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Winnipeg Jets: Hockey is Finally Back in the Organization!

By Kieran Hurley

EDMONTON, ALBERTA - AUGUST 03: Jansen Harkins #58 of the Winnipeg Jets celebrates his goal with teammates on the bench in the first period against the Calgary Flames during Game Two of the Western Conference Qualification Round prior to the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on August 03, 2020 in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images)
EDMONTON, ALBERTA - AUGUST 03: Jansen Harkins #58 of the Winnipeg Jets celebrates his goal with teammates on the bench in the first period against the Calgary Flames during Game Two of the Western Conference Qualification Round prior to the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on August 03, 2020 in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images) /
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The Winnipeg Jets’ ECHL affiliate, the Jacksonville Icemen, begin their season tonight and this should get many fans excited that hockey is coming back.

The day is finally here! No, it may not be in the NHL, but one of the Winnipeg Jets minor league affiliates is starting their season today.  The Jacksonville Icemen will be facing off against the Florida Everblades (Nashville Predators affiliate) at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time for their first game of the 2020-2021 season.

This game is the first of a back to back for the Icemen as they have their home opener tomorrow night against the Grenville Swamp Rabbits, with the puck drop scheduled for 7:00 p.m. EST.

The Jacksonville Icemen are coming into tonight after making national news headlines last week. Last week the Icemen announced that Tim Tebow, Myles Jack, and Reggie Hayward became joined the ownership team of the Icemen. This news excited many people and created a buzz around the hockey world.

For a couple of the players you may see tonight, the reality of playing in the NHL is not far off. There have been many players who have made the jump from the ECHL to the AHL and then eventually to the NHL. Just last year alone, 16 former ECHL players made their NHL debut in the 2019-2020 season.

Some notable current and former Jets who have suited up in the ECHL are: Jansen Harkins, Laurent Brossoit, Anthony Bitetto, Ben Chiarot, Matt Hendricks, Michael Hutchinson, Mark Letestu, Al Montoya, Adam Pardy, and Anthony Peluso.

The complete list of all the prior ECHL alumni to play in the NHL can be found here.

These games should be fun to watch. Since Jacksonville is the only game in the organization, these prospects will strive for some great performances to turn some heads around the Jets organization before the AHL and NHL seasons start. In return some players could receive an invite to AHL or even NHL training camps.

All of the Jacksonville Icemen games can be seen on FloHockey. FloHockey is a part of FloSports, and recently entered into a partnership with the ECHL to show every league game. There is a paid subscription required to use their services and to watch their games and content.

If you are interested in keeping tabs on the Icemen, Jacksonville’s complete schedule is here.

Winnipeg Jets Fans: Do you think there are any players on the Icemen who will be playing on the Jets in the coming years? Leave your comments below!

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