Winnipeg Hockey Talk is thrilled and pleased 😀 to announce the addition of “Original” NHL Winnipeg Jet 1.0 defenceman Scott Campbell as a contributing writer to WHT. Scott will provide his in-sights, thoughts and opinions on anything/everything Winnipeg Jets 1.0 or 2.0 and hockey in general.
Gary Scott Campbell
Position: Defense Shoots: Left
DOB: June 22, 1957 Born: Toronto, ON
Drafted: WHA 1977 Entry Draft: Round: 1 1st overall by Houston Aeros
Drafted: NHL 1977 Entry Draft: Round: 1 9th overall by St. Louis Blues
The Winnipeg Jets originally acquired Scott Campbell in 1978 along with a few other members of the defunct Houston Aeros. (We will talk about them in the future). Scott was the big physical defenceman the Jets needed and he helped the Jets win the final AVCO Cup in 1979.
Original Winnipeg Jets 1.0 Defenceman Scott Campbell
After a roller coaster ride in the summer of 1979, the Jets were granted admission into the NHL along with Quebec, Hartford and Edmonton. As part of the agreement, the NHL teams were basically allowed to pillage their nemesis’s from the old WHA. Atlanta took Kent Nilsson, Chicago took Roscoe and Rich Preston, Washington took Paul McKinnon and on and on!!!
It was gut wrenching to watch our CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM gutted for the privilege of playing in NHL and the crappy brand of hockey they were providing at that time.
We Could Only Protect Two Skaters!!!
The Jets were allowed to protect two skaters going into their first season in the NHL. This was well debated by hockey fans in Winnipeg. Everybody had an opinion; Scott/Roscoe, Roscoe/Luke, Scott/Luke, Nilsson/Luke etc., etc. This was ongoing and the Jets finally decided on Scott Campbell and Morris Lukowich. Our first two original NHL 1.0 JETS !!! This made sense to me. Our top scorer and a good, still developing NHL caliber defenceman going forward into the NHL.
Unfortunately, Winnipeg’s cold weather triggered a chronic asthma condition and Scott requested a trade after the 1980-81 season. Scott was traded to the St. Louis Blues and played for a short time but his asthma condition ultimately lead to his retirement in 1981-82 at the age of 25.
This was really a terrible break for Scott. His career was just starting in my opinion and his best years were still in front of him. Keep in mind, this was a player that was drafted in the NHL’s first round, 9th overall. That’s pretty rarefied air.
Scott was an integral part of Winnipeg’s early 1.0 history in the obvious sense but Scott and I have jokingly bantered that he was pretty important in setting this team up for the future!!! On July 3, 1981, Scott was traded to St. Louis Blues with John Markell for Bryan Maxwell, Ed Staniowski, and Paul MacLean.
All three of those players were starters for the Jets. Maxwell and “Saturday Night Eddie” gave the Jets two years while Paul MacLean was a fixture as Dale Hawerchuk’s right winger in Winnipeg for SEVEN years.
I have a ton of respect and admiration for Scott going back to his hockey days in Winnipeg but even more-so now as he has reconnected with Winnipeg Hockey. He is constantly on Twitter making friends, telling stories and will answer any questions about the old WHA and NHL Jets.
One of the reasons that I approached Scott about throwing some of his thoughts down in print is because we often joke that it’s pretty hard getting your point across in 140 characters on Twitter.
For some Jets 1.0 history and fun conversation with a real genuine guy follow:
WELCOME TO WHT SCOTT !!!
Scott Campbell Position:Defense Shoots: Left DOB:June 22, 1957 Born: Toronto, ONT Height: 6.03 Weight: 205
--- Regular Season --- Season Team Lge GP G A Pts PIM ------------------------------------------------------------------ 1974-75 London Knights OHA 68 4 15 19 52 1975-76 London Knights OHA 62 6 25 31 46 1976-77 London Knights OHA 60 23 44 67 86 1977-78 Houston Aeros WHA 75 8 29 37 116 1978-79 Winnipeg Jets WHA 74 3 15 18 248 1979-80 Winnipeg Jets NHL 63 3 17 20 136 1980-81 Winnipeg Jets NHL 14 1 4 5 55 1980-81 Tulsa Oilers CHL 3 0 0 0 9 1981-82 St. Louis Blues NHL 3 0 0 0 52 1981-82 Salt Lake Golden Eagles CHL 3 0 1 1 31 -------------------------------------------------------------------
WHA Totals 149 11 44 55 364
NHL Totals 80 4 21 25 243
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