Q & A with Jets co-owner Mark Chipman at 60th Anniversary of MSSA

The Manitoba Sportswriter and Sportscasters Association celebrated their 60th anniversary at the Delta Hotel which featured a Q & A between voice of the Jets on TSN Dennis Beyak and co-owner of the team Mark Chipman.

The question and answer period lasted about 10-15 minutes.  Some of the topics included:

– True North Square.  Expects it to be another positive step forward in the continued development of downtown Winnipeg.

– On the Jets hosting an outdoor game.  He said that the team had just finished setting terms with Bombers.  Next up comes the NHL and then he expected an announcement to be made within a month.

– Whether they would pursue an All-Star game.  He said the NHL Draft and World Jr. rank ahead of an All-Star game are what he would prefer to seek for the city.

– Asked whether he had been in contact with the Las Vegas and Quebec bids to become NHL cities.  Acknowledged he had.  Said he has been asked to assist as part of the process.  Indicated that Ottawa and Edmonton were helpful to Winnipeg as they sought to do their homework in advance of securing a franchise for the city.

– On the Byfuglien and Ladd contract situation.  Said he had full faith in Kevin Cheveldayoff, Larry Simmons and the team to do what needed to be done.

Also spoke about the passion of fans including how he has been told by a fan at a Co-Op gas station that the Jets power play wasn’t very good.