Avco Cup winning Jets teammates hold reunion

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This article was published 12/05/2018 (2731 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The champion Winnipeg Jets are in the city at the same time another Jets team continues making a run for a hockey championship.

Members of the three-time Avco Cup champion Winnipeg Jets of World Hockey Association were together at a reunion luncheon Saturday afternoon celebrating the 40th anniversary of their last championship in 1978.

And just hours before the puck dropped on the first game of the Western Conference Final between the current Winnipeg Jets and the Vegas Golden Knights, the former players admitted they are thrilled to see the home team doing great in the Stanley Cup playoffs this year.

“I’m so pleased everything is working out so well for them,” Bobby Hull said.

“I’m proud of being a part of them, going back to 1972, and bringing professional hockey back to Winnipeg.”

Anders Hedberg, who with Hull and Ulf Nilsson were members of the legendary Hot Line, said he is excited about the current playoff run.

“We love it. They are a very talented team,” he said.

Hedberg, who saw firsthand four decades ago the support Winnipeggers had for their professional hockey team, said he knew the Whiteout and strong fan support would be behind the current crop of players every step of the way.

“That is not a surprise. That is expected. The Winnipeg fans know the game and they love the team.”

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca