Stanley Scratched, Schenn to Make Jets Debut Tuesday

Defenceman Luke Schenn is going back to his roots in Winnipeg.

On Monday and Tuesday mornings, the 35-year-old blueliner skated at Canada Life Centre in a number he hasn’t worn since his Junior hockey days.

Gliding across the ice in sweater No. 5, Schenn opted to go back to the number to which he found success during his time with the Kelowna Rockets.

Schenn was dealt to Winnipeg at last Friday’s NHL trade deadline from Pittsburgh in exchange for two draft picks.

“It has been a whirlwind of a week, a crazy journey in my career and this is another unexpected chapter,” Schenn said. “Every time I think I have got things figured out, a little stability, or where I think I can predict the future a little bit, that is when things go a little sideways. It been a whirlwind of a week, traded twice within a day and a half, the whole thing has been a little overwhelming, I would say.”

Since joining the NHL in 2008, Schenn has primarily worn sweater No. 2. His only deviations came in Philadelphia (22) and Los Angeles (52).

Over his lengthy career, the Saskatoon, SK. product has skated for nine other clubs, while doubling back to play on two teams on two different occasions. Winnipeg is Schenn’s 12th stop along the journey.

He has worn No. 2 with Toronto, Arizona, Anaheim, Vancouver, Tampa Bay (where he won two Stanley Cups), Nashville and very briefly had helmet decals printed in Pittsburgh before his trade to Winnipeg.

Schenn has worn numbers 2, 5 and 15 internationally, where he has represented Canada at the World Juniors and World Championships.

Alongside Schenn will be new defence partner Haydn Fleury, who will also find his way back into the lineup for Winnipeg after last playing March 4, and just twice since his injury in late-January.

With the return of Fleury and insertion of Schenn, Logan Stanley and Colin Miller will sit out. It will be Stanley’s first official ‘healthy’ scratch of the season. He will join Ville Heinola and Miller in the press box.

Tuesday evening will be Schenn’s debut as a member of the Jets, while fellow trade deadline pickup Brandon Tanev will make his return to Winnipeg and home debut in 2025. Tuesday’s tilt against the New York Rangers has a puck drop scheduled for 7:00 PM central time.