When the Winnipeg Jets moved to Phoenix after the 1995-96 season, few people were as upset as Moe Mantha.
The following THN Archive story by Adam Proteau takes a look at the team's departure by way of reflection from the Jets' 1980 23rd overall selection Moe Mantha.
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Jets' Departure a 'Punch in the Gut' for Mantha
September 6, 2002 – Vol. 56, Issue 01
By Adam Proteau
"When the Winnipeg Jets moved to Phoenix after the 1995-96 season, few people were as upset as Moe Mantha.
“It was like a punch in the gut when the Jets left for Phoenix,” said Mantha, a defenseman who had two tours of duty in Winnipeg. “They have wonderful, supportive fans Up there. It’s a real shame things didn’t work out.”
Drafted 23rd overall by Winnipeg in 1980, Mantha also played for Pittsburgh, Edmonton, Minnesota North Stars and Philadelphia during his 12 seasons in the NHL, collecting 81 goals and 370 points in 656 games. His best season came in 1985-86, when he scored 15 goals and 67 points for the Penguins.
After retiring in 1992, the native of Lakewood, Ohio, began a coaching career that included stops in the American and East Coast Leagues. Now the head coach of the U.S. national development program, Mantha works with the nation’s top 16-and-17-year-olds, something he said comes naturally to him. “Even as a player, I always liked working with young players,” said Mantha, 41. “I lived my dream and coaching allows me to make other people’s dreams a reality.”