"I Had Goosebumps" - Vladislav Namestnikov on the Winnipeg Whiteout

Vladislav Namestnikov is a big Winnipeg Whiteout guy. Oh, and he's happy to be back with the Jets.

Fresh off his new two-year contract with the Winnipeg Jets, forward Vladislav Namestnikov sat down for a conversation with Dave Minuk and Drew Mindell of the Illegal Curve Hockey Show.

Topics included his new deal, the choice to sign in Winnipeg, his thoughts on the new city and his team's historic playoff traditions. 

The full video can be found here: 

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oB3SgeRUXc[/embed]

Namestnikov, 30, was asked not only about his decision to return to Winnipeg following a busy trade deadline, but also his willingness to waive his No Movement Clause to do so. The answer he provided will certainly go a long way with Jets fans.

"Winnipeg wanted to trade, but I had to waive my no trade clause to come to Winnipeg, but I was happy to do that. So that's how I ended up in Winnipeg," he said on the Illegal Curve Hockey Show.

"I thought it was a good fit, the team was doing well. That's all you can ask for is to play in the playoffs, which Winnipeg was in. I had played for all the coaches, Bones in Dallas and Tampa. That familiarity, I wanted to be familiar with the coaches, so as I said, the team was doing good. It's a great group of guys and we proved that down the stretch there and made the playoffs."

In terms of opting to re-sign with the Jets, Namestnikov noted the city, the people, his teammates and playoff success all as contributing factors.

"I remember the first time I got to Winnipeg, I loved everything," he shared. "Amazing team, great coaches. Everyone around the rink treats you with respect. Great people overall. So it was a pretty easy decision. I mean, July 1 is always stressful. But I was happy to sign that contract with Winnipeg."

Typically a destination that players avoid, Winnipeg has actually treated Namestnikov quite well.

If you love the city, the city will love you back. 

That certainly was the case for the Zhukovsky, Russia product, who put up two goals and 10 points in his 20-game trial period for the Jets. He then added two assists in the first round of the playoffs. Namestnikov finished the year with eight goals and 25 points to go alongside 35 total penalty minutes.

That work and his positive attitude helped him land the two-year, $4 million contract on July 1. 

"For me, I was just sitting on the couch," he said of the negotiations as the free agent signing period opened in July. 

"I'm not a part of that kind of business. Your agent is on the phone and talking to other teams. But it kind of happened so quick. Winnipeg called, and I had to make that decision so quick. Free agency, you have to make that decision quick. Overall, it was very stressful, but at the end of the day, I was very happy that it worked out and I'm here for two more years."

Having played before with Sam Gagner in Detroit and Neal Pionk in New York, he did have some familiarity with a few of the 2022-23 Jets. But what he didn't know much about was the Winnipeg Whiteout - something he got to experience in April.

“When I saw the whiteout in playoffs that was when I was like ‘wow’. This is what hockey’s all about. This is why you want to play hockey in front of those fans," he laughed. 

"I had goosebumps when that happened. It's a hockey market, great fans - they treat you well. Nothing to complain about. Yes, it's cold, but at the end of the day, who really cares about that kind of stuff. I'm happy to be back."