Illegal Curve Hockey: Winnipeg Jets

It’s the season premiere of the Illegal Curve Hockey Show, and we’re kicking off our 18th year talking hockey in Winnipeg.

With Jets training camp right around the corner, we’ll get you caught up on everything we’ve seen and heard from the informal skates at Hockey For All Centre, including the familiar faces already back in town, the new additions settling in and the prospects getting ready for their weekend in Quebec.

We’ll also dive into the latest surrounding Connor Hellebuyck’s trade request, what it could mean for the Jets, and what to watch as the club turns its attention toward training camp and the 2026-27 season.

Danielle Bain of TSN joined us midway through the show.

There isn’t much time for Moose head coach Mark Morrison and his staff to prepare Jets prospects and free-agent camp invitees for the quick, two-game Prospect Challenge in Quebec. We caught up with him following their only practice to discuss Viggo Björck, potential future Moose, how players can raise their stock at the event, a health update and more.

Before the Jets prospect take off for Quebec we heard from 2026 first rounder Viggo Björck for the first time since he signed his ELC with Winnipeg. He spoke about the opportunity ahead, practicing with the NHL club this past week, having Alfons Freij as well as other Swedish guys around and more.

Described by his new teammates as being similar to Nate Schmidt, we caught up with Jets defenceman Mario Ferraro following the informal skates at Hockey For All Centre. He discussed getting settled in the city, playing in front of a Canadian fanbase, familiar faces within the organization, offering advice to a young player like Viggo Björck and more.

Despite the uncertainty as to who will be his tandem partner in Winnipeg, Stuart Skinner is excited in his new hockey home. Despite the uncertainty as to who will be his tandem partner in Winnipeg, Stuart Skinner is excited in his new hockey home. We caught up with him today following the informal skates to chat about the opportunity ahead, getting familiar with the city, creating a new relationship with goalie coach Wade Flaherty and more.

Veteran defenceman Dylan DeMelo is back in Winnipeg for his seventh full season with the Jets. He spoke about a busy summer, getting to play for Team Canada after last season, the Connor Hellebuyck situation, his new teammates and more.

Veteran defenceman Dylan DeMelo is back in Winnipeg for his seventh full season with the Jets. He spoke about a busy summer, getting to play for Team Canada after last season, the Connor Hellebuyck situation, his new teammates and more.

Unlike last summer, Jets captain Adam Lowry enters training camp healthy after offseason hip surgery disrupted his previous year. But while he may be feeling good physically, the state of his team remains in flux following Connor Hellebuyck’s trade request late last month. Lowry discussed that, the influx of young talent and more after the Jets’ informal skate.

Unlike last summer, Jets captain Adam Lowry enters training camp healthy after offseason hip surgery disrupted his previous year. But while he may be feeling good physically, the state of his team remains in flux following Connor Hellebuyck’s trade request late last month. Lowry discussed that, the influx of young talent and more after the Jets’ informal skate.

Connor Hellebuyck publicly confirmed today that he requested a trade from the Winnipeg Jets and believes moving on is the best path forward for himself and his family.

Dave and Drew react to the news and discuss what it means for Hellebuyck’s future, the potential impact on training camp next month, whether going public with the request has reduced the Jets’ leverage, the return they could receive in a trade and more.