A sympathetic ear
 | Great One recalls Jets' past and holds out hope for NHL future Gretzky comments positively about Winnipeg as he arrives in town for the first preseason game at the MTS Centre: "When the franchise left years ago, there were a lot of reasons as to why the team left," Gretzky began. "A lot of those issues have sort of changed. By that, I mean the salary cap, obviously, revenue sharing to a certain degree, the American-Canadian dollar is stronger than it was ... and the new facility. So there's a lot more in favour of Winnipeg maybe some day getting an NHL franchise back." He added, "I know the league, the players themselves, enjoy playing here." Gretzky concluded by saying, "The visiting teams enjoy the atmosphere in this city. There's a lot better chance in this day and age that this city could get a franchise than maybe 10 years ago. Whether or not it happens is something the league has to work out, and ownerships have to work out. But obviously this city's always going to get talked about, because it's a good hockey city." Paul Friesen, 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) |
CBC: Ron MacLean and Gary Bettman, All Star Game, Part 1
 | Gary Bettman responds to Ron MacLean’s questions at the 2007 All Star Game in Dallas, Texas. The NHL Commissioner does think that Winnipeg can support the NHL again with the new CBA. CBC, Hockey Night in Canada January 26, 2007 (Link not available to source) |
Canwest Global: Local Reaction To Gary Bettman's Support For Winnipeg
| | Local reaction to the NHL Commissioner’s support for Winnipeg’s return to the NHL. CEO Edmonton Oilers, Pat LaForge, supports Winnipeg. Global also speculates on potential NHL financials. (Although much was understated or missing.) Claims that $260 million would be required before the first season starts are inflated with no mention how future revenues streams for both hockey and non-hockey events at the MTS Centre may offset a team purchase cost. Canwest Global January 26, 2007 (Link not available to source) |
CBC: HNIC Hotstove
| | A week following Mr. Bettman’s supportive comments about Winnipeg, the group of reporters speak about some NHL governors support for it, a potential local ownership group has already reviewed two NHL teams books and concluded that the NHL would work in Winnipeg with the current MTS Centre at 15,003 seating capacity. CBC, Hockey Night in Canada: Hotstove January 28, 2007 (Link not available to source) |
CJOB 680 AM: Gary Bettman's comments at the 2006-07 NHL All-Star Game
| | Local media reaction to Gary Bettman's comments at the 2006-07 NHL All-Star Game about Winnipeg's return to the NHL. Paraphrasing Bettman: "Under the current CBA, Winnipeg could probably support the NHL." Both David Asper and Mark Chipman attended the game and festivities in Dallas, Texas. CJOB 680 AM Radio January 28, 2007 (Link not available to 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 |
Ford thinks NHL's return to 'Peg is near
| | Mark Chipman cautiously yet positively responds to Gary Bettman’s assessment about Winnipeg. Darren Ford brings up the topic of hockey market size and supply and demand effects for creating ticket scarcity with the proper sized arena. Avi Saper, WinnipegFirst.ca April 03, 2007 Source |
Bettman Mentions Returning to Winnipeg
| | TSN reports a Canadian Press story that contains Gary Bettman's "righting a wrong" comment in relation to Winnipeg. A Canadian newspaper editorial made the point that if the NHL did add another Canadian team it should go back to Winnipeg first because they have a new building and the NHL owes it to them. "I'm not opining on whether or not that's an opinion that I agree with, but it is an interesting and intriguing thought," Bettman said in a comment that raised eyebrows. "When we had the chance to go back to Minnesota, we did. Because it made sense, the right ownership, the right building situation," said Bettman. "The market was strong and vibrant. We haven't studied Quebec City or Winnipeg or anywhere else in Canada, but the notion that if it could work to put a franchise back in a place where one was lost, feels good - provided we don't wind up in a situation where we've created a prescription for another failing franchise." Bettman concluded by saying, "so am I intrigued? It's obviously something I've thought about in terms of trying to make right something that one point in our history went wrong." The NHL Commissioner also downplayed a second team for Toronto. The Canadian Press May 28, 2007 Source |
Bettman 'intrigued' by idea of NHL in 'Peg
| | This is the original article contains Gary Bettman's "righting a wrong" comment in relation to Winnipeg. Pierre LeBrun, Canadian Press May 29, 2007 Source |
Bettman mentions returning to Winnipeg
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Luc Wolfe, crashthenet.ca May 29, 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 |
Fuzzy NHL Winnipeg picture could clear
| | You had to wade through the customary allotment of bafflegab and doublespeak, but when Gary Bettman invoked the name of Winnipeg during his state-of-the-union address earlier this week, it appears he did so for one of two reasons. The Vancouver Province's Ed Willes speculates on why Gary Bettman would bring up Winnipeg at his State of the Union news conference. "Mark Chipman, the Moose's owner, has maintained a dialogue with the NHL, studied the books of both Ottawa and Edmonton and he believes he could operate an NHL team on a break-even basis in his town." Willis adds, "Ten years ago, the NHL thought it had outgrown Winnipeg. It appears they've had time to reconsider." Canwest News Service June 01, 2007 Source |
Winnipeg, NHL silent partners?
| | City's slow, steady, quiet approach best way to land team Both True North chairman Mark Chipman and CEO Jim Ludlow were invited this past January to make a presentation to the NHL's executive committee in a meeting which operators of the MTS Centre preferred to keep hush-hush. "Because we've expressed interest in knowing more about their plans in the past and a desire to be considered in whatever plans they might have, we were invited with some other cities to go and... explain to the executive committee how our market might fit into whatever plans they're contemplating," Chipman said. "I think the (NHL is) just beginning to contemplate the possibility of expansion and I think they want to know what's out there." Chipman added, "we described our existing organization. We described the building that we play in. We described what we judged to be the market capacity. And if they were considering either expansion or relocation we felt we were capable of going to the next step." Chipman was not aware if the NHL had established any pecking order of potential markets. Ludlow said the message of the presentation was to inform the league's executive committee on the overall success of the MTS Centre, in terms of Moose attendance and the strong entertainment component of the new arena. Chipman explained, "I think we were treated very fairly and very respectfully, and I think the comments you've seen have been a reflection of that presentation and the ongoing dialogue after that." In regards to the CBA and an ever-evolving salary cap, Chipman said, ""We want to understand it in the event an opportunity does come forward because we want to be ready for it." Randy Turner, Winnipeg Free Press July 07, 2007 Source |
Peg as good fit for NHL? Well, duh!
| | Randy Turner brings to light a quote from Edmonton Oiler CEO Patrick LaForge. "As it relates to Winnipeg, it's one of the great hockey markets in North America," LaForge insisted. "The next proposal -- if there ever is one -- for expansion, it has to be a great hockey market. And Winnipeg passes the great-hockey-market test." Turner explains that not only has the NHL's feelings towards Winnipeg changed for the better over the last few years, but over those same years, positive comments made by NHL brass about Winnipeg have went from headlines to practically unreported as it is no longer newsworthy. The refreshing part as Turner explains is that "the understanding at the highest level of the NHL that ... modest stability may be more financially attractive than sinking another drill into unfamiliar territory." Randy Turner, Winnipeg Free Press September 20, 2007 Source |
Sens owner, Paddock tout Winnipeg for team
| | Senators owner Eugene Melnyk says that talk about arena size in Winnipeg misses the point. Both he and former Jets GM and coach and current Senators coach John Paddock support Winnipeg’s return. Winnipeg Free Press, from the news services November 07, 2007 Source |
Hockey Hearsay
| | A Loonie idea for Winnipeg A high-ranking hockey source says the league receives daily calls about bringing a franchise back to Manitoba. The NHL reportedly also reinforced its patent on the Winnipeg Jets name and logos. Sportsnet.ca November 07, 2007 Source |
Melnyk supports NHL in Canada
| | The Leader-Post, canada.com November 10, 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) |
CBC Radio with Ron MacLean
| | CBC Radio: Hockey Night in Canada's Ron MacLean is interviewed en route to Hockey Day in Winkler. Ron is absolutely convinced that a southern NHL team will move to Winnipeg. CBC Radio February 09, 2008 (Link not available to source) |
Commissioner's State of the NHL News Conference
| | Commissioner’s State of the NHL News Conference typed out verbatim. Many questions surrounding NHL economics, potential expansion ( with Winnipeg being mentioned) and revenue sharing to name a few topics. The New York Times May 24, 2008 Source |
31% of NHL ticket revenue from Canadian teams
| | The Canadian Press examines the NHL’s gate receipts by game and by team and finds that Canadian teams proved to be among the most financially sound. These numbers allow Manitoba Mythbusters to compare how a potential Winnipeg team’s ticket prices at the MTS Centre and related gate revenues would show against the existing 30 teams. NHLPA Executive Director Paul Kelly cites the document and says that this highlights the need for more teams in Canada instead of the U.S. The Canadian Press May 30, 2008 Source |
Canadian NHL teams mean money
| | Canada's six clubs are responsible for bringing in almost one-third of NHL's entire ticket revenue Rick Westhead at the Toronto Star breaks a story from a leaked NHL attendance and gate revenue report. Former Vancouver Canucks owner Arthur Griffiths said that the report makes the case for another Canadian team “whether it's Hamilton, Winnipeg or Quebec City”. Paul Kelly, head of the NHLPA, said "I think it would be a huge error not to relocate one of the existing franchises to Hamilton or Winnipeg." The numbers show that 8 US clubs brought in less than half that of Edmonton or Ottawa. Rick Westhead, Sports Business Columnist, TheStar.com May 30, 2008 Source |
Winnipeg is Changing
| | A collection of architectural drawings from some of the many developments happening in Winnipeg, Manitoba. YouTube/scarman1973 July 01, 2008 (Link not available to source) |
Hockeycentral with NHLPA's Paul Kelly
| | The Fan 590: Paul Kelly, NHLPA Executive Director, joins Hockeycentral to discuss the financial state of the league and relocating franchises to Canada. Paul Kelly directly points to Hamilton (even with territorial rights issues), Winnipeg and Quebec City. A second team in Toronto would sellout every night, Paul Kelly says as well. Paul also indicates that some teams may be in financial difficulty. Further, he indicates if they can't be resolved after 3 to 5 years of losses, those teams should be relocated with those Canadian prospective cities at the top of the list of destinations. The Fan 590 July 25, 2008 (Link not available to source) |
Report: NHL wants to be in Europe in 10 years
| | Carolina Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford openly supported Winnipeg and another Ontario based location as his priority over having teams in Europe. At the same time, he questioned Europe’s ability to pay NHL prices for tickets 42 times a year. TSN.ca Staff with Globe and Mail files September 12, 2008 Source |
CJOB 680 AM Radio: Bob Irving
| | Daily Sports Commentary with Bob Irving, with comments regarding NHL expansion to Europe, his reaction to Wayne Gretzky's and Jim Rutherford's recent comments, and how he believes Manitoba Premier Gary Doer and Mark Chipman will come up with the "deal of the century" in the next decade to bring the NHL back to Winnipeg. Bob Irving, CJOB 680 AM Radio September 15, 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 |
The Fan 960: Sportsline with Rob Kerr, Darren Ford
| | Rob Kerr at Calgary’s Fan 960 interviews Darren Ford of Jetsowner.com on exhibition game day between the Flames playing the Coyotes. Darren indicates an ownership group led by True North Sports and Entertainment is ready, with several prominent yet quiet local money people in touch with the NHL. Darren also explains why the MTS Centre size of 15,000 is not a roadblock to anyone including the ownership group. Darren indicated corporate support in Winnipeg is in place for Mark Chipman to even consider a venture like this. Darren confirms that David Asper’s involvement with a new stadium may not hold him back from being part of the NHL ownership group. Darren then also contrasted the Jim Balsille approach to the NHL to that of the Chipman group. The Fan 960 September 24, 2008 (Link not available to source) |
ShawTV: Coyotes and Flames players and coachs arrive into Winnipeg for pre-season hockey
| | As the Phoenix Coyotes and Calgary Flames play an exhibition game in Winnipeg, players and coachs talk about being back in the city that was once home to the Jets. ShawTV September 24, 2008 (Link not available to source) |
The Fan 590: Hockeycentral with NHL VP Bill Daly
| | The Fan 590 / Hockey Central: Nick Kypreos and Doug MacLean host the daily noon-hour hockey talk show. Mr. MacLean asks the NHL VP Bill Daly a question regarding Winnipeg and the possibility of "temporary expansion". Doug is adamant that relocation will have to happen, and Mr. Daly doesn't appear to disagree at all. The Fan 590 November 21, 2008 (Link not available to source) |
ShawTV's Sports Talk with Mark Chipman
| | ShawTV, Sports Talk: Hosted by Jim Toth, this week Manitoba Moose owner Mark Chipman talks about his team, the possibility of Sean Avery playing for the Moose and his push to bring the NHL to Winnipeg. ShawTV December 11, 2008 (Link not available to source) |
Bettman poised to play the greed card in negotiations
| | The "I Don't Like Mondays" columist suggests that "the NHL continues to encourage Winnipeg interests." The Calgary Herald's Bruce Dowbiggin goes on to say "with as many as six teams looking for salvation, even a risky franchise in the Manitoba capital looks good to league eyes." While our revenue projections (found here) for a team in Manitoba can never be confused with that of the Toronto Maple Leafs, it seems certain a Winnipeg team would most likely never need nor receive a dime of revenue sharing. Dowbiggin also reports why Gary Bettman might find a silver lining to the recent economic downturn. He suggests that these problems allow for the NHL to gain the necessary amunition in the next CBA negotitation against guaranteed contracts. After all none of the other 3 major sports have this provision with their players. Bruce Dowbiggin, Calgary Herald December 15, 2008 Source |
CJOB 680 AM Radio: Bob Irving
| | CJOB 680 Radio: CJOB sports director Bob Irving comments on the possible return of the NHL to Winnipeg. CJOB 680 AM December 24, 2008 (Link not available to source) |
CJOB's Bob Irving sports commentary on ESPN Player Survey
| | ESPN Player Survey: We asked (again), players answered Local radio sports director Bob Irving talks about a recent survey of NHL players where they were asked to pick their choice for another NHL city. Las Vegas was chosen first to no one's surprise considering the survey was asking a sample of predominant young men with lots of cash where they would like to visit a few times a year. Winnipeg was the next choice and well ahead of any other city usually refered to for expansion or relocation. This is significant since a large share of NHL players (those 31 and under) would have never played in Winnipeg when the Jets were here. CJOB 680 AM & ESPN February 09, 2009 (Link not available to source) |
Paul Kelly Wants Winnipeg In NHL Now
| | NHLPA boss Paul Kelly says that teams that perpetually struggle financially should consider moving to Canada, and he names Southern Ontario, Toronto and Winnipeg. Global News Winnipeg March 31, 2009 Source |
