The NHL has united the Winnipeg Jets in an effort to create a seamless statistical history, while also setting up a potentially huge season for Mark Scheifele.
The history of the Winnipeg Jets just changed forever.
In a joint announcement with the NHL on Thursday, the Jets revealed that the statistical history of the organization will now include multiple iterations of the franchise.
This means that the Jets' current all-time leaderboards will now take players into account from the first version of the Jets (1979-1996) along with the years they spent as the Atlanta Thrashers (1999-2011), in an effort to create a seamless statistical history.
"Statistics and records are more than numbers," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said in a statement. "They capture the milestones, achievements and memories that define the history of our game and the communities that support it,
"We respect the Jets' commitment to honoring their franchise's journey and are pleased that the full history of NHL hockey in Winnipeg now can be celebrated as one continuous story."
As a result of these changes, the late Dale Hawerchuk now becomes the Jets' all-time leader in goals (379) and points (929), narrowly passing Mark Scheifele, the soon-to-be leader in both categories.
“The Jets teams from 1979 to 1996 helped build the identity and tradition that we proudly carry forward today," For our fans, these players and these moments always have been part of the same Winnipeg Jets story, and we’re pleased that our official records now will reflect that.”
The Jets released a video through the team's X account that featured Scheifele reacting to the news, expressing how humbled and honored he is to be associated with Hawerchuk as an all-time great of the franchise while also now officially chasing his records.
"That's amazing to get the (Jets) 1.0 records," Scheifele said. "My connection to Dale, a guy that I will now be chasing. I kind of always was in the back of my mind, I was always chasing him. To now have those officially changed means a lot, and I think it's such a great piece of Jets history."
The 33-year-old is entering the 2026-27 season just seven goals (372) and 22 points (907) away from tying Hawerchuk's current records.
In addition to Hawerchuk's new spot atop the leaderboards, former Jets forward Thomas Steen is now the team's all-time leader in assists (553). Steen played all 14 seasons of his career for the Jets between 1981-1995, suiting up for 950 games.
Scheifele is also creeping up on Steen's new record, sitting just 18 assists away (535) from tying his total.
If Scheifele didn't have enough motivation already to start out hot in 2026-27 in an effort to help the Jets return to the post-season, having the opportunity to set multiple franchise records in the same season should certainly provide a spark.
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