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Top 5 Winnipeg Jets Players of All-Time

5. Anders Hedberg

Anders Hedberg played for the Jets from ’74-’78 as part of the WHA and was the third component to “the Hot Line.” Hedberg, like Nilsson and Hull, helped lead the Jets to the two Avco Cup Championships in ’76 and ’78. Hedberg played 286 games with the Jets and even recorded 50 goals in 50 games. In his time with the Jets, he recorded 236 goals and 458 points in the regular season and 35 goals and 63 points in 42 playoff games. Hedberg was also an inaugural member of the World Hockey Association Hall of Fame, and an honored member of the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame.

4. Ulf Nilsson

Ulf Nilsson, along with Hedberg and Hull, as a part of their star line, lead the Jets to two Avco World Trophies. In his four year career with the Jets in the WHA, he always had 100+ point seasons. Nilsson recorded 484 points and 140 goals in 300 regular-season games, as well as 67 points in 42 playoff games with the Jets. Nilsson received several awards while with the Jets, including playoff MVP in 1976, and he is the all-time leader for career assists per game. Nilsson is an inaugural member of the World Hockey Association Hall of Fame and an honored member of the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame.

3.  Teemu Selanne

Teemu Selanne was drafted 10th overall by the Jets in 1988. He began his career with the Jets in the ’92-’93 season and in his first season recorded over 100 points, finishing the season at 132, and scoring 76 goals. Despite only playing a handful over 200 games in Winnipeg, Selanne is one of the most respected Jets players, for instance, when Anaheim retired his number in early 2015, the Jets warmed up in the original Jets sweater, all with #13 and Selanne on the back. While he was in Winnipeg, Selanne recorded 147 goals and 306 points overall. Selanne still holds the record for most goals and points in a season by a rookie.

2. Bobby Hull

In 1972, Bobby Hull joined the Winnipeg Jets in the WHA and played for the Jets in the NHL for part of a season as well. Hull was a part of “the Hot Line”  with teammates Nilsson and Hedberg, and scored over 50 goals a season in his first four years with the Jets. Even more impressive that his regular-season record is his post season performance, with the Jets, Hull accumulated 53 points in 42 playoff games. Hull played 420 games with the Jets ( 402 WHA, 18 NHL) and recorded 648 points in his time in Winnipeg. He helped lead the team to 3 Avco Cup Championships and was the WHA MVP in ’73 and ’75.  Hull was also inducted to the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame, an honored member of the Manitoba Hockey Hall of fame and an inaugural member of the World Hockey Association Hall of Fame. Hull was inducted to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983, being the only other Jets player to have been inducted other than Hawerchuk.

1. Dale Hawerchuk

Undoubtedly one of the greatest Jets of all-time, Dale Hawerchuk was drafted 1st overall by the Winnipeg Jets in 1981. His first season with the Jets in ’81-’82, Hawerchuk won the Calder Trophy after reaching 103 points in the first season. Hawerchuk led the Jets to an almost 50 point turnaround, the largest turnaround in NHL history. Hawerchuk had six 100+ point seasons with the Jets, with his lowest point season being 81 points. In 2001, Hawerchuk was inducted to the Hockey Hall of Fame. He is also a member of the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame. Hawerchuk’s number was retired by the Jets/Coyotes organization, and he was inducted to the Coyotes “Ring of Fire.”

 

Top Five of Winnipeg Jets 2.0

While the original Jets are near and dear to all of the Jets fans’ hearts, this organization brings a new group of top players to the city of Winnipeg.

5. Mark Stuart

Mark Stuart may not be one of the highest point producers on the current roster, but he is very consistent and has a good amount of points for a defenseman. Most seasons since becoming a part of the Jets organization, Stuart has maintained around 13-14 points a season, but a high +/-. I think with a like reworking of the line up, Stuart could have even more potential with the Jets.

4. Tobias Enstrom

Tobias Enstrom was drafted in the 8th round, 239th overall in 2003 and has spent his career with the organization. Upon relocation to Winnipeg, Enstrom sustained a few injuries, but stayed as committed to the Jets as he could, even turning down a spot on the Team Sweden roster for the Olympics to stay and focus on bettering himself with the Jets organization. Enstrom, despite being a defenseman, still stays competitive in being a point leader.

3. Blake Wheeler

Blake Wheeler became a part of the organization in 2010-2011 season after a trade with Mark Stuart for Rich Peverley and Boris Valabik, as soon as he joined the Thrashers he made an impact, and he did the same with the Jets. Wheeler has consistently exceeded the 60 pt. mark and has always been top two on the leaderboard for the Jets.

2. Bryan Little

Bryan Little has been a career player with this organization, drafted 12th overall by the Atlanta Thrashers in 2006. Little even changed his number from 10 to 18 upon relocation to Winnipeg out of respect for Dale Hawerchuk. Similarly to Ladd, Little has only once fallen below top five point producers in his time in Winnipeg. Personally, I believe Little is one of the most consistent players in the Jets organization. Little also led the team in points in the four game appearance in the post season.

1. Andrew Ladd

Andrew Ladd, the captain of the current Winnipeg Jets became the captain during his time with the Thrashers and at the end of his first season with the organization, he was awarded team MVP. Ladd continued in his captaincy in Winnipeg and has fluctuated around the top five spots for points since the 2011-2012 season in Winnipeg, with two season being in the #1 spot producing 46 pts in 48 games and then 62 pts in 81 games this past season.

Kayley Holloway

Kayley Holloway

Atlanta native studying PR at the University of Florida. Yes, I'm aware the Thrashers do not exist anymore. No, I'm still not over it. I am quite the fan of Sweden, their language and hockey team alike. I'm also that person who will chase down anyone with NHL paraphernalia... I just really like hockey.
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