Winnipeg Jets fly high during first practice with stadium packing fans -NHL Preseason Update
Winnipeg Jets officially opened up their practice session on Saturday, September 19, 2011, and were surprised to see the number of fans that showed up in order to show their support for the newly relocated Canadian team, giving them all the motivation they
need for the new upcoming season.
The 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season might not be far away and instead of being anxious, Winnipeg is fully confident about their abilities after playing in front of a highly thrilled fan base at home in the MTS Centre.
For many of the players who were back on the ice with the renewed Jets, it was a first experience, especially as it was just a practice session, giving them unlimited hope for the upcoming season.
"I'm not used to practising in front of a crowd like that but it's great, the fans are excited, we're excited", said defenceman Zach Bogosian, who recently signed a new two-year contract worth US$5 million just before camp began.
Talking to the fans, it is easy to see why they are so excited for their new hometown team.
“We’ve been waiting 15 years for this”, season-ticket holder, Todd Zdebiak, said. “The place is going to be on fire and it’s going to be wicked”.
Practicing is something a lot of players do not look forward to since it is just a training routine they are forced to repeat year after year, but this time around, it was totally different, which had them wanting more.
“It was awesome”, Jets team captain, Andrew Ladd, said. “Most players don’t look forward to training camp, but this was fun”.
It was not easy for the investing company to get hold of a fragile Atlanta Thrashers franchise, ultimately acquiring them and moving them to Winnipeg, Manitoba, for a rejuvenated Jets team.
Now that nearly everything is in place, watching Winnipeg Jets officially perform live during the regular season against other NHL franchises will certainly be thrilling and will most likely go beyond the expectations of most people.
Winnipeg Jets will kick off the new season against Montreal Canadiens on October 9, at home.
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