Matt Hendricks – Becoming a Winnipeg Jets Fan Favourite

Matt Hendricks was a late free agency addition on August 26th this year for the Winnipeg Jets, taking on the role of a “Tough Guy” from Chris Thorburn. Thorburn was taken in the expansion draft by Vegas, to later sign with St. Louis in July.

Some Jets fans questioned the decision of signing him because they assumed he would just be another AHL player who would take a younger players ice time away.  Hendricks certainly isn’t an AHL player, and has proved himself to be worthy as a gritty, hard working fourth line NHL player that the Jets singed him as. Hendricks has also put a few points on the board, with some absolutely beautiful goals that wouldn’t be expected from a player like him. He even received a 1st star and a 3rd star of the game. I was watching those games, and I can assure you that both stars were very well deserved.

With the Winnipeg Jets, he has gone from a depth signing, who people barely talk about, to a guy who every Jets fan loves. I can go talk to some random people sitting around me at the games, and nobody can say a bad thing about him. He’s just a great guy, and he’s really fun to watch. He isn’t afraid to scrap when called upon, and he does the hard work to help his team succeed.

Hendricks vs. Thorburn

After doing a comparison of Hendricks and Chris Thorburn with this years stats, Hendricks is actually a major upgrade. He has three goals and three assists for six points. Thorburn only has three assists and no goals. Hendricks has played five more games than Thorburn, and even averages over two minutes more ice time per game. He’s a 0 for plus minus, where Thorburn is a -2. These stats are just a few of the reasons Hendricks is so successful here.

Although Hendricks is old (36), I think it would be beneficial to keep him around for a few more seasons. As a veteran he could help some of the up and coming younger guys out, and as a player to play his gritty game. Finally, just completely because the fans love him.