Jets trim roster in preparation for season

WINNIPEG, Manitoba – The Winnipeg Jets are on a much needed lay off after a busy preseason that has seen the team jump from Columbus to St John’s to Nashville and then home. But before the season can start, the Jets brass, need to trim their roster to twenty -three players.
 
The trimming does not include injured players Eric Fehr, Kendall McArdle, or Aaron Gagnon as these players were unable to attend training camp.
 
But trimming continued on Sunday as the Winnipeg Jets parted ways with Janne Pesonen and his Professional Try Out (PTO) Contract.
 
Pesonen is a winger who was drafted into the NHL by the Anaheim Ducks in 2004 in the 9^th round, 269^th overall; a product of Finland he was never

able to transform himself into a North American style player. Pesonen was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins where he played seven games with no points, and has continued his play in the KHL.
 
The St. John’s Ice Caps however got a boost when the Jets assigned defensemen Paul Postma and left-winger Jason Gregoire to their farm system.
 
Paul Postma who was drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers in 2007 and spent that time in the AHL with the Chicago Wolves. Since ’07 Postma has played only one NHL game and was scoreless.
 
Postma however, was a force in the American Hockey League with 12G, 33A for 45 points last season on the Wolves blue line.
 
Postma is a great addition the St John’s Ice Caps blue line and will play havoc on the other teams offence in the AHL and will be a fan favorite, the Jets may use Postma as a regular call up to the big club.
 
Joining Postma in St John’s is Jason Gregoire as great left-winger who was drafted by the New York Islanders in the 2007 entry draft.
 
Gregoire may not be known around the National Hockey League or the American Hockey League for that matter, as Gregoire has just finished his third and final year with the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux.
 
Gregoire was a great offence force in the NCAA making it to the Frozen Four last year in Minnesota. He posted 25G 18A for 43 points in his 35 games in Grand Forks last year.
 
Gregoire was able to impress the Winnipeg Jets brass enough to at least make their farm system and he will be a force in the “A” Gregoire may get a chance in the NHL this season if injuries in Winnipeg are high.
 
If not he will be a great addition to the Ice Caps.
Cntact photographer Tom.Nelson@prohockeynews.com