MINNEAPOLIS -- Dust off your Thomas Steen jersey -- the Winnipeg Jets are back, according to TSN.
News came out yesterday that True North Sports and Entertainment would announce both their new head coach (Claude Noel) and the moniker for the Winnipeg franchise during this weekend's NHL Entry Draft.
Noel was introduced on Friday, and Winnipeg GM Kevin Cheveldayoff wouldn't answer whether or not the name would be announced tonight. But the news leaked, and the Jets have returned. Which should really move the needle on the Jets-o-Meter.
But is True North making the right decision in bringing back the Jets name, and not going about marketing their own brand as Winnipeg 2.0?
Yes they are.
Every Winnipeg hockey fan was clamoring for the return of the "Winnipeg Jets" and any other moniker would not have been embraced by the fans. It's good to see that True North came to their senses and fell to the pressure of fans in bringing the name back. The fans showed their dedication and excitement by purchasing 13,000 season tickets in a matter of days and this is their reward.
The NHL history books will say that the Jets 2.0 comes with the franchise history of the Atlanta Thrashers, but this decision just feels right. Had it been the Manitoba Jets or Winnipeg Falcons, that would've dampened things a bit and killed the nostalgic feeling that not just 'Peg residents felt when True North purchased the Thrashers.
Who cares if Dale Hawerchuk or Doug Smail or even Pokey Reddick are tied to the Phoenix Coyotes organization in the eyes of NHL historians?
They were Jets and the fans of Winnipeg have vivd memories of those players that will be revived over the next few years.
Welcome back Winnipeg Jets.
Now about those jerseys ...