History of Winnipeg Jets in Timeline

The Winnipeg Jets are a professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg, competing in the NHL's Central Division within the Western Conference. Owned by True North Sports & Entertainment, they play their home games at Canada Life Centre. The Jets represent Winnipeg in the highest level of professional hockey in North America.

1948: Forty-Eight Uniform

In the 2023-24 season, the Jets "Heritage" uniform was nicknamed the "Forty-Eight" in tribute to the Ottawa RCAF Flyers team that won the gold medal for Team Canada in the 1948 Winter Olympics.

December 27, 1971: Winnipeg Granted WHA Franchise

On December 27, 1971, Winnipeg was granted one of the founding franchises in the World Hockey Association (WHA).

1972: CJOB Serves as Radio Home

CJOB served as the radio home of their original incarnation from 1972 to 1982, and again from 1992 to 1996.

1973: Throwback Uniforms Based on 1973 Design

From 2016 to 2019, the Winnipeg Jets wore throwback white uniforms based on the 1973–78 design worn by the original Jets.

1979: Reverse Retro Uniform Recreation

For the 2020–21 season, the Winnipeg Jets wore "Reverse Retro" alternate uniforms, recreating the original Jets' 1979–90 uniforms but recoloured to match the current Jets' scheme.

1982: CJOB Serves as Radio Home

CJOB served as the radio home of their original incarnation from 1972 to 1982, and again from 1992 to 1996.

1987: Winnipeg Whiteout Tradition Begins

The Winnipeg Whiteout, a hockey tradition, dates back to 1987 when fans of the original Winnipeg Jets franchise were asked to wear white clothing at home playoff games as a response to the "C of Red" created by Calgary Flames fans.

1990: Reverse Retro Uniform Recreation

For the 2020–21 season, the Winnipeg Jets wore "Reverse Retro" alternate uniforms, recreating the original Jets' 1979–90 uniforms but recoloured to match the current Jets' scheme.

1990: Inspiration for alternate uniform

The Winnipeg Jets' alternate uniform introduced prior to the 2018-19 season, was inspired by the 1990-96 uniforms of the original Jets.

1992: CJOB Serves as Radio Home

CJOB served as the radio home of their original incarnation from 1972 to 1982, and again from 1992 to 1996.

April 28, 1996: Original Winnipeg Jets Last Game

On April 28, 1996, the original Winnipeg Jets played their last game.

1996: CJOB Serves as Radio Home

CJOB served as the radio home of their original incarnation from 1972 to 1982, and again from 1992 to 1996.

1996: Reverse Retro Uniform Based on White Uniforms

In the 2022–23 season, the Winnipeg Jets wore "Reverse Retro" uniforms based on the white uniforms worn by the original Jets from 1990 to 1996, again recoloured to the current Jets' scheme.

June 25, 1997: Atlanta Thrashers Established

On June 25, 1997, the Atlanta Thrashers franchise was officially established.

1999: Whiteout Used at World Junior Championships

The Winnipeg Whiteout tradition was used during the Canada vs Russia Gold medal game at the 1999 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, hosted by the city of Winnipeg.

2000: Wayne Gretzky's Number Retired League-Wide

The number 99 was retired league-wide in honour of Wayne Gretzky by the NHL at the 2000 NHL All-Star Game.

October 2009: True North Bids on Coyotes

In October 2009, there were rumors that True North Sports & Entertainment had been invited to bid on the Phoenix Coyotes.

2009: Fans Asked to Wear White for Calder Cup Finals

During the 2009 Calder Cup playoffs between the Manitoba Moose and the Hershey Bears, fans were asked to wear white for game 6 of the Calder Cup Finals, continuing the Winnipeg Whiteout tradition.

May 2011: True North Buys Atlanta Thrashers

In May 2011, True North Sports & Entertainment bought the Atlanta Thrashers.

May 20, 2011: Agreement in Principle Reached for Thrashers Purchase

On May 20, 2011, the Winnipeg Sun confirmed that an agreement in principle had been reached for True North to purchase the Atlanta Thrashers.

May 31, 2011: Thrashers Relocation to Winnipeg Confirmed

On May 31, 2011, at a press conference at the MTS Centre, Gary Bettman confirmed that the Atlanta Thrashers had been sold to True North and would relocate to Winnipeg for the 2011–12 season.

June 1, 2011: Season Ticket Sales Begin

On June 1, 2011, season ticket sales began, with Manitoba Moose season ticket holders having priority.

June 4, 2011: Rick Dudley Contract Bought Out

On June 4, 2011, True North bought out the remaining years of general manager Rick Dudley's contract.

June 12, 2011: Craig Ramsay Reinterviewed as head coach

On June 12, 2011, Kevin Cheveldayoff had Thrashers head coach Craig Ramsay reinterview for his position.

June 21, 2011: NHL Board Approves Sale and Relocation

On June 21, 2011, the sale and relocation of the Atlanta Thrashers to Winnipeg was approved by the NHL's Board of Governors.

July 2011: Home Opener Tickets Listed on StubHub

In July 2011, tickets for the October 9 home opener against the Montreal Canadiens were listed for an average price of $1,711 on StubHub, with an average selling price of $713.

July 22, 2011: Jets Unveil New Logos and Colours

On July 22, 2011, the Winnipeg Jets unveiled their new logos and colours three days earlier than planned after team merchandise was leaked online. Mark Chipman stated the previous Jets' blue and red colours would be incorporated.

October 9, 2011: Jets Regular Season Debut

On October 9, 2011, the Jets made their formal regular season debut at the MTS Centre, where the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Jets 5–1. Nik Antropov scored the first-ever Jets goal. Bachman–Turner Overdrive performed at the opening ceremonies.

2011: Fans Shout 'True North!' During Anthem

Beginning in 2011, during the singing of "O Canada", Winnipeg Jets fans commonly shout the words "True North!" to recognize True North Sports & Entertainment.

2011: CFRW, TSN Radio 1290, Serves as Flagship Radio Station

CFRW, TSN Radio 1290, served as the flagship radio station of the Winnipeg Jets from 2011 to 2020, with Edmonds on play-by-play alongside Brian Munz.

2011: Shane Hnidy

Shane Hnidy was the team's lead colour commentator from the 2011–12 to 2016–17 seasons

2014: Jets Telecasts Move to TSN3

In 2014, with the realignment of TSN into regional feeds, Winnipeg Jets telecasts moved to TSN3, and the separate TSN Jets channel was discontinued.

April 9, 2015: Jets Clinch Playoff Berth

On April 9, 2015, the Jets clinched their first Stanley Cup playoff appearance since relocating to Winnipeg following a 1–0 shootout loss to the Colorado Avalanche. They clinched the spot after the Calgary Flames defeated the Los Angeles Kings later in the night.

2015: Mick E. Moose Serves as Mascot

Since the start of the 2015–16 season, Mick E. Moose has served as mascot for both the Winnipeg Jets and the Manitoba Moose.

2015: Jets Resurrect Winnipeg Whiteout Tradition

The Winnipeg Jets resurrected the Winnipeg Whiteout tradition when they qualified for the 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs.

October 19, 2016: "HOT Line" Inducted into Hall of Fame

On October 19, 2016, the "HOT Line" consisting of Anders Hedberg, Bobby Hull and Ulf Nilsson were inducted into the Winnipeg Jets Hall of Fame.

2016: Jets Wear Throwback White Uniforms

From 2016 to 2019, the Winnipeg Jets wore throwback white uniforms based on the 1973–78 design worn by the original Jets. The uniforms made its debut in the 2016 Heritage Classic and have been used during Jets Hall of Fame induction nights since.

2016: Benny Resurrected as Secondary Mascot

In the 2016 Heritage Classic, the Winnipeg Jets resurrected their mascot from its original incarnation, Benny, and he has since served as the team's secondary mascot.

2016: Jennifer Hanson Performs at Alumni Game

Jennifer Hanson, the Winnipeg Jets' regular national anthem singer for the final seven seasons of the original franchise, performed again during the 2016 Heritage Classic Alumni Game.

2016: Shane Hnidy

Shane Hnidy was the team's lead colour commentator from the 2011–12 to 2016–17 seasons

November 14, 2017: Dale Hawerchuk Honoured

Dale Hawerchuk was honoured on November 14, 2017, and inducted into the Winnipeg Jets Hall of Fame.

2017: Adidas Takes Over NHL Uniform Production

In 2017, Adidas took over production of NHL uniforms, and the Winnipeg Jets kept their existing uniforms.

2017: Shane Hnidy

Shane Hnidy was the team's lead colour commentator from the 2011–12 to 2016–17 seasons and has since moved to AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain to cover the Vegas Golden Knights in 2017.

March 25, 2018: Jets Clinch Playoff Spot

On March 25, 2018, the Jets beat the Nashville Predators 5–4 in a shootout, and clinched a spot in the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs.

April 11, 2018: Franchise Wins First Playoff Game

On April 11, 2018, the Jets won the first playoff game in the history of the Atlanta/Winnipeg franchise when they defeated the Minnesota Wild 3–2.

April 20, 2018: Jets Win First Playoff Series

On April 20, 2018, the Jets won their first playoff series in franchise history (and the first series victory in 31 years for the city) with a 5–0 victory over the Minnesota Wild in game five of the first round series, winning the series 4–1.

May 10, 2018: Jets Advance to Conference Finals

On May 10, 2018, the Jets made franchise history by advancing to the conference finals for the first time, defeating the Nashville Predators four games to three.

2018: Jets Introduce First Alternate Uniform

Prior to the 2018–19 season, the Winnipeg Jets introduced their first alternate uniform, featuring aviator blue as the base colour, along with a new "Jets" wordmark, block letters and numbers, and striping inspired from the 1990–96 uniforms of the original Jets.

February 26, 2019: Lars-Erik Sjoberg and Ab McDonald Posthumously Inducted

On February 26, 2019, Lars-Erik Sjoberg and Ab McDonald were posthumously inducted into the Winnipeg Jets Hall of Fame.

2019: Blue Throwback Uniform Unveiled

In 2019, the Winnipeg Jets unveiled a blue version of the throwback uniforms for the Heritage Classic.

February 11, 2020: Randy Carlyle and Thomas Steen Inducted

Randy Carlyle and Thomas Steen were inducted into the Winnipeg Jets Hall of Fame on February 11, 2020.

August 18, 2020: Dale Hawerchuk's Death

Following Dale Hawerchuk's death on August 18, 2020, the Winnipeg Jets' 10th-anniversary logo in 2021 also served as a memorial logo to him, with his number 10 added in lieu of the team's current logo.

October 5, 2020: Television Rights Renewed with TSN3

On October 5, 2020, the Winnipeg Jets renewed its television rights with TSN3.

2020: Corus Entertainment Holds Radio Rights

Corus Entertainment has held the Winnipeg Jets radio rights since the 2020–21 season, as part of a seven-year agreement signed in 2020. CJOB and CJKR-FM Power 97 serve as co-flagships, simulcasting all games on AM and FM radio. Paul Edmonds and Mitchell Clinton serve as on-air play-by-play team.

2021: Dennis Beyak Retires

Dennis Beyak served as the primary play-by-play voice for the Winnipeg Jets until his retirement at the end of the 2021–22 NHL season.

2021: Heritage Uniforms Promoted to Alternate Status

Starting with the 2021–22 season, the Winnipeg Jets' blue "Heritage" uniforms were promoted to alternate status, replacing the previous aviator blue alternates.

November 17, 2022: Teemu Selanne and Teppo Numminen Inducted

Teemu Selanne and Teppo Numminen were inducted into the Winnipeg Jets Hall of Fame on November 17, 2022.

2022: Jets Wear Reverse Retro Uniforms

In the 2022–23 season, the Winnipeg Jets wore "Reverse Retro" uniforms based on the white uniforms worn by the original Jets from 1990 to 1996, again recoloured to the current Jets' scheme.

2023: Jets Wear Special Heritage Uniforms

In the 2023–24 season, the Winnipeg Jets wore special "Heritage" uniforms for three games in collaboration with the RCAF for its centennial anniversary.