The Winnipeg Jets will see a familiar face in goalie pads on Wednesday night, one way or another.
On Tuesday, the Detroit Red Wings announced the signing of goaltender Michael Hutchinson to a one-year, two-way contract worth a pro-rated $775K.
The former Winnipeg Jets backstop has played the first part of the 2023-24 season on an American Hockey League contract with the Red Wings' affiliate in Grand Rapids.
Hutchinson has gone 5-7-1 with a 2.98 goals-against average, an .895 save percentage to go alongside one shutout in 13 games for the Griffins so far.
His signing was on emergency basis, as both Ville Husso and Alex Lyon went down injured for Detroit over the past week, and James Reimer is now listed as the team's lone goaltender.
It just so happens that both goalies now have strong connections to the Jets, as Hutchinson started his career with the organization, having played from 2013-18, while his wife Jenna owns Jenna-Rae Cakes in Winnipeg.
On the other side of things, Reimer, 35, has never played for the Jets, but grew up in Morweena, Manitoba - a town of roughly 140 people - and played his developmental hockey for the AAA Interlake Lightning before head to the Western Hockey League's Red Deer Rebels.
With Red Wings' head coach Derek Lalonde being rather tight-lipped on who his starter will be on Wednesday, there is a possibility Hutchinson will draw into action in a familiar building, but it is likely that Reimer gets the starting nod.
Puck drop between the Jets and Red Wings is set for 6:30 PM central time. The game can be viewed live on Sportsnet.