The Jets signed star defenseman Neal Pionk to a huge contract yesterday, and he just revealed that he and his family absolutely love the city of Winnipeg. <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/winnipeg-jets/winnipeg-jets-sign-top-defenseman-to-long-term-deal-per-insider' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Another integral player isn't leaving the Jets,</a> defying the age-old myth that nobody wants to play in Winnipeg. I'm not part of that crowd, rearguard Neal Pionk said, with a smile. I want to play here, Pionk said. We have a chance to win every single year. My family loves it here This feels like home to me. I didn't want to leave. The Jets inked American defenceman Neal Pionk to a six-year, $42 million extension on Thursday morning, preventing the top-pair blueliner from becoming a free agent on July 1. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/Sportsnet/status/1912912065645187282'><div style='border:1px solid #CCCCCC;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;width:300px;'>Loading from Twitter ...</div></a></blockquote></div> <a href='https://www.nhl.com/jets/player/neal-pionk-8480145' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Pionk</a>, 29, was acquired by the Jets just before the 2019-20 season in the trade that shipped Jacob Trouba to the Rangers. He played in 101 games for New York before touching down in the province of Manitoba. Now, he's clearly at ease, despite not being Canadian. The Omaha product made it known he wanted the deal completed swiftly, with no distractions and no drama. As the playoffs near, Pionk's only concern is doing his part to help the Jets go on a deep playoff run. Head coach Scott Arniel had very high praise for Pionk's performance both on and off the ice. He's extremely popular in our dressing room, Arniel said. He's one of our leaders, I know he doesn't have an 'A' on his jersey, but he is one of those guys that has a strong voice in there. I am excited that he's decided that he wants to be a Winnipeg Jet for six more years. <h3>Pionk had career-high stats with the Jets this season</h3> The undrafted University of Minnesota-Duluth graduate had a career high this season with 10 goals and 29 assists. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/HockeyDaily365/status/1912665511420215756'><div style='border:1px solid #CCCCCC;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;width:300px;'>Loading from Twitter ...</div></a></blockquote></div> He was completing a four-year, $23.5 million contract. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck called the contract deserved, referring to Pionk as worth every dollar as a consistent top-four defenceman. This signing comes on the heels of the team signing forward Alex Iafallo to a three-year, $11 million contract just a day earlier. It's a good sign that the Jets are committed to keeping their competitive window open, not only for the time being, but for years down the line. Looks like Winnipeg is the new Miami or L.A. after all.