Winnipeg Jets fans take back their history
It’s long held that when a franchise moves, it’s hockey history leaves with it. The ‘lineage’ moves with that franchise and so it has been thought since the Jets left Winnipeg in 1996 to relocate to Phoenix and become the Coyotes. Sure Dale Haerchuck’s jersey hangs there, honoured and noted as part of ‘their’ history but by the end of this weekend that won’t matter. In fact maybe the Arizona Coyotes should just give it back.
With the Heritage Classic upon us the festivities in Winnipeg are taking off and they started at mid-day Thursday with the unveiling of the ‘Queen’ downtown in the parking lot of the The Pint. The Queen was a large portrait that hung in the old Winnipeg Arena since it’s opening and has been preserved in some way or another to this day, some hoping it finds a new permanent home.
This was all in preparation for the “Captain’s Party” promoted by
Premier Events.
Big thanks and shameless plug to
Waggoner Insurance for helping get the event off the ground with ticket distribution and sponsorship- it’s worth checking them out for your insurance needs.
What happened though was a bit of a frenzy as the day progessed from the Jets Hall of Fame Luncheon with former WHA and NHL stars to many events across the city at local establishments. The one I attended was at the The Pint and it had former Jets, Scott Campbell, Ab McDonald, owner Barry Shenkarow, Dave Ellet, play caller Pete Young and many more. Eventually two member of the Hot Line arrived with Anders Hedberg and Ulf Nilsson showed up and the fanfare was incredible.
The Avco Cup was a popular photo opportunity for the many fans as well is the original Molson Cup for the Three Stars.
Anders Hedberg
Scott Campbell
Aside from the interactions, the fans and the former players one thing became very clear- the Jets history belongs to Winnipeg. The fans have taken it back, not that it was ever gone. Perhaps a better way of explaining, or describing what is happening is that the Jets fans are making their mark and laying claim to their true identity and legacy.
When you saw all the jerseys, ones from the WHA days, the memorabilia that fans wore and brought, it was easy to see that no one had let their memories fade or their love for their team disappear. This has been obvious for some time but it was on full display last night and with all the former players there was no question where that history of the Jets lies.
Winnipeg Free Press writer
Geoff Kirbyson was on had to promote his new book “The Hot Line” about Hull, Nilsson and Hedberg.
Probably a great gift for any longtime Jets fan.
The other part that was interesting was how many people from the Jets Twittersphere were there. It was pretty amazing to meet people you had only reacted with online and get to know them. It wasn’t easy as it was a boisterous crowd with lots of action going on. There were great highlights from the old AVCO cup finals as well as other Jets 1.0 highlights playing on the TVs everywhere which brought the nostalgia level to ‘eleven’.
What really became apparent, but in a more meaningful way than before, was the sense of community that Winnipeg Jets fans have with one another. It’s because of the team, the history, and the legacy that fans have created and promoted for years. It continues on and is part of the fabric of Winnipeg. For some the idea of what Winnipeg was, changed when there was no Jets team here.
A friend has a very interesting serigraph of the old Jets logo without the name ‘Winnipeg’ and ‘Jets’ in it. When he showed it to me he said the artist, a friend of his, said that the point of the picture was that when the Jets left so did a part of Winnipeg. Without the Jets there’s no Winnipeg. While that might be an extreme idea about the identity and interests within the city there’s no doubt that the Jets bring a bond and unity that was not present before during the 15 years of no NHL hockey in the city.
It’s not an easy thing to explain when you don’t experience it first hand and as we edge closer to the alumni game on Saturday and the NHL game on Sunday we see more and more come out. I’m sure the Heritage Classic will be just what fans expect, an amazing celebration of what many consider part of hockey in Canada. Winnipeggers identify with hockey and stake some level of ownership to it and that makes it part of their identity.
The celebration has started and will go till the later hours of Sunday. While there may be a franchise that moved to Phoenix, the name and spirit never left Winnipeg. The fans held on and dared to hope and the last night, as will be the rest of the weekend, their faith was rewarded. That’s pretty cool and it’s something the citizens of Winnipeg and beyond should be proud for doing. The Jets legacy will always be Winnipeg’s, even the former players know that and see it too.
Winnipeg Jets Blogger •Winnipeg Jets Writer • 
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