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Manitoba NHL Teams: History of the Winnipeg Jets | LeoVegas CA

The Winnipeg Jets: A Deep Dive into the Heart of Manitoba’s Hockey Legacy

Table of Contents

Origins and Evolution of the Team

The original Winnipeg Jets were founding members of the World Hockey Association in 1972. As one of the most successful teams in the league and winners of three Avco Cups, there were high hopes when the Jets joined the NHL. However, financial issues and a weak Canadian dollar led to the team’s relocation south of the border in 1996, becoming the Phoenix Coyotes (which later rebranded to the Arizona Coyotes).

In 2011, the NHL returned to Winnipeg when True North Sports & Entertainment purchased the Atlanta Thrashers and relocated them to Manitoba, reviving the Winnipeg Jets name.

Current Status and Key Achievements

Currently, the franchise founded as the Winnipeg Jets in 1972 is inactive. That franchise became the Phoenix Coyotes, and was later rebranded to the Arizona Coyotes, but they gave up their league rights in 2024.

During their history, the original Winnipeg Jets were a powerhouse in the WHA, winning three Avco Cups before joining the NHL in 1979. The franchise produced stars like Bobby Hull, Dale Hawerchuk, and Teemu Selänne, who set the NHL rookie goal record in 1993.

The current Winnipeg Jets, established in 2011, have become consistent playoff contenders, highlighted by a run to the Western Conference Final in 2018 and a Vezina Trophy win for Connor Hellebuyck in 2020. While they have yet to win a Stanley Cup, they are certainly looking like solid contenders these days.

The Importance of Hockey in Winnipeg

The youth, amateur, and professional hockey teams in Manitoba are important to the local community and are followed intensely. On top of this, the Winnipeg Jets franchises have been successful in the past, while the 1972 team made waves with its bold, big-money moves in the 1970s.

Despite being one of the NHL’s smaller markets, the sport of hockey is embedded in Canada’s middle province’s identity, representing winter resilience and Prairie pride. Their fanbase is intense and beyond dedicated, known for ‘Whiteout’ crowds, where fans support the team by wearing all-white.

The loss of the original Jets was devastating for Manitoba’s capital city, and its return in 2011 proved to be a triumph moment. The Jets continued success since then, only proves that Winnipeg, despite its size, has the community support needed to back an NHL franchise.

The History of the Winnipeg Jets

From 1972, there were seven seasons played in the WHA. Of those seven, the Winnipeg Jets featured in the Avco Cup Finals – the ultimate stage of the league – five times, winning it thrice. In fact, the last two seasons of the WHA saw the Jets become the Avco Cup champions.

Key Players and Milestones in the WHA Era

Now seen as a trailblazer of the professional sport in North America, the Winnipeg Jets were among the pioneering big spenders in the WHA Era. In 1972, they managed to draw one of the NHL’s biggest stars, Bobby Hull, to the WHA by offering a record $1 million signing bonus.

The Jets were also keen to bring in European talents – a risky move at the time. Forming the Hot Line with the world’s best player (Hull), they added top playmaker Ulf Nilsson and Swedish speedster Anders Hedberg. Hefty defenseman Lars-Erik Sjoberg was also picked up to form a formidable Jets team in the 1970s.

The Transition to the NHL

Despite being as good as the vast majority of NHL teams at the point that the leagues merged, the Winnipeg Jets were gutted in the 1979 NHL Expansion Draft. Of their top six scorers from their Avco Cup-winning season, three had to leave for the Jets to enter the NHL.

With the WHA championship roster gutted, and the Jets given lowly picks in the ensuing entry drafts, the team struggled out of the gate. The Winnipeg Jets finished second-from-bottom in the six-team Smythe Division in the 1979/80 and 1980/81 seasons.

In 1981/82, they broke into the playoffs and continued to qualify for seven successive seasons. However, only once did they win a postseason series, which came in 1984/85 against the Calgary Flames in the Division Semifinals.

The Jets’ Exit and Return to Winnipeg

Failing to win more than one postseason series over 17 seasons in the NHL, and with financial pressures continuing to mount on the relatively small market team, the franchise saw it fit to move. In 1996, the Winnipeg Jets moved everything over to Arizona to become the Phoenix Coyotes.

Winnipeg remained vacant in the NHL for 15 years, but in 2011, an opportunity was pounced on. The Atlanta Thrashers – a team that started play in 1999/2000 – failed to make much of a dent on the NHL. Despite bringing in top talent, their ownership issues and financial losses made relocation inevitable.

There was interest from several places in Canada, including Hamilton, Québec City, and Winnipeg, as well as from Kansas City. In the end, Manitoba’s True North Sports & Entertainment secured the team and returned the Winnipeg Jets home for the Winnipeg Jets for the 2011/12 season.

Key Players in Winnipeg Jets History

Teemu Selänne and His Impact

Drafted in 1988 as the 10th overall pick, the Winnipeg Jets let Teemu Selänne refine his skills in his native SM-Liiga for a few years before bringing him to the NHL. Upon arrival in 1992/93, Selänne broke (and still retains) the rookie scoring record with 76 goals and 132 points to undisputedly earn the Calder Memorial Trophy.

Dale Hawerchuk’s Legacy

Similarly to Selänne, Dale Hawerchuk came flying out the gates for the Jets. This time, however, he was taken first overall in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft, and he more than delivered on his promise. The centre secured the Calder Memorial Trophy in 1982 and went on to play all but seven games over nine seasons with the Winnipeg Jets.

Patrik Laine and His Rise

Patrik Laine’s arrival in 2016/17 had the active Winnipeg Jets thinking they were onto a modern Teemu Selänne. The Finnish sniper broke the franchise record for goals by a rookie in a season, and in his second season, he became only the seventh teenager to land back-to-back 30-goal seasons.

By the 2018/19 season’s conclusion, Laine had become the first teenager to score 80 goals in the NHL. He then scored in the team’s 3-2 win over the Minnesota Wild to secure this version of the Winnipeg Jets’ first-ever postseason win. Following some controversies and injuries, Laine is now with the Montréal Canadiens, who remain long shots to win the Atlantic Division.

Blake Wheeler’s Leadership and Legacy

Blake Wheeler’s storied NHL career actually saw him cross paths with both Winnipeg Jets franchises. He was picked fifth overall by the Phoenix Coyotes in 2004 before forcing a move to the Boston Bruins, but after two-and-a-half seasons in Beantown, Wheeler was traded to the Atlanta Thrashers.

With 23 games and 17 points as a Thrasher, he’d then be a member of the Winnipeg Jets after their move to Manitoba. He’d play 12 seasons for the Jets, collecting 795 points and the “C” for his final six seasons with the team. Wheeler also captained the Jets to reach their furthest postseason finish: Conference Finals in 2018.

Current Roster and Emerging Stars

Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck continues to prove himself to be one of the best goaltenders in the NHL. At the time of writing, there wasn’t any doubt in the Vezina Trophy odds that he was the favourite to land the prize. Around Hellebuyck, there are also bona fide stars Josh Morrissey, Mark Scheifele, and Kyle Connor.

The Winnipeg Jets’ Performance in the NHL

Team Achievements and Milestones

The greatest achievement of either Winnipeg Jets team in the NHL has been the 2017/18 run to the Conference Finals.

Playoff Appearances and Notable Successes

The 1972 Winnipeg Jets went to the NHL playoffs regularly, but only ever won one series. The still-active Winnipeg Jets have three postseason series wins to their name, with two coming in 2017/18 and another coming in 2020/21.

Division Titles and Other Honours

The Winnipeg Jets that remain in the NHL are yet to win their division, but have finished second once in the old Southeast Division and second three times in the Central Division. In 2024/25, the Jets were the favourites to finally win the Central Division.

Noteworthy Rivalries

Jets vs. Calgary Flames: A Storied Battle

The 1972 Winnipeg Jets established a heated rivalry with the Calgary Flames in the old Smythe Division and in the playoffs. For the modern Jets, those rivalries continue to pop up, and were definitely on show when they met in the 2019/20 playoffs – which the Jets lost 3-1. Despite divisional alignments, the games tend to get heated.

Jets vs. Minnesota Wild: A Growing Rivalry

The Minnesota Wild are also a relatively young team, having entered the NHL in 2000, but the formation of the Central Division in 2013/14 put the Wild on a collision course with the Jets. Since then, the two have jostled as the up-and-coming teams. Now, they’re both on the ascendency and vying for their first Central Division crown.

Key Moments in Winnipeg Jets History

The 2018 Playoff Push: Heart-Stopping Action

Having secured the second spot in the Central Division in 2017/18, the Jets were faced with their rivals, the Minnesota Wild. Laine helped to secure the first game 3-2 enroute to a 4-1 series win. It was far tougher against the Nashville Predators. Against another divisional rival, it went to Game 7, but the Jets managed to get over the line.

Unfortunately, fate wasn’t on the side of the Winnipeg Jets. The Vegas Golden Knights were destined for a deep run. The inaugural NHL team bundled together in an expansion draft nudged the Jets to one side in the Conference Finals to win the series 4-1, but ultimately lost to Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals in the Stanley Cup Finals.

The Trade of Teemu Selänne: A Franchise-Shifting Move

Set to move to Phoenix the following season, there were rumours – as there naturally would be – that the Winnipeg Jets were willing to trade Teemu Selänne and essentially kick off a rebuild. The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim made an inquiry, but the Jets front office told Selänne that he was a big part of their plans.

Ten days later on February 6, 1996, Selänne, Marc Chouinard, and a fourth-rounder went to Anaheim. Chad Kilger, Oleg Tverdovsky, and a third-rounder came to the Winnipeg Jets. There, Selänne became the first winner of the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy in 1998/99. The Coyotes faded into obscurity and are now an inactive franchise.

The 2016 Trade Deadline Deal with Andrew Ladd

Impending unrestricted free agent and team captain Andrew Ladd was hotly seen as one of the biggest names who could move at the 2016 NHL Trade Deadline. The Winnipeg Jets managed to reel in decent prospect Marko Dano and a first-round pick that, after another trade, went to the 6 '7'’ Logan Stanley, who’s still a Jet to this day.

The Canada Life Centre: Home of the Winnipeg Jets

Named Manitoba Telecom Services when it opened, the name changed to Bell MTS Place on May 30, 2017, after Bell Canada acquired MTS. The venue became the Canada Life Centre in 2021.

The uniqueness of the Canada Life Centre is very much its size. With a capacity of 15,321, and having been built since the turn of the millennium, it’s a novel mix of low indoor capacity and a fairly modern build.

Albeit smaller than the average NHL stadium, the Canada Life Centre is modernized. You can use an app to get and show tickets to enter, enjoy plenty of food and beverage options inside, and there are premium suites to access.

Despite being one of the smallest NHL markets, the arena consistently sells out, showcasing the city’s deep love for hockey. The cold Winnipeg winters also contribute to the city's strong hockey culture, and their fanbase is known for dressing entirely in all-white during playoff games - a tradition famously known as a ‘Whiteout’.

The Future of the Winnipeg Jets

The Jets’ Approach to Scouting and Player Development

Throughout the history of both franchises, many superb young talents have been developed to be NHL-tier and above. However, current general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff is always keen to trade high draft picks for talent. It somewhat stemmed the flow of top prospects getting into the system and then improving the team cheaply.

What’s Next for the Team’s Long-Term Success

For this season, the Winnipeg Jets will be looking to flex their remaining cap space and even cast out some picks to give the team its best possible shot at winning the Stanley Cup. After this season, the focus should be on integrating top talents like Brad Lambert, Elias Salomonsson, and even Brayden Yager in the NHL lines, allowing some of the seven UFAs to leave while retaining the four RFAs to enhanced deals.

The Evolution of Canada Life Centre and the Jets’ Facilities

Already for the 2024/25 season, the Winnipeg Jets have enhanced the Canada Life Centre. New concessions and new forms of live in-game entertainment have been brought to their home arena. This followed major changes that also took place in the 2023/24 season. Facilities have also seen renovations in recent years.

FAQs

When did the Winnipeg Jets first join the NHL?

The original Winnipeg Jets, founded in 1972, joined the NHL in 1979 and became the Phoenix Coyotes in 1996. The modern and still-active Winnipeg Jets came from the 1997-established Atlanta Thrashers when the franchise moved to Winnipeg in 2011.

Who is the most famous player to ever play for the Winnipeg Jets?

Between the two franchises to have set up shop in the Winnipeg market, it’d be the record-breaking rookie sensation of the 1972 Winnipeg Jets, Teemu Selänne, who ranks as the most famous player to ever play for the Winnipeg Jets.

What is the Winnipeg Jets’ best playoff performance?

Between both the 1972-founded Winnipeg Jets and the active Winnipeg Jets, the best playoff performance of the Jets came in 2017/18. Here, the Jets went to the Conference Finals, losing to the inaugural, but eventual runners-up, Vegas Golden Knights.

Why did the Winnipeg Jets leave Winnipeg in 1996?

The Winnipeg Jets left the city of Winnipeg in 1996 due to financial troubles. Much of this was due to the players’ growing demand to be paid in US dollars over the declining Canadian dollar. Being the second-smallest NHL market at the time, the Winnipeg Jets were particularly susceptible to such mounting operational costs.

What makes Bell MTS Place unique?

Bell MTS Place, now known as the Canada Life Centre, is unique in that it’s the second-smallest arena in the NHL.

What are the Winnipeg Jets’ chances of winning a Stanley Cup in the near future?

The Winnipeg Jets have bowed out of the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the First Round in both of the last two seasons, but there is certainly a belief that the Jets are getting close to being contenders. This season, the Jets are among the dark horse contenders and their star players, bar Nikolaj Ehlers, are contracted through next season as well.

What happened to the original Winnipeg Jets?

The original Winnipeg Jets from 1972 moved to Phoenix, Arizona, in 1996 due to mounting financial pressures. In doing so, the Winnipeg Jets re-franchised to become the Phoenix Coyotes.

Are the Winnipeg Jets Moving?

Prior to the start of the 2024/25 NHL season, there was talk of the Winnipeg Jets potentially relocating due to a drop in season ticket deposits – which fell from around 13,000 to 9,500 in 2023/24.

What is the Seating Capacity of the Winnipeg Arena?

The Winnipeg Arena had a seating capacity of 15,393 for NHL games. Its replacement, which is now known as the Canada Life Centre and formerly the Bell MTS Place, has a seating capacity of 15,321.