Revisiting Kyle Wellwood’s two year tenure as a member of the Winnipeg Jets

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The Winnipeg Jets and the remainder of the NHL proceed to stay just about quiet as we strategy mid-July. Groups proceed to evaluate what their rosters appear to be as of at this time, earlier than the commerce market and “secondary” free agent market start to warmth up. Yesterday, on July twelfth, 2012, the Jets re-signed a participant who was successful story from that so referred to as “secondary” free agent market: Kyle Wellwood. A fan-favourite nearly in all places he performed, Wellwood had an total profitable two seasons with the Winnipeg Jets, and is a type of gamers that followers proceed to recollect all through the years.

Kyle Wellwood’s NHL profession started when he was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs within the fifth spherical of the 2001 NHL draft. The 5’10”, 181 lbs proper handed centre had a terrific junior profession break up between the Belleville Bulls and the Windsor Spitfires. Wellwood’s first professional season with the St. John’s Maple Leafs (AHL) was additionally successful, as he bought 55 factors in 76 video games, and even performed in his first profession NHL recreation. The next AHL season was even higher for Wellwood, as he collected 87 factors in 80 video games. The fifth rounder confirmed all the fitting indicators that he was prepared for the NHL the next season.

Wellwood’s first two seasons with the Maple Leafs have been seen as fairly the success, as Wellwood collected 45 factors in 81 video games adopted by a 42 level season in simply 49 video games. Within the 2007-08 season Wellwood’s manufacturing dipped, solely posting 21 factors in 59 video games, earlier than becoming a member of the Vancouver Canucks the next season. Wellwood scored a profession excessive 18 targets in his first season with the Canucks, posting 27 and 25 level seasons. After a quick 25 video games within the KHL for the 2010-11 season, Wellwood returned to the NHL to play for the San Jose Sharks, and he scored 5 targets and added 8 assists for 13 factors in 35 video games.

The next season was when the Winnipeg Jets 2.0 returned to the NHL. Keen to construct an excellent roster for his or her first season again in Winnipeg, the Jets appeared far and huge for roster additions. Round one month earlier than the 2011-12 season, on September ninth, Kevin Cheveldayoff and the Jets signed Wellwood to a 1 yr, $700,000 deal. The minimal NHL wage for that season was round $500,000, so this was an affordable deal that the Jets have been hoping to get some worth out of throughout this necessary and thrilling season.

Wellwood exceeded all expectations in his first season as a member of the Winnipeg Jets. In 77 video games, Wellwood scored 18 targets (tying his profession excessive) and added 29 assists for a profession excessive 47 factors. Apart from his rediscovered scoring contact, Wellwood was a fan favorite in that season, and the practically 30-year previous was trying like he had discovered a brand new residence to re-energize his NHL profession. Wellwood’s play earned him one other 1 yr deal within the low season, this time for $1.6 million.

The 2012-13 season wasn’t as good to Wellwood, as he solely performed in 39 video games, scoring 6 targets and including 9 assists for 15 factors. Regardless of the dip in manufacturing, Wellwood nonetheless gave the impression to be an necessary member of the Jets as a secondary scoring choice, and it appeared like he might proceed to be worthy of a spot within the Jets backside six ahead group. The Jets selected to not re-sign Wellwood for a 2nd time, and the 2013-14 season can be Wellwood’s last season as a professional hockey participant, taking part in 9 video games for Zug Ev within the Swiss league.

Kyle Wellwood retired from skilled hockey on the comparatively younger age of 30 years previous. A Swiss reporter who spoke with Wellwood mentioned that his “coronary heart was not within the recreation”, and he returned to North America for non-hockey associated alternatives. The information was a bit stunning to Jets followers, however there have been at all times rumours that Wellwood was generally not absolutely dedicated as a hockey participant, and that his curiosity in hockey peaked in his teenage years. In 2020, Wellwood did an interview with TSN in Vancouver talking about his choice to retire on the age of 30, and he confirmed that he didn’t absolutely benefit from the recreation whereas he was within the NHL, and with a number of accidents all through his profession build up, he felt that it was time to maneuver on to a brand new chapter in his life.

Whatever the cause for Wellwood’s “sudden” departure from his NHL profession, Jets followers proceed to recollect what he supplied to this staff in his two seasons in Winnipeg. The inaugural season of the Jets 2.0 had Wellwood in a distinguished center six function, and regardless of the staff struggling, he was a participant that at all times gave it his all throughout what can be the tail finish of his NHL profession. Wellwood is a main instance of a free agent signing gone proper, and a cause for Jets followers to remain optimistic that the Jets strikes this low season might at all times prove higher than anticipated.

PRESENTED BY PRAIRIE TOYOTA DEALERS 

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