Winnipeg Jets : 2015-16 Trivia Quiz

Answer: St. Louis Blues

With their strong showing in the 2014-15 season, the Winnipeg Jets were relegated to number 17 for their first round pick. So how did they get another first round pick? Funny you should ask.

On February 28th, 2014, the Blues made a trade with the Buffalo Sabres that included their 2015 first round draft pick. On February 11th, 2015, the Jets made a trade with the Buffalo Sabres that included the lower of their two first round picks (theirs and St. Louis'). So, who did the Jets pick in the draft?

Round 1 - #17 - Kyle Connor (LW), USA
Round 1 - #25 - Jack Roslovic (C), USA
Round 2 - #47 - Jansen Harkins (C), Canada
Round 3 - #78 - Erik Foley (LW), USA
Round 4 - #108 - Michael Spacek (RW), Czech Rep.
Round 6 - #168 - Mason Appleton (C), USA
Round 7 - #198 - Sami Niku (D), Finland
Round 7 - #203 - Matteo Gennaro (C), Canada

Answer: Alexander Burmistrov

Alexander Burmistrov was born in Kazan, Russia, and he began his North American hockey career after being selected by the Barrie Colts in the 2009 CHL Import draft. The following year he joined the Atlanta Thrashers franchise, then moved with the team to Winnipeg in his second NHL season. During the 2012-13 season, he was often relegated to the Jets' farm team, which prompted him to return to Russia with the end of his contract in the offseason. With a different coach behind the Jets bench, Burmistrov decided to return to the team, signing a new two-year deal.

Drew Stafford and Paul Postma also inked new two-year contracts, while rookie Brendan Lemieux (drafted in 2015) signed a three-year entry-level contract. One-year contracts were also agreed upon with Matt Halischuk, Patrice Cormier, and Adam Pardy during the offseason.

Additionally, the Jets signed two free agents to one-year deals during the summer: Matt Fraser (from the Edmonton Oilers) and Andrew MacWilliam (from the Toronto Maple Leafs).

Answer: Andrew Ladd

Andrew Ladd began his NHL career with the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2005-06 season, playing 29 games and a playoff run that earned his first Stanley Cup ring. In the 2007-08 season, he was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks. He earned his second Stanley Cup ring there in 2010. In the offseason, he was traded to the Atlanta Thrashers, who would become the Winnipeg Jets one year later.

With his 700th game played, Andrew Ladd's NHL totals were 187 goals and 239 assists, for 426 total points.

Answer: Eric Comrie

Ondrej Pavelec and Michael Hutchinson shared equal time to begin the 2015-16 season, alternating at the coach's discretion. That is, until Pavelec was injured during the November 21st game against the Arizona Coyotes. Connor Hellebuyck was called up from the Manitoba Moose, proving himself to be a capable NHL-calibre goalie over the next two and a half months. Pavelec returned to the team in February, which meant a return to the Moose for Hellebuyck.

Goaltender statistics for the year:

Ondrej Pavelec - 33 games played, with a record of 13 wins, 13 losses and 4 overtime losses - goals against averge of 2.78, save percentage of .904.

Michael Hutchinson - 30 games played, with a record of 9 wins, 15 losses and 3 overtime losses - goals against average of 2.84, save percentage of .907.

Connor Hellebuyck - 26 games played, with a record of 13 wins, 11 losses and 1 overtime loss - goals against average of 2.34, save percentage of .918.

Answer: Dustin Byfuglien

This was Dustin Byfuglien's fourth time being named to the NHL All-Star Game, and his second year in a row. His first time was in 2011 with the Atlanta Thrashers, and his second was in 2012 with the Jets, although he could not attend that year due to injury.

The 2016 edition of the All-Star Game had a very different format from previous years, with each division being represented by a team. The four teams were matched up in their conferences (Atlantic vs Metropolitan, Central vs Pacific) in a single-elimination, 3-on-3 tournament. The Pacific All-Stars went on to win against the Atlantic All-Stars in the final.

In the Central vs Pacific match-up, Byfuglien scored one goal and one assist in the 6-9 loss.

Answer: Chicago Blackhawks

After Dustin Byfuglien signed his 5-year contract extension, it seemed a foregone conclusion that Captain Andrew Ladd would not be doing the same, as it would be a financially untenable deal for the Jets' salary cap. Indeed, the trade was announced just 17 days after the Byfuglien deal was finalized.

The trade:

To the Chicago Blackhawks: Andrew Ladd, Jay Harrison, and Matt Fraser.

To the Winnipeg Jets: Marko Dano, a 2016 first round draft pick, and a conditional 2018 third round draft pick.

In addition to the player swap, the Jets also agreed to hold 36% of Ladd's salary to the end of his original contract. Oh, and the conditional part of the 2018 draft pick? The Jets only got that if the Blackhawks won the (2016) Stanley Cup. With the Blackhawks' elimination after the first round of the playoffs, that part of the trade doesn't happen.

Answer: Nobody

After Andrew Ladd left the team, the management announced that no decision would be made regarding the team captaincy until the Fall. Assistant captains Blake Wheeler and Mark Stuart continued in their roles, but no one was granted the 'C' by the end of the season.

Answer: Four

The Jets played five games in the month of April. On April Fools' Day, the Jets hosted the Chicago Blackhawks (and former captain Andrew Ladd), losing 5-4 in overtime. The next four games rounded out the season on a winning streak:

April 3rd - Minnesota Wild, 5-1 (Pavelec)
April 5th - Anaheim Ducks, 2-1 in overtime (Hutchinson)
April 7th - San Jose Sharks, 5-4 (Pavelec)
April 9th - Los Angeles Kings, 4-3 (Pavelec)

Answer: Blake Wheeler

Blake Wheeler came to the Jets franchise when it was in its last year in Atlanta. In his first full season (in Winnipeg) with the team, Wheeler topped the team with 17 goals and 47 assists for 64 points (2011-12). In the 2013-14 season, Wheeler claimed the scoring title with 28 goals and 41 assists for 69 points.

Wheeler's 2015-16 total of 78 points set a new personal season best. It should be noted that in each of the seasons that Wheeler didn't win, he finished second in scoring to Andrew Ladd.

Answer: False

At the end of the 2013-14 NHL season - the season that Paul Maurice joined the team as head coach - Maurice decided that he liked what he saw in Winnipeg and that he would stay, accepting a four-year contract extension from GM Kevin Cheveldayoff.

The next year, the Jets made the playoffs. Then, they didn't. But, in the same way that the management is using the draft-and-develop strategy with their players, they are using a wait-and-watch approach with Maurice. They know that the Jets are still a young, developing team, and as of the end of the 2015-16 season, Paul Maurice is still the man for the job.