Dylan DeMelo Ready to “Win a Cup in Winnipeg”

On Wednesday, the Winnipeg Jets announced the signing of pending unrestricted free agent defenceman Dylan DeMelo to a four-year, $12 million contract, carrying a $4 million annual average value.

This move, following the Jets’ decision to draft centreman Cole Perfetti Tuesday evening, is certainly a significant step in the right direction for General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff. DeMelo, 27, a strong, shutdown defender, who at times was paired atop Winnipeg’s top unit, providing some comfort to the offensive defenders serving as his various partners during the final month of the COVID-19 shortened 2019-20 season.

“Obviously, there was a need on the right hand side, they picked me up,” DeMelo said Wednesday. “I thought I fit in well with the guys, with the system, with the organization as a whole – obviously not a whole lot of time being there, but it didn’t take me very long to get used to everything and to get acclimated. The fit just felt really good and when we lost, I just felt that Winnipeg was definitely my top choice and I was really hoping something could be worked out here. I’m really happy that it did.”

The 6-foot-1, 195-pound blueliner was acquired on February 18 from Ottawa, in exchange for a 2020 third-round selection that has since become Finnish netminder Levi Merilainen, taken 71st overall Wednesday. With DeMelo signing for four more seasons in Winnipeg paired with his strong defensive play, it’s safe to say the Jets very well may be the early winners on that deal.

“I was given an amazing role and great responsibility of playing Top-4 minutes, a PK role and against other teams’ top lines,” he said. “It was something that I did in Ottawa and something that I feel I’m capable of doing. The fit is just really good in Winnipeg. I felt really confident in my role there and with the group of guys, it’s a good team and we’re going to be a good team for a long time. I couldn’t be happier to be back in the fold.”

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With just Josh Morrissey, Neal Pionk and Tucker Poolman under contract (of the club’s 2019-20 regulars), the back-end was looking rather thin, even from the viewpoint of a team that had lost Dustin Byfuglien, Jacob Trouba, Tyler Myers, Ben Chiarot and Joe Morrow during the 2019 offseason. DeMelo’s signing adds some meat to the defence in front of Vezina Trophy-winning netminder Connor Hellebuyck.

“If there’s a blunder or mistake, we’re not worried about him not stopping the puck. He’s a gamer, he competes hard and when you have a guy that doesn’t quit on pucks and works in practice, plays as consistent and as well as he does, it’s very contagious for the whole team and especially the defensive crew.

We’re very confident with Helly, playing in front of him. Obviously we don’t his workload to be too, too much so that’s our job, to lessen that because I know he definitely faced a lot of shots and a lot of good opportunities. But obviously he had a fantastic year. He’s probably the best goalie in the League right now and I’m really excited to play in front of him, that’s for sure.”

“His stick so many times knocked things down, his passes were on the tape,” Maurice said post-game. “That was a pure kind of, I don’t know if you could call it, ‘coach’s porn,’ but when you’re watching hockey video, you know that’s pretty darn good.”

Winnipeg has used DeMelo in a defence-first role, giving the blueliner significant time on the penalty kill, while providing some of his younger teammates with a steady, right-shooting partner.

“Coaches love those kind of games,” Maurice continued. “It’s not flashy, but his consistency with his stick, his reads, and then his passes … the ones he needed to snap hard he did and the ones he could feather and touch in there he did.”

DeMelo, no stranger to praise, also commented on Maurice’s coaching tactics, while thanking his new bench boss for the words said.

“Paul has said some really kind words and he’s been vocal about my role and the impact I can have on this team,” DeMelo reflected. “It’s nice to obviously get that recognition outside the locker room. I’ve always believed in myself and my abilities and it’s nice to have that faith shown by the coaching staff. It just makes you feel more confident as a player and makes you feel like you’re getting noticed for all your hard work. I have a lot of respect for Paul and he’s really good friend with Pete DeBoer who gave me my first shot in San Jose.

I love the style of play that the team plays with here in Winnipeg. We play fast, we play hard. We’ve got some guys up front that can really make some high-end plays. We have high-end skill and I’m really happy to be a part of it, and the coaching staff from top to botttom are awesome people, and just really looking forward to working with them and getting better and hopefully go on a long run and win a Cup here in Winnipeg.”

Now 27 years old, married and expecting his first child in January, DeMelo knew that finding stability in a market recently struck by the COVID-19 pandemic wouldn’t be easy, but he certainly didn’t have to look long.

“I’ve been looking for a home, I’ve been looking for stability. I’ve been with three teams in three or four years here. Not just for me, but for my wife, my family. We’re looking to plant some roots. I’ve heard Winnipeg is an amazing place to raise a family and we’re looking forward to that. I’ve just asked teammates how they enjoy the city, guys that I’ve played with who played in Winnipeg. Ron Hainsey was a guy I played with in Ottawa, and he spoke very highly of Winnipeg and the Jets organization. Just talking with people in general, that have been and lived in Winnipeg gave me a good sense.”

But as any good Winnipegger knows, you need to be tough to live in Manitoba’s capital, which sees winter temperatures drop into the -50s at least once a year.

“Obviously, it’s cold, as everybody says,” DeMelo laughed. “But I’m from Canada and I played in Ottawa, so I know what cold’s all about. But I heard the summers and the fall and the spring time are beautiful there. I’m a very low-key guy. I don’t need much to be happy. Every day in the NHL is a blessing, and every city in the NHL is obviously excellent and has something to offer. So I’m really looking forward to exploring Winnipeg and calling it home.”

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