Luke Schenn’s latest NHL home stirs a sense of nostalgia, reminding him of the city where his childhood dream of playing in the big leagues first came to life.
As he enters his 18th NHL season and his first full campaign with the Winnipeg Jets after being traded to the club ahead of 2025 trade deadline the 35-year-old Schenn recalled his formative years in the Canadian prairies.
“Any little thing you need help with, it’s been amazing how people in Winnipeg treat you and welcome you, and bring you into the community,” Schenn told NHLPA.com. “I grew up in Saskatoon and it’s brought me back to my roots a little bit as far as the good prairie people. I feel this is where I belong and I am excited to get going.”
After flying solo in Winnipeg for the 15 regular-season games and 11 Stanley Cup Playoff contests he played with the Jets, Schenn now has wife, Jeska, and their three children in town for the 2025-26 NHL season.
“For me, family is everything,” said Schenn. “It was tough last year, in the sense that it happened so abruptly. You have three kids and all the sudden, you are gone the next day. Your world changes, but so does theirs. It’s trying to find that balance, where you want to make sure everything is okay back at home from a distance you are living on FaceTime, seeing them between school and their activities and our hockey schedule.
“It was challenging, but that is in the past now and this year, everyone is together. Your kids are only young once, so you want to be a part of these times as much as you can as a dad.”
In terms of hockey, specifically, the season ahead, Schenn, who won two Stanley Cups with the Tampa Bay Lightning, has had more opportunity to get to know his teammates over the summer. The defenceman, who has suited up with nine teams over 1,072 regular season NHL games, was caught off guard the first time he stepped into the Jets’ locker room.
“This is one of the only teams in the league where I haven’t really played with anyone, surprisingly,” he said with a laugh. “It was weird when I first walked in because I didn’t know anyone that well. I knew Mark Scheifele and Josh Morrissey a little bit. Other than that, I didn’t know anyone. That was a little strange in the sense that I have played a lot of places and been around a while. Typically, I know someone on each team.
“I tried to fit in right away. It is a great group of guys here who are incredibly tight on and off the ice. Everyone gets along very well.”
Schenn’s highest compliment for his new teammates? He did not enjoy facing off against them.
“Playing against them when I was in Nashville last year and they were in first place they don’t have any holes. Great goaltending, defence corps, top-end forward talent, big, heavy players it is a very deep team.”
A team that has since welcomed hometown hero Jonathan Toews into the fold.
The three-time Stanley Cup champion, whose trophy case also includes Olympic gold medals from 2010 and 2014, a Conn Smythe Trophy in 2010, a Selke Trophy as the NHL’s top defensive forward in 2013 and the Mark Messier Leadership Award in 2015, is returning to the NHL after a two-year absence due to illness.
Toews, 37, signed a one-year contract with the Jets in June.
“I have met him over the years, and I know a ton of players who played with him in Chicago,” said Schenn. “He’s had quite the journey the last couple of years and has gone through some tough times, but it’s great to see him back on the ice.
“To me, it’s incredible to see someone who hasn’t played in a couple years and is getting up in there in age you aren’t really sure what to expect but the first time I got back here for the skates before training camp, I was looking around and saying, ‘Is anyone else seeing what I’m seeing?’”
“I think people, in my opinion, are going to be pleasantly surprised at what they see. Obviously, he’s got the character and leadership. When you see players go through serious injury issues, you don’t know what the future holds. But he hasn’t lost it at all. He’s still got it and he’s going to be a huge piece for us.”
After winning the Presidents’ Trophy for finishing the regular season with the best overall record, Winnipeg bowed out of the 2024-25 post-season in the Second Round after a Game 6 loss to the Dallas Stars.
Schenn sees a group determined to go further in 2025-26.
“It’s going to be a bigger challenge this year. We aren’t going to catch anyone off guard this time. The competition is so high, so we know we are going to have to bring it.
“I’m looking forward to helping the team any way that I can. I have a good feeling about this group. It’s a long season, but it’s exciting when you are coming into the season and know you have a chance.”
