Historical Moments:
2011/12: After 15 years without NHL hockey, the city of Winnipeg got a second chance when
True North Sports and Entertainment successfully negotiated to buy the Atlanta
Thrashers and move them north, after first attempting to return the Phoenix Coyotes
to their Winnipeg roots. Before the move could become official True North
had to demonstrate they could sell enough season tickets to justify the move. Once
ticket went on sale to the general public, it took just 17 minutes to reach
Commissioner Gary Bettman's goal of 13,000 season tickets. The move would get
formal approval on June 21st, as the sale of $170 million, which included a $60
million relocation fee, was approved. Once the move became official fans, who
wanted the team to carry the old Jets name won out and the Winnipeg Jets were back.
Their first coach will be Claude Noel as Kevin Cheveldayoff was tabbed to
be the General Manager. The logo pays homage to the RAF with a fighter Jet superimposed
on a Maple Leaf in a blue circle. October 9th was the day fans in Winnipeg
have been waiting for 15 years, as NHL hockey returned with the new Jets hosting
the Montreal Canadiens. The game was televised nationally, but fans would
go home disappointed as the Canadiens won 5-1, with Nik Antropov scoring the
lone goal for the Jets. The Jets would lose their first three games, including
an October 15th game on the road against the Phoenix Coyotes, the team that once
was called the Winnipeg Jets. On October 17th, the Jets would earn their first
win of the year against the Pittsburgh Penguins. For most of the first two months
the Jets struggled, as they held a record of 9-11-4 at the end of November.
With 12 games at home in December, the Jets had a strong finish the 2011 half
of their season, winning ten games as they beat the New Jersey Devils 4-2 on December
3rd, beat the reigning Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins 2-1 three
days later. They would also earn a thrilling 1-0 win over the Los Angeles Kings
in a shootout, as Chris Mason out dueled Jonathan Quick, as they went into
2012 with a record of 19-14-5. However, with nine games on the road, the Jets would
struggle in January, winning just four games as their playoff hopes quickly
began to dim. Home games were the best medicine for the Jets who traveled more
miles than any other team in the NHL as they remained stuck in the Southeast
Division, with the move coming too late for realignment. The Jets would post a
23-13-5 record at the MTS Centre, but they would win just 14 games on the road,
as they finished fourth in their division with a record of 37-35-10, missing the
playoffs by eight points. Blake Wheeler would lead the team with 64 points,
while Evander Kane scored the most goals with 30. In addition Dustin Byfuglien
and Captain Andrew Ladd both topped 50 points. In Goal the Jets were led
by Ondrej Pavelec who had a 2.91 GAA and a.906 save percentage.
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