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Published Dec 05, 2025 • 3 minute read
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Winnipeg Jets defenceman Dustin Byfuglien keeps Kris Russell of the Oilers away from the puck during the Heritage Classic in Winnipeg on Oct. 23, 2016. Photo by Winnipeg Sun filesArticle content
It’s a no-brainer for those who played in the first one a decade ago and likely a no-brainer for fans who’ll attend next year.
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The alumni component of the NHL’s Heritage Classic outdoor game in Winnipeg next Oct 25, has to include one man, above all others: Retired defenceman Dustin Byfuglien.
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“If he has his phone on and we can get a hold of him, for sure,” Josh Morrissey said on Thursday. “He’s a legend.”
Morrissey was partnered with Byfuglien in the first Heritage Classic at Winnipeg back in 2016. At least, for as long as he could keep up.
While the 21-year Morrissey, a rookie at the time, clocked in a respectable 18 minutes of ice time, Byfuglien, 10 years older, was out for 30-plus minutes.
Playing outdoors with 33,000 in the stands, it’s like the big guy didn’t want to come off.
“That might just be the outdoor ice and the cool air — you glide a little bit better,” Morrissey said, laughing. “Or it’s just the excitement of it all, who knows.”
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Kyle Connor, also playing in that game as a rookie, bets it was the latter.
“It was probably one of those games where he was just feeling it,” Connor said. “In his element, outside of the normal routine of an NHL player. And he thrives in that element. He’s never been a stereotypical defenceman. He’s one of a kind. That game probably just brought it out of him. He was probably just going at another level.”
Byfuglien’s popularity in Manitoba was at another level, too.
Enticing him back for the event would add a rock-star element only he could bring.
“A larger-than-life type of personality and player,” is how Connor put it. “He’s probably the most loved player in this city. Probably second to none. The character he had, the personality, just the way he played the game. So it would be awesome to have him in that … and catch up to him and share stories.”
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Byfuglien came to Winnipeg as one of the Atlanta Thrashers and played eight seasons with the Jets. He abruptly retired after the 2018-19 campaign, walking away from the two years and $14 million left on his contract. That he never had a proper sendoff is one reason Morrissey would like to see him return next fall.
“Listen, the people of Winnipeg love him,” Morrissey said. “Some of the 1000th-game presentations we’ve had in recent years where he’s been up there giving a little video tribute, I mean the building explodes every time they see him.
“He deserves, and the fans as well, an opportunity to say thank-you to him, and for him to embrace the fans for what was a really special relationship there for a long time.”
The Heritage Classic includes an alumni game. Next year’s could fill the stadium if No. 33 is part of it.
Even if he hasn’t put on a pair of skates in six years and isn’t in tip-top shape.
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“That’s all right,” Connor said, laughing. “He can cruise around and get away with it.”
“I’ve seen him skate with his skates untied,” Morrissey added. “And it didn’t look any different. He was a special talent.”
Paired with Byfuglien for only part of his first season, Morrissey recalls his partner’s reaction when the duo got scored on a couple of times early on.
“He was like, ‘Well, welcome to the NHL. First of many,’ kind of thing. His perspective on that and just his love of the game, love to just play, was so great for me as a young guy.”
As laid-back as Byfuglien usually was, his physical presence gave his fresh-faced partner some extra room.
Morrissey recalls delivering a good hit and sparking a scrum in a game that rookie season.
“And then Buff came in and the scrum dissipated pretty quickly.”
Reaching Byfuglien won’t be as quick. He never was very attached to his cell phone, preferring to get away from it all in a fishing boat.
“I sure hope we can get a hold of him and he wants to come back,” Morrissey said. “It would be special.”
paul.friesen@kleinmedia.ca
X: @friesensunmedia
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