Jon Waldman - 100 Things Jets Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die

This book is dedicated to my daughter, Kaia Maielle Waldman, the Jets youngest fan. Hope you enjoy Daddys book.

Contents

Foreword by Dave Babych

The night before the NHL draft in June 1980 was a sleepless one, not because of the nightlife in Montreal but because it would be a life changer the next morning when young mens dreams were realized as their names were announced by one of the NHL teams that selected them. That morning I was selected second by the Winnipeg Jets. It couldve been Montreal, Chicago, L.A., and only knowing Winnipeg by the heyday of the WHA and as a struggling new NHL team, it didnt matter. I was going to have a chance to play in the NHL and it was all good with me.

After the draft, for most first-round picks the teams would bring the player into town to formally sign a contract, meet the press, and highlight the city. At the press conference John Ferguson asked me, What number would you like? I said Ive always had 21, but if someone had it, I would take whatever was available. He said there was a guy in the minors, but I could have it. I declined as I didnt want to start pissing possible teammates off already. Fergie went up to the mike and was asked what number I would wear, and he said, Well, hes probably twice as good as I was, so lets give him 44. It was the first time in the NHL someone had worn the number, and it stuck with me my whole career. After that we talked about the next season with Tommy McVie, Bill Sutherland, and Fergie.

Tommy asked, Are you excited about playing for us next season? I said, I just hope I make the team. They all laughed and said, If you dont make the team we are all fu__ing fired. Needless to say I was relieved and became part of a city and organization that was very proud of its past and was excited about the future by adding players like Dale Hawerchuk, Serge Savard, Paul MacLean, and Teemu Selanne just to name a few. All this was to start building the NHL team to try to mirror the success of the WHA Avco Cup teams with the likes of Hull, Hedberg, and Nilsson leading the way.

I do miss Winnipeg in a lot of ways, from figuring out what a social was to the culinary genius of Goldeye and Pickerel cheeks to wearing a fur coat (Moe Mantha and myself bought them when we were 19 years old because it was so cold), just to name a few. There are so many fond memories with the Jets and stories (100 to be exact) that any Jets fan or hockey enthusiast will enjoy. The stories, good and bad, can be told in this book, but if you see an old Jet alumnus somewhere and want the stories to get even better, buy him a beerthe stories get better with age. These stories are definitely some of the best times of our lives. Enjoy!

Dave Babych

Introduction

There are few seats that are better anywhere in the hockey world than one of the 15,000 or so in the Winnipeg Arena or the MTS Centre.

Looking at the action unfolding in front of you and sharing in the revelry of Winnipeg Jets hockey is an experience unlike any other. Through three distinct erasthe WHA, Jets 1.0, and Jets 2.0the club has entertained generations of fans. Grandparents, parents, and kids will each stake claim to theirs being the greatest and will argue it to the hilt.

Its what we do in Winnipeg. We have immense pride in our boys, no matter their success on the ice. Sure, well call into radio shows and blast this coachs decision or harp on the indecision of that general manager, but we do it because we genuinely love our hockey. Lets face itin an environment where -10 Celsius is considered a balmy winter day worthy of T-shirts, we are truly the heart of hockey.

Thats why this book had to be written. As much a tribute to the people of Winnipeg as the players who called Winnipeg home, there are so many intricacies of life with (and without) the Jets that have made them such a compelling story. Thats why its the fans, not a player or a particular roster, that gained the No. 1 spot on this list.

Over the course of 100 chapters and a series of sidebars, youll learn about some of the ins and outs of one of hockeys unique hotbeds. From 1972 to modern dayand yes, thats IHL and AHL inclusiveWinnipeg has maintained a love affair with the game. Its why the NHL came back. Without that passion, the Winnipeg Jets would not have been reborn.

Naturally, just as those generational arguments will be made, so too will debates come on the rankings of some items on the list. This, unapologetically, is one persons list. Though I had consults with Winnipeg hockey faithful, ultimately the numerical order fell on my shoulders, and Im ready to pay the piper; and truly, I look forward to debating the rankings down the road, be it through Twitter (@jonwaldman) or whichever medium succeeds it.

I thank you for picking up this copy of 100 Things Jets Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die and look forward to starting conversations.

Go Jets Go!

1. Celebrate a Jets Moment at Portage and Main

Portage and Main is famous across North America, so why not?

Barry Shenkarow, former owner, Winnipeg Jets

While youll find that almost every other moment listed has to do with one of the three Jets eras, there is only one that unites them all, and unquestionably its the one thing any Jets fan, hockey fan, or simply a citizen of Winnipeg absolutely must do before they diebe part of a celebration at Portage and Main.

Colloquially known as the Wind Tunnel, Portage and Main is one of the busiest intersections in Winnipeg. Its been called the coldest spot in the city, and urban legend will tell you that the speed of gusts that blow through this area make it the testing ground for car companies.

By ordinary day, Portage and Main is a hub of activity from financial to tourist. Depending on which direction you head toward, youll see a wide landscape unfold in front of your eyes. Stay too long in one spot, though, and youll get honked at (albeit very politely). In the summer its the hub for hot dog carts, and in winterokay not much happens on the deepest of deep-freeze days, but there is still a mystique at this spot.

But by hockey night, Portage and Main becomes the central gathering ground for Winnipegs faithful. Whether its the local Jets or national team (namely during the Olympics), Portage and Main becomes the single biggest hotbed for shinny. Hoot, holler, grab your stick, and get ready for the best street fest known to mankind.

Its hard to say what was the most important event that took place at the famed intersectioncontract signings, Avco Cup celebrations, Save the Jets campaigns, the impromptu celebration when Stephen Brunts famous Globe and Mail article was publishedyeah, thereve been a few special moments at this one spot in the city of 750,000 frozen chosen individuals.

The popularity of the spot started with that moment that has been shown time and time again in any Jets retrospectiveBobby Hull in the background of a jubilant Ben Hatskin, holding aloft the contract that the Golden Jet had just signed. Just a couple short years later, the same intersection became the celebration ground for the Jets as they brought the Avco Cup to Winnipeg. Staging was set up at the intersection for a massive street party.

Years later, the signing of the Jets first (and thankfully only) No. 1 overall draft pick was to take place in the River City. Barry Shenkarow reflected on picking the location, noting that the first signing at the spot had started a trend. Benny Hatskin signed Bobby Hull first at Portage and Main, and that made the WHA and put Winnipeg on the hockey map, he said. I guess when we signed Hawerchuk, we thought he was the next foundation of the hockey team so that would be theI wouldnt say the tradition, but you could call it that.