Coyotes to open 2006 preseason in Winnipeg
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by cityhockeyfever
ArmchairGM writer
Ten full years have passed since the Phoenix Coyotes officially set up operations in the Valley of the Sun. That's also how long it has been since NHL hockey was last played where the franchise originated. Circle the date of September 17, 2006 on your calendar. It will be a memorable evening even if it's only an exhibition game.
The Coyotes will play the defending Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers in the first of two games between the teams to open their 2006 preseason schedule. What is the significance, you ask?
Announced at a June 5th press conference, Phoenix's preseason opener on September 17th against Edmonton will be played at the new MTS Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It marks the first time the Coyotes as a franchise will make an appearance in their original city since they were formerly known as the Winnipeg Jets.
Phoenix Coyotes senior vice president and assistant general manager Laurence Gilman told Winnipeg Free Press columnist Randy Turner that he approached Manitoba Moose general manager Craig Heisinger two months ago with a proposal to host a National Hockey League preseason game.
"We could have gone anywhere in North America," Gilman said on May 26th from Phoenix. "It obviously had to be done in a city where we knew it would be a success. It had to be a great hockey market with a solid hockey environment."
True North Sports & Entertainment operates the MTS Centre and their American Hockey League team as the arena's main tenant. Gilman also expressed how much of a no-brainer it was to select Winnipeg as the site of their one neutral site home game in their seven-game preseason schedule. The Coyotes and Oilers will meet again two nights later at Rexall Place in Edmonton on September 19th.
"Literally, it took us three seconds to settle on Winnipeg. It was our best option by far," Gilman made clear.
Tons of hockey memories remain in the hearts of Winnipeggers and it really hit home when Winnipeg Arena was torn down on the city's west side nearly 3½ months ago. From their Avco Cup championships during the WHA years when Bobby Hull graced the ice to Teemu Selanne's unforgettable rookie NHL season in 1993, the Jets undoubtedly had a loyal following in this midwestern Canadian city. The world-famous "White Out" became a tradition during their playoff campaigns, even when the Jets played their final game on April 28, 1996. The Detroit Red Wings sent home a packed house of white-clad fans from Winnipeg Arena as they eliminated the Jets in a six-game Western Conference Quarterfinal playoff series. The Moose played at Winnipeg Arena until November 6, 2004 before moving over to the 15,015-seat downtown arena just eleven days later.
While understandable bitterness remains with some fans in Winnipeg, observers can expect an emotional atmosphere at MTS Centre from the moment the Coyotes players step out onto the ice surface for warm-ups to the final horn. Anticipation will gradually grow as the day of this preseason game approaches. The Coyotes expect to "bring up the entire organization" for this exhibition game, including managing partner and head coach Wayne Gretzky. The NHL's all-time scoring leader and Hall of Famer recently signed a new five-year contract to continue running the Coyotes bench. Gilman also stated that several members of the Coyotes training staff and management were with the Jets in Winnipeg before they accompanied the franchise to Phoenix on July 1, 1996.
The man who once was Gretzky's player agent also expressed his enthusiasm on the upcoming event.
"We are excited about returning to Winnipeg to play our first game in the city since the franchise moved to Phoenix after the 1995-1996 season," Phoenix Coyotes general manager Michael Barnett said in a team press release. "Winnipeg has a rich hockey tradition and some of the best hockey fans in Canada. We are thrilled to play the Oilers at the beautiful new MTS Centre and look forward to a great game."
The city of Winnipeg has hosted two NHL preseason games since the departure of the Jets, both played at the now-demolished Winnipeg Arena. The Oilers dropped a 3-2 decision to the Vancouver Canucks on September 19, 2002 and the Minnesota Wild edged the Canucks 1-0 nearly one year later to the day on September 18, 2003.
At the same time, the significance of this preseason game also takes on another meaning besides the novelty of the Coyotes as the former Jets returning to play a game. A grassroots campaign has been underway to gauge interest and be a catalyst in a goal to bring back the world's best hockey league back to this city of over 750,000 residents. Led by a diehard Jets fan and member of the Winnipeg business community, Darren Ford founded three years ago The Return of the Jets Campaign that has caught the attention of not only Winnipeggers, but also hockey fans from across Canada, the United States and the rest of the world. This game will certainly draw interest from executives at the National Hockey League headquarters in New York City, the business community in Winnipeg, various hockey observers such as highly-respected members of the hockey media and of course the fans. Gilman believes it truly can be a barometer as to whether NHL hockey can be economically supported again in Winnipeg. Tickets for the September 17th exhibition game will be set at NHL-level prices.
"Let's put it this way, if an NHL event is held in Winnipeg and the building is sold out, I think it's a pretty strong statement that Winnipeg can support NHL hockey," Gilman stated.
Heisinger echoed the same sentiment. "It's only one game, but it will send a message," he said. "One way or the other, it will be interesting to see. Maybe with the success the Oilers are having, it will draw well."
The Edmonton Oilers fell one win short of capturing their sixth NHL championship with a 3-1 Game 7 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals on June 19th. Oilers general manager Kevin Lowe is already looking forward to this preseason game as well.
"I know it's awesome. They've got a great facility now. It's always been a great hockey town. And I've been there quite often watching the Moose play while scouting some American League games. So it will be nice to have our team there and it's great playing the Coyotes."
There is only one player that bridges the two cities from the past to the present. Phoenix Coyotes captain Shane Doan was a rookie during the Winnipeg Jets' final season. Barring unforeseen health issues, Doan is expected to play in the exhibition game. Another player is also expected to face his former team for the first time since signing with the Coyotes last week. Georges Laraque left the Oilers to join three other newcomers to the team. The biggest free agent acquisition to date was former Vancouver Canucks defenseman Ed Jovanovski coming into the fold with a five-year contract in hand. Nick Boynton arrived from the Boston Bruins in a trade that sent Paul Mara the other way in a swap of blueliners. But a signing that generated the most buzz was the return of one of the most popular Coyotes in their 10-year history is the return of Jeremy Roenick. With the Coyotes' intent to showcase NHL talent to Winnipeg hockey fans, it is very possible all of the new players will join Doan on the ice to play in the game as well.
Sources
- Phoenix Coyotes
- Manitoba Moose
- Winnipeg Free Press (May 27): "Coyotes return - for a night"
- photo #1 by "trueviking" at SkyscraperCity Forums
- photo #2 by "WpG_GuY" at SkyscraperCity Forums
Date
Sat 07/08/06, 10:40 pm PST
