For 24 years of my life, we anticipated this announcement 40 or more times a year, at the old Winnipeg Arena.

Of course, the NHL version of the Jets, which left town for Phoenix, Arizona (more about that in another entry), was preceded by the World Hockey Association (WHA) version of the Winnipeg Jets.  From 1972-1979 the Winnipeg Jets appeared in FIVE Avco Cup Championships, winning three of them,
including the final WHA Championship in May of 1979, against Wayne Gretzky and the Edmonton Oilers. 

*(The Winnipeg Jets beat the Oilers, with Gretzky in the line-up, in only one single playoff game in 5 series, including 18 straight losses... we will NOT talk about 1990, when the Jets held a 3-1 series lead against the Gretzky-less Oilers, only to lose to the eventual Cup Champs in seven games).
For those who are not old enough to remember, or never cared to pay attention... the WHA Jets were some of the best hockey teams ever assembled.  Those who DID pay attention, would know that one of greatest lines in the History of the sport, played for the Jets.  The "HOT-LINE" as it was known, consisted of the Golden Jet, Bobby Hull, on the left wing, and two Swede's; Centre Ulf Nilsson, and perhaps one of the finest players of-all time, right winger, Anders Hedberg.

Following the Jets WHA Championship victory over Gordie Howe, and the Houston Aeros, in 1978, the two Swede's left Winnipeg, for the NHL, Big Bucks, and the New York Rangers.  Ironic, that the Jets would lose two prized hockey playing citizens, in similar fashion to the people of Chicago, who to this day are devastated by the Jets signing of none other than the afore mentioned, Robert Marvin Hull.
It marked the end of an era in pro hockey.

The Winnipeg Jets had revolutionized the game by importing European players.  Players who could skate, stick handle, and pass
the puck unlike we had never seen before in North America.  The hockey was magnificent, if not for the bullying tactics other teams felt compelled to use against the Jets stars, the WHA may have become the more entertaining of the two leagues... many in Winnipeg believe the Jets were, in fact the best team in pro hockey in the mid-late 70's.

On August 20th, the HOT LINE will reunite in Winnipeg.  This time off the ice, in honour of a charity created by another one of Winnipeg's Swedish adopted sons, Thomas Steen.

I invite you to come to view the World Premier of Timothy Gassen's DVD, the History of the WHA'S Winnipeg Jets.

Many other former Jets and WHA stars will be present as the memories of the WHA's greatest team are relieved.

By the way... for history sake.  Look up a quote by then Edmonton Oilers GM, Glen Sather, when he was asked about the influence the WHA Jets had on
arguably the greatest team in NHL History.  I will save you the time... the NHL Oilers, were modelled AFTER the WHA Jets.




Come and meet the HOT LINE, next Friday Night.

The event takes place at 4Play Sports, right across the street from the MTS Centre, future home of Winnipeg's, NEXT NHL Team!
http://www.whahof.com/