Jets whiteout parties bring out emotions in long-time Winnipeg hockey fans  

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Amidst a sea of white jerseys, painted faces, coveralls and even polar bear costumes, Michal Grajewski stood with his family in front of the Dale Hawerchuk statue in downtown Winnipeg and savoured a magical moment.  

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“I’m feeling everything all at once,” Grajewski said as the Whiteout Street Party got underway outside Canada Life Centre on Sunday.  

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“My dad’s no longer with us and I’m sad for that because I miss being with him and taking him to the game. But now I’m a dad and I’m taking my son to his first whiteout. It’s weird to have this all at once and I’m so excited for him to experience it for the first time.” 

Decked out in their Jets jerseys, Michal, his wife Katherine and their son Lawrence were just a few of the people feeling strong emotions and pride as their Winnipeg Jets prepared to take on the Colorado Avalanche in the first game of the Stanley Cup playoffs.  

They were expecting 15,000-plus fans inside the arena, and another 5,000 at the Party in the Plaza in True North Square and the Whiteout Street Party on Donald Street. 

“The whiteout’s really cool cause everyone’s proud of being from Winnipeg and it’s a great opportunity for everyone to rally around our hockey team and show our pride for the team and for the city and the province,” Grajewski said. “The energy in the building, just before the game starts, oh man it’s electric. You could reach out and grab it almost.” 

The tradition of the whiteout for playoff hockey games dates back to 1987 when the original Winnipeg Jets got it started in a series against the Calgary Flames.  

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It has taken on a life of its own since then, with the Jets 2.0 making appearances in the post-season in 2015, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023 and 2024.  

“I’ve been coming since the Jets 1.0 whiteouts, the original ones,” Dean Speechley said. “We were commenting on what a beautiful day it is for this and hopefully we’re going to have a big run here so we can have lots more of these.” 

For some people, the entire experience is almost overwhelming. 

Charlene Turcotte, a season ticket holder decked out in a polar bear costume, said it’s something she wouldn’t miss for the world. 

“We’re having a blast,” she said. “It’s very emotional. We get so excited. We want to support our team and Winnipeg and I just love being here. I love everything about it. 

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“We live for this. All our kids play hockey. Hockey is life in Winnipeg. It’s better than anything that you’ll ever experience. Even if you don’t have tickets to the game, it’s still worth it to just be here with people who all have the same passion that you have and just celebrate. It’s part of being a Winnipegger.” 

Ben Bruinooge, wearing full coveralls as he sipped a cold one with friends in True North Square, said the whiteout connects Winnipeg’s past hockey era with the current one.  

“It’s an important Winnipeg tradition and I’m glad the new Jets have all these traditions,” Bruinooge said.  

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“The whiteout, the team name, everything. Very well done.” 

Speechley was wearing one of the more interesting white shirts at the party. It had the words “Spittin’ Chiclets” printed several times on the back, referring to the Ryan Whitney, Paul Bissonnette podcast that caused some controversy regarding the Jets in recent months.  

Both hosts are former NHL players and Whitney caused a stir when he said an anonymous current NHL player told him the Jets are “the biggest frauds in the league.” 

“(Bissonnette) has the Jets making it through this round, though, so I’m good with that,” Speechley said. “The rest of the guys, they can go you know where.  

“After this series everyone will be jumping on the wagon.” 

Twyman@postmedia.com 

X.com/Ted_Wyman 

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