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Winnipeg Jets

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This article is about the current NHL franchise. For the previous NHL franchise with the same name, see Winnipeg Jets (1972–96). For the former WHL team, see Winnipeg Monarchs (WHL).
Winnipeg Jets
2011–12 Winnipeg Jets season
File:Winnipeg Jets 2011 cropped.jpg
ConferenceEastern
DivisionSoutheast
Founded1999
HistoryAtlanta Thrashers
1999–2011
Winnipeg Jets
2011–present
Home arenaMTS Centre
CityWinnipeg, Manitoba
Team coloursNavy blue, silver, white, dark red, crimson, Ice blue
           
MediaTSN
Sports Radio 1290
Owner(s)Canada True North Sports & Entertainment
(Mark Chipman, chairman)
General managerCanada Kevin Cheveldayoff
Head coachCanada Claude Noel
CaptainCanada Andrew Ladd[1]
Minor league affiliatesSt. John's AHL team
Stanley Cups0
Conference championships0
Presidents' Trophy0
Division championships0

The Winnipeg Jets are a professional ice hockey team, based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL). The current team began as the Atlanta Thrashers in 1999 and was purchased by True North Sports and Entertainment in 2011. With approval by the NHL Board of Governors, the team was relocated to Winnipeg prior to the 2011–12 NHL season.[2][3] Following the move, the team adopted the name of Winnipeg's original WHA/NHL team, which became the Phoenix Coyotes in 1996.

The Jets will play their home games at the MTS Centre in Downtown Winnipeg beginning in the fall of 2011. The team will continue as a member of the NHL's Southeast Division, the same division they played in while in Atlanta, for at least the 2011–12 NHL season before the entire league realigns for the 2012–13 season.[4]

Franchise history

Atlanta Thrashers years

Main article: Atlanta Thrashers

Atlanta was awarded an NHL expansion franchise, named the Atlanta Thrashers, on June 25, 1997. It was the second NHL franchise for Atlanta (their first being the Atlanta Flames, established in 1972, who departed for Calgary in 1980 to become the Calgary Flames). The Atlanta Thrashers qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs only once, during the 2006–07 season, and they had difficulties in drawing fans to attend their games over their final seasons.[5]

Early Winnipeg Jets years

Crowds gather at The Forks in Winnipeg on May 31, 2011 for the official announcement that the Atlanta Thrashers would relocate to Winnipeg pending the approval of the NHL Board of Governors.

As early as October 2009, there were rumours that True North Sports and Entertainment, a company that owns both Winnipeg's MTS Centre and the American Hockey League (AHL)'s Manitoba Moose, was purchasing the Atlanta Thrashers with the intention of moving the team to Winnipeg.[6] By May 28, 2011, multiple reports had confirmed that the deal to purchase and move the Atlanta Thrashers to Winnipeg was done, and all that was left was for the NHL to decide the right time to officially announce the relocation.[7] According to The Globe and Mail, a deal was finalized on May 20, 2011 to relocate the Atlanta Thrashers to Winnipeg.[8] The league later denied the report, but acknowledged that advanced negotiations between the two teams were underway and that commissioner Gary Bettman supported the move.[9] On May 20, 2011, the Winnipeg Sun confirmed that an agreement in principle has been reached,[10] while Winnipeg's mayor Sam Katz announced that he was confident that Atlanta Thrashers relocation to Winnipeg would soon be officially announced.[11] On May 31, 2011, at a press conference at the MTS Centre, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman confirmed that the Atlanta Thrashers had been sold to True North, and would relocate to Winnipeg for the 2011–12 season pending the approval of the sale and relocation by the NHL Board of Governors;[12] the Board of Governors gave formal approval of the sale and relocation at their June 21, 2011 meeting.[13] The reported purchase price is $170 million, with $60 million going to the NHL as a relocation fee.[11] After the sale announcement, True North made preparations to move the Moose franchise to St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador; that team's move was formally approved and announced by the American Hockey League on June 10, 2011, returning the AHL to Atlantic Canada after a six-year absence.[14]

Season ticket sales began June 1, 2011, with Manitoba Moose season ticket holders having priority. The team sought to sell 13,000 season tickets in an effort to prove its viability.[15] Within the first three and a half hours the new franchise sold 1,870 packages to Moose season ticket holders.[16] The number of season tickets sold jumped to 4,170 on June 2 and 7,158 on June 3.[17] Season tickets opened to the general public on June 4 and sold out in just 17 minutes. [18] Once the 'Drive to 13,000' was completed, TNSE started a season ticket waiting list, which was shut down after 8,000 people had signed up in two hours.[19]

2011–12 NHL season schedules were prepared to accommodate the Thrashers' move to Winnipeg after the sale's announcement.[20] The Jets' schedule was formally released on June 23, 2011; their first on-ice appearance will be in a pair of split-squad pre-season games with the Columbus Blue Jackets on September 20, 2011 (at both MTS Centre and Columbus' Nationwide Arena),[21] while their regular season debut will be on October 9, 2011 against the Montreal Canadiens at MTS Centre. A highlight of the regular season schedule is a home-and-home set with the Phoenix Coyotes, Winnipeg's previous NHL franchise (October 15 in Glendale, Arizona and December 1 in Winnipeg, which will be the Coyotes' first regular season appearance in Winnipeg in 15 years).[22]

The Jets will inherit the Thrashers' position in the Southeast Division for the 2011–12 season; after that season, the NHL is planning a realignment that corrects the fact that Winnipeg (firmly in the Central Time Zone) is in the Eastern Conference while two teams in the Eastern Time Zone (the Detroit Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets) are in the Western Conference. The current plans would reduce the number of divisions from six balanced divisions of five teams to four unbalanced divisions with either seven or eight teams.[23]

Team name and colours

File:Winnipeg Jets 2011.jpg
2011 Winnipeg Jets logos

True North stated that the announcement of the team's name would not be made until after the successful completion of the season ticket drive at the absolute earliest.[24] The team was not to be named the Thrashers, since True North did not acquire the name in the transaction, and the rights to that name and the Thrashers logo were retained by the ownership group in Atlanta.[25]

There was considerable support in Winnipeg to re-use the "Winnipeg Jets" name, which was the moniker for the city's original WHA and NHL franchise as well as the original name for a junior hockey team that had begun play in 1967.[26] The rights to the name "Winnipeg Jets" belong to the league, and Commissioner Bettman had confirmed that True North were permitted to use the Jets name if they wish.[27] Though other nicknames (including those incorporating "Manitoba" instead of "Winnipeg") were considered, True North officially announced that "Winnipeg Jets" would indeed be the team name at the 2011 NHL Entry Draft on June 24, 2011, just prior to making the seventh overall selection in the first round.[28]

No new logo and colours for the Jets accompanied the team's nickname announcement at the draft (draft pick Mark Scheifele was presented with a generic black-and-silver NHL jersey and cap),[29] but True North confirmed that they were in the process of conceiving a logo and colour scheme for the Jets, with True North's chairman, Mark Chipman, stating that the previous Jets' red-and-blue colours would be incorporated.[30] The Jets unveiled their new logo and colours on July 22, 2011, three days before the team had scheduled to release it (this after team merchandise containers were broken into and a crude picture of a Jets' t-shirt made the rounds on the internet).[31] While blue and silver are the main colour palette, the insignias are a dramatic departure from the previous Jets' logos and pay homage to the Canadian Forces Air Command, particularly Winnipeg's 17 Wing; the primary logo is patterned after the roundels used by the CFAC and its predecessor, the Royal Canadian Air Force.[31] (Red is a secondary part of the colour scheme due to a maple leaf, the incorporation of which came with the blessing of the Toronto Maple Leafs.)[31] Game uniforms for the new Jets will be unveiled in September; no third jersey will be used in the 2011-12 season as its design faced a limited timetable.[32][31]

Personnel changes

Before the move was officially complete, True North cleaned house in the organization, buying out the remaining years of General Manager Rick Dudley's contract on June 4, 2011.[33] Don Waddell had earlier announced he would not be part of the Jets.[25] Kevin Cheveldayoff, a former GM of the Chicago Wolves and former assistant GM of the Chicago Blackhawks, was hired to replace Dudley four days later.[34]

On June 12, 2011, Cheveldayoff had Craig Ramsay reinterview for his position, formally dismissing him as head coach eight days later.[35][36] Claude Noel, who had been the head coach of the former Manitoba Moose, was named head coach four days later.[37] Former Dallas Stars assistant coach and retired NHL player Charlie Huddy was hired as the teams assistant coach on July 8, 2011. Wade Flaherty, former Chicago Blackhawks assistant coach and retired NHL goaltender, is the team's other assistant coach.

Media partners

The Jets have not announced any formal radio or television partners as of July 2011. CJOB, the original Jets' former flagship, has stated it expects to hold the radio broadcast rights to the team, based on their previous relationship with True North and the Moose; rival station CFRW is expected to make a bid for the games as well.[38]

On July 21, 2011, the Winnipeg Free Press reported that the Jets have reached a deal with Bell Media whereby TSN will become the teams' official television broadcaster and CFRW will become the official radio broadcaster.[39]

Players

Current roster

Updated April 27, 2024[40][41]

No. Nat Player Pos S/G Age Acquired Birthplace
– Canada Jaret Anderson-Dolan C R 24 2024 Calgary, Alberta
22 United States Mason Appleton C R 28 2022 Green Bay, Wisconsin
36 Canada Morgan Barron C L 25 2022 Halifax, Nova Scotia
– Canada Dylan Coghlan D R 26 2024 Duncan, British Columbia
81 United States Kyle Connor LW L 27 2015 Clinton Township, Michigan
2 Canada Dylan DeMelo D R 31 2020 London, Ontario
27 Denmark Nikolaj Ehlers LW L 28 2014 Aalborg, Denmark
– Canada Haydn Fleury D L 28 2024 Carlyle, Saskatchewan
19 Sweden David Gustafsson C L 24 2018 Tingsryd, Sweden
37 United States Connor Hellebuyck G L 31 2012 Commerce, Michigan
9 United States Alex Iafallo LW/C L 30 2023 Eden, New York
71 Sweden Axel Jonsson-Fjallby LW L 26 2022 Stockholm, Sweden
15 Finland Rasmus Kupari C R 24 2023 Kotka, Finland
17 Canada Adam Lowry (C) C L 31 2011 St. Louis, Missouri
6 Canada Colin Miller D R 31 2024 Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
44 Canada Josh Morrissey (A) D L 29 2013 Calgary, Alberta
7 Russia Vladislav Namestnikov C L 31 2023 Voskresensk, Russia
62 Switzerland Nino Niederreiter RW L 31 2023 Chur, Switzerland
91 Canada Cole Perfetti C L 22 2020 Whitby, Ontario
4 United States Neal Pionk D R 28 2019 Omaha, Nebraska
54 United States Dylan Samberg D L 25 2017 Hermantown, Minnesota
55 Canada Mark Scheifele (A) C R 31 2011 Kitchener, Ontario
– Canada Mason Shaw C L 25 2024 Lloydminster, Alberta
64 Canada Logan Stanley D L 26 2016 Kitchener, Ontario
13 Canada Gabriel Vilardi C R 24 2023 Kingston, Ontario


Retired numbers

Team captains

Note: This list does not include captains from the Atlanta Thrashers.

Head coaches

Note: This list does not include head coaches from the Atlanta Thrashers.

General Managers

Note: This list does not include general managers from the Atlanta Thrashers.

Franchise records

Scoring leaders

These are the top-ten point, goal, and assist scorers in franchise history. Figures are updated after each completed NHL regular season.

These records include those accrued during the team's time as the Atlanta Thrashers.

Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games Played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; P/G = Points per game; G/G = Goals per game; A/G = Assists per game; * = current Winnipeg Jets player


Points Goals Assists
Player Pos GP G A Pts P/G
Ilya Kovalchuk LW 594 328 287 615 1.04
Slava Kozlov LW 537 145 271 416 0.77
Marian Hossa RW 222 108 140 248 1.11
Marc Savard C 184 63 133 196 1.07
Dany Heatley RW 190 80 101 181 0.95
Patrik Stefan C 414 59 118 177 0.43
Tobias Enstrom* D 318 26 145 171 0.54
Bryan Little* C 282 68 81 149 0.53
Ray Ferraro C 223 56 91 147 0.66
Todd White C 221 43 93 136 0.61
Player Pos G
Ilya Kovalchuk LW 328
Slava Kozlov LW 145
Marian Hossa RW 108
Dany Heatley RW 80
Bryan Little* C 68
Marc Savard C 63
Patrik Stefan C 59
Ray Ferraro C 56
Jim Slater* C 47
Todd White C 43
Player Pos A
Ilya Kovalchuk LW 287
Slava Kozlov LW 271
Tobias Enstrom* D 145
Marian Hossa RW 140
Marc Savard C 133
Patrik Stefan C 118
Dany Heatley RW 101
Todd White C 93
Frantisek Kaberle D 82
Bryan Little* C 81

Single-season leaders

  • Most goals in a season: Ilya Kovalchuk, 52 (2005–06, 2007–08)
  • Most assists in a season: Marc Savard, 69 (2005–06)
  • Most points in a season: Marian Hossa, 100 (2006–07)
  • Most penalty minutes in a season: Jeff Odgers, 226 (2000–01)
  • Most goals in a season, defenceman: Dustin Byfuglien, 20 (2010–11)
  • Most points in a season, defenceman: Dustin Byfuglien, 53 (2010–11)
  • Most goals in a season, rookie: Ilya Kovalchuk, 29 (2001–02)
  • Most assists in a season, rookie: Dany Heatley, 41 (2001–02)
  • Most points in a season, rookie: Dany Heatley, 67 (2001–02)
  • Most wins in a season: Kari Lehtonen, 34 (2006–07)
  • Most shutouts in a season: Kari Lehtonen, 4 (2006–07, 2007–08)

References

  1. ^ "Jets Roster". NHL.com. June 21, 2011. Retrieved June 21, 2011.
  2. ^ http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=564247
  3. ^ Ira Podell (June 21, 2011). "Winnipeg bound: NHL owners give green light for Atlanta Thrashers to move". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
  4. ^ "Reports: NHL to realign for 2012-13". ESPN. June 26, 2011.
  5. ^ O'Brien, James (November 6, 2010). "Add the Atlanta Thrashers to the list of teams facing attendance issues". NBC Sports. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
  6. ^ Ken Wiebe, SUN Media (October 4, 2009). "Thrashers to Winnipeg?". canoe.ca. Retrieved December 13, 2010.
  7. ^ McGran, Kevin (May 28, 2011). "After Winnipeg, where does NHL go next?". Hamilton Spectator. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
  8. ^ Brunt, Stephen (May 22, 2011). "Atlanta Thrashers moving to Winnipeg". The Globe and Mail. Canada. Retrieved May 19, 2011.
  9. ^ Zwolonski, Mark; McGran, Kevin (May 20, 2011). "Atlanta Thrashers' move to Winnipeg not complete, parties insist". Toronto Star. Retrieved May 20, 2011.
  10. ^ Penton, Kirk (May 20, 2011). "Moose deny St. John's move". Winnipeg Sun. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
  11. ^ a b Wiebe, Ken (May 24, 2011). "NHL announcement in next few days 'realistic': Katz". Toronto Sun. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
  12. ^ http://www.tsn.ca/returntowinnipeg/story/?id=367433
  13. ^ "NHL Board of Governors approves sale of Thrashers to True North Sports & Entertainment," from winnipeg.nhl.com, 6/21/2011
  14. ^ "Pro hockey returning to St. John's," from CBC News, 6/10/2011
  15. ^ Rush starts for NHL season tickets in Winnipeg; AHL faithful get first crack. Canadian Press. Retrieved 2011-06-01.
  16. ^ "Fans commit to buying 1,870 season tickets on first day of drive". Winnipeg Free Press. June 1, 2011. {{cite news}}: Text "author" ignored (help)
  17. ^ "Drive to 13,000". Drive to 13. Retrieved June 2, 2011.
  18. ^ Tait, Ed. "NHL season tickets sell out in just 17 minutes". Winnipeg Free Press.
  19. ^ "Season ticket wait list capped at 8,000 following 17-minute sellout". Winnipeg Free Press. June 4, 2011. {{cite news}}: Text "Ed Tait" ignored (help)
  20. ^ Lawless, Gary (May 17, 2011). "Few hurdles to potential Thrashers sale to Winnipeg". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved May 20, 2011.
  21. ^ "Pre-season schedule announced for Winnipeg NHL Franchise," from winnipeg.nhl.com, 6/23/2011
  22. ^ "NHL regular season schedule released," from Winnipeg Free Press, 6/23/2011
  23. ^ Custance, Craig (2011-06-25). Dramatic realignment coming to NHL next season. The Sporting News. Retrieved 2011-06-26.
  24. ^ Tate, Ed (June 4, 2011). "Transition Game-True North has hands full, but not overwhelmed". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved June 4, 2011.
  25. ^ a b Tucker T (June 1, 2011). "Waddell's job, Thrashers name will end with sale". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved June 4, 2011. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  26. ^ Halstead, Jason (May 25, 2011). "Thousands sign petition demanding team be called Jets". Toronto Sun. Retrieved June 22, 2011.
  27. ^ Boylen R (May 31, 2011). "Boylen: Why Winnipeg should be nicknamed the Jets". The Hockey News. Retrieved June 4, 2011.
  28. ^ "Fans get their wish," from Winnipeg Free Press, 6/25/2011
  29. ^ "Welcome to Winnipeg, Scheifele," from Winnipeg Free Press, 6/25/2011
  30. ^ Progress made on Winnipeg Jets logo, jerseys; no date set. The Sporting News. Retrieved July 18, 2011.
  31. ^ a b c d "Jets fly with air force logo," from Winnipeg Free Press, 7/23/2011
  32. ^ "True North Unveils Jets Logo," from jets.nhl.com, 7/22/2011
  33. ^ CBC Sports (June 4, 2011). "Thrashers GM Dudley let go by True North". CBC Sports. Retrieved June 4, 2011. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  34. ^ TSN.ca (June 8, 2011). "CHEVELDAYOFF TAKES WINNIPEG GENERAL MANAGER'S JOB". TSN. Retrieved June 8, 2011. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  35. ^ http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=368740%7Cpublisher=TSN%7Cauthor=TSN.ca%7C%7Ctitle=WINNIPEG GM INTENDS ON INTERVIEWING FOR COACHING JOB|accessdate=2011-06-13
  36. ^ Wiebe, Ken (2011-06-20). Then there were two: Noel and Haviland still standing. Winnipeg Sun. Retrieved 2011-06-20.
  37. ^ "Noel named as Winnipeg Head Coach". Noel named as Winnipeg Head Coach. June 24, 2011. Retrieved June 24, 2011.
  38. ^ Turenne, Paul (2011-06-05). ’Peg stations battle for hockey broadcast rights. Toronto Sun. Retrieved 2011-06-05.
  39. ^ Jets reach broadcast agreement with TSN Winnipeg Free Press July 21, 2011
  40. ^ "Winnipeg Jets Roster". National Hockey League. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  41. ^ "Winnipeg Jets Hockey Transactions". The Sports Network. Retrieved April 27, 2024.

External links

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