About Winnipeg Jets
The franchise was founded in 1999 as Atlanta Thrashers but the team struggled on ice qualifying to playoffs only once, and not recording a playoff win combined probably counted towards the team’s financial struggles and eventually the brand was bought out and moved to Winnipeg to start season 2011-12 there. The franchise was renamed to Jets after Winnipeg’s original WHA/NHL team that left the city in 1996.
After the move the Jets continued to struggle in regular seasons and they only qualified to the postseason appearance one in 2015. The fans do have hopes though as they brought back an old tradition from the previous Jets franchise, called Winnipeg Whiteout which requires from fans to wear white clothing for playoff games creating a very intimidating effect and atmosphere.
The team is a member of Central Division in Western Conference and they have not got any division titles yet. Their colours are polar night blue, aviator blue, silver and white and Mick E. Moose is their mascot that is quite a busy one as he is also AHL Manitoba Moose mascot. Phew.
Paul Maurice is the head coach of the Jets and he has plenty of coaching experience prior to joining the franchise in 2014. He became the youngest coach in NHL history to coach 1000 games which he achieved in 2010.
In a goal the Jets rely on two goalies, their home grown talent, Ondrej Pavelec who they drafted in 2005 and Connor Hellebuyck who was also the team’s drafting choice and who is learning his craft at NHL level by joining the team this season. It will be an evaluation of the two goalies playing a role in who starts in which games.
The Jets’ nominated captain is Andrew Ladd, 4th overall draft pick left wingman who landed with the after winning two Stanley Cups with two different franchises, eventually being traded to then Atlanta Thrashers. With plenty of playoff experience he will definitely be an important asset to the Jets’ younger players.
He can count on support from veteran players like Blake Wheeler (right wing) and Bryan Little (center). Both players has played for the franchise for few seasons with Little being a home grown talent who was awarded the team’s MVP title in two seasons.
Wheeler who played also for Bruins was named NHL Young Stars MVP in 2009 for scoring four goals in the NHL Youngstars Game.
The Jets are just settling in Winnipeg but it appears the franchise had made some smart choices in the past by acquiring solid players to their roster and hopefully they’ll force the fans for more Winnipeg Whiteouts by grabbing playoffs spots in near future.