‘Winnipeg was never just about hockey to us’: Dustin Byfuglien shares heartfelt message to Jets fans
One of the game’s most unique specimens is feeling grateful after an exciting weekend and a return to his second home.
In a message posted on social media, former NHL defenseman and forward Dustin Byfuglien put out a heartfelt message to fans of the Winnipeg Jets after an exciting weekend that included Byfuglien participating in a very exciting alumni game at Canada Life Centre before being recognized in front of a large crowd at Princess Auto Stadium during the 2026 NHL Heritage Classic, which ultiamtely saw the Jets fall to the Montreal Canadiens, 2-1.
“I’ve been trying to find the right words to describe what this weekend meant to our family,” Byfuglien wrote. “I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to do it justice. Winnipeg, you gave us something this weekend that I didn’t realize how much I needed. A goodbye we never really got to have. The way our chapter in Winnipeg ended wasn’t how any of us imagined it would. There were a lot of emotions, a lot left unsaid, and a goodbye that never really happened. For years, I’ve carried a little sadness about that. Not because of the hockey, but because of the people. Because Winnipeg was never just about hockey to us.
“It was a city that embraced our family, watched our children grow, celebrated with us, and stood behind us through so many incredible years. The friendships, the memories, the familiar faces in the stands, and the kindness we experienced are things I will carry with me for the rest of my life.”
Byfuglien was not just any type of player. His large stature, matched with his incredible speed, made him a modern-day Eric Lindros. His ability to take a game over with his skill and physicality made him one of the more feared players in the game.
What made Byfuglien different was his rather aloof persona, that seemed to differ from his on-ice intensity. He approached the game of hockey like it was…a game. Yet, when the puck dropped, he was a warrior not to be trifled with.
The Minnesota native was a key part in the Jets’ successful return to Winnipeg. The team made the Stanley Cup Playoffs three times during his tenure, including a memorable run to the Western Conference Final in 2018. However, after the 2018-19 season, Byfuglien decided to step away from the game, putting a rather bitter end to a sweet career.
I know the ending was complicated. I know there were feelings on all sides. But this weekend reminded me that sometimes the love and memories you leave behind are bigger than the way a chapter ends.
And maybe that’s what made this weekend so emotional. We finally got to feel the goodbye we missed, and it was more beautiful than I could have imagined…Winnipeg will always hold a piece of my heart. Not because of the games, the wins, or the hockey, but because of the people who made it feel like home. Some chapters don’t end the way we hoped. But sometimes, if we’re lucky, we get one more moment to remember just how beautiful they were.
“Thank you, Winnipeg. For all of it.”
Byfuglien started his career with the Chicago Blackhawks, winning a Stanley Cup in 2010. He was traded to the Atlanta Thrashers the following summer, and was with the team as it relocated north. He played nine seasons with the organization and eight in the The ‘Peg. In 609 regular-season games, he posted 122 goals and 416 points, with another 25 points in 27 postseason contests. In 869 total regular-season appearances, he notched 177 goals and 525 points, also posting 50 points in 66 playoff contests.
