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+====== Winnipeg Jets ======
+===== The Foundation and WHA Roots =====
+===== The WHA Inception =====
+The original Winnipeg Jets were founded in 1972 as one of the inaugural franchises of the World Hockey Association (WHA) to compete with the NHL. [([[https://www.nhl.com/jets/news/winnipeg-jets-wha-history/c-289564232|NHL.com]])]
+===== The Million Dollar Man =====
+In 1972, the Jets signed NHL superstar Bobby Hull to a historic $1 million contract, giving the fledgling WHA immediate international credibility. [([[https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/29206775/how-bobby-hull-jump-wha-changed-pro-hockey-forever|ESPN]])]
+===== The Origin of the Name =====
+Owner Ben Hatskin named the team the "Jets" because of his personal admiration for the NFL's New York Jets and their star Joe Namath. [([[https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/nhl-team-names-origins-meanings-history/|Sportsnet]])]
+===== AVCO Cup Champions =====
+The original Jets were the most successful team in WHA history, winning the AVCO World Trophy three times (1976, 1978, 1979). [([[https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/team/winnipeg-jets/history|TSN]])]
+===== The Hot Line =====
+The "Hot Line," featuring Bobby Hull and Swedish stars Anders Hedberg and Ulf Nilsson, is considered one of the greatest scoring lines in hockey history. [([[https://theathletic.com/2642537/2021/06/10/the-hot-line-how-the-jets-changed-the-game-with-hull-hedberg-and-nilsson/|The Athletic]])]
+===== The NHL Merger and 1.0 Era =====
+===== Joining the NHL =====
+The Jets were one of four WHA teams absorbed into the NHL in 1979, joining alongside the Oilers, Whalers, and Nordiques. [([[https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/WPG/history.html|Hockey Reference]])]
+===== Drafting Hawerchuk =====
+Selected first overall in 1981, Dale Hawerchuk won the Calder Trophy after becoming the youngest player in NHL history to reach 100 points. [([[https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/nhl-draft-history-every-no-1-overall-pick-ever/|CBS Sports]])]
+===== The Finnish Flash =====
+Teemu Selanne was drafted 10th overall by the Jets in 1988, though he did not make his NHL debut until four years later. [([[https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nhl/teemu-selanne-the-finnish-flash-by-the-numbers|Fox Sports]])]
+===== 76 Goals as a Rookie =====
+In 1992-93, Teemu Selanne set a seemingly unbreakable NHL rookie record by scoring 76 goals and 132 points. [([[https://www.si.com/nhl/2013/03/02/teemu-selanne-76-goals-rookie-record|Sports Illustrated]])]
+===== Carlyle's Norris Trophy =====
+Randy Carlyle won the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s top defenseman in 1981, the only such award in the history of the Jets 1.0 era. [([[https://www.quanthockey.com/nhl/awards/nhl-defenseman-of-the-year-award-winners.php|QuantHockey]])]
+===== Relocation and Atlanta Origins =====
+===== Departure to Phoenix =====
+Due to financial struggles and a lack of a modern arena, the original Jets moved to Arizona in 1996 to become the Phoenix Coyotes. [([[https://bleacherreport.com/articles/731174-winnipeg-jets-the-bittersweet-legacy-of-a-departed-franchise|Bleacher Report]])]
+===== The Thrashers Era =====
+The current Jets franchise actually began as the Atlanta Thrashers, joining the NHL as an expansion team in 1999. [([[https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/2021/05/31/thrashers-jets-relocation-anniversary/7504047002/|USA Today]])]
+===== Kovalchuk Selected First =====
+The Thrashers drafted Russian sniper Ilya Kovalchuk first overall in 2001, making him the cornerstone of the franchise for nearly a decade. [([[https://www.nbcsports.com/nhl/news/ilya-kovalchuk-and-the-thrashers-the-end-of-an-era|NBC Sports]])]
+===== Rocket Richard Winner =====
+Ilya Kovalchuk shared the Maurice Richard Trophy in 2004 after scoring 41 goals, becoming the first Thrasher to win a major NHL trophy. [([[https://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/awards/richard/|Yahoo Sports]])]
+===== Hossa's 100-Point Mark =====
+Marian Hossa remains the only player in the combined Thrashers/Jets 2.0 history to record 100 points in a single season (2006-07). [([[https://thehockeywriters.com/winnipeg-jets-atlanta-thrashers-records/|The Hockey Writers]])]
+===== The Return to Winnipeg =====
+===== True North Acquisition =====
+True North Sports & Entertainment purchased the Thrashers in May 2011 and relocated them to Winnipeg for the 2011-12 season. [([[https://www.nhl.com/news/true-north-buys-thrashers-moves-team-to-winnipeg/c-564223|NHL.com]])]
+===== Fans Resurrect the Name =====
+While the owners considered names like "Falcons," overwhelming fan pressure forced the team to bring back the "Jets" identity. [([[https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=6697843|ESPN]])]
+===== Inaugural Game 2.0 =====
+The Jets 2.0 played their first game in Winnipeg on October 9, 2011, at the MTS Centre against the Montreal Canadiens. [([[https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/winnipeg-jets-return-first-game-oral-history/|Sportsnet]])]
+===== Antropov's Historic Goal =====
+Nik Antropov scored the first goal for the modern Jets franchise at 2:27 of the third period in their home opener. [([[https://www.tsn.ca/winnipeg-jets-relocation-anniversary-return-to-nhl-1.1647464|TSN]])]
+===== Mark Scheifele Pick =====
+The Jets selected Mark Scheifele 7th overall in 2011, making him the first amateur drafted by the team after its move to Winnipeg. [([[https://theathletic.com/2643801/2021/06/10/the-pick-that-started-it-all-how-the-jets-chose-mark-scheifele/|The Athletic]])]
+===== Team Culture and Traditions =====
+===== Mick E. Moose =====
+Mick E. Moose, the team mascot, was brought over from the Manitoba Moose (AHL) to serve the NHL club upon their return. [([[https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/WPG/|Hockey Reference]])]
+===== The True North Shout =====
+Winnipeg fans famously scream "TRUE NORTH!" during the Canadian national anthem to honor the ownership group that saved hockey in the city. [([[https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/winnipeg-fans-loudly-shout-true-north-during-national-anthem/|CBS Sports]])]
+===== The Winnipeg Whiteout =====
+The tradition of fans wearing all white during home playoff games was revived in 2015 for the Jets' first postseason appearance in Winnipeg since 1996. [([[https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nhl/the-winnipeg-whiteout-a-history-of-the-jets-iconic-tradition|Fox Sports]])]
+===== Smallest Arena in the NHL =====
+Canada Life Centre (formerly MTS Centre) was the smallest arena in the NHL upon the Jets' return, with a capacity under 16,000. [([[https://www.si.com/nhl/2015/04/16/winnipeg-jets-mts-centre-home-ice-advantage|Sports Illustrated]])]
+===== Dale Hawerchuk Statue =====
+The Jets unveiled a statue of legend Dale Hawerchuk in True North Square in 2022 to honor his contributions to the franchise and city. [([[https://www.quanthockey.com/nhl/teams/winnipeg-jets-players-career-nhl-stats.html|QuantHockey]])]
+===== Modern Franchise Records =====
+===== Hellebuyck's First Vezina =====
+Connor Hellebuyck won the Vezina Trophy in 2020, becoming the first goaltender in modern Jets history to be named the league's best. [([[https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2910051-nhl-awards-2020-winners-results-reaction-for-hart-vezina-and-more|Bleacher Report]])]
+===== Most Wins in Net =====
+Connor Hellebuyck holds the franchise record for career wins, surpassing the marks set during the Atlanta era. [([[https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/jets/2023/10/24/connor-hellebuyck-winnipeg-jets-franchise-wins-record/71302832007/|USA Today]])]
+===== Wheeler's Assist Record =====
+Blake Wheeler holds the franchise record for career assists, amassing over 500 during his time as the team's top playmaker. [([[https://www.nbcsports.com/nhl/news/blake-wheeler-becomes-all-time-franchise-points-leader|NBC Sports]])]
+===== Scheifele Leads in Goals =====
+Mark Scheifele is the franchise's all-time leading goal scorer, having surpassed Ilya Kovalchuk's Atlanta-era total. [([[https://sports.yahoo.com/winnipeg-jets-mark-scheifele-franchise-goals-leader-024510254.html|Yahoo Sports]])]
+===== 103 Points for Scheifele =====
+During the 2025-26 season, Mark Scheifele set a new Jets 2.0 record with 103 points, the first player in Winnipeg to cross the century mark. [([[https://thehockeywriters.com/winnipeg-jets-mark-scheifele-100-point-season/|The Hockey Writers]])]
+===== The 2018 Playoff Run =====
+===== Franchise Record Points =====
+The Jets finished the 2017-18 season with a record 114 points and 52 wins, the best regular season in franchise history. [([[https://www.nhl.com/jets/news/jets-season-in-review-2017-18/c-298711424|NHL.com]])]
+===== First Series Victory =====
+In 2018, the Jets won their first-ever playoff series by defeating the Minnesota Wild in five games. [([[https://www.espn.com/nhl/recap/_/gameId/401028711|ESPN]])]
+===== Game 7 Road Win =====
+The Jets eliminated the Presidents' Trophy-winning Nashville Predators in 2018 with a 5-1 victory in a decisive Game 7 on the road. [([[https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/jets-advance-western-conference-final-game-7-win-predators/|Sportsnet]])]
+===== Western Conference Final =====
+The 2018 postseason marked the first time the Jets/Thrashers franchise reached the third round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. [([[https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/winnipeg-jets-2018-playoff-run-oral-history-1.1643210|TSN]])]
+===== Scheifele's Road Goals Record =====
+Mark Scheifele set an NHL record in 2018 by scoring 11 goals on the road in a single playoff season. [([[https://theathletic.com/345123/2018/05/11/mark-scheifele-nhl-playoff-road-goal-record/|The Athletic]])]
+===== Notable Drafts and Personnel =====
+===== Drafting Patrik Laine =====
+The Jets selected Finnish winger Patrik Laine 2nd overall in 2016; he went on to score 36 goals in his rookie season. [([[https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/WPG/2017.html|Hockey Reference]])]
+===== Josh Morrissey's Development =====
+Selected 13th overall in 2013, Josh Morrissey has become the team’s most reliable top-pairing defenseman and a Norris contender. [([[https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/players/josh-morrissey/2065412/|CBS Sports]])]
+===== Kyle Connor's Scoring Elite =====
+Kyle Connor, drafted 17th overall in 2015, has recorded multiple 40-goal seasons and won the Lady Byng Trophy in 2022. [([[https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nhl/jets-kyle-connor-wins-lady-byng-trophy|Fox Sports]])]
+===== Laine-Dubois Trade =====
+In a 2021 blockbuster, the Jets traded Patrik Laine and Jack Roslovic to Columbus for center Pierre-Luc Dubois. [([[https://www.si.com/nhl/2021/01/23/jets-blue-jackets-trade-patrik-laine-pierre-luc-dubois|Sports Illustrated]])]
+===== Stripping the Captaincy =====
+In a rare move in 2022, head coach Rick Bowness decided to remove the captaincy from Blake Wheeler to change the team's leadership dynamic. [([[https://www.quanthockey.com/nhl/teams/winnipeg-jets-players-career-nhl-stats.html|QuantHockey]])]
+===== Recent Era and Trivia =====
+===== Adam Lowry Named Captain =====
+Adam Lowry was named the team's third captain in 2023, following in the footsteps of Andrew Ladd and Blake Wheeler. [([[https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10089123-jets-name-adam-lowry-captain-replacing-blake-wheeler|Bleacher Report]])]
+===== Dustin Byfuglien's Impact =====
+"Big Buff" was the heart of the Jets for years, famously carrying the team to the 2018 Conference Finals with his unique mix of skill and size. [([[https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/jets/2020/04/17/dustin-byfuglien-winnipeg-jets-contract-terminated/5153214002/|USA Today]])]
+===== Sharing with the Moose =====
+The Jets share their home arena with the Manitoba Moose, their AHL affiliate, which is also owned by True North. [([[https://www.nbcsports.com/nhl/news/jets-bring-back-manitoba-moose-as-ahl-affiliate|NBC Sports]])]
+===== 2016 Heritage Classic =====
+Winnipeg hosted the Edmonton Oilers for an outdoor game in 2016, celebrating the shared WHA history of both franchises. [([[https://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/events/heritage-classic-2016/|Yahoo Sports]])]
+===== Project 11 Initiative =====
+Following the tragic death of Rick Rypien, the Jets launched Project 11, a major mental health curriculum for students across Manitoba. [([[https://thehockeywriters.com/winnipeg-jets-rick-rypien-legacy-project-11/|The Hockey Writers]])]

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