The reconnecting of fans to the Winnipeg Jets through their prospects

With life seemingly returning to a level of normality that we were used to pre-pandemic, it has brought with it a return to a more regular schedule. No more summer World Juniors or Free Agency starting in the middle of July. The NHL season ended in the third week of June, the Draft was held the following week and many teams have now concluded their Development Camps.

The Jets held their Development Camp from July 4th and concluded it on July 8th. They had 17 drafted players from the 2020 to 2023 Drafts attend including all five prospects they selected in Nashville at the end of June.

This was the first time in four summers that Winnipeg has held a Development Camp. They had two cancelled due to covid and then the team chose not to hold a Camp last summer after the Draft in Montreal given the World Juniors that August, some injuries and having already evaluated some prospects playing in Winnipeg for the Moose.

One thing I’ve observed, and it isn’t particularly earth shattering, is that without fans in attendance there is a disconnect between the organization and the fan base when they don’t have that opportunity to interact with players and vice versa. That isn’t a condemnation of anyone as circumstances outlined above had precluded these types of opportunities.

Which made the last week all the more notable. To be clear these types of relationships between Jets fans and prospects have existed since the team started holding camps. This has simply allowed a reconnecting of the fan base to the prospects and from what I’ve seen this week it has really been beneficial for both the players and fans.

Consider the words of the official intern of Winnipeg Sports Podcasts Bayleigh Wiebe who was at the Hockey For All Centre all week:

“Rutger McGroarty thanked me again for the bracelet I gave him yesterday. Tyrel Bauer asked me what my name was and thanked me for the support this week by going to camp almost every day, he also asked what I thought of the skates. Neaton and Divencentiis also asked me my name.”

That’s massive for a fan who got a chance to meet players she will later cheer on at Canada Life. When I was taking the above photo for Bayleigh on Friday I heard Rutger thanking her again approximately 30 minutes after receiving the bracelet, which was impressive given just how many fans he met that day.

And that theme was echoed by other fans as well. Jets fans Vincent Dynamo commented on our Instagram which asked for input on what folks favourite moment about the camp was:

“Meeting the players as they come off the ice and seeing them interact with the fans. That was the best part.”

Even on Saturday afternoon when the formal portion of Development Camp concluded it was noted by Murat Ates of The Athletic Winnipeg:

“Players still chatting with fans long after the team photo. I heard goaltender Logan Neaton thank everyone for coming. Lambert, DiVincentiis, McGroarty and more still milling about.”

Another observation this time from Connor Hrabchak of The Hockey News from Saturday:

“Final day of Jets development camp. All four of McGroarty, Barlow, Lambert, & Milic stopped for every single fan and laughed their way along the walkway.

The vibes at camp this week were sky high, and these moments with the fans is what it’s all about.”

Now to be clear I am not suggesting these types of fan interactions haven’t happened before this past week.

It just seems like something that had been disconnected for the last three summers has now been “reconnected” between the fan base and the Jets courtesy of the 27 players they had at this camp. I’d also say this prospect group did seem particularly engaging with fans but that’s likely some recency bias on my part.