NHL: Winnipeg Jets Return to Hockey, a Tale of Two Cities

The Winnipeg Jets couldn't have picked a better time to come back home, whether it’s to the city of Winnipeg itself, or to the National Hockey League.  

Although to call it "coming back" is a bit misleading, since it's not actually the same franchise.  The shell of what used to be the Jets, you'll recall, is still limping along in the desert as the Phoenix Coyotes, propped up by dollars from the league's northern markets. 

But to fans in Winnipeg, a cold, lonely little city in the middle of the Canadian prairies, that's just splitting hairs.  The Jets are back in town, and, for now, that's all that matters. 

So, whether it's a morning rookie skate, an autograph session at the mall or a "meaningless" exhibition match, throngs of the faithful are on hand in their new and vintage jerseys, bringing the kids along and just celebrating. 

When you add to that a promising young team, a solid and committed ownership and a state-of-the-art arena in the middle of Winnipeg's downtown, things look bright.

And for the National Hockey League, plagued as its been by questions about violence, concussions, and about the very culture of the sport itself, a feel-good story about hockey returning to its roots couldn't be more timely.

But, some concerns are lost in the hype.

First of all, the Jets left town in 1996 after years of playing in front of some of the smallest crowds in the NHL.  Even with game-day discounts (anyone remember the $5 tickets at 7-Eleven?) and with massive giveaways to school groups and charities, a good night at the old barn saw only 12,000 souls. 

The fanbase just wasn't there last time, or at least not the ticket-buying one.

And there's no denying that, by pretty much every measurable standard, the Jets are back in the smallest city in the NHL.  And probably the poorest too, in terms of total market dollars.

But the rebuttals to those points are many.

First of all, the MTS Centre is sold out for the next three years.  Also, there are newer and bigger corporate sponsors on board.  And there might be larger markets in the southern U.S., but the revenue from Canadian and northern U.S. markets is often subsidizing them, meaning that the money is flowing from north to south, and not vice versa.

And finally, there's the fact that many people, me included, said that the Winnipeg Jets would never come back in the first place—and yet, here they are.

But, if the team struggles on the ice (as it likely will, given its relative inexperience and the strength of the Eastern Conference this year), some of the enthusiasm may wear off. 

And if those struggles push into next season, and the one after that, and then even a few more, the thrill of having the Jets back in town might be replaced by a less patient fanbase.

But, maybe that's part of why there's a team back in Winnipeg in the first place.  Maybe that's the point: the fact that people actually care if the team wins or loses.

No matter what chair you're sitting in (Gary Bettman, I'm looking at you here), it's hard to think that a fanbase lighting up Internet forums and call-in shows to demand rule changes or howling for a new coach is somehow a negative thing. 

Angry fans are always better than indifferent ones, and goodness knows the southern U.S. market is chock full of the latter.

So big-time hockey is back in the 'Peg, and long may it stay. 

Congratulations, Jets fans, you've earned it.  And if the players are even half as dedicated as the fanbase has proved to be, things should be fine.