Quote:
Originally Posted by TorqueDog
Uhhh... no. Thomas Steen retired in 1995. Winnipeg didn't move to Phoenix until the 1996-97 season.
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In May 1995, it was announced that the Jets were going to be sold to an outside buyer, and moved out of the city. Thomas Steen announced his retirement shortly afterwards. Don Cherry, the Premier, the mayor, and other local celebrities were at the Jets supposed "final" home game where Steen's jersey was retired.
Of course, that was before the grassroots campaign started, and the community raised millions to keep the Jets in Winnipeg, or at least temporary suspend the inevitable. The Spirit of Manitoba was formed with local business owners, to find a way to keep the team in Winnipeg, and build a new arena.
It was not until August, when the Spirit of Manitoba disbanded, that the Jets announced they would be moving, but it was too close to the 1995-96 season. So the Jets played to dismal crowds, since word was out they were leaving at years end. Despite this, they still drew well in the last 2 months of existence.
On an interesting sidenote, the delay of the sale of the Winnipeg Jets changed their original destination from Minnesota to Phoenix, as there were businessmen from Minnesota that were prepared to move the Jets to the Target Center until a new arena could be constructed.