1995: Barry Shenkarow press conference
 | During the last game of the 1994-1995 season, Jets owner Barry Shenkarow fields questions from members of the press during the first intermission regarding the future of the team in Winnipeg CKND May 02, 1995 (Link not available to source) |
"Save the Jets" Rally at The Forks: Kris King
| | A last ditch effort, the "Save the Jets" Rally at The Forks drew over 35,000 people. The "Grassroots Endowment Fund" ultimately exceeded $13 million... Videon May 16, 1995 (Link not available to source) |
"Save the Jets" Rally at The Forks: Teemu Selanne
| | A last ditch effort, the "Save the Jets" Rally at The Forks drew over 35,000 people. The "Grassroots Endowment Fund" ultimately exceeded $13 million... Videon May 16, 1995 (Link not available to source) |
"Save the Jets" Rally at The Forks: Curt Kielback
| | A last ditch effort, the "Save the Jets" Rally at The Forks drew over 35,000 people. The "Grassroots Endowment Fund" ultimately exceeded $13 million... Videon May 16, 1995 (Link not available to source) |
"Save the Jets" Rally at The Forks: Randy Gilhen
| | A last ditch effort, the "Save the Jets" Rally at The Forks drew over 35,000 people. The "Grassroots Endowment Fund" ultimately exceeded $13 million... Videon May 16, 1995 (Link not available to source) |
HOCKEY;Winnipeg Jets Migrating South to Phoenix
 | The New York Times December 05, 1995 Source |
For the Love of the Game, part 1
| | This TSN Documentary examines the passion for the game of Hockey in Canada & the notion that perhaps the NHL is deliberately keeping Canadian teams out of its exclusive club. This 3 part series looks as all aspects of keeping a franchise in Winnipeg thru interviews with all of the main players. Everyone from the Mayor Of Winnipeg, Premier of Manitoba, Owner of the Winnipeg Jets, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman & Most importantly; The Fans. Something to think about while watching this documentary, If Bettman himself states that if there are not enough fans going to the games to make it successful; Why in 2008 are we stuck still watching failing franchises in the Southern States? Winnipeg had the fan base however; our Arena was not suitable for the NHL to provide revenue for Players Salaries, etc however; other cities such as Pittsburgh were in the exact same position but Bettman did much more to keep that team there then he EVER did for our city of Winnipeg. Also; although our Mayor at the time "Susan Thompson" comes off as a true supporter of keeping the Jets in Winnipeg, Just remember that SHE could have...... "In 1996, Winnipeg's mayor Susan Thompson spent $130 million of taxpayer money to prepare for the 1999 Pan American Games instead of building an arena for the Jets. The Pan-Am funds were used to improve roads and clean up Winnipeg for the 16-day event. Years later, the $130 million Winnipeg spent has amortized into nothing. Susan Thompson was thinking short-term instead of long-term. The benefits of an arena and a NHL team can be had for decades, while the benefits of new paint and fixed roads were felt for less then a single decade. Had Winnipeg not had such an incompetent mayor at the time, an arena would have been built long ago, and the Jets would still in Winnipeg." Part 1 of 3. TSN, Inside Sports July 01, 1996 (Link not available to source) |
Scott Taylor reacts to sale of the Jets
| | Scott Taylor is a very well known and respected individual whose knowledge regarding the Winnipeg Jets departure is accurate and forthright. He explains the outcome of what happened in '95 before, during and after Manitobans fight to keep the team in Winnipeg. TSN July 02, 1996 (Link not available to source) |
Say It Ain't So... Transactions That Broke Our Hearts
| | Seems time sort of stopped for Jets fans on October 18, 1995 -- the day the Winnipeg Jets were officially sold to U.S. businessmen. But before that date, other dates also abruptly stopped Jets fans in their tracks as six dates in Jet history caused many a Jets fan to take pause and them some. CNN/Sports Illustrated August 09, 2001 Source |
Blair Mackasey comments on the NHL in Winnipeg
| | Blair Mackasey, head scout for Hockey Canada at the time, commenting on the NHL in Winnipeg following tremendous support during the 2005 World Junior Hockey Championship in North Dakota. TSN January 06, 2005 (Link not available to source) |
Just a matter of time
| | Sports business analyst says NHL's return to Winnipeg is a 'no-brainer' With the new CBA bringing both revenue sharing and a salary cap into view, a new arena in downtown Winnipeg that can derive much more revenue than the past Winnipeg arena, Mark Chipman has crunched the numbers. While he won't guarantee anything, he also won't rule anything out, as it pertains to the NHL returning to Winnipeg. Paul Friesen, Winnipeg Sun October 05, 2005 (Link not available to source) |
Fans favour Oilers
| | Coyotes just aren't Jets The players commented after the preseason game at the MTS Centre: "It's an exhibition game and it did not feel like one," said Doan. "It felt like a regular-season game with the way the crowd was into it. You could see them cheering and holding up signs. This was a unique opportunity that I enjoyed a lot." "It was great and in exhibition games, you don't get that a lot of the time," added Stoll. "I played with the Road Runners two years ago against the Moose and it was a different atmosphere in here tonight. You could feel it and it's good to see that. Winnipeg has always been known as a city that supports their sports." The Wave and the Go-Jets-Go Chant made appearances in the third period as the Oilers beat the Coyotes 5-0. Ken Wiebe, Winnipeg Sun September 18, 2006 (Link not available to source) |
The Fan 590: PrimeTime Sports with David Asper
 | David Asper, Executive Vice President, CanWest Global, speaks with Prime Time Sports about Winnipeg and NHL expansion. David Asper has indicated his interest in being part of an ownership group and is comfortable with the MTS Centre as host. He further indicated that beyond Winnipeg being a rabid hockey market that there is a will to have a team in Winnipeg. The Fan 590 January 23, 2007 (Link not available to source) |
Why Not Winnipeg?
| | With many teams showing dwindling interest in both attending NHL games or watching them on television, the writers conclude that Winnipeg is ripe for the NHL. Current Buffalo Sabre and former Winnipeg Jet, Teppo Numminen is quoted in endorsing Winnipeg’s fanbase. Darren Ford of Jetsowner.com provides a perspective on population size and arena size in detemining a market’s ability to support the NHL. Andrew Kulyk & Peter Farrell, Puck Stop March 14, 2007 Source |
The Day the Jets Died, Part 1: Sudden, Painful Death
| | The good old hockey game is the best game you can name' -- Stompin' Tom Connors One of the best summaries of the events surrounding the Jets demise. For some this read will be a painful reminder of not only what was lost but of the politics and egos that became as much a roadblock to securing the Jets' future as anything else. It explains the sometimes public struggle it was to gain the commitment to build a new arena and practically at the same time, to sell the team to another local group. Much of this content was not public during those days. Included at the end of the story is a dateline of critical events. There is simply no better summary of these chain of events in existence, wrote by the Winnipeg Free Press' own Randy Turner. Randy Turner, Winnipeg Free Press March 31, 2007 Source |
The Day the Jets Died, Part 2: Big-league dreams, small-town fears
| | PEOPLE SAY HOCKEY IS A RELIGION. IT'S BIGGER THAN THAT.' --Sports psychologist Cal Botterill One of the best summaries of the events surrounding the Jets possible return. For some this read will be a painful reminder of not only what was lost but of the politics and egos that became as much a roadblock to securing the Jets' future as anything else. It explains the sometimes public struggle it was to gain the commitment to build a new arena and practically at the same time, to sell the team to another local group. Much of this content was not public during those days. Alot of the sentiment shared by some of Manitoba's business community may shed light in the future as to their motives and future involvement. There is simply no better summary of these chain of events in existence, wrote by the Winnipeg Free Press' own Randy Turner. Randy Turner, Winnipeg Free Press April 01, 2007 Source |
Continue to be Passionate: Bettman
| | Tim Campbell’s complete one on one interview with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman included questions like “Did you really mean leaving Winnipeg was wrong?” and “Do you have rules on seats or luxury suites?”. Mr. Bettman’s responses were both fairly candid and positive and ended much worry over whether the MTS centre met NHL minimum standards. Tim Campbell, Winnipeg Free Press May 30, 2007 Source |
Brownie Points: Hey, Winnipeg, cool your jets
| | A very cheeky column from Arizona sure to inspire Winnipeg Jet fans. While Jerry Brown does see our new rink as being NHL-ready, he unfortuntely trots out various cliques about canadians and winter. Jerry Brown, East Valley Tribune September 23, 2007 Source |
"Ask Gary Bettman" with Ron MacLean
| | During the CBC Sports presentation of Hockey Night 2008, there was a segment following the NHL All Star Skills Competition entitled "Ask Gary Bettman" hosted by Ron MacLean. In this clip, Gary was asked when NHL teams would be in Winnipeg, Hamilton and Quebec City... CBC, Hockey Night 2008 January 27, 2008 (Link not available to source) |
Mike Beauregard reports; Peter Mansbridge with Mark Chipman
| | Mike Beauregard reports from Winnipeg focusing on the state of pro hockey, past, present and future. Following Mike’s report is a live, candid discussion between CBC television newsanchor Peter Mansbridge and Mark Chipman, governor of the Manitoba Moose hockey club, regarding the various aspects of the return of the NHL to Winnipeg. CBC Newsworld February 06, 2008 (Link not available to source) |
Global News Winnipeg: Don Cherry in Winnipeg
| | Don Cherry arrives in Winnipeg en route to Winkler, Manitoba for CBC's "Hockey Day In Canada." He is greeted by fans at the airport, and is presented with the question of whether or not he believes the NHL will return to Winnipeg. Don is so supportive of the idea that he even suggests he'd be an investor in the team. Canwest Global February 08, 2008 (Link not available to source) |
Canadian clubs bring in 1/3 of ticket revenue
| | The Fan 590: Jim Kelly chats about the recent NHL document which states that the top 6 Canadian clubs (20% of the NHL teams) bring in 1/3 (33%) of ticket revenue in the league, and mentions how this statistic should convince Gary Bettman to add another Canadian team to the NHL. They note past Canucks owner Arthur Griffith's surpportive comments about placing a team in Winnipeg, Hamilton and Quecbec City as well as very direct and supportive comments by the NHLPA head, Paul Kelly. Jim Kelly mentions that the NHL would probably drop resistance to Jim Balsillie if his destination target was Winnipeg, Quebec City or Kitcherner-Waterloo instead of Hamilton and its territorial issues with the Maples Leafs and Sabres. Jim Kelly, The Fan 590 May 30, 2008 (Link not available to source) |
Winnipeggers still dream Jets will fly home
| | George Johnson was in Winnipeg in September 2008 for the Flames pre-season tilt against the Phoenix Coyotes at the MTS Centre. George covered local reaction including the Manitoba Mythbusters to Gretzky’s inflammatory comments he made just a few days before arriving in Winnipeg. Former Jets coach Tom Watt supports Winnipeg’s return. George Johnson, Canwest News Service September 24, 2008 Source |
Daren Millard and Mike Brophy with Chris Mackie
| | HockeyCentral at Noon on the Fan590 had Manitoba Mythbusters’ Chair Chris Mackie as guest. Both Darren and Mike seemed emotionally supportive yet financially skeptical at the start of the conversation. But as the flyer’s numbers showed over the course of the chat, the brain wins out over the heart and still supports Winnipeg’s return. The Fan 590 September 24, 2008 (Link not available to source) |
ShawTV: Mark Messier in Winnipeg for a 2008 pre-season game
| | Mark Messier's positive feelings regarding the possible return of the NHL to Winnipeg. ShawTV September 24, 2008 (Link not available to source) |
CJOB 680 Radio: Bob Irving and Richard Cloutier
| | A local radio station recaps the year in news on Christmas Eve 2008. Premier Doer comments on his wish to see the NHL return through a quiet and private sector-led group. Without naming Gretzky, Doer notes that his summer time quote is “dubious” now that Phoenix is now in financial limbo. Sports Director Bob Irving mentioned that the provincial government would love to be in power when this return occurs. As such, the province will be there, but not as the leader. Irving indicated that some teams won’t survive and that Winnipeg will get a shot however the valuation on these teams will require Mark Chipman’s group to write some major cheques. Irving was adamant in answering a listener’s comment that the MTS Centre size will not be a roadblock providing the private people and the government have the money on the table. Irving underscored several times that Mark Chipman will do anything he can to bring the NHL to Manitoba. Host Richard Cloutier thinks that it is closer now to a return than in the last few years. CJOB 680 AM December 24, 2008 (Link not available to source) |
The Morning Skate: How Did the Coyotes Mess Happen?
| | Stu Hackel, The New York Times January 12, 2009 Source |
