NHL owners have some contact with players, but most leave that sort of thing for General Managers and Presidents of Hockey Operations. Not this one, though.
Winnipeg Jets Owner Steps Up with Classy Move for Players
Mark Chipman, owner and Executive Chair of the Winnipeg Jets, reached out to players and ended up chartering a private jet to take four team members to the funeral of Adam Johnson in Minnesota.
Neal Pionk said he's forever grateful to #NHLJets owner Mark Chipman for chartering a flight to get him, Alex Iafallo, Dylan Samberg and Dominic Toninato to Minnesota last weekend for Adam Johnson's funeral.
Jets Players Praise Owner Mark Chipman for his Classy Gesture
Pionk added the private jet gave him and his teammates more than 24 hours for travel and the memorial service, instead of just the 8 to 10 hours they would have gotten with a commercial flight. All four had crossed paths, and become good friends with Johnson over the years. Johnson died after having his neck cut by an opponent's skate during a hockey game in England.