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Jets coach: If Green Bay can attract players, so can Winnipeg

Winnipeg Jets v Colorado Avalanche

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 27: Head coach Claude Noel leads the Winnipeg Jets to a 4-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center on December 27, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

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Jets coach Claude Noel met with the media Sunday to share his thoughts on the end of Winnipeg’s season.

Noel touched on a number of topics, including the team’s attitude towards winning, which he says must improve.

“We have to want and expect to be in the playoffs,” he said. “Our conduct, our existence just has to be better, that’s where it starts.”

But perhaps most interesting were his comments on the club’s ability to attract players to the smallest market in the NHL, and one that won’t find its name on the list of most exotic cities on the planet.

“I think we’ve got a good thing going here and not for one second will I take a back seat to anywhere else,” Noel said. “We’re a good team. This is a great place to play. It’s going to be a destination players are going to want to come to. And if they don’t want to, then don’t come. It’s that simple.

“Green Bay (Packers) wins. What the hell’s in Green Bay? You been to Green Bay? I mean, I’ve been to Green Bay. It’s a nice town, but... Winnipeg’s going to be a good place to play. I think players really like it and the response we get from our players is they love playing here. It won’t be for everybody. So be it. Some guys might want to golf all year round. Go ahead.

“I learned a long time ago you don’t sell your soul to get a player to come. You get him to come for the right reasons and you’ll win.”

Hard to disagree with Noel’s point. If you’re a hockey player that cares more about the game than the nightlife or weather, why wouldn’t you want to play in Winnipeg? There are plenty of opportunities to hit the bars on the road. There aren’t many, if any, places you can play in front of fans like that on a regular basis.

Granted, your wife or girlfriend might see things differently, but if that’s the way she’s going to be, fine, you’ll go to Florida.

“But we’re getting a hot housekeeper.”

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