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.

When Winnipeg traded their prodigal son, Dale Hawerchuk Jets fans were devastated. But, as they say, time heals all wounds. Luckily for Jets’ fans, they didn’t have to wait long because the American defenceman, Phil Housley, made sure he wasn’t the next Ray Neufeld. With his smooth, effective and entertaining performance, Housley established and inserted himself into the conversation about the best Jets of all-time in only 3 seasons. While the statistics prove Housley’s worth, the accolades from teammates really solidified his spot on the team. This was backed by Keith Tkachuk, who told the Winnipeg Sun, “When a guy of that calibre and his work ethic does that, people listen, he pushed me.” These intangibles that aren’t written on a scoresheet, but they appear in the dressing room and make a monumental difference on- and off- the-ice.

The smooth-skating American enjoyed three All-Star seasons in Winnipeg, including 97-points in the 1992-93 season, which was a career-high for Housley. This likely coincided with the addition of a certain Finnish sniper, Teemu Selänne, who netted 76 goals that year, 21 of which were assisted by Housley himself. The quality of an outlet pass can make-or-break an offensive rush and Teemu and Tkachuk raved about the quality of Housley’s outlet passes. In only three seasons with the Winnipeg Jets’ Housley racked up 259-points and helped the team make two playoff appearances. Unfortunately, being eliminating by the Vancouver Canucks in both years, the Jets continued their streak of first-round exits. Whether due to frustration about multiple playoff losses or salary implications, Phil Housley was traded before the 1993-94 season. This resulted in the Jets losing their most efficient puck-moving defenceman for next to nothing.

After his time in Winnipeg, Housley would go on to play 12 more seasons, including stints in St. Louis, Calgary, New Jersey, Washington, Chicago and Toronto, where he ended his playing career. Although he was never able to replicate the success he had in Winnipeg, Housley still produced valuable point-totals, which helped Washington in their 1997-98 playoff run. Housley is widely considered one of the best American-born players to, not only lace up in the ‘Peg, but also the NHL as-a-whole. After a brief stint as the Buffalo Sabres head coach in 2017, Housley shifted to an assistant role for the Arizona Coyotes. He now holds the unfortunate title of ‘most games played without a Stanley Cup.’ Regardless of this unflattering label, Housley remains one of the top Jets all-time.

Twitter: Jonesinthezone