The Winnipeg Jets have reached out to the NHL for help tackling penalty issues that have plagued the team for some time, and they’ll get it in the form of Paul Devorski.
The retired NHL referee will be at training camp on Friday where he will officiate the team during battle drills to give Jets players a better sense of how to stay within the rules.
NHL teams reaching out to the league to consult on officiating is not new, but having a referee work on-ice with a team is a less common step.
Currently many NHL teams are consulting with the league over more hot-button issues like slashing and faceoff violations, but the Jets focus with Devorski will be on past issues.
Winnipeg has consistently been one of the most penalized teams in the league, finishing sixth, sixth and second in PIM’s over the last three seasons, respectively.
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