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"It's kind of a dream come true," Hellebuyck said, asked about the last 14 months.

"Being drafted by the Jets was a dream come true. And being given that opportunity at Lowell is a dream come true, too. So I couldn't imagine it but I know I was willing to work hard enough for it."

Hellebuyck credited many people around him for the progress he's shown in little over a year.

"With the coaching staff I had, it was kind of easy," he said.

"And with the veteran goalie Doug Carr, I watched him at the beginning of the season and having him by my side, it really helped me a lot. He's always there, telling me what to do and he brings so much experience."

Hellebuyck also had the benefit of having alumnus and 16-year NHL veteran Dwayne Roloson as one of the team's goalie coaches.

"He's a great guy," Hellebuyck said. "I keep in touch with him. I can always learn from him. He's been through it all. Just having him around was even more experience.

Dramatically

"He just knows so many little details that improve your game dramatically. He's seen it all. If you haven't seen something and go ask him about it, he'll tell you about it."

Jets assistant GM Craig Heisinger was among those who kept a close, in-person eye on Hellebuyck last season.

"He wasn't the starter in the beginning" Heisinger said Tuesday. "He got his chance and he never let go of it. He had a good team and good instruction there. I think that certainly helped him move forward."

One the ice, Heisinger said there was no sense that Hellebuyck's emergence was something flukey.

"He's a big kid, very athletic and very competitive and he works at it," Heisinger said. "He takes every opportunity to compete and he made the most of his chance. That's hard to do as a freshman goalie on a very good team.

"For me, it's his size and his efficiency. He plays well out of the net and he doesn't give up rebounds. He just inhales the puck."

Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 07.18.2013

714576 Winnipeg Jets

Jets prospect Brendon Kichton has something to prove after getting snubbed by Islanders

By Ken Wiebe ,Winnipeg Sun

First posted: Wednesday, July 17, 2013 09:27 PM CDT | Updated: Wednesday, July 17, 2013 09:40 PM CDT

The Jets are hoping Brendon Kichton will be a diamond in the rough after they took him in the seventh round of this year's draft

If it looks like Brenden Kichton is carrying around a super-sized chip on his shoulder, that’s because he probably is.

Originally a fifth round pick of the New York Islanders in 2011, Kichton was given a low-ball offer by the organization that year and didn’t receive another this June before he went back into this year’s NHL Entry Draft and was chosen in the seventh round (190th overall) by the Winnipeg Jets.

“It was really stressful,” said Kichton, who is participating in the Jets development camp this week. “It was tough throughout the year. I felt that I wasn’t treated fairly (by the Islanders). With what I did in junior, not just last year but the last three years, I don’t know what more I could have done to get a contract.

“But (the Islanders) thought I wasn’t part of their plans. I’m here in Winnipeg and I hope to be part of their plans. I’m looking forward and that’s what I’m focusing on.”

The confusing thing is that Kichton was coming off a season that saw him produce a career-best 85 points in 71 games with the Spokane Chiefs and capture Western Hockey League defenceman of the year honours over Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Morgan Rielly.

“That was a huge accolade and I was really thankful to have that, it was really exciting,” said Kichton. “It was a goal that I set, I was the runner-up the year before and to beat Rielly, that was a nice feather in my cap.

“I’m just looking forward to training this summer and coming in here and proving that I’m ready for a contract.”

Despite his eye-popping point totals (85, 74 and 81 during the past three seasons), Kichton also takes pride on his play away from the puck.

“I take care of my own zone first before I focus on offence,” said Kichton. “I was always a D-man. From six or seven years old, there was only four of us, so here was more ice time.

“That’s when I knew I wanted to be a D-man and it just kind of blossomed from there. I guess there were a lot of things that contributed to it.”

Kichton, 21, wasn’t really sure what to think going into the draft or if he was even going to be selected again.

“I was watching but I wasn’t really paying attention. Once it got past the fourth or fifth round, I was wondering if I even wanted to get drafted but I was really happy when the Jets picked me because that’s one of the teams I felt would be the best fit,” said Kichton. “Obviously, I was hoping to go a little higher in the draft and I was disappointed when I sunk that low. But there’s a lot of great people here and it’s a good opportunity going forward.”

Kichton is excited about the prospect of competing for a job with the St. John’s IceCaps and getting his first taste of the pro game.

“I need to get bigger, faster, stronger, as they always say,” said Kichton. “It’s a whole different level there. It’s going to be a fun experience and I can’t wait.”

Jets prospect Adam Lowry certainly appreciates Kichton’s skill set after facing him the past three seasons.

“He’s an unbelievable puck mover,” said Lowry. “He’s not afraid to join the rush and he can score from the point. He really controls and slows down the game. On the power play, you can really witness how composed he is with the puck. He’s able to walk the line and make the smart decisions.

“I think that really makes him effective.”

Winnipeg Sun LOADED 07.18.2013

714577 Winnipeg Jets

Winnipeg Jets prospect Jimmy Lodge building on solid foundation

By Ken Wiebe ,Winnipeg Sun

First posted: Wednesday, July 17, 2013 07:38 PM CDT | Updated: Wednesday, July 17, 2013 07:43 PM CDT

Jets prospect Jimmy Lodge went later than he expected in the NHL draft but that won't deter him from doing whatever it takes to make the Winnipeg Jets eventually

The 2013 NHL entry Draft was an exercise in patience for Jimmy Lodge.

Although his name was called a bit later than many had projected, the lanky forward is at peace with how things transpired and realizes the real work is just beginning.

“It was a great thing, I went down there with my family and everything,” said Lodge, who was chosen in the third round (84th overall) by the Jets last month. “Obviously, I dropped a little more than I expected but it’s not a big deal. Just getting drafted is a big thing

“It’s more of a next step to my dream actually. It doesn’t really matter what round you go. It’s about proving you can play and can be a part of an organization that drafted you is the big thing.”

Lodge recently completed his second season with the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League and it was a breakthrough campaign that saw him produce 28 goals and 69 points in 64 games, despite a relatively slow start.

“I was kind of all over from the first to the fourth line, but we made a trade at the halfway mark and that’s when I got my opportunity and capitalized on that,” said Lodge, noting that Peter Forsberg was his favourite player growing up. “I finished it strong, which was good. I’m a skilled forward, a playmaker and that’s where my game is at its best. I can put up some pretty good numbers and each year I want to get better. This year, I want to be a leader, produce more and be a better player overall.”

The Downingtown, Pa. product boasts ample size at 6-foot-1 but knows he’ll need to bulk up his frame as he prepares for the pro game down the road.

“I’ve been working on that the past couple of years, slowly I’m getting bigger and stronger,” said Lodge, who is already up to 170 pounds.

Lodge will be heading to the Team U.S.A. world junior camp later this summer and would love to be part of the team that will defend its gold medal.

“I’m really looking forward to that in a couple of weeks,” said Lodge. “Hopefully, I can make that team. It would be great for my game and it would really help me out."

Winnipeg Sun LOADED 07.18.2013

714578 Winnipeg Jets

Winnipegger Stoykewych relishing opportunity at Jets’ development camp

By Ken Wiebe ,Winnipeg Sun

First posted: Wednesday, July 17, 2013 02:05 PM CDT | Updated: Wednesday, July 17, 2013 09:24 PM CDT

Peter Stoykewych is a much different player than he was at this time last summer.

“It’s nice to have a development camp under your belt, for sure,” said Stoykewych, a Winnipegger and one of three Manitobans taking part in the Winnipeg Jets development camp this week. “Coming in, knowing some of the guys and a lot of the personnel really helps. It allows you to adjust quicker.”

Stoykewych, a seventh round choice (199th overall) of the Atlanta Thrashers in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, had two goals and 11 points in 42 games with Colorado College last season.

“I got a lot more comfortable in my role and that definitely helped,” said Stoykewych, who will serve as an alternate captain this season and is a graduate of the Winnipeg Blues of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. “I was a lot more confident on the ice. It’s a big jump between being a freshman and learning the ropes and being a sophomore. I think I really took that and really made a lot of strides forward in my game.

“My game is based on not making many mistakes, making the simple play and allowing the forwards to do their job, getting the puck on their stick and letting them do their thing. Personally, I know my skating has got to get better for me to take the next step here and head to pro.”

MIC’D UP: Jets prospect Adam Lowry enjoyed having a microphone on him during Wednesday’s on-ice session, but confesses a little work might need to be done before the video can be shown to the public.

“They’ll have to kind of edit out a few of the things I said out there,” said Lowry. “But it’s always fun to try new things. You don’t get to experience that stuff much in junior hockey. Coming out here, it’s nice to get that opportunity.”

PIZZA PARTY: On Tuesday night, the Jets prospects got a treat as they spent the evening at De Luca’s and took part in a pizza-making challenge as part of their dinner.

“We’re all competitive guys and we don’t like to lose — so anytime you throw in things like that, it’s a lot of fun and it brings the guys together,” said Lowry.

Winger J.C. Lipon, who was chosen in the third round (91st overall) by the Jets in 2013, wasn’t thrilled with his own handiwork.

“It was pretty fun. I’ve never really made (pizza) from scratch like that,” said Lipon. “I put some sauce on it and it didn’t really mix with it, so it was okay but it could have been better.”

Lowry wasn’t among those making pizzas but did help provide the dessert, along with Eric Comrie and Scott Kosmachuk.

“We were fortunate enough to make the best part of the meal,” said Lowry. “They had us make panna cotta. Well, we didn’t make it, we just plated it and put on the whipped cream. But we’re going to take credit for it.”

Winnipeg Sun LOADED 07.18.2013

714579 Vancouver Canucks

Well, Canucks fans, you can make your 2013-14 plans. If they include the Florida Panthers and, uh, nothing else

July 17, 2013. 2:59 pm • Section: The White Towel

Jonathan McDonald

It was believed that the NHL would release its 2013-14 schedule on Wednesday.

It didn’t happen. And now it appears that the schedule will be released on Thursday.

But someone, somehow, got their hands on what appears to be the Florida Panthers’ schedule for next season. Of all teams, that’s the one that gets leaked out? But ProHockeyTalk’s Jason Brough, the one-time taller half of Province Sports’ Kurtenblog, has done all Canucks fans a favour by sharing that one-pager.

So aside from the apparent 20-day NHL break for the Sochi Olympics, the only other items of interest are that the Floridians will play the Canucks at Rogers Arena on Tuesday, Nov. 19 (note to self: must PVR The Voice that night), and the Canucks will be in South Florida for the mildly anticipated rematch on Sunday, March 16 (note to self: It’s a noon PT start, so plan for champagne and strawberries).

If this schedule is correct, the league is making up for the long Olympic layoff by starting as early as Thursday, Oct. 3; the 2009-10 season, which included the Vancouver Olympics, began on Oct. 1.

Vancouver Province: LOADED: 07.18.2013

714580 Websites

NBCSports.com / Report: NHL rule changes haven’t decreased concussion rates

Mike Halford

Jul 17, 2013, 6:15 PM EDT

Three years ago, the NHL tightened its rules on hits to the head in an effort to curb injuries and concussions.

According to a new study, it’s not working.

Conducted by neurosurgeon and concussion researcher Dr. Michael Cusimano of Toronto’s St. Michael’s Hospital, the study compared concussion rates before and after the NHL introduced rules against hits to the head in 2010.

“The rate of concussion did not decrease,” Cusimano said in an interview, as per CBC. “It in fact increased the first year and in the second year in the NHL it stayed stable.

“So we didn’t see a decline like I think everyone had hoped, including the NHL, who said brought in primarily for player safety.”

The amendment to rule 48 — illegal checks to the head — was introduced two years ago, at the start of the 2010-11 campaign..

From NHL.com:

Illegal checks to the head, defined as “a lateral or blind side hit to an opponent where the head is targeted and/or the principle point of contact is not permitted,” will now be subject to a five-minute major penalty and automatic game misconduct, as well as possible supplemental discipline if deemed appropriate by the League.

While the aim is to prevent severe injuries, like the concussions suffered last season by players such as Florida’s David Booth and Boston’s Marc Savard, hockey remains a contact sport and [Director of Officiating Terry] Gregson made clear that just because there is contact to the head, it doesn’t automatically make for an illegal hit.

Cusimano suggests the rule isn’t working is because of how it was originally worded — and how it’s been called.

“Part of it’s the way the rule’s written. Part of it’s the way the rule is enforced. Part of it’s the penalties associated with the rule,” he explained. “And part of it is that concussions are also coming from other causes like fighting, that is still allowed.”

Another issue, it seems, is the sheer physicality of the sport.

Cusimano and his researchers said 64 per cent of NHL concussions were caused by bodychecking, while 28 per cent of concussions — and 28 per cent of suspected concussions — were caused by illegal incidents that resulted in a penalty, fine or suspension.

As for solutions, Cusimano came up with four suggestions: banning fighting, stiffer penalties for teams/players that cause concussions, changing equipment regulations and looking at different ice sizes and dimensions.

NBCSports.com / LOADED: 07.18.2013

714581 Websites

NBCSports.com / Report: NHL increases credit facility by $200 million

Jason Brough

Jul 17, 2013, 4:17 PM EDT

In news that will not make you jump up and down in excitement, Bloomberg is reporting that the NHL has increased its credit facility from $400 million to $600 million.

From the report:

The league also received a better rate on the agreement with Citigroup Inc. (C), which was completed last month. The new facility is priced at the London interbank offered rate, or Libor, plus 250 basis points. The previous facility was $400 million at Libor plus 300 basis points.

Professional sports leagues create loan pools by using collateral such as national broadcast contracts to secure credit at better terms than most teams could individually.

It wasn’t reported if the league has any plans for the additional $200 million. Possibly it’s just for a rainy day. (*checks weather forecast in New Jersey*)

The NHL declined to comment on the story.

NBCSports.com / LOADED: 07.18.2013