Winnipeg Jets

WHA Origins and Early NHL Years (1972 to 1996)

The original Winnipeg Jets were a dominant force in the WHA, making the playoffs in all but one season and winning the Avco Cup championship three times in 1976, 1978, and 1979. The team also appeared in the championship finals in 1973 and 1977, establishing a strong hockey tradition in the city. Key to their success were legendary players like Bobby Hull, who was lured from the NHL, and later European stars such as Anders Hedberg and Ulf Nilsson, who revolutionized the style of play. When the WHA merged with the NHL in 1979, the Jets were one of four teams absorbed, alongside the Edmonton Oilers, Quebec Nordiques, and Hartford Whalers.

The transition to the NHL was difficult, hampered by restrictive expansion draft rules that left the team with a depleted roster. The Jets posted a combined record of 29 wins, 106 losses, and 25 ties over their first two NHL seasons. The team found more consistent, if modest, success in the 1980s, qualifying for the Stanley Cup playoffs every season from 1981-82 to 1987-88. During this period, the team only finished with a winning record twice, in the 1984-85 and 1986-87 seasons, which were also the only times the original Jets franchise advanced past the first round of the playoffs until 2018. Financial struggles and a small-market reality persisted throughout the 1990s, leading owner Barry Shenkarow to sell the team in 1996 to American businessmen Steven Gluckstern and Richard Burke. The sale ultimately resulted in the franchise's relocation after the 1995-96 season. The new owners initially planned to move the team to Minnesota but instead reached an agreement with Phoenix businessman Jerry Colangelo. The Jets played their final game in Winnipeg on April 28, 1996, and were reactivated as the Phoenix Coyotes, with the original franchise's records and history remaining with the Arizona-based club.

Interlude as the Atlanta Thrashers (1999 to 2011)

The NHL returned to Atlanta, Georgia, with an expansion franchise awarded on June 25, 1997, named the Atlanta Thrashers. This marked the second NHL attempt in the city, following the Atlanta Flames who had relocated to Calgary in 1980. The Thrashers began play in the 1999 to 2000 season and struggled to find success on the ice and at the box office throughout their 12-year tenure. The team's lone playoff appearance came in the 2006-07 season, where they were swept in the first round and failed to win a single postseason game. A combination of poor on-ice performance and ownership instability led to mounting financial losses and declining attendance in their final seasons, compelling the franchise to seek a new owner.

By 2011, the franchise was available for purchase. Their discreet and league-approved approach, led by chairman Mark Chipman, contrasted with other public relocation attempts and built credibility with the NHL. When the Thrashers became available, True North quickly negotiated a purchase, which was confirmed by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman on May 31, 2011. The reported purchase price was $170 million, with an additional $60 million paid to the NHL as a relocation fee, pending approval by the league's Board of Governors.

Return to Winnipeg and Rebranding

The relocation was approved by the NHL Board of Governors on June 21, 2011, paving the way for the team's return for the 2011-12 season. True North immediately launched a 'Drive to 13,000' season ticket campaign to prove the market's viability, with Manitoba Moose season ticket holders given first priority. Season tickets opened to the general public on June 4 and sold out in 17 minutes, and a waiting list of 8,000 was filled within two hours. The overwhelming response solidified Winnipeg's place in the NHL. The team's name was revealed at the 2011 NHL entry draft on June 24, when Chipman introduced general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff to make a pick 'on behalf of the Winnipeg Jets.'

The league, which owned the trademarks of the original Jets through its control of the Coyotes, granted permission to use the historic name. A new management and coaching staff was assembled, with Cheveldayoff named general manager and Claude Noël, formerly of the Manitoba Moose, appointed head coach after Craig Ramsay was dismissed. The team unveiled its new logos and colours on July 22, 2011, after a premature leak. The design paid homage to the Royal Canadian Air Force, featuring a roundel logo with a CF-18 Hornet silhouette and a colour scheme of blue, silver, and red, with the maple leaf incorporated with permission from the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Jets made their regular season debut on October 9, 2011, losing 5-1 to the Montreal Canadiens before a sold-out crowd at the MTS Centre, now known as Canada Life Centre.

On-Ice Performance in the Modern Era

The modern Jets initially played in the Southeast Division due to the Thrashers' previous alignment but moved to the Western Conference's Central Division starting in the 2013-14 season. The team's early years were marked by a rebuilding phase, culminating in their first playoff appearance in 2015, where they were swept by the Anaheim Ducks in the first round. A significant turning point came in the 2017-18 season when, led by Vezina Trophy-winning goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, the Jets secured a playoff spot and won the franchise's first-ever playoff series, defeating the Minnesota Wild. They advanced to the Western Conference Final for the first time in franchise history, defeating the Presidents' Trophy-winning Nashville Predators before losing to the Vegas Golden Knights.

The modern Winnipeg Jets have been consistent playoff contenders since their return. They clinched their first playoff appearance in 2015 but were swept in the first round. In the 2017-18 season, the Jets won their first playoff series in franchise history by defeating the Minnesota Wild. They advanced to the conference finals that same year but lost to the Vegas Golden Knights. The team made consecutive playoff appearances from 2018 to 2021, including a first-round sweep of the Edmonton Oilers in 2021.

• 2019: Lost in the first round to the eventual Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues in six games.
• 2020: Qualified for the expanded playoffs but lost in the qualifying round to Calgary. Connor Hellebuyck won the Vezina Trophy.
• 2021: Swept the Edmonton Oilers in the first round before being swept by the Montreal Canadiens in the second round.
• 2023: Clinched a playoff spot but lost in the first round to the Vegas Golden Knights in five games.
• 2024: Lost in the first round to the Colorado Avalanche in five games.
• 2025: Won the franchise's first Presidents' Trophy and Central Division title with 56 wins and 116 points, defeating St. Louis in seven games before losing to Dallas in six.

The team's core has featured stars like Blake Wheeler, Mark Scheifele, Patrik Laine, and Josh Morrissey. Blake Wheeler was appointed team captain in 2016. At the start of the 2022-23 season, Blake Wheeler was stripped of the team captaincy. Before the start of the 2023-24 season, forward Adam Lowry was appointed team captain.

Franchise Records and Statistical Unification

For years, the statistical history of the original WHA/NHL Jets (1972 to 1996) remained with the Phoenix/Arizona Coyotes franchise, while the current Jets (2011 to present) inherited only the history of the Atlanta Thrashers (1999 to 2011). This created a split historical record for the Winnipeg name. On September 24, 2026, the NHL announced a major consolidation of these records. The statistical history of the original Jets franchise was moved from the inactive Coyotes franchise to the current Jets franchise. As a result, the official records and statistics of the Winnipeg Jets now encompass all three iterations: the original WHA/NHL Jets, the Atlanta Thrashers, and the modern NHL Jets. This unification retroactively deactivated the Jets franchise from 1996 to 1999, with the franchise considered to have resumed operations as the Atlanta Thrashers during that period, finally providing a complete historical ledger for the team.

Team Identity and Jerseys

The visual identity of the Jets has evolved significantly across its eras. In the WHA, the team debuted in blue, white, and red uniforms with a futuristic wordmark, adopting its famous roundel logo in 1974 and adding blue pants in 1978. Upon entering the NHL in 1979, the uniforms changed to a design influenced by the New York Rangers, featuring thick shoulder and waist stripes, a look that lasted until 1990. A final redesign in 1990 featured an updated crest, contrasting sleeve stripes, and a return to red pants before the move to Phoenix. When the team returned in 2011, True North introduced a new logo and colour scheme honouring the Royal Canadian Air Force, with blue and silver as primary colours and red as a secondary accent.

The primary logo is a roundel with a CF-18 Hornet silhouette, and the game uniforms were unveiled in September 2011 at 17 Wing. The team introduced its first alternate jersey, in 'aviator blue,' prior to the 2018-19 season, featuring a new wordmark and striping inspired by the 1990s Jets uniforms. The Jets have maintained these core designs through the league's switch to Adidas as uniform manufacturer in 2017. The jersey history reflects the franchise's connection to aviation and its Canadian roots, with the maple leaf in the logo used with permission from the Toronto Maple Leafs, continuing a visual legacy that connects the team's past and present.

Season-by-Season Record (2011-12 to 2024-25)

The following table outlines the performance of the modern Winnipeg Jets since their return to the NHL, including regular season finish and playoff results. This period covers the team's development into a consistent contender, highlighted by a Presidents' Trophy win. The 2019-20 season was shortened and modified due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with playoff qualification determined by an expanded format. The team's consistent presence in the postseason since 2018, with the exception of 2022, demonstrates its established competitive level in the NHL.

Key Personnel and Leadership

After the 2011 relocation, Kevin Cheveldayoff was hired as general manager. The team initially hired Claude Noël as head coach. In January 2014, the Jets fired Noël and replaced him with veteran coach Paul Maurice. The team's management has included assistant general manager Larry Simmons. The coaching staff has also included assistants like Charlie Huddy, Pascal Vincent, and Wade Flaherty.

• Kevin Cheveldayoff: Hired as General Manager on June 8, 2011, replacing Rick Dudley.
• Claude Noël: Named the first head coach of the modern Jets on June 24, 2011, after serving as head coach of the Manitoba Moose.
• Paul Maurice: Replaced Claude Noël as head coach in January 2014.
• Blake Wheeler: Appointed team captain in the summer of 2016, succeeding Andrew Ladd.
• Adam Lowry: Appointed team captain before the start of the 2023-24 season after Wheeler was stripped of the captaincy.
• Connor Hellebuyck: Won the Vezina Trophy as the league's best goaltender for the 2019-20 season.
• Mark Chipman: Chairman of True North Sports & Entertainment, the team's owner, and the primary representative in the relocation process.

This core group built the team that achieved the franchise's first Presidents' Trophy in the 2024-25 season. The coaching change from Claude Noël to Paul Maurice marked a shift towards a more experienced bench boss. The transition in captaincy from Blake Wheeler to Adam Lowry represented a new leadership chapter. The team has secured sustained playoff appearances in the modern era.

Questions about Winnipeg Jets

How many Stanley Cups have the Winnipeg Jets won?

Neither iteration of the Winnipeg Jets has won the Stanley Cup. The original Jets won three championships in the rival World Hockey Association, capturing the Avco Cup in 1976, 1978, and 1979. The modern Jets have yet to advance to the Stanley Cup Final, with their deepest playoff run being a trip to the Western Conference Final in 2018. The team did win its first Presidents' Trophy in the 2024-25 season for having the best regular season record.

Why did the original Winnipeg Jets leave for Phoenix?

The original Winnipeg Jets relocated to Phoenix after the 1995-96 season. Team owner Barry Shenkarow sold the team to American businessmen Steven Gluckstern and Richard Burke. They originally planned to move the team to Minnesota but reached an agreement to move it to Arizona. The team became the Phoenix Coyotes.

Who owns the Winnipeg Jets?

The Winnipeg Jets are owned by True North Sports & Entertainment, a Winnipeg-based company. True North purchased the Atlanta Thrashers in May 2011 and relocated the team to Winnipeg for the 2011-12 season. The company also owns Canada Life Centre, the team's home arena, and is deeply involved in the development of downtown Winnipeg. Chairman Mark Chipman is the franchise's primary representative.

Have the Jets ever won a playoff series?

Yes, the modern Winnipeg Jets won their first playoff series in franchise history in the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs. They defeated the Minnesota Wild four games to one in the first round. The Jets have won other playoff series, including a sweep of the Edmonton Oilers in 2021. They also won a seven-game series against the St. Louis Blues in 2025.

What is the connection between the old Jets and the new Jets?

The connection is primarily in name, branding, and city, but not in direct franchise continuity. The current Jets are the relocated Atlanta Thrashers, while the original Jets became the Phoenix Coyotes. For many years, the historical records were separate. On September 24, 2026, the NHL officially unified the statistical history, merging the records of the original Jets (1972 to 1996), the Atlanta Thrashers (1999 to 2011), and the modern Jets (2011 to present) under the Winnipeg Jets banner. The league also granted the new team permission to use the classic Jets name and logos.

When did the Winnipeg Jets join the NHL?

The original Winnipeg Jets franchise joined the National Hockey League in 1979 as part of the WHA NHL merger. This occurred after many WHA teams had folded, with the Jets being absorbed along with the Quebec Nordiques, Edmonton Oilers, and Hartford Whalers. The current Winnipeg Jets franchise began NHL play in the 2011 12 season after True North Sports and Entertainment purchased and relocated the Atlanta Thrashers to Winnipeg. On September 24, 2026, the NHL consolidated the statistical history of the original Jets with the Thrashers and the modern Jets. This action retroactively deactivated the original franchise from 1996 to 1999, with the franchise resuming operations as the Atlanta Thrashers before the 2011 relocation.

Sources and further reading

• Winnipeg Jets (Wikipedia)
• Official Winnipeg Jets Website (nhl.com)
• Winnipeg Jets, News, Schedule, Scores, Roster, and Stats (nytimes.com)

Checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-19.