Former Jet Now A Growler

Adam Pardy, the former Winnipeg Jets defenceman most notably remembered for having his helmet stolen by an inebriated fan in Chicago, decided to return home this summer as his short career in the Swedish Elite League is now over. The native of Bonavista, Newfoundland will take his trade to St. John's, Newfoundland as the big defender signed a deal to play with the ECHL's Newfoundland Growlers for the 2018-19 season!

You have to wonder how the former NHL rearguard went from Winnipeg to Edmonton on waivers before being signed by the Nashville Predators in 2016-17 to help stabilize their defence only to find himself in just eleven games with Frolunda HC last season. While Pardy was never a top-flight defender on any of the teams he played for, he certainly held his own for periods of time where he was a serviceable defender. Regardless of how he got to Newfoundland, the veteran of 342 NHL games will certainly be expected to bring some solid defence with his as the Growlers kick off their inaugural season.

It won't be Pardy's first tour in the ECHL as he spent 41 games with the Las Vegas Wranglers in 2005-06 where he scored one goal and added 11 assists in that time. There weren't a lot of players who ascending the ranks out of the ECHL from that Wranglers team, but Tyler Sloan had a short cup of coffee in the show while Mike McKenna was the goaltender of record in 25 games before he went on to a solid career bouncing around the AHL. Outside of those two players, Adam Pardy was the best of the bunch from that season when it comes to NHL experience under the coaching of Glen Gulutzan.

Pardy will report to head coach and former NHL player Ryane Clowe as the Growlers prepare for October 12th when they face off against the Florida Everblades at Mile One Centre in the team's first-ever game. I don't believe that Pardy should be given the captaincy right off the bat simply due to his experience, but I suspect Pardy will be involved in the leadership group that Clowe employs on a nightly basis.

Whatever happens this season with the Growlers, it appears they'll have one of the more experienced defenders patrolling the blue line for them. That's never a bad thing when talking about a brand-new team needing a dose of leadership and experience in their inaugural season.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!