The Winnipeg Jets had a brand new face on the ice for his or her first official observe of the brand new season since naming their 23-man roster to conclude coaching camp.
With simply 48 hours till their season opener, goaltender Clay Stevenson joined the Jets for observe on Wednesday after being claimed off waivers from the Washington Capitals earlier within the week.
Nicknamed “Mud” since his junior days, the 27-year-old Stevenson is getting into his fifth skilled season, however he’s largely been caught within the American Hockey League, whereas solely showing in 5 NHL video games with the Caps over the previous two seasons.
With the transfer to the Manitoba capital, he’s excited to play in entrance of the Winnipeg followers he’s heard a lot about and he’s thrilled to lastly get an opportunity to stay within the NHL.
“It means the world simply to have this chance and be capable to showcase myself at this stage a bit extra,” Stevenson instructed reporters after observe. “Come as much as Canada means loads, again in God’s nation. I’m from Alberta and it’s a blessing to be right here.
“I’m comfy wherever I’m. I discover I’m a chameleon. I dwell the nation life. I can dwell the town life. I can do all of it.”
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Stevenson helped the Hershey Bears win the Calder Cup in 2024 and has completed just about every thing he can within the AHL.
“I play the sport in entrance of me wherever I’m at,” he mentioned. “I at all times say a factor – should you’re in a darkish forest, you may’t get out till you simply look down and take your first step.”
Jets head coach Scott Arniel says they’ve had their eye on the goalie for a very long time.
“He’s been on our radar,” mentioned Arniel. “That was a reputation that I heard some time in the past and it was talked about clearly in the summertime. Knew that there may very well be a risk the place the best way Washington was kinda the place they’re at. For us, once you do this, you set a declare in, you don’t know should you’re getting him clearly.
“Very lucky I really feel that we bought him.”
The Jets will begin the season with three video games in 4 days, which features a back-to-back, so Stevenson is prone to see sport motion together with his new crew virtually instantly.
Jets primary goalie Stuart Skinner has been Stevenson’s low season coaching parter, so the tandem is a match made in heaven for Stevenson.
“I’ve been fairly good buddies with Stuart Skinner for the previous few years,” Stevenson mentioned. “So, we’ve been coaching collectively in Kelowna, and we’ve solidified a reasonably good relationship recently, and yeah, I used to be positively super-stoked to get right here and tandem with him. And yeah, it’s been unimaginable, see some good chemistry.”
The Jets have one closing full observe on Thursday forward of Friday’s dwelling opener towards the Boston Bruins.
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