Hey there! I’m going to be talking about which NHL team has the most players from Winnipeg, Manitoba today, because I’m super passionate about hockey and I want to know what teams are made up of mostly Winnipeggers. It’s fascinating to me how Winnipeg plays an important role in the NHL. Nothing makes me feel more proud to be a Winnipegger than knowing someone from my city is playing at the highest levels of hockey.
It turns out that the Winnipeg Jets have a whopping sixteen players from Winnipeg, Manitoba. I guess it makes sense because they are the only team who specifically calls Winnipeg their home. Players like Ondrej Pavelec, Bryan Little, Jacob Trouba, Joel Armia, Adam Lowry, and Alex Burmistrov have all put The Peg, as we locals call it, on the NHL map. It’s become almost a tradition for The Peg to be represented on the Jets. I’m always sure to check the rosters at the start of every season to see who made the cut, it’s like a family reunion every time the season starts.
The Winnipeggers that have joined other teams are what i find to be the most interesting. There is Michael Frolik, goaltender for Calgary, Mark Scheifele, forward for the Jets, goaltender Jordan Binnington, Ryan Reaves of the Vegas Golden Knights, Mathieu Perreault playing for the Jets, and Gabriel Bourque on the Predators. It’s awesome to see players from somewhere where I grew up, thriving on some of the best teams in the NHL.
No matter which team they represent, these Winnipeg players have gained quite a bit of notoriety throughout their hometown. Lowdown Reaves, Scheifele the Sniper, Binningpower, and Frolik the Folk-Hero are just a few of the nicknames that have been given to these players. Most of the Winnipeg fans have a favourite player, whether they play for the Jets or not.
You know what I find so fascinating? Some of these players we hear about here in Winnipeg, then they ‘make it’ to the nhl jerseys, but when Winnipeg gets a team, some of them come back to play! It’s totally mindblowing to me. It makes me think that even if people leave home to chase their dreams, they can still always come home and give back.
It’s amazing to me how hockey is keeping Winnipeg on the map, even in the nhl shop! It’s really inspiring to me that so many Winnipeggers are leaving home and making something of themselves, while still giving back to their hometown. Now, let’s talk about some of the players that have stayed in Winnipeg and the teams they play for.
There’s a few Winnipeg teams at the Junior level that have Winnipeggers on the team. The Winnipeg Blues, the Winnipeg Ice, and the Winnipeg Thrashers have a few Winnipeggers that are playing in the Manitoba junior league. It’s so awesome to see Winnipeggers having a chance to play on a different level and still staying true to their roots.
Some of Winnipeg’s finest young talent has been playing with the Western Hockey League’s Brandon Wheat Kings for some time now. Red-hot Brett Kitt, sniper Nick Fitzgerald, ace goalie James Corcoran, and many more are in Wheat City this season.
Even at the highest level, university hockey has some Winnipeggers in their rosters. forward Josh Tripp of the Alberta Golden Bears, defenceman Christian Bailey of the Saskatchewan Huskies, and even goaltender Matt Radomsky of the Manitoba Bisons are all making plays and getting noticed while playing in the Canada-West league.
It’s pretty easy to see that Winnipeg has a strong hockey tradition and a great deal of pride when it comes to its players that make their mark at the highest levels. As a Winnipegger myself, I’m excited that we have such a strong representation in the NHL. Go Winnipeg!