1995–96 Winnipeg Jets season


The 1995–96 Winnipeg Jets season was the team's 24th and their final season in Winnipeg before the franchise was moved to Phoenix, Arizona, and renamed the Phoenix Coyotes. The NHL returned to Winnipeg following the 2010–11 season, when the Atlanta Thrashers became the "new" Winnipeg Jets.

Relocation to Phoenix

As the National Hockey League expanded into the United States, the team operating costs and salaries grew rapidly; this development put a high strain on the League's Canadian teams. As Winnipeg was the League's second-smallest market, the Jets were unable to retain their best players. Various schemes were devised to save the team through a tremendous grassroots effort and government funds, but in the end, the efforts were not enough.
Despite strong fan support, the Winnipeg Jets were at a financial disadvantage with many American franchises. The team was sold to Phoenix businessmen Steven Gluckstern and Richard Burke, and in 1996, the club moved to Arizona and became the Phoenix Coyotes. In the summer that the move took place, the franchise saw the exit of Jets stars like Teemu Selanne and Alexei Zhamnov, while the team added established superstar Jeremy Roenick from the Chicago Blackhawks. Roenick teamed up with power wingers Keith Tkachuk and Rick Tocchet to form a dynamic 1–2–3 offensive punch that led the Coyotes through their first years in Arizona. Also impressive were young players Shane Doan, Oleg Tverdovsky and goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin, whom the fans nicknamed the "Bulin Wall."

Off-season

The Jets picked Shane Doan of the Kamloops Blazers as their first-round pick, seventh overall.
Due to contractual disagreements, Keith Tkachuk is replaced as captain by Kris King.

Regular season

Their 36 wins were the highest since the Jets won 40 games during the 1992–93 season.

Season standings

Schedule and results

Playoffs

The Jets lost their first round series 4–2 to the Detroit Red Wings. Winnipeg played their last-ever game on April 28, 1996, a home playoff loss to the Red Wings, 4–1. Norm Maciver scored the last goal in original Jets history.
DateAway teamScoreHome team
April 17Winnipeg Jets1–4Detroit Red Wings
April 19Winnipeg Jets0–4Detroit Red Wings
April 21Detroit Red Wings1–4Winnipeg Jets
April 23Detroit Red Wings6–1Winnipeg Jets
April 26Winnipeg Jets3–1Detroit Red Wings
April 28Detroit Red Wings4–1Winnipeg Jets

Player statistics

Regular season

;Scoring
PlayerPosGPGAPtsPIM+/-PPGSHGGWG
LW76504898156112026
RW51244872183614
C5822375965-4502
D7411435422-4603
C73222951421805
C512722496501601
RW6919203936-7442
C5916163226-3202
D82723302058300
D395253026-6200
C8014142820-14203
C5810142437-4310
LW635182328-5001
LW8191120151-7012
C137132002201
D515131822-2200
RW7471017101-9103
D48279725000
D310886-7000
LW73426202-4000
D6515681-2000
C22235121000
LW2923512-2000
D21145330011
D25134376000
D1511228-2000
C1211241000
RW402200000
D2901132-10000
D1001121-2000
RW1500012-4000
G3000000000
G100000000
D200001000
LW10000-1000
LW40000-3000
G53000120000
G100000000
C10002-1000
RW1700016-3000
G700020000

;Goaltending
PlayerMINGPWLTGAGAASOSASVSV%
291453262031523.13216561504.908
16953081831113.930948837.883
2857220163.370134118.881
34100035.2901411.786
6100000.000221.000
Team:493482364062823.43227542472.898

Playoffs

;Scoring
PlayerPosGPGAPtsPIMPPGSHGGWG
D621330001
C62138000
C61230000
C61236000
LW612322000
C60330000
LW41010001
D61012000
LW61016000
C60112000
LW50114000
D60112000
D60110000
RW60006000
RW30000000
D60004000
C40000000
G60000000
LW10002000
RW10000000
D60002000
C600021000

;Goaltending
PlayerMINGPWLGAGAASOSASVSV%
359624193.180214195.911
Team:359624193.180214195.911

Awards and records

Transactions

Trades

Waivers

Free agents

PlayerNew Team
Oleg MikulchikMighty Ducks of Anaheim
Stephane BeauregardSan Francisco Spiders

Draft picks

NHL Entry Draft

Roster