Illegal Curve Hockey

Dustin Byfuglien’s wife Emily writes heartfelt message to the Winnipeg Jets and the City of Winnipeg

Fans have spent the day since news broke that the Winnipeg Jets and Dustin Byfuglien have agreed to a mutual termination of contract reflecting on the many memories they have of number 33 patrolling the blueline for the re-born NHL team.

Photo Credit: Colby Spence

Today his wife Emily shared her thoughts on Instagram of what the Jets organization and the City of Winnipeg has meant to her family:

After 8 years of playing for Winnipeg, this chapter of our life comes to a close

I have nothing but gratitude towards the Jets for an amazing 8 years in Winnipeg. What an awesome experience it has been. From having our first baby here, to now raising 3 kids in this much loved community. We have grown up together and as a family here, and I wouldn’t change that for the world. The support from Winnipeggers has been overwhelming. I appreciate all of you that have reached out to me with support and kindness.

No one can know for certain what their future may bring. I never thought for a second our time here would be cut short under these circumstances. The past 8 months have been the hardest of my life. I struggled to come to terms with the situation. I struggled as a wife and as a mother under the stress. I didn’t want any of it to be true. This has been the only life I’ve known for a long time, and I am beyond devastated to have to leave here. I love this city, and the people in it. I had the best 8 years of Dustin’s NHL career here in Winnipeg.

I am going to miss every second of Dustin playing here. I’ll miss these amazing girls who are some of my absolute best friends. I’ll miss the schools, activities, and sports for the kids. There is just something about Winnipeg that is different. People feel like, and treat you like family, and I’m so grateful to have experienced this.

I will always be a Winnipegger at heart. Thank you so much to this city and the Jets organization for everything.

A very nice message on what is likely a very emotional day for her and her family.

David Minuk

Working hard on a daily basis to provide the latest Winnipeg Jets and Manitoba Moose news for our readers and listeners. I also appear on the Illegal Curve Hockey Show every Saturday on our YouTube channel as well as the Illegal Curve Post-Game Show after every single Jets game. And I occasionally jump in the play-by-play booth at Canada Life to provide colour analysis during Manitoba Moose games.