Winnipeg Jets make mega new deals with former Bulldogs Neal Pionk, Alex Iafallo

The Winnipeg Jets have made two new deals with University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) men’s hockey alums this week.

On Wednesday they signed Alex Iafallo to a three year contract extension worth $11 million. Then on Thursday they inked a six year deal with Hermantown native Neal Pionk worth $42 million.

Iafallo, now 31 years old, has recorded 31 points off 15 goals and 16 assists in 81 games this season. The 2017 UMD alum is in his second season with Winnipeg, after spending six seasons with the Los Angeles Kings. He has 262 points (111 goals, 151 assists) in 583 career NHL games.

29-year-old Pionk was a pending unrestricted free agent. He’s scored 10 goals, adding a whopping 29 assists, for 39 points in 69 games this season. Pionk departed UMD after two seasons in 2017 to join the New York Rangers, where he spent two seasons. He’s been with the Jets since 2019, and boasts a career total 44 goals and 212 assists (256 points) in 536 games.

Together the duo has helped Winnipeg to their best season in franchise history, winning the Presidents Trophy with 116 points. The Jets open the playoffs Saturday hosting the St. Louis Blues at 5 p.m.