The National Hockey League officially consolidated the statistical histories of the two Winnipeg Jets franchises on Wednesday. The move joins the records of the original Jets, who entered the NHL from the World Hockey Association in the 1970s, with those of the current Jets, who began as the Atlanta Thrashers in 1999 before relocating to Manitoba in 2011.
How the histories intersect
The original Jets were one of four WHA teams that merged into the NHL in 1979. In 1996 the franchise moved to Arizona, becoming the Coyotes. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Thrashers entered the league in 1999 and, after twelve seasons, relocated to Winnipeg, adopting the Jets name and identity.
Because the NHL treats the Arizona franchise as a continuation of the original Jets, its early records remained with the Coyotes. The league’s new approach now ties the Thrashers’ statistics to the original Jets’ history, effectively creating a single, continuous record for the Winnipeg market while preserving the Coyotes as an independent franchise.
Impact on player records
The merger reshapes several notable career milestones. Teemu Selänne’s rookie season in 1992‑93, previously credited solely to the original Jets, will now appear in the combined record that includes the Thrashers. Similarly, Shane Doan, who was drafted by the original Jets, played his rookie year in Winnipeg, and then spent the bulk of his career with the Coyotes, will see his early games reflected under the unified Jets history.
Perhaps the most visible change involves franchise scoring leaders. Late legend Dale Hawerchuk, who played for the original Jets, now tops the combined Jets franchise list in goals and points, overtaking Mark Scheifele, who held the title after the 2025 season. Scheifele will need to surpass Hawerchuk’s totals to reclaim the lead.
Why the change matters
By merging the two histories, the NHL aims to simplify the record books for fans and statisticians alike. The decision eliminates the need to track separate lineages for the same market and provides a clearer narrative of Winnipeg’s hockey heritage. However, the adjustment also introduces quirks, such as the retroactive association of Thrashers’ achievements with the original Jets era.
League officials emphasized that the Coyotes remain a distinct franchise, with their own records untouched by the merger. The organization’s assets, which were once linked to the original Jets, were sold to the Utah Mammoth, a new franchise treated separately from both the Jets and the Coyotes.
Reactions from the hockey community
Fans and analysts have expressed mixed feelings. Some appreciate the streamlined approach, noting that it honors Winnipeg’s continuous presence in the NHL despite franchise moves. Others point out the oddities that arise when a player’s career spans multiple incarnations of a team, making historical comparisons more complex.
Overall, the NHL believes the consolidation offers the most coherent way to present Winnipeg’s hockey legacy while preserving the integrity of the Arizona franchise’s records.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
