Coyotes Re-Acquire MacLean

After just five games with the Winnipeg Jets, the Phoenix Coyotes have re-claimed forward Brett MacLean off of waivers. Just as the Jets had "stolen" something from Phoenix, the desert city has once again taken something from Winnipeg.

Jets Blanked in Tampa

They scored nine goals in an unbelievable offensive output against the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday (unfortunately they also allowed eight against) only to have their fortunes do a 180 and get shut out two days later by 1-0 by the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ondrej Pavelec played brilliantly, his best game of the season thus far, but it wasn't enough as the Lightning's Vincent Lecavalier notched the game's only goal to defeat the Jets.

Jets Assign Gagnon to St. John's

The Winnipeg jets have assigned centre Aaron Gagnon to their minor league affiliate, St. John's Icecaps.

Mason Out; MacLean Placed on Waivers

Chris Mason has a groin strain and will not be with the team when they visit the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday. Mason in relief of starter Ondrej Pavelec who was pulled after allowing two quick goals against the Flyers on Thursday, pulled his groin and will not make the trip to Tampa. The Jets are expected to call up goaltender Peter Mannino from the St. John's Icecaps.

Brett Maclean has been placed on waivers before he too is to be reassigned to the Jets AHL affiliate.

Jets Outlast Flyers in Insane Scoring Marathon

At one point in this game, the Jets held a 5-1 lead after the Flyers tallied first. Then it was 6-4 after two periods. Then the flood gates opened. After a wild third period where the Jets lost and regained the lead no more less than three times. When the dust settled, the Jets not only won their first road game, 9-8 but it seems they solved their offensive output problems.
After scoring nine goals on 25 shots in a game where all four goalies made an appearance, the Jets scored 50 percent of their total season output in this one game.

The bad part is the Jets let a four goal lead disappear, so clearly there are still problems to be dealt with and this game didn't do much to help with coach Claude Noel's nerves.

Cheveldayoff: No Trades in the Immediate Future

Despite the slow start to the season, General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff and coach Claude Noel are still not worried about reaching the playoffs with the talent they already possess.

Back in the Bigs: A Reminder

So I received my copy of Winnipeg Free Press columnist Randy Turner's book on the history of the Winnipeg Jets that reminisces the days of the WHA, the Jets first stint in the NHL and the league's return to Winnipeg after a fifteen-year absence. Overall it's a good read and has some good inside information (especially a couple pertaining to Craig Heisinger and Mark Chipman) with some cool pictures. You can probably pick it up at any local Winnipeg book store such as Chapter's and Coles and maybe even a couple of independent shops. I got mine from Amazon. check it out, it's pretty cool. Next is Forgotten Heroes: Winnipeg's Hockey Heritage.

Canadian Forces Digging the New Jets

Members of the Canadian Armed Forces, especially those in 1 Canada Air Division are really appreciating the new Jets and the merchandise their families have been sending them. There are Armed Forces members all over the world enjoying their team's new mark and brand identity.

Scheifele Settles Back in Barrie

Being the humble, class act that he is, Winnipeg Jets rookie Mark Scheifele has returned to the OHL's Barrie Colts with no ill will towards the big club. In fact he is savoring the memories being up with thethe Jets and focusing on playing with Canada's world junior team in December.

Scheifele Returned to Barrie

The Jets have sent first-round pick Mark Scheifele back to his junior team, the Barrie Colts of the OHL after seven games in the NHL. He scored his first NHL goal last Wednesday against the Maple Leafs in a 4-3 shootout loss.

As Claude Noel said earlier in the season, if Scheifele were to be sent back, it wouldn't be a step down, it would be a step up in development. This will good for him and he'll come back more seasoned and determined.

Antropov Not Sentimental About Toronto Return

It appears that after spending almost 10 years with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Nik Antropov is no longer sentimental about playing against them.

Jets beat Pens for First Win

Well it finally happened. The Jets finally put a W in the win column. And they did it at home which made it extra special for the fans waiting for the win since Oct. 9.

The Jets scored eight seconds in on a goal by Kyle Wellwood on a rush with Alexander Burmistrov and Nik Antropov after Antropov won the opening face-off. The goal tied a franchise record for fastest goal from the start of a game.

Ondrej Pavelec was a standout for the Jets as he had to stand on his head several times to thwart the determined Penguins. In fact, he should have had a shut-out as he was bumped the when the Pens notched their only goal. Tanner Glass also scored for the Jets.

But, a win is a win is a win and I'll take it-and the two points.

Jets Go 0-3

Perhaps it wasn't as anticipated as Game 1 and it probably didn't really resonate with the Jets players, but last night's tussle with the Phoenix Coyotes aka the ex-Jets was about bragging rights to the fans of Winnipeg. With all the rhetoric going back and forth from camps of both the Yotes and Jets from last summer's drama unfolding about where the Coyotes would end up (which is still in question) this game in Glendale, Arizona between the current Winnipeg Jets and the team that used to call Winnipeg home, much was on the line.

There were lots of Jets fans at Jobing.com Arena to cheer on their heroes.

Jets Roll Into Phoenix On A Date with History

It's the new Jets versus the old Jets. That's how the media and the fans in Winnipeg are framing this one. and how could you not with all the hubbub surrounding this new Winnipeg franchise? Afterall, with all the rhetoric spewed forth by both Jets fans and Coyotes fans alike, this game is about pride, pure and simple.

Shane Doan, the last remaining Coyote to have played with the original Winnipeg Jets, expects a surreal moment when he laces up against his former team's namesake.

Jets Go Down 4-3 to Hawks

Still chasing that seemingly elusive first win for the new Winnipeg Jets, the Chicago Blackhawks came back form a 2-0 deficit by a pair of Mark Stuart goals, to beat our boys 4-3.

The Official 2011-12 Team Photo

First Game IntroVideo

Here is what the crowd at the MTS Centre got to see at the first official game of the new Jets era.



And here's what the CBC produced for the Hockey Night in Canada broadcast against the Canadiens.

Harper Unveils New Jets Coin

Prime Minister Stephen Harper unveiled one of two new Winnipeg Jets coins. One limited-edition $20 coin is made of pure silver, while the other is selling at $14.95 retail.

I'm definitely getting that $14.95 baby.

Chipman Honoured by Winnipeg Reaction to Jets Return

Winnipeg Jets co-owner and True North Sports and Entertainment Chairman Mark Chipman sat down with the Sun's Ed Tait and said he is "touched" and "grateful," by the reception he, TNSE and the Jets have recieved by the fans of Winnipeg and the hockey world.

Back in the Bigs

The new book by the Winnipeg Free Press's Randy Turner entitled, Back in the Bigs; How Winnipeg Won, Lost and Regained It's Place in the NHL was released on October 3rd and I just ordered it on Amazon. I will have a complete review once it arrives and I finish it.

From what I hear from other reviews is you can't put it down, regardless if you're a Jets fan or not. I'm looking forward to reading it.

Here is an excerpt, courtesy of the Winnipeg Free Press.

Habs Spoil the Party

"It wasn't supposed to be this way." That's what I told my roommate as we watched the highly anticipated Hockey Night in Canada broadcast (at least for me, he really couldn't care less-he's got too much Detroit Tigers on the mind these days) welcoming back the Winnipeg Jets to the NHL.

Everything was supposed to go exactly the opposite of what actually transpired. Most of it did. The CBC had a great pre-game show (including a chat with Jets owner, Mark Chipman and later, Dale Hawerchuck in the second intermission) they had a neat little "rap" montage cleverly edited together using the quotes of different people involved in both the Jets past and present with a "Go Jets Go" type-chorus. Ron Maclean and Don Cherry got the crowd pumped just with their presence.

It was after all the first time HNIC has been in Winnipeg for almost 16 years. Not only was the Jets starting line-up announced before a packed and raucous crowd, but the entire 23-man roster as well. Instead of lining up on their blue line, the Jets formed a circle around the logo at center ice and raised their sticks in acknowledgement to the crowd before a tribute to the late Rick Rypien was played on the jumbo-tron. The crowd once again sang O' Canada loud and proud and put an extra emphasis on the line "true north" when the lyric was sung. The fans even cheered NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman with a round of "Gary, Gary, Gary!" when he was being interviewed by a local radio show earlier in the evening (with the aforementioned Gary Lawless) right inside the front doors of the MTS Centre.

Then the puck was dropped. But as the Free Press's Gary Lawless said, who cares?

All in all, other than having to hear about this from three Habs fans at work (at least one in particular) this loss doesn't matter. As we've been saying all along, we've got our team back. That's all that really matters...for now. But it was supposed to be different. We were supposed to win our first game in 16 years. We were supposed to be cheering three or four times as Ladd, Bufuglien, Kane and Scheifele potted goals to make the roof cave in.

Ah well. Maybe they're saving it for Chicago?


CBC's pre-game mini-doc, "Road Back to Winnipeg"

CBC's Jets Post Game Show

It's Showtime Folks!

Well, this is it. Tonight is the official return of the Winnipeg Jets to the National Hockey League when the Jets take on the fabled Montreal Canadiens at the MTS Centre. I'm sure you've read the many blogs and/or news items on the anticipation of Winnipeg hockey fans and how Jets Fever has reached a climatic crescendo in the city. Unfortunately for me, I'm not living in Winnipeg at the present time. I hope to be before the new year as a life change is in the works. Although I will be able to see the Jets in regular season play at least once in the next five years (yes, the hype is true, it is that hard to get a ticket) as I will be in attendance at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit on Dec. 10 to watch the boys take on the Red Wings. This will be not only my first Jets road game ever but my first NHL game of any kind in an arena other than the old barn on Maroons Road. I can't wait. I hope they win because, as stated, it will be a long time coming until I will get the chance to see them again.

I wanted so bad to be at Portage and Main when Mark Chipman announced the purchase of the Atlanta Thrashers I could almost taste it. I wanted to be at the parties, I wanted to be there to high-five my fellow Jetophiles and take in the atmosphere. I shared (and continue to) in the glee and excitement of my fellow Jets fans welcoming home our boys. I'm not ashamed to say I shed a tear or two over the last five months as memories of Dale Hawerchuck, Thomas Steen were tearing up the old Winnipeg Arena and later Teemu Selanne, Keith Tkachuck and Alexei Zhamnov.

Unfortunately, I was too young to witness (or really remember) the genesis of the Jets with Bobby Hull, Ulf Nillson and Anders Hedberg of the World Hockey Association. I take great pride in saying "we were right, you were wrong!" to all the naysayers over the years who said the Jets (or the NHL in general) would never be back. I simply laughed at the ignorant who have said (and some continue to) that Jets fans wouldn't support the team and that the team will be gone yet again in five to ten years.

But as for tonight, you've seen the videos, you've read the reports, you may have even been lucky enough to witness first-hand the Jets pre-season games. Everything you've read and seen about the excitement and noise level of Winnipeg fans is absolutely true. It is truly deafening and that alone will propel the Jets to a few wins I'm sure. Just wait until the playoffs!

I can't tell you how elated I am about my favorite team of all time in any league at any time. Some people live and die with the Dallas Cowboys or Los Angeles Lakers. For me it's the Jets and if and when they win the Stanley Cup, I will be on a high that will carry me all the way through to the next season. Even more so if any seasons after that don't exactly pan out the way they should. Heck, maybe even for the rest of my life if need be.

So here's to the new NHL season, the new Winnipeg Jets and to Jets fans all over the globe. The boys are home and all is right with the world.

Go Jets Go!

Sleepless in Winnipeg

Rookie Mark Scheifele is nervous and restless about his NHL debut and being part of the Winnipeg Jets team that returns to the city after 15 years.

“I will remember this for life."

Once in a Lifetime

The Sun's Ted Wyman has a great piece on what the return of the Jets mean to the hockey fans of Winnipeg.

Mick E. Moose Recalled from AHL

The Winnipeg Jets new mascot is not so new. The club has brought back the former mascot of the Manitoba Moose, Mick E. Moose.

I wasn't living in the city when the Moose were entertaining the hockey fans of Winnipeg, other than one game in the inaugural season in 1996 for one game against the Chicago Wolves. I don't even remember if Mick E. was a part of the team back then.

Personally, although I appreciate Mick E.'s tenure with the Moose in the AHL, I can't help but wonder why Benny wasn't resurrected instead. I know the above link to the article explains Mick E.'s history with Winnipeg's hockey fans, but what does a Moose have to do with the Jets?

If I were Benny, I'm come back to Winnipeg and have a few choice words with Mick E. and even Jets management.

Jets Claim Brett Maclean Off of Waivers

The Winnipeg Jets have claimed former Oshawa General and Phoenix Coyote, Brett Maclean off of waivers today.

Well, we had to steal something from Phoenix. It's only fair.

And..

Jets Assign Patrice Cormier to St. John's IceCaps

Bettman "Delighted" to Be Back in Manitoba

NHL commishener Gary Bettman spoke with Hockey Night in Canada radio about the Jets and the new role of Brendan Shanahan.

Jets Seek Off-Ice Chemistry

The Jets are enjoying the remnents of this years's beautiful Winnipeg summer before their first brutal Winnipg winter and the start of the 2011-12 NHL season in an attempt at some off-ice chemistry.

Also...

Antropov Happy to Be Playing in Canada

Jets Sign Aebischer, Assign Him to St. John's

The Winnipeg Jets have signed goaltender David Aebischer to a one year AHL deal.

Noel Expects Scheifele to Stay

Winnipeg Jets head coach Claude Noel says he'll be shocked if Mark Scheifele isn't on the Jets roster past the first nine games.

Jets Sign Scheifele

The Winnipeg Jets have signed 18-year-old first round draft pick Mark Scheifele on an entry-level contract. The terms were not disclosed.

It looks like the kid is sticking around.

Jets Release Pesonen, Send Postma & Gregoire to St. John's

The Winnipeg Jets today announced they have released Janne Pesonen and assigned Paul Postma and Jason Gregoire to the St. John's Icecaps.

Postma will be back soon, with Gregoire not too far behind.

Preds Take Jets in 3-2 Shootout Victory

The Winnipeg Jets ended their first pre-season in 15 years with a 4-3 record and a 3-2 shootout loss to the Nashville Predators with two goals by O'Reilly.

Scheifele Scores Again in Losing Effort; Bodes Well for His Chances to Stay

Mark Scheifele did his best to help his team overcome a late 2-1 deficit by scoring late in the third period and even though the Nashville Predators had the last laugh as they won the game 3-2 in a shootout, the future of the 18-year-old in Winnipeg, starting on Oct. 9, looks almost a lock.