To mark the return of the Winnipeg Jets, the University of Manitoba is displaying a collection of vintage Winnipeg Jets programs.
The collection has been on display at the Elizabeth Dafoe Library since the end of June and opened following the announcement of the Jets return to Winnipeg.
In addition to the display of programs, students and visitors will also find a selection of photographs of Winnipeg Jets players from the Winnipeg Tribune collection in the U of M’s Archives & Special Collections.
The display was made possible thanks to a generous donation to the U of M by Ken Turner, a dedicated Winnipeg hockey fan. The university archive service now has 741 Jets programs. Turner collected programs from 1975 until the team left the city in 1996.
“You can also go on the Internet to consult the list of programs you are interested in and then make a copy of it in our office,” said Tyyne Petrowski, digital archivist at the Elizabeth Dafoe library.
“This exhibit is a good opportunity to learn about the history of the team.”
The library also allows fans to browse slides and pictures online. With contributions from the Winnipeg Tribune, Henry Kalen, David Turnbull and the Pitblado Family, visitors can discover photographs of venues, fans, players, coaches and staff of Winnipeg’s NHL hockey team as well as images of the old Winnipeg arena.
As the Jets are on their way to creating new memories for fans, there is widespread enthusiasm for the team’s first regular season NHL game among students, faculty and staff at the U of M.
“There is a lot of excitement for the Jets coming back,” said Ian Hudson, associate professor in the department of economics at the University of Manitoba. “Most of people of my generation have some old Jets programs at their house.”
Steve Setka, a third-year student in the faculty of kinesiology and recreation management, said he hopes to never miss a game. Setka plans to attend the majority of the Jets’ home games and will watch games he can’t make it to on TV.
The Archives & Special Collections department, located in the Elizabeth Dafoe library, is open from Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m..
