Celebrating 25 Years: The Winnipeg Jets All-Time Greats
The National Hockey League is commemorating its silver anniversary by assembling the best lineups from the past quarter-century. We’re taking a deep dive into each of the league’s 32 franchises, including the Arizona Coyotes, to highlight the standout players who have graced their rosters since 2000.
For every team, a panel of esteemed hockey journalists, broadcasters, and NHL.com writers who have covered the league over the past 25 years have meticulously selected a first and second team, each comprising six extraordinary players: three forwards, two defensemen, and one goaltender.
The six players chosen for each team’s first line will be eligible for the NHL All Quarter-Century Team, a prestigious honor determined by fan vote starting in February.
Today, we shine a spotlight on the Winnipeg Jets, a franchise with a rich history that includes its time as the Atlanta Thrashers.
Winnipeg Jets Quarter-Century Teams
First Team
Forwards:
Ilya Kovalchuk: A prolific scorer, Kovalchuk donned the Atlanta Thrashers jersey for eight seasons (2001-2010), amassing an impressive 615 points (328 goals, 287 assists) in 594 games. He holds the franchise record for power-play goals with 115. Drafted first overall by Atlanta in 2001, Kovalchuk continued his NHL journey with the New Jersey Devils, Los Angeles Kings, Montreal Canadiens, and Washington Capitals, ultimately recording 876 points (443 goals, 433 assists) in 926 games over 13 seasons. Mark scheifele: Currently the Jets’ second all-time leading scorer with 765 points (320 goals, 445 assists) in 839 games, Scheifele was selected seventh overall by winnipeg in the 2011 draft. He has consistently delivered, scoring at least 20 goals in each of the past ten seasons.
Blake Wheeler: A true winnipeg icon, Wheeler leads the franchise in points with 812 (262 goals, 550 assists) in 897 games played for both Atlanta and Winnipeg between 2010 and 2023. He captained the Jets for six of his twelve seasons with the team and holds the franchise record for playoff points with 39 (9 goals, 30 assists).
Defensemen:
Dustin byfuglien: Known for his physical presence and offensive prowess, Byfuglien was a dominant force on the Jets’ blue line. Josh Morrissey: A skilled and reliable defenseman,Morrissey has emerged as a key contributor for the Jets in recent years.
Goaltender:
* Connor Hellebuyck: A Vezina Trophy winner, Hellebuyck has established himself as one of the league’s elite goaltenders, providing a rock-solid presence in net for the Jets.
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