- Oct 16, 2026
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SportsMafia Wire graphic. Team logos and player headshots via ESPN.
Dustin Byfuglien returned to Winnipeg this past weekend to take part in the 2026 NHL Heritage Classic festivities.
The former defenseman and forward, a Minnesota native, skated in the alumni game at Canada Life Centre and received recognition at Princess Auto Stadium during the outdoor contest, which saw the Winnipeg Jets fall to the Montreal Canadiens 2-1.
Byfuglien, whose career started with the Chicago Blackhawks and included a Stanley Cup championship in 2010, was traded to the Atlanta Thrashers in the summer of 2010. He remained with the franchise through its relocation to Winnipeg, playing nine seasons with the organization and eight in Winnipeg. During his time there, the club advanced to the Stanley Cup Playoffs on three occasions, highlighted by a 2018 push to the Western Conference Final. He stepped away from hockey after the 2018-19 season.
In Winnipeg, Byfuglien recorded 122 goals and 416 points across 609 regular-season games, adding 25 points in 27 postseason appearances. His career totals include 177 goals and 525 points in 869 regular-season contests, plus 50 points in 66 playoff games.
He later posted a message to fans on social media, writing that "Winnipeg was never just about hockey to us."
Source: Daily Faceoff - Tue Oct 27, 9:27 AM ET
Written by the SportsMafia Wire desk in our own words from the original reporting (AI-assisted, checked against the source).