July 29, 2022

What if the Winnipeg Jets never left?

I'm back with another set of "What If?" concepts, this time for the original Winnipeg Jets. As was the case with my Nordiques concepts, this is an update to a series I did exactly ten years ago (so everything up to the 2012-13 season was decided by me in 2012).

Also, this is a separate timeline to my Nordiques concepts (the Avalanche exist in this timeline, the Nordiques do not).

Let's get started...

1990-99
The set of jerseys the Jets introduced in 1990 would stick around unchanged until the end of the 1998-99 season.

1999-2007
The Jets updated their uniforms before the start of the 1999-2000 season. The blue became navy, grey was added to the colour scheme, and the striping pattern was altered.

2007-11
A few changes were made to the jerseys during the switch to the Reebok Edge cut. Front numbers were added, the collar changed, and the armpits became grey.

2011 Heritage Classic
The Winnipeg Jets hosted the Montreal Canadians in the 2011 Heritage Classic. They wore replicas of their 1976 WHA uniforms, the first year they won the Avco Cup.

2011-14
The previous year's Heritage Classic jersey became their full time third jersey.

2014-17
The Jets introduced a brand new set of jerseys in 2014, which brought back the wordmark and jet from their 1973-90 roundel. Also grey was ditched from the colour scheme, and a new name and number font was introduced.

2017-18
No changes were made to the design during the switch to Adidas jerseys.

2018-22
The Jets made a bold choice by adding a "whiteout" third jersey, complete with white gloves and grey pants. The striping pattern brought back the sleeve stripes from their 1979-90 jerseys.

2019 Heritage Classic
Speaking of their 1979-90 jerseys, Winnipeg brought the blue version back when they played the Flames in the 2019 Heritage Classic in Regina, Saskatchewan.

2021 Reverse Retro
For the NHL's Reverse Retro program, the Jets swapped the red and blue on their 1990's road jersey. Also, they added Bell as their helmet sponsor.

2022-Future
The whiteout third jersey is retired after four seasons. In its place the Jets introduce a grey third jersey which is partially inspired by the 1948 RCAF Flyers' Olympic jerseys. Additionally, SkipTheDishes is introduced as the Jets first jersey sponsor.

That's all for now, but I'll be back soon with a "What If?" for the Atlanta Thrashers. Thanks for stopping by!