The Jets have landed in Winnipeg, and winter is on its way

Winnipeg from VIA Rail Canada. Photo by Sue Frause.

In a previous post, I wrote about Winnipeg getting back its hockey team after a 15-year absence. On Sunday, Oct. 9, the Winnipeg Jets are taking on the Montreal Canadians. I watched a preview show on CBC and am now tuned into Hockey Night in Canada with the puck dropping on the ice at 2:20 PM PDT.

The game against the Habs is at the MTM Centre (Prime Minister Stephen Harper is in the house), and opened with a audio-visual tribute to the passing of 27-year-old hockey player Rick Rypien, a former member of the Vancouver Canucks who had signed with the Winnipeg Jets for the start of the 2011-2012 season. The Alberta born and raised athlete was found dead at his home on Aug. 15, 2011 -- the cause was ruled as a suicide.

I was in Winnipeg briefly in November of 2009 during my VIA Rail Canada cross-country adventure, but the train was quite late, so no time to get reacquainted with the city. But I'll be returning the end of October while enroute to a trip with Frontiers North Adventures. I'll be flying north for the Churchill Town and Tundra Experience, where we'll be spending time aboard Tundra Buggies, photographing polar bears and other wildlife.

Unfortunately, the Jets won't be playing at home when I'm back in Winnipeg after the polar bear adventure. Instead, I'll take in a concert by the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Send in the Clowns: The Music of Stephen Sondheim starring Len Carlou. 

I'll make sure to bring my winter wardrobe. So far, the commercials airing during the hockey game have included one for snowblowers and another for snow tires. Bundle up, Manitoba!