Training camp ahead of the 2026-27 season is around the corner in NHL cities, and in Winnipeg players have already gathered in rather sizeable numbers to skate informally with each other.
Photo Credit: Illegal Curve
That was certainly the case today at the Hockey for All Centre, where a large group of Jets players and prospects were on the ice getting some work in ahead of the official start of camp.
New Jets skills coach Matt Larke appeared to be helping lead the informal skate along with Manitoba Moose goalie coach Drew MacIntyre.
Among the new faces was defenceman Mario Ferraro, who signed with Winnipeg during the offseason. Jack St. Ivany, another summer addition who was acquired in a trade, was also among the players taking part.
There was also no shortage of Jets prospects on the ice. Nikita Chibrikov, Brad Lambert, Danny Zhilkin, Garrett Brown, Fabian Wagner, Colby Barlow, Jacob Julien, Alfons Freij, Brayden Yager and 2026 eighth-overall pick Viggo Björck were among the younger players taking part. We also saw college free-agent signee Lucas Wahlin skating with the group.
Björck showed off some of his passing ability during one of the drills when he found fellow Swede Isak Rosén for a goal.
Some Team ?? in action as Viggo Björck feeds fellow Swede Isak Rosén for a goal.
His passing ability is really quite something to watch.
More to come this week on https://t.co/UggUR7V1u6 pic.twitter.com/GHGnrOOpDw
— Dave Minuk (@ICdave) September 7, 2026
Perhaps the most noteworthy sight from Monday’s skate was Elias Salomonsson.
The Jets defenceman was wearing a yellow non-contact jersey but was moving around the ice and taking shots on goal as the group went through drills. Salomonsson underwent shoulder surgery in April and was initially given a recovery timeline of five to six months. As we reported last month, he was tracking toward a return around training camp or the start of the season.
He’s in a yellow non-contact uniform, but Elias Salomonsson taking shots on goal as Jets players run through drills ahead of training camp.
He had shoulder surgery in April.
He just left skate as they get into 3 on 3 drills.
More to come this week on https://t.co/UggUR7V1u6 pic.twitter.com/htxFztOorh
— Dave Minuk (@ICdave) September 7, 2026
As for the players who weren’t taking part, the only regulars from last season’s Jets roster we did not spot on the ice Monday were Alex Iafallo, Nino Niederreiter, Gabriel Vilardi, Adam Lowry, Morgan Barron, Josh Morrissey and Connor Hellebuyck.
Unsurprisingly, given his trade request, Hellebuyck’s absence is going to draw more attention than the others, although he was clearly not the only Jets veteran who wasn’t on the ice Monday.
A few of Winnipeg’s offseason free-agent additions were also not on the ice Monday, with Stuart Skinner, Noah Gregor and Henry Thrun not spotted at the skate.
With Skinner not on the ice, the two goalies taking part were Jets prospects Domenic DiVincentiis and Thomas Milic.
Of course, these remain informal skates and players will continue to make their way back to Winnipeg in the days ahead. Still, with a significant portion of the roster already on the ice together, it certainly feels like the start of a new season is getting close.
Stay tuned to Illegal Curve throughout the week for more from the rink as Jets players continue to gather in Winnipeg ahead of training camp. The next two days will feature some player interviews so keep it locked here and on our YouTube channel for those.
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