Winnipeg Jets (1972–1996)

The Winnipeg Jets were a professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg. They began play in the World Hockey Association (WHA) in 1972. The club joined the National Hockey League (NHL) in 1979 after the NHL merged with the WHA. Due to mounting financial troubles, in 1996 the franchise moved to Phoenix, Arizona, and became the Phoenix Coyotes (the former name of the now inactive Arizona Coyotes). The team played their home games at Winnipeg Arena.

The Jets' WHA years were successful, with the team making the playoffs every year except for the 1974–75 season. The team's success continued in the postseason, with the Jets winning the Avco Cup three times (in 1976, 1978, and 1979) and appeared in the Avco Cup Finals two additional times (in 1973 and 1977). The team struggled early on the NHL, in part due to the 1979 expansion draft, going a combined 29–106–25 through the 1979–80 and 1980–81 seasons. The Jets made the Stanley Cup playoffs every season from 1981–82 to 1987–88, though the team only finished with a winning record twice during that period, in 1984–85 and 1986–87, which were also the only times the Jets advanced past the first round while in Winnipeg.

During the early 1990s, the Jets started to experience financial difficulties due to a combination of rule changes to free agency, a weakening Canadian dollar, and the team's home arena, the over 40 year old Winnipeg Arena, being seen as antiquated (no luxury suites) with numerous obstructed views. Additionally, Winnipeg became the NHL's smallest market following the relocation of the Quebec Nordiques to Denver, Colorado as the Colorado Avalanche in 1995–96. Following a failed plan to replace the aging Winnipeg Arena in 1996, Jets owner Barry Shenkarow sold the team to Steven Gluckstern and Richard Burke for $65 million, who eventually reached an agreement with Phoenix Suns owner Jerry Colangelo to move the team to Phoenix, Arizona after a proposed move to Minneapolis–Saint Paul fell through. The Jets played their final home game (and final game overall) before moving on April 28, 1996, a 4–1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The NHL returned to Winnipeg fifteen years later prior to the 2011–12 season following the relocation of the Atlanta Thrashers. The relocated Thrashers reused the Winnipeg Jets name, with the current Jets team playing its first home game on October 9, 2011 at the MTS Centre.