It’s a sight Blake Wheeler and Jacob Trouba aren’t used to seeing in downtown Winnipeg: thousands of empty seats for an NHL game.
The head count was Winnipeg’s fourth straight turnout of less than 12,000.
“When I was here it was always fun to come,” Trouba said. “It was always packed, loud. Some great memories, especially when you think of the playoffs. Even regular-season games were always pretty exciting here. Yeah, it’s obviously tough to see. I don’t think anybody likes that.
“But I guess it’s the reality right now.”
A first-round draft pick, Trouba patrolled the Jets blue line for his first six NHL seasons, 2013-19, when sellouts were virtually guaranteed.
This season has already produced the lowest crowds in the franchise’s rebooted history (not including pandemic-restricted games), including an all-time low of 11,126 for division rival St. Louis, last week.
Wheeler believes the poor turnouts aren’t necessarily a reflection of the team’s support in the community.
“You’ve just got to be careful, because you don’t know what people are going through,” he said. “And obviously, economically, times aren’t necessarily as good as they’ve ever been.”
Wheeler had a private suite full of family and friends wearing his new Rangers’ No. 17 on Monday.
Above that, in the upper level, were most of the empty seats.
“Go to any bar in town and they’re probably full, watching games,” Wheeler said. “I’m sure the majority of TV’s in town are watching every game, every night. Obviously you’d love to see a rocking building every night and have it full. It just may not be an option for some people. But I know that everyone’s heart still beats with this team.”
That campaign included a reference to the loss of the original Jets in 1996, drawing criticism for what some saw as a “support us or else” message and raising questions about the franchise’s long-term viability if the trend continues.
“I am an economics major, but I’m not very good at it,” Wheeler said. “So I’m not going to try to make sense of that. But this community in a lot of ways is just intertwined with this team now. That would be a real stretch. I just can’t imagine that happening.”
“Hopefully it gets turned around,” Trouba added. “Because it was a fun place to play when it’s rocking in there.”
The fans did give Wheeler a rousing ovation as a video tribute to him played on the big screen.
The moment capped an emotional return to his former hockey home.
“It was pretty crazy,” Wheeler said. “From going to the game on a bus, seeing that jersey on the other side. I told the guys there’s a decent chance I’m going to pass a couple to the other team. But it was a day I’ve been looking forward to. And I really appreciate everything the organization put together.
“Just everything, all the 26 jerseys, getting an ovation like that – it feels great to know you made an impact.”
