1972-73 O-Pee-Chee - Dan Bouchard
2010-11 Upper Deck - Bryan Little
Tonight, in Calgary, the Atlanta Flames are playing the Atlanta Thrashers. Well, ok, it’s the Calgary Flames against the Winnipeg Jets, but both franchises originated in Atlanta. Apparently this is the first time in NHL history that this has happened. Go Atlanta Go.
Point to ponder: which city will get an NHL team first? Atlanta, for a third time, or Hamilton? Think about it.
2010-11 Score - Chris Chelios (Highlight)
This is going to be one of those things that people look back at in ten years and say, “really? Chris Chelios finished his career in Atlanta?” Yes, friend, he did. He was 48 years old. And yes, Atlanta used to have an NHL team. Twice, in fact. And both times, they lost their franchise to cities in Western Canada – Calgary, then Winnipeg. Take whatever you like from that.
Now, just to add some perspective to this, Chelios was not the oldest player ever to suit up in an NHL game. That honour belongs to Gordie Howe, who played in the NHL until he was 52. Fifty-two. It might not sound like that big a difference, but consider this: the Detroit Red Wings published a story in January of 2008 when Chelios, then playing for the Wings, became the second oldest NHL player ever, a few weeks before his 46th birthday. In order to eclipse Howe, the story says, Chelios would have had to play until February, 2014 – another six years from that point. Chelios was able to eke out a couple more years of pro hockey, including most of 2009-10 in the AHL with the Chicago Wolves, but 52 was still a long way off. People say Gretzky’s 50 in 39 might be the toughest record to break, but I’ll bet that one gets broken before someone else plays in the NHL at 52.
I’ll bet Atlanta gets another team before then too.
2010-11 Score - Nik Antropov
I learned today why the Atlanta Thrashers really left town and set up shop as the Winnipeg Jets.
It was this awful monstrosity of a uniform. Really. What is going on there? The socks only make it worse…
I’d say the City of Winnipeg owes some designer a thank you.
The New York Islanders, while not quite as bad, will be the next team to leave town due to a uniform.
Winnipeg Jets Logo - 1974-1990
I am aware that this story is old news by the time I finally write a post about it. But if you’re coming here for news, you’re fucked. Bring yourself up to speed at The Globe and Mail. They broke the story in the first place, and they’ve covered it well. It’s too bad Atlanta lost their team, but if you aren’t at least a little bit happy for Winnipeg, with all the shit they take all the time, then you don’t have a soul.
This team needs to be called the Winnipeg Jets. I would accept Manitoba Jets as an alternative, but they need to be called the Jets. Moose is a bush league name, and anything else would just be ridiculous. I’m going to show you some reasons why they need to be called the Jets, the only way I know how – through hockey cards.
1989-90 O-Pee-Chee - Randy Carlyle
They need to be called the Jets because Randy Carlyle has looked the same since 1989.
1992-93 Score - Phil Housley
Because Phil Housley was way cooler before he started wearing number 96, even though he wanted out of Canada.
1992-93 Pro Set - Ed Olczyk
Because Ed Olczyk was American, and he still gave a fuck about Winnipeg and the Jets.
1990-91 Score - Stephane Beauregard
Because they also had home jerseys, like the one Stephane Beauregard is wearing here, but you’d never know from looking at hockey cards. Winnipeg is too cold for photographers in the winter.
1990-91 O-Pee-Chee - Doug Smail
Because Doug Smail’s mustache and jersey tuck gave him sick style.
1990-91 Pro Set - Dale Hawerchuk
Because Dale Hawerchuk’s last Winnipeg card was one of the best.
1993-94 Upper Deck - Thomas Steen
Because Thomas Steen is a fucking Winnipeg City Councillor now.
1992-93 Upper Deck - Teemu Selanne - Young Gun
1992-93 Upper Deck - Keith Tkachuk - Star Rookie
And, because there was once the makings of a pretty good team in Jets jerseys.
I rest my case. Save us all the hassle. Call them the Jets.
Send me an electronic mail at sortingbyteams at gmail dot com.
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