ST. LOUIS — They circled him first, all the while cheering the contract-extension news delivered by coach Paul Maurice. The Winnipeg Jets then smothered Dustin Byfuglien with stinky-glove face washes and playful punches. And in hockey, that represents just about as much affection as one man can get in a single moment without the whole thing turning awkward.
Not surprisingly, the joking, teasing and congratulatory handshakes with the big man would then spill over from the ice into the Jets’ dressing room at the Scottrade Center. And when Byfuglien attempted to put on his serious face for a few moments for a chat with the media, Chris Thorburn promptly interrupted the proceedings with his deep, baritone voice, singing that now Winnipeg-ized version of the LMFAO Party Rock Anthem hit.