Asking Winnipeg Jets fans who’s their favourite player of All-Time is like asking a parent who their favourite child is. Combine that with the fact that top-10 lists are extremely subjective and to avoid this awkward conundrum, I present the Top Winnipeg Jets of every generation.

The 90s changed everything – literally everything. There were technological advances in music, electronics, and of course those curves on hockey sticks. For those unfamiliar in the 1992 Stanley Cup final, Marty McSorley received a penalty for an illegally curved stick that resulted in a costly goal, which helped the Canadiens on their way to the last Stanley Cup to be lifted by a Canadian team. Illegal curves or not, the early 90s were filled with goals and Jets fans enjoyed their fair share thanks to these legends.

The Winnipeg Jets are known for their international flair, but their American influence was just as prevalent and is highlighted by none other than Keith “Walt” Tkachuk. The nickname has been attributed to Eddie Olczyk, who was referencing a 1970’s New York Ranger named Walter Tkaczuk and whose name was spelled differently but pronounced the same. Nobody is saying hockey players are creative with their nicknames – every Smitty, Jonesy and Burnsy can attest to that – but Walt stuck with Tkachuk all the way to St. Louis where announcers touted him as ‘Big Walt’. Being one of the two American players to be traded for Hawerchuk meant Tkachuk felt the pressure the moment he entered the league. The Boston University alumni averaged 1.1 PPG in his lone collegiate year – fans expected this same offensive output and they got it. Tkachuk arrived in Winnipeg immediately after the Olympics and tallied one assist in his 1992 debut. The Jets later made the playoffs and Tkachuk netted 3 goals in their first-round loss to the Vancouver Canucks. Tkachuk had proven himself and fans, eager to see what he could do during a full season, were not disappointed.

In his official rookie year, missing only one game all-year and netting 28 goals, 23 assists and 201 penalty minutes, the young American flourished. Tkachuk was a tough, strong power-forward, which endeared him to Jets fans. The ‘Peg loves a player that will go in the corners, drop the gloves and score the game winner and Tkachuk fit that mould and more. Tkachuk and the Jets would once again suffer a first-round loss to the Vancouver Canucks, but Jets’ fans were excited about their young American forward. Tkachuk would play in all 84 games the following season, tallying 41 goals and 40 assists, but unfortunately fell short of the playoffs. The 1994-95 season was shortened to 48 games due to the lockout dispute, yet Tkachuk still tallied 51 goals in only 48 games. The team once again fell short of playoffs. The mid-90s Jets had all the potential in the world and likely figured they would play together in Winnipeg for the next two decades, but we all know that’s not how the story ended.

Following a contract dispute Keith Tkachuk was stripped of his captaincy, in what was the Winnipeg Jets’ final year,. Despite this conflict, as a true professional Tkachuk tallied a career-high 50 goals and 48 assists during that tumultuous year. As rumours circulated of the inevitable move to Phoenix at the end of the seasons, this high-flying Jet performed every night. Again, he was a true professional. Tkachuk was renamed Captain following the team’s move to Phoenix and led the new Desert Dogs for five years until he moved to St. Louis. Tkachuk played 20 hard-fought years in the NHL. He was the player you hate to play against but love to have on your team. That’s the player Jets fans fell in love with. Tkachuk now enjoys watching his two sons, Brady and Matthew, play in the NHL. Both are proving to be as tough – if not tougher – than their dad night in and night out. Tkachuk is one of five American-born players to score 500 goals, so Winnipeg Jets fans should hope Brady and Matthew come to Winnipeg to make it seven.

Twitter: Jonesinthezone