Go jets go

Make poor ol’ Dancin’ Gabe happy again. . .

WILLIAM D GOULD

What is a city? Is it simply a large group of people who live close together? Or is there something more to it then population patterns? We in Canada are a diverse population, oft it is argued to the point of division. We are all different races, rich and poor, right and left, we follow different creeds and philosophies and show reverence on different days. For such a multi-faceted and diverse country few things are uniquely and solely Canadian.

One of the most powerful things that unite Canadians on a cultural basis is the sport of hockey. Admittedly, there are some few individuals who have no taste for the game, but come a Toronto against Ottawa playoff round there seems to be more at stake than a mere cup engraving. There is something greater at stake — civic pride.

Winnipeg needs a professional hockey team not only for National Hockey League caliber hockey, which Winnipeg deserves, but also so ordinary citizens can to take pride in our great city. Many individuals will turn to the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra or even (ironically) the cold to promote civic pride. Yet, nothing seems to unite Winnipegers like a good “Go Jets Go” chant that can be heard from groups of Winnipegers in football stadiums to Grand Forks hockey rinks. There seems to be something universal and underdog about the story of the Winnipeg Jets, like the city of Winnipeg itself. There have been few moments that have been so historically devastating to the pride of Winnipegers as the relocation of the Winnipeg Jets.

Whether one may like it or not, sports teams define cities. How many individuals would be interested in Manchester, England if it were not for Manchester United, or Green Bay without the Green Bay Packers? These cities, although unique in their history are defined by their professional sports teams. Every time the Jets played it gave Winnipeg free publicity, putting the city on the map for people who otherwise may not have heard of Winnipeg. What other organization in Winnipeg can claim such a feat? What organization could draw such international attention from all classes of society as the Jets did? The Royal Winnipeg Ballet or Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra or even the Blue Bombers? Hardly.

Beyond that, it continuously reminded Winnipegers that we matter. Sometimes there is a tendency for Winnipegers stuck in the heart of Canada and the cold of winter to downplay their city, the Jets helped to remind Winnipegers that they were not forgotten and were indeed a world class city. It was a city not merely in the league of Regina, Halifax and Prince Albert, but rather in the same league as Montreal, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Boston. How many individuals would know of Hartford, Conn. if it were not for the long gone Hartford Whalers? In other words, the Jets proclaimed that Winnipeg was a city that mattered, particularly to a Canadian audience by having an NHL team.

To believe that the Jets can single-handedly solve the downtown problem or other pertinent issues in Winnipeg is nonsense. Such problems are far too complex for such a simple solution, most important issues are. Yet, the Jets coming back to Winnipeg offers something else; the ability to re-establish that lost pride and motivate and perhaps even inspire some of the citizenry. Sports teams create a love for a city that is not contained within the city parameters but extends it globally.

It wouldn’t be right to suggest that there are no hurdles to bringing back the Jets. There are many issues, particularly financial ones, which present themselves as hurdles to the prospect. However, where there is a will there is a way. With the new collective bargaining agreement and salary cap there is, for the first time in at least a decade, a feasible framework for an NHL team in Winnipeg. However, that is easier written then applied. Winnipeg still needs an owner with deep pockets who is committed to the cause. Recently, I ran into Gary Bettman, the NHL commissioner, and the question was posed to him when the Jets would return. Seeming agitated to being asked such a question on his vacation, he gave his usual rhetoric about not a time for expansion or relocation, but did mention he has made contact with Mark Chipman. At least individuals are talking and the dream is not dead. A lot of the effort, though, must come from ordinary citizens. The willingness to buy tickets, attend games and support a professional hockey team comes from the citizenry, not just the owner.

Although, to many, if a city of Green Bay of 100,000 people can support an NFL team, why can’t a city of 700,000 people support a NHL team? The fate of the Jets rests in the hands of Winnipegers, and like any city it is only up to the willingness of its population to determine if it is to be numbered among the elite cities on its continent, and bringing back the Jets would be a good first step to show that it is.

William D. Gould is a second-year student at the University of Winnipeg