The Winnipeg Jets were a storied National Hockey League (NHL) franchise embodying the pioneering spirit of Western Canada. Founded in 1972 as one of the league's first expansion teams, the Jets quickly established themselves as a force.
In the early years, legends like Bobby Hull, Anders Hedberg and Ulf Nilsson thrilled fans with their European style of play. In 1979, the Jets reached their first Avco World Trophy finals before falling to the dynastic New York Islanders.
After a drought in the 1980s, the Jets made their most recent finals appearance in 1987. Unforgettable are the battles with Wayne Gretzky's Edmonton Oilers and the heroics of Dale Hawerchuk and Teemu Selanne before a narrow Game 7 defeat.
In 1996, the Jets left Winnipeg to become the Phoenix Coyotes. The franchise returned as the Winnipeg Jets in 2011 and developed into an elite team featuring talents like Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor.