‘I’m excited to be around the guys’: Dustin Byfuglien returns to Winnipeg as Heritage Classic weekend kicks off

It’s officially Heritage Classic weekend in Winnipeg, but before Sunday’s game against the Montreal Canadiens, fans got to see their favourite Winnipeg Jets icons.

Some familiar faces returned to the city, including former franchise super star Dustin Byfuglien, a polarizing figure, who took centre stage at the RBC Convention Centre Saturday afternoon.

Fans told CityNews that it is a chance to see “Big Buff” in action again.

“Going to the game tonight, so happy to see the old guys,” said one excited fan. “Byfuglien, Wheeler, Ladd, little, I’m ready, Go Jets go!”

“It’ll be awesome to see him play again. (It) maybe his last right? So it’s a must-see,” said another.

“Oh, it’s going to be great. I’m looking forward to seeing him put someone into the boards. It’s going to be incredible. Those hits, you still remember them.”

“He was a great player. He did a lot for the city; he was a great advocate for Winnipeg and I’d love to have him back any day. Seeing him tonight would be great.”

Byfuglien famously walked away from hockey ahead of the 2019-20 season — a decision he says he doesn’t regret nor would have done any differently.

After spending most of his retirement at the lake fishing, he says he is glad to be back.

“It was a good call. I’m excited. Did I say yes right away? No. It’s good though, I’m excited to be around the guys. Coming and seeing the faces you don’t get to see everyday,” Byfuglien said.

 “There’s a lot of memories,” Byfuglien added. “We went through a lot of hard times with each other, so it’s fun to come back and be with the guys again.”

Just a day after Connor Hellebuyck was traded to the New Jersey Devils, Byfuglien was asked why he chose to stay and re-sign with the Jets in 2016.

“One all my stuff was still here,” Byfuglien joked. “It’s just close to home.”

It’s not just Byfuglien lacing them up in Saturday nights alumni game, former captains Blake Wheeler and Andrew Ladd have been soaking it all in.

“It means everything,” said Wheeler. “You know these people mean so much to obviously this organization. I think all the guys that had the privilege of playing here know what it feels like and it’s one of the more special and unique environments in pro sports. the people are just so encouraging and behind us. anytime you get the chance to experience it, it’s great to get back into it.”

“As you know, one of the special parts about being here is the fan base, the community and how much they support the team so for us to be able to re-engage with them, it’s going to be a lot of fun,” Ladd said.

Puck drops at 6:30 p.m.