2003 Phoenix Coyotes

The Winnipeg Jets became charter members of the World Hockey Association (WHA) in 1972. With former NHL superstar Bobby Hull as one of the team's coaches, the Jets advanced to the WHA Finals in their first season. They went on to win three WHA championships, in 1976, 1978, and 1979. Following the 1978-79 season, the Jets and three other WHA franchises joined the NHL.

After finishing fifth in its division in its first NHL season, Winnipeg won just 9 of 80 games in the 1980-81 season. In 1981 rookie sensation Dale Hawerchuk, a center, joined the Jets, and in the 1981-82 season the team won 33 games and made its first appearance in the NHL playoffs. Hawerchuk earned the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league's top rookie.

Winnipeg qualified for the playoffs again in 1983 and 1984, but each year the team lost in the first round. In the 1984-85 regular season the Jets placed second in their division and Hawerchuk accumulated 130 points, the third-highest total in the league. Winnipeg's offense also featured center Thomas Steen and left wing Doug Smail. After defeating the Calgary Flames in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, the Jets were defeated by the eventual NHL-champion Edmonton Oilers in the second round.

Goalie Daniel Berthiaume anchored the conference's top-rated defense in the 1986-87 season. The Jets won another first-round playoff series against Calgary but were again eliminated in the second round by Edmonton. In the 1987-88 season Hawerchuk ranked fourth in the league with 121 points. The Jets, however, lost in the first round of the playoffs. The team qualified for the playoffs in 1990, 1992, and 1993 but was eliminated in the first round each year. The 1992-93 team was led by right wing Teemu Selanne, who was named NHL rookie of the year after breaking the league record for most goals made (76) and points accumulated (132) by a first-year player. His point total ranked fourth in the league. The Jets failed to reach the playoffs in 1994 and 1995.

Following the 1995-96 season, the franchise traded Selanne to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. The Jets were also sold to two businessmen, Richard Burke and Steven Gluckstern, who moved the club from Winnipeg to Phoenix and renamed it the Coyotes. The franchise acquired high-scoring center Jeremy Roenick from the Chicago Blackhawks. Roenick and left wing Keith Tkachuk sparked the Coyotes to playoff berths during the first three seasons in Phoenix, but each year the team was eliminated in the first round.

In 2002, the Coyotes franchise enjoyed the excitement of moving into a new arena and donning some respectable new sweaters, but the team on the ice could do a lot to make the sparkling new surroundings dull in a heartbeat. Bob Francis is a top-notch coach, but he was ineffective in 2002 and must find a new way to motivate his team. The somewhat less-than-glamorous first line of Ladislav Nagy, Daymond Langkow, and Mike Johnson was effective last year and should lead a decent attack this season. Beyond them, the Coyotes can boast Shane Doan, Mike Sillinger, and the acquisitions Chris Gratton and Brian Savage to the offense - not exactly guys that lead a team to glory. On defense, the loss of longtime franchise member Teppo Numminen will be significant, with youngsters Ossi Vaananen and Paul Mara now shouldering much of the load. Sean Burke, albeit at age 37, seems to be on top of his game. If some bounces go their way, Glendale Arena may end up seeing its first playoff game in the Spring. The Coyotes play their home games at the America West Arena (and moved into the new Glendale Arena in December 2003), which is also home to special events as well as concerts.

Previous players include: Dale Hawerchuk, Teemu Selanne, Bandit Berthiaume, and Dave Ellett.