Random Thoughts On The Winnipeg Jets: Aug. 8

Things about the Winnipeg Jets and the NHL that crossed my mind —

Some random facts and a few thoughts from this past week about the Winnipeg Jets, the Manitoba Moose, and the National Hockey League.

1. There was a lot of excitement at the corner of Portage and Main when the rosters (alumni game) and uniforms were unveiled for this October’s Heritage Classic.

2. Dale Hawerchuck’s roster looks a little thin (and old) but it’s understandable when you factor in the gap between Jets 1.0 and Jets 2.0. (see #9)

3. I wrote an article in 2013 >>> Do The Phoenix Coyotes Own Winnipeg’s History? that elicited varying thoughts from hockey fans in Phoenix and in Winnipeg. My thought was that a city’s hockey history and the team’s franchise history are different. Based on TNSE’s choice of uniforms and alumni rosters for the Heritage Classic, they agree with me. A franchise can leave the city but the history and the memories remain forever.

4. Alumni captains Kevin Lowe and Dale Hawerchuk have named most of their roster BUT they both have left a couple of spots open. I can’t help but wonder if this was done to counteract each other from bringing in ringers.

5. Serge Savard is a coach for the Jets Alumni Team? Did anybody see this coming?

6. This picture has caused a little bit of speculation in Jetsville. Is it a subliminal message or just a jersey made for the Heritage Classic while Andrew Ladd was still here?

7. Last week’s poll question was “would you have rather had Patrick Laine this year or Nolan Patrick next year?” In a very close vote, it was Patrik Laine with 52% and Nolan Patrick with 48%.

8. Canada’s National U20 Junior Team looked like crap in the summer series versus Finland, Sweden, and the United States in Plymouth, Michigan last week. Better now then at Christmas time I guess.

9. If I’m coaching the Jets alumni team there is no doubt I’m double-shifting Teemu.

10. Dale Hawerchuck said he would have liked to invite Phil Housley, Scott Arniel, Paul MacLean, and Randy Carlyle but they are all currently behind NHL benches and unavailable. (see #2)

11. The Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament (U18) is being played this week in Breclav, Czech Republic, and Bratislava, Slovakia and Canada will be looking for their 9th straight title. In this tournament, Canada gets to send their very best, unlike the official IIHF U18 World Championships where most of Canada’s best players are still involved in the CHL playoffs.

12. Countdown to the 2016 World Cup of Hockey: 41 days (Sept. 17) in Toronto, Ont. The final rosters of 20 skaters and 3 goalies are posted here >>> Rosters

13. Countdown to the 2016 Tim Hortons Heritage Classic: 77 days (Oct. 23) in Winnipeg, MB.

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