The Winnipeg Jets joined the NHL on June 22, 1979 from the WorldHockeyAssociation. They started in the NHL with the 1979-1980 season. DaleHawerchuk was one of their premiere players throughout the 1980s, until his trade to the BuffaloSabres. TeemuSelanne was one of the Jets stars in the early 90s, lighting the lamp 76 times in his rookie season, to easily walk away with the CalderMemorialTrophy as the NHL's top rookie. NikolaiKhabibulin, ThomasSteen and KeithTkachuk were other prominent members of the Jets throughout their tenure in Manitoba.

The Jets last game in Winnipeg was a 4-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings in the first round of the 1995-1996 playoffs. They moved to Arizona, where they became the PhoenixCoyotes, starting with the 1996-1997 season.

Winnipeg fans were notoriously boisterous, especially with their 'white-outs' during the playoffs. This tradition has continued for other events played in the city, most notably the 1999 WorldJuniorHockeyChampionships.

The Winnipeg Jets AHL Afillite was the MonctonHawks