- 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 ...
History of the Jets
The Winnipeg Jets were a Canadian professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They began to play in the World Hockey Association (WHA) in 1972, moving to the National Hockey League (NHL) in 1979 following the WHA’s collapse. Due to mounting financial troubles, in 1996 the franchise moved to Phoenix, Arizona, and became the Phoenix Coyotes (now the Arizona Coyotes).
Established
1972
City
Winnipeg – Phoenix
League History
1979 – Present / National Hockey League
1972 – 1979 / World Hockey Association
Team History
2014 – Present / Arizona Coyotes
1996 – 2013 / Phoenix Coyotes
1972 – 1996 / Winnipeg Jets
Nickname
Jets – The Winnipeg Jets, formed in late 1971, got their moniker from a team of the same name that played in Canada’s Western Hockey League. Owner Ben Hatskin, reportedly was a fan of the NFL’s New York Jets.
Championship
Stanley Cups 0
Avco Cup 3
1979, 1978, 1976
Arena
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
2019 - Present / 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
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.
Retired Number
19 / Shane Doan
99 / Wayne Gretzky
*Blue is this team’s history