Alfons Freij could say he’s back to where it all started when he was just a child — playing hockey on the other side of the globe.
Selected by the Winnipeg Jets in the second round (No. 37) of the 2024 NHL Draft, the 18-year-old found himself in familiar surroundings when the Sweden-born defenseman took to the ice for development camp at the Hockey For All Centre, the Jets training facility in Winnipeg.
“When I was 9 years old, I was in a tournament here. Two tournaments, actually,” Freij said of the intercontinental trip his childhood hockey team took to Canada. “Pretty fun couple weeks here in Winnipeg … It was such a good experience.”
Following the draft, Freij’s father re-posted a photo he took of his son at the tournament in 2015, and Winnipeg’s social media team shared it on Instagram juxtaposed with Freij in the same pose in the same spot nearly a decade later.
Seeing NHL players up close, Freij and his childhood teammates dreamed of returning.
“We wanted to be there (in the NHL) one day. That was one of my goals,” said Freij, who now stands 6-foot-1 and 187 pounds.
“My buddy Herman Traff got drafted to [the] New Jersey [Devils] (third round, No. 91, 2024), he was on the same team as me.
One of my teammates at home, Joel Svensson, was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks (fifth round, No. 138, 2024). It’s pretty fun to see those boys getting drafted as well.”
One can only imagine how surreal it would feel to be drafted to the same NHL city once visited as a kid.
“It was kind of blackout when Winnipeg called my name,” Freij said of draft day. “That was a dream come true. It was so cool. It’s so special to be part of the Winnipeg Jets.”
Freij flew straight from Vegas to Winnipeg the day after the draft.
“You hear about his skating, you hear about him playing over in Europe,” Winnipeg general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff said. “But when you get him here in the group, you get excited about those opportunities in front (of him).”
Freij played the majority of last season in the J20 Nationell in Sweden’s junior league with 33 points (14 goals, 19 assists) in 40 games with Vaxjo and three points (two goals, one assist) in five playoff games.
He also had six points (two goals, four assists) in seven games to help Sweden win a bronze medal at the 2024 IIHF Under-18 World Junior Championship.
“I’m a two way defender who is more offensively minded,” he said, describing his game. “I like to have the puck to create scoring chances. I’ve also got a pretty good shot, I think.”
Freij is expected to play this season with Bjorkloven of HockeyAllsvenskan, Sweden’s second-tier professional league. He said he knows his game needs to develop even further.
“Especially my defense,” he said. “Of course, my offense as well. But my physicality — I’m going to play with men next year, so use my body a bit more. I’ve got pretty good size, so use my body a bit more and my physicality.”
The Winnipeg Jets Whiteout Street Party will return to downtown Winnipeg this spring, with the Manitoba government providing funding to help fans celebrate, Premier Wab Kinew and Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism Minister Glen Simard announced today.
“Our government is excited to be able to help bring back the energy of Jets whiteout parties to downtown Winnipeg,” said Kinew.
“Not only do whiteout parties benefit downtown businesses and raise money for housing and mental health supports – they’re a fantastic way to come together as a community. Whiteout parties are a great, affordable way to experience the atmosphere of playoff hockey.”
The Manitoba government will provide $75,000 per playoff round to support the parties, which will take place before and during every Winnipeg Jets home playoff game.
“It is my hope that we can help fund these parties all the way to the Stanley Cup final,” said Simard. “Jets fans are the best in the NHL and I’m so excited for the playoffs to get started and see downtown Winnipeg packed with people on game days.
Our government is pleased to partner with True North to put on these great events that bring folks together and add to the vibrancy of downtown.”
The street parties will be hosted on Donald Street between Portage Avenue and Graham Avenue (Honorary Dale Hawerchuk Way), adjacent to Canada Life Centre.
Tickets will be $10, with half the proceeds going to the United Way to fund initiatives aimed at ending chronic homelessness and providing mental health and addictions supports.