Why the Jets' Return Means So Much to all of Canada

The NHL's return to Winnipeg has been the biggest positive story of this off season. A midst all the tragedy this past summer, Winnipeg's return to professional hockey remained a beacon of optimism for hockey fans in Canada. With their debut now out of the way, and with the deluge of good will and support from hockey fans across the country we can start to reflect on what happened, how it happened, and why it was received like it was. Why did the return of the NHL to Winnipeg, or more succinctly, the return of the Winnipeg Jets, create such a swell of emotion from people who otherwise, have never been Jets fans?

The overwhelming love for these new Jets comes less from the reality of the current situation, and more from the climate in which the original Jets left.

I know it was ugly, but I still wanted to win it.

I was an eleven year old kid when the Jets left (so I suspect I was ten when the Nordiques left). Not at the age where you have become "smart" by any means, but at the age where you have become "aware" of what is going around you. I had liked hockey since I was about 5 years old, but was obviously too young to understand the inner-workings of, not necessarily the game, but the league.

When the Jets left, there was a very strong narrative surrounding professional sports in Canada; Things were bad, and they weren't getting any better. Two of our hockey teams had fled, not just to the US, but to the sunbelt. The CFL was embarking on its ill-fated American experiment. The Expos and Blue Jays had just been robbed of a potential World Series meeting. And to cap that summer off, in the World Cup of Hockey, Canada lost two out of three, and had to watch the United States celebrate on the ice in Montreal. Follow that up with a horrible run at the World Junior Hockey Championship (bookended by dynasties as they were), and things looked bleak for Canadian sports fan. The Jets (and the Nordiques) became more than just individual teams. They were symbols of the fleeting Canadian sports scene.

Another awful 90's moment I just remembered

The rivalry that has emerged between US and Canadian hockey is a symptom of that mid to late 90's, almost "moral panic", about the game in our country. Obviously there are other reasons contributing to the US supplanting Russia as our number one hockey rival, but this feeling that emerged then, that "the big bad Americans" were coming for us, that was a big spark to what is certainly the best current rivalry in international hockey. The stars of today are about my age and everyone I knew growing up and know now look at the Americans as our primary hockey rival. The Russian rivalry is quaint and nostalgic, but the American rivalry is mean and aggressive.

Fifteen years on, and the nation wide jubilation at the return of the Winnipeg Jets is emblematic of a feeling that Canada is "taking back" a sport that "those greedy Americans" tried to steal from us.

Kind of a big deal

Now obviously, that was never the case. Canada wasn't losing "its" sport and the US wasn't "stealing" anything. The economic realities of the time (both general and specific to those organizations) forced a sort of restructuring of North American professional sports landscape, and that restructuring is a part of why the Winnipeg Jets were able to return.

Antropov? That doesn't bode well

I think Canadians would be absolutely satisfied if the Jets were the last team to move to Canada. I think Canadians are happy with seven representatives in the top flight of professional hockey. Not that they wouldn't take more, and maybe time will change, but as it stands, I think Canadians feel somewhat vindicated that the NHL returned to Winnipeg. It was sort of like a nation wide "told ya so!" to the NHL.

So congrats Winnipeg. We are all pulling for you. And so long as you never cost my team points or a playoff spot, that will never change.









Links and Twitter handles: @FadooBobcat @FriedgeHNIC, @DamoSpin, @JeffMarek, @michaelgrange @GloBlair @GordStellick @darrenrovell @Paul__Jones @Wilnerness590 @keithlaw @sportsnetsoccer @bgnewf @LukeWileman @Nigel_Reed @TimSidizen @TSNProducerTim @DShulman_ESPN @gareth_wheeler @_Joe_Ross @tsnotoole @Sid_Seixeiro @JayOnrait @GloBlair @tsnjamesduthie @dshoalts @GregSansone @tim_micallef @jamessharman @bruce_arthur @DarrenDreger Listen Here - http://www.fan590.com/onair/primetimesports/

Mascot Musical Chairs

The Jets announced they will be using the former Moose mascot, Mick-E Moose as their new mascot, and as someone who likes all things meaningless and superfluous to the actual games, I think this is a great idea.

Why you heff to be mad?

Mascots are stupid. They arent supposed to be too logical. Why would a Moose be the mascot for a team called the Jets? Why not? The Maple Leafs have a polar bear, as if that makes any sense; the Flames have a hound dog; the Senators have a lion; and the Canadiens have a furry orange butt-plug.

The truth is, the best mascots are ones that are not a literal interpretation of the team name. Mascots are something so trivial that it only makes sense to reach into the past and use something familiar, yet quirky.

In 30 years (God willing), when a young kid asks why the Jets mascot is a moose, there will be a real good answer.

My only gripe is that he looks kind of angry (if not downright sadistic). Mascots are for kids (and losers like me who like to analyze their useless nonsense). They should have nothing but a big dopey grin on their face.

Bears are Godless killing machines

Re-purposing mascots is always a good idea.

Links and Twitter handles: @FadooBobcat @FriedgeHNIC, @DamoSpin, @JeffMarek, @michaelgrange @GloBlair @GordStellick @darrenrovell @Paul__Jones @Wilnerness590 @keithlaw @sportsnetsoccer @bgnewf @LukeWileman @Nigel_Reed @TimSidizen @TSNProducerTim @DShulman_ESPN @gareth_wheeler @_Joe_Ross @tsnotoole @Sid_Seixeiro @JayOnrait @GloBlair @tsnjamesduthie @dshoalts @GregSansone @tim_micallef @jamessharman @bruce_arthur @DarrenDreger Listen Here - http://www.fan590.com/onair/primetimesports/

Hockey pre-season, NHL 12 and Uniform Talk

 The Leafs looked good in their first pre-season game. Plan the parade!

Now that the obligatory, sarcastic Leaf comment is out of the way, the team did look good. I am not going to make any more analysis than that, but it was still just nice to have hockey back.

NHL 12 has arrived, and as I usually do, I caved in and bought it. Yes, its basically the exact same game as the past 3 or 4 years, but I just couldn't resist the novelty of buying the first NHL game with the Winnipeg Jets since NHL 95.

One thing that really bothers me about the franchise, and always has, is alot of the simple cosmetic touches. Pre-game intros have looked the exact same for several years now. Post game victory celebrations still look the same. Changing canned animations like goals and wins seems like a no-brainer, and a really easy way to make a game seem more updated. Yet EA refuses (or is simply just too lazy) to come up with new ones.

I am really getting into the "Be a Pro" mode this year though. The ability to sim to your next shift is huge for making the mode more playable. Nobody likes sitting on the bench in real life, never mind in a videogame, so taking that out of the game is huge.

It is also really disappointing to see that the new Winnipeg Jets jerseys still aren't in the game. I had NHL 11, and by the time the first jersey update was released, I had long since gotten bored of the game. I fear this update might take just as long. I usually get bored of the NHL games by the time the regular season gets going for real. It would be nice to get some games in with the Jets wearing something other than their hideous 1980's era uniform. I can't understand why EA included those unis and not the much better looking 1990's era sweater. That sweater would fit right in in today's NHL, and be one of the best looking ones to.

On to a pair of recently leaked third sweaters. The Senators and Maple Leafs both had their unveilings ruined by the Sabres arena store, and it confirms what most people have known for a while now. The Senators will be wearing a "throw back" looking uniform with thick black and red hoops, while the Maple Leafs will be wearing a 1967 inspired blue sweater.

As a Maple Leaf fan, I am a bit jealous here. The Senators jersey looks amazing, but I am quite underwhelmed by the Leafs sweater. The Sens sweater is something they have been sorely missing for over a decade. Namely, a GOOD sweater. Ever since Ottawa introduced their '3D' head logo, with the red and black, wavy stripe jersey, they have consistently been one of the ugliest teams in the league, so it is great that somebody in Ottawa has gotten a clue and made a jersey that looks distinctive and classic.

The Leafs jersey, while directly taken from the Leafs once glorious past (and it may still grow on me, particularly once I see it in action), is very boring looking. Though I think my reaction may have a bit to do with the fact that this sweater will be replacing one of, if not the best sweater in the entire league. The white, 36-point Maple Leaf sweater that Toronto has worn for about the last decade was hockey personified. I dont think there was a person on this earth who didn't agree that it was one of the best sweaters in the league. So, considering that, this sweater has a lot to live up to. I am happy to see the Leafs embracing the 67 era logo though. One thing about the Leafs I really like is the unique fact that they have, essentially, three different logos that are all immediately recognizable as symbols of the Maple Leafs organization (to hockey fans anyway).



Links and Twitter handles: @FadooBobcat @FriedgeHNIC, @DamoSpin, @JeffMarek, @michaelgrange @GloBlair @GordStellick @darrenrovell @Paul__Jones @Wilnerness590 @keithlaw @sportsnetsoccer @bgnewf @LukeWileman @Nigel_Reed @TimSidizen @TSNProducerTim @DShulman_ESPN @gareth_wheeler @_Joe_Ross @tsnotoole @Sid_Seixeiro @JayOnrait @GloBlair @tsnjamesduthie @dshoalts @GregSansone @tim_micallef @jamessharman @bruce_arthur @DarrenDreger Listen Here - http://www.fan590.com/onair/primetimesports/

Jets Finally Unveil New Sweaters

They finally did it. The Winnipeg Jets have finally unveiled their jerseys sweaters for their NHL return, and predictably, the fan response is luke warm. The first complaint I see a lot is that they're too plain. They look too much like a million other sweaters around the league (CBJ, FLA, PIT, NSH, STL). Basically, if a team already wears a dark blue uniform with a round logo, people seem, to feel the Jets are ripping them off.

Why did RBK have to ruin you?!

I think there are a couple reasons for the chilly reception. One, the complainers are correct about the sweater being plain. It is very plain. Especially the "polar night blue" sweater. It looks exactly like a hockey sweater is supposed to look. The logo on the front, some stripes on the arm and waist, and that is it. Hockey sweaters are not supposed to be ground breaking aesthetically. And the ones that do manage to introduce something new that people actually like are few and far between. The pre RBK Edge-ified Stars and Avalanche uniforms spring to mind as 'modern' designs that were universally beloved. But most "modern" redesigns end up being replaced within a decade like Buffalo, Edmonton, and Boston. The Jets kept it simple, and that was the right decision.

Second reason I think people are hating on this uniform, the team is becoming real. They're no longer the fictitious Winnipeg Jets that everybody can have a soft sport for. This is the jersey that a player will be wearing when he scores a game winning goal against your team. Not that there is anything wrong with getting some recreational hating in before the real games start.

 Could probably use more abstract lines

As for my commentary on the sweaters. Since my initial reaction this morning of a big hearty "meh", I have actually really grown to like this design. Other than the plainness of it, people's only real complaint seems to be the striping on the road whites. I do see what people mean, the two horizontal shoulder stripes do clash with the vertical, full length shoulder yoke. This was one of the first things I noticed, and I initially didn't like it, but the look has grown on me, and I would have to say I really like the decision. I think the arm stripes really stand out on the sweaters and I love the "aviator blue" accents. Also, I have a theory for the two prominent arm stripes. I haven't seen it mentioned in any news piece, but I wonder if the idea behind the two stripes is supposed to be symbolic of the fact that this is the second version of the Jets. Two stripes for Jets 2.0.

The only part of the uniform I dont like is the number and lettering. I am really not a fan of that "modern" style. I really don't take much issue with it though as these jerseys are almost guaranteed to undergo a few tweaks in the next couple years anyways. Sweaters these days never seem to go more than a couple years with out some kind of tinkering.

And even if you absolutely hate these, Chipman has strongly suggested (if not flat out said explicitly), the Jets will be bringing back the old uniform as an alternate as early as next season. Its really starting to feel like the Jets are back.




Links and Twitter handles: @FadooBobcat @FriedgeHNIC, @DamoSpin, @JeffMarek, @michaelgrange @GloBlair @GordStellick @darrenrovell @Paul__Jones @Wilnerness590 @keithlaw @sportsnetsoccer @bgnewf @LukeWileman @Nigel_Reed @TimSidizen @TSNProducerTim @DShulman_ESPN @gareth_wheeler @_Joe_Ross @tsnotoole @Sid_Seixeiro @JayOnrait @GloBlair @tsnjamesduthie @dshoalts @GregSansone @tim_micallef @jamessharman @bruce_arthur @DarrenDreger Listen Here - http://www.fan590.com/onair/primetimesports/

Prime Time Sports - Monday jersey talk

On to Prime Time Sports from this past week. Bob was finally back. The selection of fill-ins was pretty good, with the exception of Gord Stellick. I am sure he is a nice guy, and he is engaging as a round table panel member, but I don't think he can carry a program. He just sounds like too much of a sanitized, prototypical (or stereotypical) radio host.

Best Blue Jay in the best uniform.

On Monday Bob had Paul Beeston on asked him candidly about the Blue Jays switching logos next season and going back to the traditional (and universally beloved) Blue Jays logo. Beeston seemed to strongly imply that the switch was coming and hopefully that is the case. Its a disappointment that the Jays didn't wear the classic uniforms for Roberto Alomar's retirement day, but I am hoping it is just a sign that they didn't want to push the old school uniform at all this season in the hopes of running through as much of the current product before a full scale re branding next season. The switch has got to be all but a done deal; never mind the fans, who clearly love the old logo, but even the branding throughout Rogers Skydome is about 2:1 old school logo. There hasn't been an easier branding decision since the Winnipeg Jets.

Royal Blue > Navy Blue

Speaking of the Jets, Mark Chipman was also on with Bob, and in more uniform news (throughout this blog you will find I am quite obsessive about sports uniforms), he certainly left the door about as open as possible for the return of the classic Winnipeg Jets look at some point in the future. I have no problem with the Jets new branding, but it would be great to see the old Jets logo (90's era only please, the other two incarnations have not aged well) back in action as an alternate logo.

Links and Twitter handles: @FadooBobcat @FriedgeHNIC, @DamoSpin, @JeffMarek, @michaelgrange @GloBlair @GordStellick @darrenrovell @Paul__Jones @Wilnerness590 @keithlaw

Jets Logo, NFL Labour and Alomar HoF Talk

Friday Roundtable in effect. Guest host Jeff Marek fills in on Bob's last day off, we learn that Damien Cox is hounded by twitter trolls, and Friedman and Grange say douchebag in a solid Bobcat-less roundtable.


Winnipeg Jets History & Logo Talk



What's everyone think of the new Jets logos? Seems like most of the roundtable thinks its alright, and I would tend to agree. Its a perfectly fine logo. Its nothing too flashy, and thats a good thing. I don't care too much for the overt militarism, but it doesn't bother me in the least. The main logo isn't too inspiring to me, but for some reason I absolutely LOVE the tertiary wordmark. It has such a cool understated, vintage feel.

Considering Moose and Polar-Bears were being tossed around as legit options, I am thrilled with how this turned out. A nice old school sweater design could really make this uniform/brand really impressive.

And no matter what, its just great to have the Jets Back.

A very good roundtable with alot of insightful and informed discussion about Twitter and the impact of social media on sports journalism.


Links and Twitter handles:
@FriedgeHNIC, 
@DamoSpin, 
@JeffMarek, 
@michaelgrange




Listen Here - http://www.fan590.com/onair/primetimesports/