Although the Winnipeg Jets logo contains the symbol of an airplane, it currently has no relation to aviation; it is only related to sports. Yet, a nod to history is preserved in the round emblem resembling a hockey puck, as its central element is a supersonic fighter jet against a background of a red maple leaf.
Winnipeg Jets: Brand overview
Founded: | 1999 |
Founder: | True North Sports & Entertainment |
Headquarters: | Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada |
Website: | nhl.com |
The Winnipeg Jets are a hockey team from Winnipeg, Canada. The club plays in the Central Division of the Western Conference of the NHL.
The name “Winnipeg Jets” is shared by two franchises, but they have different origins and histories of sports glory.
The Winnipeg Jets were founded in 1972 to play in the WHA. From 1979 to 1990, the official logo of the Winnipeg Jets was a blue circle with a red outline. It featured a rising airplane, white “Jets” lettering, and a curved red “Winnipeg.” The letter “J” in “Jets” was designed as a white hockey stick, stretching the full height of the logo. From 1991 to 1996, the blue background was replaced with white. The words “Winnipeg” and “Jets” were written in blue. The hockey stick in the shape of the letter “J” extended beyond the Winnipeg Jets emblem. The red jet stream was simplified.
After the WHA disbanded, the Winnipeg Jets joined the NHL. In 1996, due to mounting financial problems, team owner Barry Shenkarow was forced to sell the franchise to Steven Gluckstern and Richard Burke. They intended to move the team to Minneapolis, Minnesota. But something went wrong, and the club was moved to Phoenix, Arizona. It was renamed the “Phoenix Coyotes”. In 2009, the Phoenix Coyotes were declared bankrupt and became the property of the National Hockey League.
In 2004, a new indoor arena, Bell MTS Place, opened in Winnipeg (Manitoba, Canada). This sparked rumors about the return of hockey to the city. Leading candidates for the return were the bankrupt Phoenix Coyotes. But the NHL, which owned the franchise, refused to sell it to anyone and moved it to Canada.
Thus began the second era in the club’s history. In 2010-2011, it was announced that the Atlanta Thrashers were up for sale and might move to Winnipeg. On May 31, 2011, Gary Bettman confirmed that the Atlanta Thrashers had been sold to True North Sports. The team was renamed the “Winnipeg Jets”.
The emblem of the Atlanta Thrashers was the Brown Thrasher bird. The thrasher is a small brown bird, completely harmless and having nothing in common with the muscular pterodactyl depicted on the Atlanta Thrasher emblem. Nonetheless, it is the official state bird of Georgia. After moving to Canada, the club’s owners decided to hold a contest for the team name. Fans voted for “Winnipeg Jets”. Exploiting the old emblem was not sensible. On July 22, 2011, the team presented a new Winnipeg Jets logo based on the symbol of the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Meaning and History
The name “Winnipeg Jets” fully corresponds to the fighting spirit of the young team. Originally, the team from the USA moved to Winnipeg, the capital of the Manitoba province in Canada. In 2011, team chairman Mark Chipman noted that the new “Jets” name was chosen as a tribute to the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Like the club itself, the Winnipeg Jets logo has undergone several transformations to acquire its current appearance and status. Previously, it had radically different personal identification marks. After acquiring the franchise, Truth North Sports & Entertainment changed the name of the Atlanta Thrashers team and altered the branding design.
What is Winnipeg Jets?
It is the name of one of the National Hockey League teams. It debuted in 1999 but was known under another name – Atlanta Thrashers. The renaming occurred in 2011 after the franchise moved from the USA to the Canadian city of Winnipeg. The club currently plays in the Central Division and holds home matches in Canada Life Center.
1999 – 2011
At the beginning of the 21st century, the Atlanta Thrashers team presented its first logo. It depicted the Brown Thrasher bird – the official state bird of Georgia, where the team is based. The bird in a blue triangle held a golden hockey stick in its tail. The Thrasher bird was drawn in three shades of gold and brown. The entire logo was outlined in yellow.
2011 – today
After moving to Canada, the club received a new name and a new Winnipeg Jets logo, developed in conjunction with the NHL. The logo is based on the McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet airplane, with its nose pointed upwards. This reflects the original roots of the Winnipeg Jets – reflecting the aviation theme, as an airplane was used in the earliest version of the emblem. The leadership brought it back in 2011, replacing the Brown Thrasher with a fighter jet.
Reebok developed the new logo in collaboration with the NHL. Their partnership resulted in a round sign with a swiftly flying airplane in the center. The background is a red maple leaf turned in the opposite direction. At the top of the double ring is a sharp notch pointing north.
Winnipeg Jets: Interesting Facts
The Winnipeg Jets are a hockey team from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. They play in the NHL and have an interesting story.
- Two Versions of the Jets: The first Jets team started in 1972 and moved to Arizona in 1996. The team we have now started as the Atlanta Thrashers in 1999 and moved to Winnipeg in 2011.
- Big Comeback: When the NHL returned to Winnipeg in 2011, people were so excited that 13,000 season tickets were sold fast.
- Outdoor Game: In 2016, they played in a big outdoor game called the Heritage Classic against the Edmonton Oilers. It was a fun event that remembered the history of both teams.
- Winnipeg Whiteout: Fans dress all in white during playoff games. It looks cool and makes the games extra exciting.
- First Draft Pick: Mark Scheifele was the first player the new Jets picked in 2011. He’s good and has become a key player for the team.
- Teenage Star: Patrik Laine, who they picked in 2016, tied a record for scoring many goals as a teenager.
- Top Goalie: Connor Hellebuyck won a big award in 2020 for being the best goalie in the NHL.
- The Captain: Blake Wheeler has been the team’s captain since 2016. He’s a great leader for the team and helps out a lot in the community.
- Helping Out: The Jets’ foundation does many good things in Winnipeg, like helping kids and supporting local hockey.
- Deep Playoff Run: In 2018, the Jets went far in the playoffs, making their fans proud and excited about hockey again.
The Winnipeg Jets have a cool history and amazing fans. They do many great things in their community and are an important part of hockey in Canada.
Font and Colors
The decision to update the outdated logo and give it individuality seemed very appropriate to the administration. In its logo, the club paid tribute to Wing Winnipeg, part of the Royal Canadian Air Force. This was emphasized in a speech by Mark Chipman, chairman of the team’s board of directors.
The original version consists of the thrasher – the symbol of the state where the franchise is located. The anthropomorphic bird is depicted with a hockey stick in its hands and placed on a blue triangular background outlined with a yellow frame. Then, it was changed to a more suitable version, combining aviation and hockey signs. The developers also adjusted the shape of the logo, making it round.
A separate inscription is arranged in two lines. The word “Jets” is typed in a handwritten font, “Winnipeg” – in a regular serrated font.
According to the PMS gradation, all official franchise colors are used in the emblem: white, burgundy 195 C, red 187 C, gray 11 C, silver 429 C, and two shades of blue – Aviator Blue 2945 C and Night Blue 282.
Winnipeg Jets color codes
Polar Night Blue | Hex color: | #041e42 |
---|---|---|
RGB: | 4 30 66 | |
CMYK: | 100 90 13 68 | |
Pantone: | PMS 282 C |
Aviator Blue | Hex color: | #0060a5 |
---|---|---|
RGB: | 0 96 165 | |
CMYK: | 99 48 1 14 | |
Pantone: | PMS 2384 C |
Silver | Hex color: | #a2aaad |
---|---|---|
RGB: | 162 170 173 | |
CMYK: | 21 11 9 23 | |
Pantone: | PMS 429 C |
Red | Hex color: | #a6192e |
---|---|---|
RGB: | 166 25 46 | |
CMYK: | 7 100 82 26 | |
Pantone: | PMS 187 C |
FAQ
What does the Winnipeg Jets logo mean?
The Winnipeg Jets logo contains many symbols. Overall, it mimics the medallion of the Royal Canadian Air Force, which looks like a white circle with a red maple leaf in the center and a blue bordering ring. At the same time, it features a fighter jet inspired by the design of military aircraft. This is a tribute to the RCAF pilots.
What plane is depicted in the Winnipeg Jets logo?
The silhouette of the airplane depicted in the center of the Winnipeg Jets logo was copied from the McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet. It is a military fighter jet of the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Why are the Winnipeg Jets called “Jets”?
The current Winnipeg Jets club is named after a namesake hockey club, which, after several relocations, became known as the Arizona Coyotes. And that, in turn, was named after the New York Jets NFL football franchise.
When did the Winnipeg Jets change their logo?
The team changed its logo as part of rebranding in 2011 after moving from Atlanta. That’s when it changed its name to the Winnipeg Jets.