions. Obviously, there is work that needs to be done, and approvals to be secured. But the Jets are doing their legwork," Friedman said.

Now it appears that Winnipeg's plan has been thrown out the window. A spokesperson for SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon told Sportsnet, "SaskTel Centre will not be hosting any Winnipeg Jets games."

In a letter on Friday, Winnipeg Jets COO John Olfert said, "Taking into account this important feedback, coupled with a host of other variables, Winnipeg Jets home games will continue to be played at Canada Life Centre. Accordingly, until current public health orders change (which currently extend to Jan. 11), any games played at Canada Life Centre would be limited to 250 fans."

He added "40 per cent of season-seat holders had negative sentiment to the notion of relocating home games to another jurisdiction without capacity restrictions, while 30 per cent were neutral and the remaining 30 per cent were supportive if it helped the hockey club."

Winnipeg's next scheduled home game is Saturday, January 15th against the Ottawa Senators, although there's a chance that game may be postponed.

Source: Sportsnet.

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