Voices from around hockey world

Enlarge Image

Jets fans Willow Parke (left) and Kaylee Allan scream for joy at The Forks Tuesday following the announcement of the NHL’s return. (RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store

Related Items

1. Articles

   • Fans commit to buying 1,870 season tickets on first day of drive

Enlarge Image

Many fans were toasting NHL’s return. (POSTMEDIA WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store

"There are a number of factors which have contributed to Winnipeg's return to the NHL. However, none of these factors would matter without Mark Chipman. We have an NHL team today because of the patience, persistence and acumen of Mark."

-- Agent Don Baizley

"It's fitting the organization and city gets a chance for an NHL franchise. The climate and dynamics in Winnipeg have changed. The organization has shown they are successful. I wouldn't discount them. These people know how to achieve success."

-- Moose coach Claude Noel

Congratulations to Mark Chipman and his ownership group. They put a great deal of time and effort into this and now it's up to the people of Manitoba to do their part.

-- Randy Carlyle

"I think revenue-sharing, the salary cap and league television deals allow a place like Winnipeg to not just have a team but be competitive. But I really thought after that (labour) deal in 2005 that places like Winnipeg and Quebec City would be viable again to support an NHL franchise. Because you know in Winnipeg they'll draw 15,000 people a game and that wasn't the case in Atlanta. Winnipeg can count on that."

-- Wayne Gretzky

"For me, I think the old-school jerseys and the name 'Jets' is pretty cool. It would be fun to be a part of that again."

-- Thrashers forward Andrew Ladd

"Hockey in Canada has never been stronger. We get to be back in a place we wish had not left in 1996. The most important thing for any franchise is ownership, and having Mark Chipman and David Thomson is at the top of the list. But if you think back to 1996, (the MTS Centre) didn't exist, we didn't have the same collective bargaining agreement that we have now, and I believe the market from an economic standpoint for Winnipeg and Manitoba is stronger than it was."

-- NHL commissioner Gary Bettman

"They're going to love the fans here."

-- Former Winnipeg Jet and current city councillor Thomas Steen

"Manitoba deserves to have NHL hockey and we have no doubt that the NHL will be successful in its return to Winnipeg. Our sincere thanks go to the Manitoba Moose fans who have supported the American Hockey League loyally and passionately for the past 10 years."

-- AHL President David Andrews

"Who would have imagined such confluence of circumstances? The opportunity makes sense. Mark (Chipman) and I share the same values. We've weathered some storms. When you do things for the right reasons, everything else seems to flow. We felt there might a moment when the team might come back. It's felt right for a few years. You have to be patient."

-- David Thomson

"I've been saying for a number of years that Winnipeg lacked two things -- a National Hockey League team and Ikea. I think Winnipeg now has equal status with Montreal, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa and Vancouver as a truly important Canadian city."

-- R.M. Chipman

"Our father and mother taught us we have a responsibility to our city. We're trying to give back to Winnipeg because it's a special place to live."

--Steve Chipman

"The good thing about our team, we're a very young team. We have very few players who have kids. I think we have 13 players under the age of 26, or so.

-- Thrashers president Don Waddell

"And for all the Jets fans I'm on board with keeping the Jets name and logo, just wanted to throw it out there.

-- Thrashers forward Evander Kane

-- Compiled by staff

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition June 1, 2011 C6