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Live Blog: Winnipeg Jets Skills Competition

The Jets put their skills to the test.

Another solid Jets Skills Competition.  Be sure to check out all the photos on our @illegalcurve Instagram account.

9:10 pm: We spoke with Nikolaj Ehlers and Luca Sbisa following the event.

9:02 pm:  The players retreated to the room to grab schwag which they distributed to fans while continuing to take photos and sign autographs.

Tucker Poolman signing and throwing hats

Photo Credit: Colby Spence

8:58 pm:  While it may not be the Grey Cup and they may not be at Portage & Main these guys wanted a victory photo.

Team White wins

Photo Credit: Colby Spence

8:54 pm:  Team White wins the 2019-20 Skills Competition 8-4.

8:45 pm:  They may have been shooting against kids in net but that didn’t stop these pros from trying their best to score. And someone may wanna sign these kids cause they handled their business against these NHLers.

Breakaway Competition

Photos Credit: Colby Spence

8:33 pm:  Tied 3-3 going into the final event which is the Breakaway Competition.

8:32 pm:  Team Blue wins the Hardest Shot thanks to Luca Sbisa’s high of 99.4.

Luca Sbisa hardest shot

8:31 pm: Dmitry Kulikov hits 90.9, 95.5 and 96.2

8:30 pm:  Neal Pionk hits 93.1, 93.4 and 90.7.

8:29 pm:  Luca Sbisa hits 94.2, 98.2 and 99.4.

8:27 pm:  Tucker Poolman hits 95.3, 96.9 and 97.9.

8:25 pm:  Josh Morrissey hits 94.2, 91.6 and 95.2.

8:23 pm:  Anthony Bitetto hits 93.7, 95.7 and 95.2.

8:15 pm:  Hardest shot coming up.

8:10 pm:  Team White sweeps both heats of the Relay and now lead 3-2.

8:07 pm:  Connor Hellebuyck is quite pumped that he hit the opposing net in his second attempt.

Connor Hellebuyck celebrates

Photo Credit: Colby Spence

8:03 pm:  Setting up for the Relay event.

7:50 pm:  In-between events players are chatting with fans, taking photos and signing autographs.

Signing autographs

Photo Credit: Colby Spence

7:34 pm – 7:50 pm:  Scheifele, Morrissey, Laine, Shaw and Luoto all failed to eclipse Perreault’s time.

Logan Shaw accuracy

Photo Credit: Colby Spence

7:32 pm:  Mathieu Perreault sets a new record of 4/4 in 7.8 seconds.  He has won this event once before.

7:30 pm:  Next event is Accuracy.

7:22 pm:  Last up was Jack Roslovic who was doused with water and hit 13.81.

Jack Roslovic getting doused

7:20 pm:  Michael Spacek makes a go of it but cannot beat Ehlers.  Spacek clocked a time of 13.59.

7:19 pm: Nikolaj Ehlers sets a new record (beating his old one of 13.25) when he gets it done in 13.03 seconds.

Nikolaj Ehlers fastest skater

Photo Credit: Colby Spence

7:17 pm:  Kyle Connor is first up and hits 13.49 on the clock.

7:15 pm:  Warm up is done.  Time for fastest skater.

7:10 pm: I like the innovation (from a few years back) bringing young local goalies to participate in the deke portion of the Skills Competition. Laurent Brossoit and Connor Hellebuyck chatting with both of the young kids. Great experience for them.

Hellebuyck chatting

Photo Credit: Colby Spence

7:05 pm:  Player introductions.  All eyes were on the lineup which included Josh Morrissey and Laurent Brossoit.  No Nathan Beaulieu.  Jets captain Blake Wheeler also not participating this year.

Player intro

Photo Credit: Colby Spence

Note: I will be at the MTS Centre covering tonight’s Skills Competition. Stay tuned to illegalcurve.com and on social media including Twitter| Facebook | Instagram for plenty of pictures and videos from Bell MTS Place. I will be live blogging so be sure to bookmark this post and you can follow the action.

Past Skills Competition Results:

2018/19:

Fastest Skater – Nikolaj Ehlers (13.25)
Accuracy – Bryan Little goes (4/4 in 11.6 seconds)
Hardest Shot – Jacob Trouba (98.0)

2017/18:

Fastest Skater – Brendan Lemieux (13.45)
Accuracy – Blake Wheeler goes (4/4 in 8.4 seconds)
Hardest Shot – Dustin Byfuglien (98.3)

2016/17:

Fastest Skater – Nikolaj Ehlers (13.29 seconds)
Accuracy – Patrik Laine (4/4, 8.4 seconds)
Hardest Shot – Dustin Byfuglien (101.3 mph)

2015/16:

Fastest Skater – Paul Postma (14.16 seconds)
Accuracy – Mathieu Perreault (4/4, 9.5 seconds)
Hardest Shot – Ben Chiarot (107.7 mph)

2014/15:

Fastest Skater – Paul Postma (13.90 seconds)
Accuracy – Andrew Ladd (4/5, 10.0 seconds)
Hardest Shot – Ben Chiarot (103.0 mph)

2013/14:

Fastest Skater – Mark Scheifele (13.673 seconds)
Accuracy – Bryan Little (4/5, 12.0 seconds)
Hardest Shot – Anthony Peluso (103.9 mph)

2011/12:

Fastest Skater – Tim Stapleton & Evander Kane (14.06 seconds)
Accuracy – Kyle Wellwood (4/4, 9.38 seconds)
Hardest Shot – Dustin Byfuglien (104.0 mph)