10°c Overcast
16°c Variable cloudiness
Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION
It's official: It's the Jets!
Ryan Purpur, Jesse Martin, Janeen Martin, Ray Braun and Cam Friesen celebrate the naming of the Winnipeg Jets at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg on Friday. (JOHN WOODS)
Related Items
-
Articles
-
Columns
-
Polls
Thousands of fans celebrate at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg Friday after the city's new NHL team is named the Jets. (JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store
Cayden Kraus (left) and Joey Sabatini celebrate at the NHL draft party at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg Friday after it was announced the new NHL team's name will be the Jets. (JOHN WOODS)
ST. PAUL — True North chairman Mark Chipman confirmed the name of Winnipeg’s NHL team is the Jets Friday night at the NHL entry draft in Minnesota.
He said the name makes sense.
"We listened to a lot of people. Certainly the fans, that was obvious. Although I was overwhelmed by the number of unsolicited suggestions, a lot of them very good and thought we had to go in a different direction.
"But we talked to our scouts at dinner (Thursday) night and the kids that were interviewed this year all wanted to know what the name of the team was going to be. And there was a strong preference (for Jets).
"I talked to family, I talked to close friends, guys I grew up playing hockey with... just trying to get an authentic feel for what the right thing to do would be. And in the end it just kept coming to that name.
Word started to leak out around Minneapolis and St. Paul, the site of the NHL draft, that Winnipeg’s new franchise was going to be called the Jets.
Even though the Winnipeg Jets fled to Phoenix, Ariz., in 1996, the relocated franchise that used to be the Atlanta Thrashers had not adopted a name until chipman's announcement.
No logo, sweaters or colours accompanied the announcement but the Free Press has been told when it does, it will likely bear no resemblance to the style used by the former NHL team in Winnipeg.
History
Updated on Friday, June 24, 2011 at 8:39 PM CDT: Adds name — the Jets — made official.
8:59 PM: Adds quotes from Mark Chipman.
More Latest News
- Back to Top
- Return to Latest News
More Latest News
(1 of 50 articles for this week)
Massive tornado roars through Oklahoma City suburb, killing at least 51
12:29 AM
0
View Related
Poll
Most Popular Latest News
- 87-year-old woman tells jurors, 'Somebody had to stand up to' Donald Trump
- Harper expected to speak to Tory caucus Tuesday in wake of Senate scandal
- Male facing charges after gun fired in Exchange District
- Massive tornado roars through Oklahoma City suburb, killing at least 51
- Ray Manzarek, keyboardist and founding member of rock group The Doors, dies at 74 from cancer
- Rainfall warning issued for southern Manitoba
- A gay kiss for Archie Comics' Kevin Keller is also a poke at real life controversy
- Power restored to Linden Woods after goose collides with lines
- Skin picking gets status as distinct disorder, should help sufferers access help
- Tornado leads CBS to pull season-ending episode of 'Mike & Molly'
- Seattle man dribbling soccer ball to Brazil killed by car on Oregon Coast
- Aboriginal leader Elijah Harper dies
- News of city's $17-million winner leaks out on FB
- Woman killed in head-on crash in southwestern Manitoba
- Horrific crash kills minivan driver near Brandon
- Charleswood deaths being investigated as domestic incident
- 87-year-old woman tells jurors, 'Somebody had to stand up to' Donald Trump
- Crushing blow for amateur sport
- US woman credits 'mother's instincts' in chase of 4-year-old daughter's abductor
- Flood victim gets six years for shotgun threat, attack
- Seattle man dribbling soccer ball to Brazil killed by car on Oregon Coast
- Driver crashes into tree near golf course
- Arrests made after raids on local head shops
- Aboriginal leader Elijah Harper dies
- News of city's $17-million winner leaks out on FB
- Passengers from diverted flight to leave Winnipeg Thursday night
- No threat from bag found at Winnipeg Square
- Susan Griffiths dies in Switzerland
- Woman killed in head-on crash in southwestern Manitoba
- Horrific crash kills minivan driver near Brandon
- Skin picking gets status as distinct disorder, should help sufferers access help
- Media multi-taskers are 'deluded'
- Order of Manitoba recipients announced
- Uganda: Blessed are the children
- Man charged, victims identified in double homicide
- The rail riders' riot
- The end of the credit card?
- Prominent Canadians back petition to rename Victoria Day to honour aboriginals
- Twins drop fifth straight, fall 4 games under .500 with 5-1 loss to Red Sox
- Thousands of military sex abuse victims seek disability, health care after leaving service
- Aboriginal leader Elijah Harper dies
- An uncommon phenomenon
- Marsh Madness: Photographers Fred Greenslade and Joe Bryksa capture spring migration's grandeur at Delta Marsh
- Prominent Canadians back petition to rename Victoria Day to honour aboriginals
- Microsoft update to address Windows 8 complaints, confusion will be free; to be called 8.1
- Horrific crash kills minivan driver near Brandon
- Uganda: Blessed are the children
- New website profiles neighbourhoods of Winnipeg
- Province removing red tape in alcohol sales
- Animals are animals, new ads say
- Aboriginal leader Elijah Harper dies
- Dogs can experience separation anxiety and depression just like humans
- Paul McCartney to play Winnipeg Aug. 12
- Ontario steps in to help save ELA
- Saskatchewan professor wants to test the health benefits of nose-picking
- 'Revenge of the redheads': Ginger-haired Montrealers gather in celebration
- An uncommon phenomenon
- Passengers from diverted flight to leave Winnipeg Thursday night
- Hundreds pitch in to dig out houses damaged, destroyed by Ochre Beach ice floe
- Retail sales in province see 2 per cent increase in February
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.