The Winnipeg Jets history tells the story of one of hockey’s most fascinating transformations. The original Jets, later becoming the Arizona Coyotes, built a passionate following and left a lasting mark on the NHL. This chapter of NHL Winnipeg Jets legacy remains an important part of professional hockey’s growth in North America.
Established
1972
City
Winnipeg – Phoenix - Salt Lake City
League History
1979 – Present / National Hockey League
1972 – 1979 / World Hockey Association
Team History
2024 - Present / Utah Hockey Club
2014 – 2024 / Arizona Coyotes
1996 – 2013 / Phoenix Coyotes
1972 – 1996 / Winnipeg Jets
Nickname
Jets – The Winnipeg Jets have a long and storied history in the National Hockey League. From 1972 to 1996, they were one of the most beloved teams in Canada, and their unique nickname has always been part of their identity. But where did it come from? Let’s examine how this iconic hockey team got its name.
The original owner of the Winnipeg Jets was Ben Hatskin, who had previously owned an American Hockey League franchise called “the Moose Jaw Canucks” (now known as the Manitoba Moose). He wanted to bring professional hockey back to his hometown, so he purchased an NHL expansion franchise with plans for it to be based out of Winnipeg. When coming up with a name for his new team, he decided on “Jets” because many people associated flying planes with speed and power – two qualities that any successful sports team needs!
Winnipeg Jets Origin
Hatskin also thought naming his new hockey club after jets would be fitting since there was already an air force base outside city limits that housed several fighter jets at any given time during those years (it still does today!). The combination of speed/power themes plus local relevance made "Jets" seem like such a natural fit—thus, why it stuck all these years later!
In addition to having symbolic meaning behind its origin story, another reason why fans love this moniker is that when you think about what makes ice hockey great – skating fast while controlling puck movement - then you can see how similar traits are shared by both airplanes AND skilled players alike: swiftness combined with precision control over your environment; something every fan can relate too when cheering on their favorite squad each game day!
So, next time someone asks you where Winnipeg got its nickname back in 1972, you now know that not only is there meaning behind it but also quite possibly some local pride. Go, Jets, Go!!
Championship
Stanley Cups 0
Avco Cup 3
1979, 1978, 1976
Arena
2024 - Present / Delta Center
*Phoenix*
2014 – Present / Gila River Arena
2006 – 2014 / Jobing.com Arena
2003 – 2005 / Glendale Arena
1996 – 2003 / America West Arena
*Winnipeg*
1972 – 1996 / Winnipeg Arena
Owner
2024 - Present / Ryan Smith
2019 - 2024 / Alex Meruelo
2013 – 2019 / IceArizona
2009 – 2013 / National Hockey League
2006 – 2009 / Wayne Gretzky and Jerry Moyes
2001 – 2006 / Steve Ellman, Wayne Gretzky, and Jerry Moyes
1998 – 2001 / Richard Burke
1996 – 1998 / Steven Gluckstern and Richard Burke
1979 – 1996 / Barry Shenkarow
1972 – 1979 / Ben Hatskin
- 1972
- 1979
- 1996
-
Winnipeg Jets Team Formation
The NHL had recently expanded to 16 teams, adding franchises in many hockey-hungry cities (only one in Canada), but also in Atlanta, Oakland, and Los Angeles. The WHA brought major professional hockey to Ottawa, Quebec City, Winnipeg, Edmonton, and later Calgary. On December 27, 1971, Winnipeg was granted one of the founding franchises in the WHA, to Ben Haskins, a ... -
Enter the NHL
By 1979, the vast majority of the WHA’s teams had folded, but the Jets were still going strong and they were absorbed into the NHL along with the Nordiques, Oilers, and Hartford Whalers. They had to pay a high price for a berth in the more established league, however. They had to give up three of their top six scorers ... -
Move to Phoenix – Coyotes
Various schemes were devised to save the team. Attempts to find a local buyer were unsuccessful, with league commissioner Gary Bettman saying, “there doesn’t seem to be anybody, in a serious fashion, who wants to own the franchise.” After a final last effort by a team of local businessmen, dubbed the Spirit of Manitoba, fell through, team owner Barry Shenkarow ...
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
Winnipeg Jets History
The Winnipeg Jets history from 1972 to 1996 remains one of the most memorable eras in professional hockey. Originally founded as one of the World Hockey Association’s first teams in 1972, the franchise achieved great success before joining the NHL in 1979. During their time as an NHL team, the NHL Winnipeg Jets became known for their high-scoring style and fierce battles with Western Conference opponents. They had a notable rivalry with the Edmonton Oilers, which added excitement to their matchups and shaped much of the team’s legacy in the 1980s.
The first season after entering the NHL was difficult, but the Winnipeg Jets history soon saw major improvements with stars like Dale Hawerchuk leading the way. While the original text mentions a conference final against Edmonton, the corrected record shows the Jets never reached a Conference Final after joining the NHL, though they were a WHA powerhouse with three Avco World Trophy championships (1976, 1978, and 1979) before the merger. In the NHL, the NHL Winnipeg Jets made multiple playoff appearances and won division titles, cementing their reputation as a competitive franchise despite not capturing a Stanley Cup.
The original Winnipeg Jets history came to an end in 1996 when financial pressures and arena issues led to the franchise relocating to Arizona as the Phoenix Coyotes. Even after relocation, the team’s passionate fan base continued to honor its legacy. Many legendary players such as Teemu Selanne, Dale Hawerchuk, and Thomas Steen became icons of both the team and the league, earning Hall of Fame recognition and further strengthening the reputation of the NHL Winnipeg Jets era.
Team Achievements
During their WHA years, the Winnipeg Jets history included three Avco World Trophy championships (1976, 1978, and 1979), making them the most successful team in WHA history. In the NHL, the NHL Winnipeg Jets secured multiple playoff berths and built a roster that featured some of the league’s most dynamic scorers, setting attendance and scoring records for the young franchise.
Although the original franchise relocated in 1996, the return of the Jets name in 2011 when True North Sports & Entertainment brought the Atlanta Thrashers back to Manitoba marked a revival of the Winnipeg Jets history. Today’s team carries forward the spirit of the original NHL Winnipeg Jets, maintaining a loyal fan base and striving to add new accomplishments to one of hockey’s most storied legacies.
Sports Fan Products
Retired Number
19 / Shane Doan
99 / Wayne Gretzky
*Blue is this team’s history
