Winnipeg Jets

Wally Boyer in an original Jets uniform.

Willy Lindstrom in a Jets uniform.

Jets-in-brief

The Winnipeg Jets, who became the flagship franchise in the World Hockey Association, made immediate news in the league from day one. In the WHA's general player draft in 1972, the Jets selected Chicago Blackhawk Bobby Hull. Nicknamed "The Golden Jet", #9 was tiring of annual contract with the Blackhawks, and jumped at the chance to play in another pro league. Owner Ben Hatskin was able to sign Hull to a contract with a $1,000,000 signing bonus, an amount big by 1972 standards. All twelve WHA clubs contributed to the bonus, as the league was eaget to establish itself as reputable. The Blackhawks fought the signing, and a court action forced him to miss the first 14 games of the season. However, the action cleared evebntually, and Hull, with 51 goals, led the Jets to a First Place finish in the Western Division. The Jets made the playoffs, beating Minnesota and Houston in the playoffs before losing in the AVCO Cup Finals to New England.

In 1973-74, Hull led the Jets with 53 goals, but the Jets fell to 4th place, and fell in the playoffs to Houston in the first round. So, in 1974-75 Winnipeg became the first club to actively scout outside North America. The team signed several Scandinavian players to contracts, but missed the playoffs.

Bobby Kromm was hired as coach in 1976, allowing Hull to return to the ice full time. Hull led the powerful Jets to a 52-27-2 finish, first place in the Canadian Division. The team then ran through the playoffs, defeating Edmonton amd Calgary before sweeping defending champion Houston to win the AVCO Cup. The club slipped in the standings slightly in 1976-77, finishing second behind Houston, but again made the finals, defeating San Diego and Houston before falling to Quebec in the finals. Ironically Quebec was the same team that had bombed the Jets earlier in the season 12-3 after the Jets returned from Europe. Winnipeg spent some time at the Moscow Izvestia Cup Tournament in December 1976 as a reward for winning the AVCO Cup in 1975-76.

As the WHA began winding down, after the 1977 merger talks had failed, the Jets once again showed that they were the class of the WHA. Led by newcomer Kent Nilsson, the Jets finished in first place. A phenomenonal offense had netted the Jets 381 goals on the season, and thel lost only once in nine playoff games, beating Birmingham and New England to win their second AVCO Cup.

in 1978-79, the WHA's final season, the Jets picked up several players from defunct Houston to make up for losing Ulf Nilsson and Anders Hedberg to the NHL Rangers. Finishing third in the league, they beat Quebec and Edmonton to take their third AVCO Cup, and ending the WHA's history with a 7-3 win over Edmonton in Game 6 on May 20, 1979.

The merger with the NHL was finally approved in 1979, and Winnipeg, Quebec, New England, and Edmonton were admitted to the NHL for 1979-80.

Jets year-by-year

Year       W     L     T     pts.     Finish        Playoffs
1972-73   43    31     4     90       1st Western   Beat Minnesota 4-1
                                                    Beat Houston 4-0
                                                    Lost to New England 1-4
1973-74   34    39     5     73       4th Western   Lost to Houston 0-4
1974-75   38    35     5     81       3rd Canadian  None
1975-76   52    27     2    106       1st Canadian  Beat Edmonton 4-0
                                                    Beat Calgary 4-1
                                                    Beat Houston 4-0
1976-77   46    32     2     94       2nd Western   Beat San Diego 4-3
                                                    Beat Houston 4-2
                                                    Lost to Quebec 3-4
1977-78   50    28     2    102       1st League    Beat Birmingham 4-1
                                                    Second Round bye
                                                    Beat New England 4-0
1978-79   39    35     6     84       3rd League    Beat Quebec 4-0
                                                    Beat Edmonton 4-2