‘The city of Winnipeg is incredible’: Nikolaj Ehlers looks back at 10-year career with Jets
This story originally appeared on hockeysverige.se and has been translated from Swedish to English.
After 10 seasons in Canada with the Winnipeg Jets, Nikolaj Ehlers is off to take on a new challenge.
So far, it has been a successful journey in North America for the 29-year-old, which began back in 2013 in Halifax with a stint in the QMJHL. Since then, he has only ever played for a Canadian team – but that’s about to change after signing with the Carolina Hurricanes.
“My expectations back then were to give myself the best chance to get drafted into the NHL,” Ehlers says about his junior hockey career. “The season before, in Switzerland, was during the lockout year. I played with Tyler Seguin and Patrick Kane in Biel for half the season. They told me to go play in the CHL. Hearing that from two guys like that obviously made the decision easy for me.
Ehlers spent ten years in Winnipeg between 2015 and 2025. It’s a period he looks back on with fondness.
“I look back on that time with pride, joy, sadness… really with all the emotions when I think about my 10 years in Winnipeg,” Ehlers said. It was the Jets who gave me the chance to live out my dreams and play in the National Hockey League. My memories from that time are all the different players I got to play with. Some of those friendships and memories will stay with me forever.
“We had some really good years, but also some really tough ones. I also think that we always did the best we could, but sometimes it just wasn’t enough. I wish I had won the Stanley Cup with them, because the organization in Winnipeg is incredible. I don’t just say that because I was there for 10 years—I say it because I’ve seen it and I truly mean it.
“They take care of you and love you. The city of Winnipeg is incredible. I love being there, I love the people, my teammates, and it’s become my second home. It’s been an incredible and very good time.”
Ehlers didn’t just enjoy life on the ice in Winnipeg — he also loved living there.
“It was cold living there (laughs), but also really cool. That’s where I experienced what hockey means to a city like Winnipeg. The fans always showed up and supported us. You could feel the anticipation before every season. The expectations going into the playoffs… No other team in the league had that kind of atmosphere in the playoffs, and it’s been crazy to be part of it. Hockey is huge in Winnipeg and always will be.”
Today, he views the city as his home to some extent.
“Winnipeg is the place I’ve lived the longest in my entire life. I’ve lived in Germany, Switzerland, and Denmark, but I’ve never stayed in one place for more than six years. So to come to Winnipeg and form special bonds with so many people, and live in the same neighborhood for many years… those relationships and everything else… You become part of the community. I’ve always known what to expect from the people around me. I got to know the city and everything about it, so definitely—Winnipeg has become my second home.”
Ehlers concluded this past season by participating in the World Championship, which was held on both home ice in Denmark and in Sweden. Ehlers had two points in the game that saw the Danes pull off an unbelievable upset over Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon and Team Canada.
“It was amazing, and we hoped to do something special—which we did,” Ehlers said with a laugh. “I really wanted to be part of that experience, playing a World Championship in the red and white jersey on home ice in front of my family and friends. That first game was a very special feeling. To come in, win that game, and make it to the quarterfinals… Then it became even more special. It was kind of a miracle when we beat Canada at home. You can’t write a much better story than that.
“It was tough for me to fly home and play the same day I landed. But in the end, it was all worth it. I’ll never forget that experience.”
This coming season, Ehlers will live, and play, in the United States for the first time. After reviewing his options when he became a free agent on July 1, he signed a long-term deal with the Hurricanes.
“I like their plan and their team,” Ehlers said. “And (countryman) Frederik Andersen is there for at least one more season. I’ve talked to people around the league to hear their thoughts on different things, and I believe Carolina is the best fit for me.
“It’s not like I hate Winnipeg—like I said, I love Winnipeg. I can’t say a bad word about Winnipeg, but for me, it was time to move on and challenge myself. Carolina was really interested, and you want to play for a team that really wants you. It was a tough decision to leave Winnipeg, but I’m really looking forward to this next chapter.”
Ehlers’ deal will pay him $8.5 million per season, with a full-tenure salary of $51 million.
“The money wasn’t really important when I signed. The negotiations about the money were done in just a few minutes,” Ehlers said. I wasn’t looking for anything crazy in terms of salary—I wanted to play for a competitive team and be part of a good group of guys. And I’m getting that in Carolina. I also think it’s a fair deal because I’m a good player and I know what I can bring on the ice. Now I want to help the team keep moving in the right direction over the next eight years.”
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