Former Winnipeg Jet Laurie Boschman says playing legends game would be 'an honour'

Former Winnipeg Jets player Laurie Boschman says he would be honoured if he were chosen to play in the legends game on Oct. 22, ahead of the 2016 Heritage Classic game between the Jets and the Edmonton Oilers on Oct. 23 at Investors Group Field.

Boschman has strong ties to Manitoba — he spent his teenage years in Brandon, Man., playing one year with the Brandon Travellers and two years with the Brandon Wheat Kings. He went on to play eight seasons for the Jets from 1983 to 1990. Two out of his three kids were born in Manitoba.

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"It would be an honour if they did ask me to play," he said. "Certainly something like this would be extra special."

There's a long list of potential players for the October legends game and likely more than they have room for, Boschman said.

If Jets legends captain Dave Hawerchuk does call Boschman to play, he said he will have mixed feelings about the Jets playing against the Edmonton Oilers.

He played with the Oilers from 1981 to 1983 and was born in Saskatchewan. 

"The big teams have some great stars in the future and it's always nice for us former guys to get together and play some hockey and to see what guys are up to," he said. 

In the seven years he played in Winnipeg, his team could beat the Calgary Flames but could never get by the Oilers, he said. 

"It was very, very frustrating, so maybe I can take some frustrations out on some of the guys," he said. 

Boschman now lives in Ottawa and keeps his hand in the sport by working for Hockey Ministries International and playing a couple of times a week.

If he doesn't get called to play the legends game, there's a chance he will come to Winnipeg in October anyway, he said.

"I think it's a great thing to celebrate because of course the game of hockey is so wonderful, and people in Manitoba have been so supportive of their hockey teams."