Americans Roll Past Denmark as Jets Players Face Off on Olympic Ice; Moose Cruise, and Prospect Kevin He Stays Red Hot
It was a bit of a Jets reunion on Olympic ice yesterday, as Team USA’s Kyle Connor squared off against his former Winnipeg teammate Nikolaj Ehlers and Team Denmark. The Americans came away with a 6-3 win, and while the scoreboard leaned heavily in the U.S.'s favor, there were moments that showed just how much talent both sides brought to the rink.
Connor, as expected, was a key part of the U.S. attack, helping to drive the pace and create space in the offensive zone. On the other side, Ehlers-always a dynamic presence-managed to chip in with an assist in the loss, showcasing the kind of playmaking that Jets fans know all too well. Connor Hellebuyck suited up as the backup for the Americans, watching from the bench as the U.S. offense did the heavy lifting.
The action continues today with more Olympic matchups on the slate. Nino Niederreiter and Switzerland are set to take on Czechia in what could be a tightly contested battle, while Team Canada-without Josh Morrissey-will face off against France. Canada’s depth remains a storyline to watch, especially with key players like Morrissey sitting out.
Moose Make Statement with Dominant Win Over Wranglers
Back on North American ice, the Manitoba Moose came out a bit sluggish on Saturday, but once they found their rhythm, they didn’t look back. After breaking the ice with the game’s first goal, the Moose poured it on with three more to take a commanding 4-0 lead over the visiting Calgary Wranglers.
The exclamation point came on a shorthanded tally from Walker Duehr-always a momentum-shifter-to seal a 5-1 victory. It was the kind of all-around effort that coaches love to see: solid goaltending, opportunistic scoring, and special teams contributing on both ends.
The Moose are scheduled to hit the ice for practice today at 11 a.m. CST as they prepare for a quick turnaround and a rematch tomorrow.
Jets Prospect Kevin He Extends Goal Streak to Eight Games
While the big names were making noise internationally and at the AHL level, one of Winnipeg’s most intriguing young prospects is quietly putting together a heater in junior hockey. Kevin He, the Jets’ fourth-round pick in 2024, is on a tear right now. He found the back of the net twice last night for the Flint Firebirds, pushing his goal streak to eight straight games-13 goals in that span.
Since being traded from the Niagara IceDogs to Flint, He has matched his previous point total from earlier this season, but he’s done it in nine fewer games. That kind of production jump is hard to ignore, and it’s a promising sign for a player still developing his all-around game. For a fourth-rounder, He is starting to look like a potential steal if he can keep this trajectory going.
As Olympic hockey heats up and the AHL playoff race tightens, there’s no shortage of storylines for Jets fans to follow. Whether it’s Connor and Ehlers going head-to-head on the international stage, the Moose finding their groove, or Kevin He lighting it up in junior, the organization’s depth is showing up in a big way across all levels.