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The Winnipeg WHA Jets Collection — Royal Retros Winnipeg Jets WHA Fan Shop

Authentic 1972–1979 Winnipeg WHA Throwbacks. Custom Names & Numbers. Sizes S–5XL. Three Avco World Trophies.

Royal Retros carries the deepest authentic 1972–1979 Winnipeg WHA Jets throwback collection on the open web — jerseys, hats, T-shirts, hoodies, and Manitoba hockey fan apparel honoring the most successful franchise of the World Hockey Association era. Three Avco World Trophies (1976, 1978, 1979). The Bobby Hull contract that built the league. The Hot Line of Hull, Anders Hedberg, and Ulf Nilsson. The first European-captained major-league North American hockey team. Period-correct construction, custom name and number on most jerseys, sizes S–5XL with no big & tall upcharge. If you're looking for Winnipeg WHA gear that respects the franchise's championship legacy, this is the shop.

What You Can Shop in the Winnipeg WHA Jets Collection

Winnipeg WHA Jets Jerseys — Throwback hockey jerseys spanning the WHA-era Winnipeg Jets timeline (1972–1979). The original 1972 inaugural-season jerseys, the iconic 1976 first-Avco-champion sweaters, and the 1978–1979 back-to-back champion designs. Twill construction, period-correct sleeve striping, color-matched crests. Custom name and number available on most styles — make a Bobby Hull #9 throwback or your own custom your own.

Winnipeg WHA Jets Hats — Snapbacks, fitted caps, dad hats, trucker styles, and unstructured caps featuring the WHA Jets wordmark, the original Jets star logo, and Manitoba hockey graphics. Multi-era WHA coverage means caps for every Winnipeg WHA fan.

Winnipeg WHA Jets T-Shirts — Premium pre-shrunk soft-blend tees featuring vintage WHA Jets logos, Bobby Hull championship callouts, the Hot Line graphics, and Manitoba hockey history designs. Sized for comfort across S–5XL.

Winnipeg WHA Jets Hoodies, Sweatshirts, and Crewnecks — Heavyweight pullovers and crewnecks for vintage hockey collectors and Manitoba sports fans. Winnipeg winters are long; a Jets hoodie is a wardrobe essential.

Winnipeg WHA Jets Jackets — Where available, premium outerwear in the WHA Jets' classic blue-red-and-white scheme — satin bomber, varsity-style, and wool-blend builds for the dedicated Manitoba hockey fan.

Customization — Most Jets jerseys can be personalized with your name and number. Free customization on eligible items. Pick a WHA Jets legend's number — Bobby Hull #9, Anders Hedberg #15, Ulf Nilsson #11, Lars-Erik Sjoberg #4, Joe Daley #30 — or your own. Custom items are final sale and made to order.

Sizes — Small through 5XL on virtually every product. We don't upcharge for big & tall sizes.

Shop the Winnipeg WHA Jets by Era

The Founding Year (1972–1973) — The first Winnipeg WHA Jets season, anchored by the historic Bobby Hull signing. Hull's $2.75 million contract was the largest in professional sports history and built the entire WHA's legitimacy overnight. The 1972–73 Jets reached the Avco World Trophy finals, losing to the New England Whalers (now Hartford Whalers).

The Hot Line Era (1974–1976) — Coach Bobby Kromm placed Bobby Hull on a line with Swedish stars Anders Hedberg and Ulf Nilsson. The Hot Line was born. Won the 1976 Avco World Trophy. Cross-shop the broader WHA collection for related franchises.

The Dynasty Years (1977–1979) — Three Avco World Trophies in four years (1976, 1978, 1979). The most successful WHA franchise. The 1978 and 1979 championship rosters are arguably the deepest WHA teams ever assembled. Lars-Erik Sjoberg became the first European to captain a major-league North American hockey team.

The NHL Crossover (1979–Present) — The Jets crossed into the NHL in 1979 with Bobby Hull, Hedberg, and Nilsson all departing for NHL teams. The NHL Jets relocated to Phoenix in 1996; the modern Winnipeg Jets (re-established 2011) is technically a different franchise (the relocated Atlanta Thrashers). Our collection covers the original WHA-era only — 1972 through 1979.

Why Royal Retros Is the Home of Winnipeg WHA Jets Throwback Gear

  • Multi-year coverage of the entire WHA era. 1972 founding through 1979 final Avco championship. Most retailers carry one design. We carry the full timeline.
  • The Bobby Hull era, done right. Period-correct color values, proportions, and stitching for the 1972–1979 sweaters Hull actually wore. The Hull-era Jets are arguably the most historically significant non-NHL franchise in hockey.
  • Authentic period-correct construction. Twill stitched crests on replica jerseys, sublimated fabrics on custom builds, period-correct sleeve striping and color blocking.
  • Free customization on most jerseys. Add your name and number at no extra cost on eligible items.
  • Sizes Small through 5XL. No big & tall upcharge.
  • Manitoba hockey heritage. Pair a WHA Jets jersey with broader Manitoba sports throwbacks across our catalog.

Quick Buying Questions

What sizes do Jets jerseys come in?

Small through 5XL on virtually every jersey style. Hats are typically one-size-fits-most or fitted in standard cap sizes. We don't upcharge for big & tall.

Can I customize my Jets jersey with a name and number?

Yes — most styles offer free customization. Look for the "Custom" option on the product listing. Custom items are final sale and made to order. Allow 7–10 business days for production before shipping.

What materials are Jets jerseys made from?

Heavyweight twill on most replica jerseys, sublimated polyester on custom and remix styles, period-correct construction on select pieces. T-shirts are premium pre-shrunk cotton. Hoodies and sweatshirts are heavyweight cotton blends.

How accurate is the design?

Color palettes, lettering style, sleeve striping, and crest detail are all reproduced to match 1972–1979 game-worn references. Each design is vetted for period accuracy before we add it to the catalog.

How fast does it ship and what's the return policy?

Standard products ship within 3–5 business days. Custom items (those with personalized name/number) are made to order and ship within 7–10 business days. Custom items are final sale. Standard items follow our return policy at /pages/returns.

Gift Ideas for the Winnipeg WHA Jets Fan in Your Life

Winnipeg WHA Jets fans are a specific kind of fan — older, deeply Manitoba-rooted, and reverent about the most successful franchise in WHA history. Generic NHL gifts miss the mark. WHA-era throwback gear hits.

  • For the Manitoba native who watched at the Winnipeg Arena: A Bobby Hull #9 WHA jersey from the 1976 Avco championship era — the moment he wore the Avco trophy on his shoulders.
  • For the European hockey historian: A Hedberg #15 or Nilsson #11 jersey — the Swedish duo who proved European hockey could dominate North America.
  • For the captain-collector: A Lars-Erik Sjoberg #4 jersey — the first European to captain a major-league North American hockey team.
  • For the goalie-fan: A Joe Daley #30 jersey — the Jets' three-time Avco champion goaltender.
  • For the modern Winnipeg Jets fan who wants to honor the original franchise: WHA Jets gear is a different franchise from the modern Jets but shares the city's pride in pro hockey.
  • For the Bobby Hull fan: Custom #9 jerseys honoring the contract that built an entire major league.
  • Year-round demand. WHA Jets nostalgia plays year-round. Manitoba hockey heritage is not seasonal.

What Was the Original Winnipeg Jets WHA Franchise?

The original Winnipeg Jets (1972–1979 in the WHA, 1979–1996 in the NHL) were a major professional ice hockey franchise based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The franchise played seven seasons in the World Hockey Association, winning three Avco World Trophies (1976, 1978, 1979) — the most championships of any WHA franchise. The Jets joined the NHL in 1979 alongside the Edmonton Oilers, the Quebec Nordiques, and the New England Whalers (renamed Hartford Whalers), and remained an NHL franchise until relocating to Phoenix in 1996 to become the Coyotes.

The WHA-era Winnipeg Jets are anchored by three transformative events. First, the June 1972 signing of Bobby Hull to a 10-year, $2.75 million contract — the largest in professional sports history at the time — which legitimized the entire WHA overnight. Second, the 1974 signing of Swedish stars Anders Hedberg and Ulf Nilsson, who joined Hull on the Hot Line and proved European hockey players could dominate North American competition. Third, the 1978 hiring of Lars-Erik Sjoberg as the first European captain of a major-league North American hockey team. This Royal Retros collection focuses on the original WHA-era Jets — 1972–1979 — and the legendary roster that captured three Avco World Trophies.

The Winnipeg WHA Jets Era-by-Era History

The Founding (1971–1972). The Winnipeg Jets were founded as one of the WHA's twelve charter franchises in 1972, with ownership group fronted by Ben Hatskin. Hatskin was determined to bring major-league hockey to Manitoba — a region the NHL had never seriously considered — and was willing to spend whatever it took to make the franchise instantly competitive.

June 1972 — The Bobby Hull Signing. The most consequential signing in WHA history. The Jets signed Hull — the Chicago Black Hawks' 33-year-old superstar left winger and one of the five most popular players in the NHL — to a 10-year contract worth $2.75 million, with $1 million as an immediate signing bonus. The bonus alone was more than Hull's annual salary with the Black Hawks. The signing happened on June 27, 1972, at a press conference held in downtown Winnipeg at the corner of Portage and Main, in temperatures hovering around 90 degrees. Hull held a giant ceremonial check; the photograph became one of the defining images of the era. Hull's contract was the largest in any professional sport at the time.

1972–73 — The Inaugural Season. The Jets opened WHA play in the West Division and finished first with a 43-31-4 record. They reached the Avco World Trophy finals before losing to the New England Whalers 4–1. Hull won league MVP in his first WHA season with 51 goals and 52 assists in 63 games. Coach Nick Mileti and goaltender Joe Daley anchored the inaugural roster.

1973–74 — Building the Roster. The Jets finished second in the Western Division with 41 wins. Hull continued at an MVP-level pace. The franchise began assembling the European-talent infrastructure that would define the next phase of its history.

1974 — The Hedberg-Nilsson Signings. The Jets signed 23-year-old Swedish stars Anders Hedberg and Ulf Nilsson — both elite Swedish League talents who had never played pro hockey in North America. The signings were part of a larger Jets bet on European talent and proved transformative. Coach Bobby Kromm placed Hedberg and Nilsson on a line with Bobby Hull. The Hot Line was born.

1974–75 — The Hot Line Emerges. The Hot Line dominated the WHA from the moment it formed. Hull-Hedberg-Nilsson combined for 200+ goals in 1974–75. The Jets reached the Avco World Trophy finals, losing to the Houston Aeros 4–0.

1975–76 — The First Avco World Trophy. The 1975–76 Jets won the franchise's first Avco World Trophy, defeating the Houston Aeros 4–0 in the championship series. Hull, Hedberg, and Nilsson combined for the most prolific Hot Line season in franchise history. Coach Bobby Kromm secured his first championship. The Avco World Trophy was hoisted at the Winnipeg Arena.

1976–77 — The Heartbreak Year. The Jets reached the Avco World Trophy finals but lost to the Quebec Nordiques 4–3 in a series that went the full seven games. Anders Hedberg scored 50 goals in 49 games during the regular season — a per-game scoring rate that broke an unwritten barrier in the sport.

1977–78 — The Second Avco World Trophy. The Jets won their second Avco World Trophy, defeating the New England Whalers 4–0 in the championship series. The 1977–78 Jets are arguably the deepest WHA roster ever assembled — Hull, Hedberg, Nilsson, plus Lars-Erik Sjoberg as the team captain (the first European captain in major-league North American hockey), Joe Daley in goal, and a deep supporting cast.

1978–79 — The Final Avco World Trophy. The Jets won their third and final Avco World Trophy in the WHA's last season, defeating the Edmonton Oilers (with rookie Wayne Gretzky) 4–2 in the championship series. The 1978–79 championship was the WHA's farewell — the league had already negotiated its merger with the NHL.

1979 — The NHL Merger. The Jets were one of four WHA franchises admitted to the NHL for the 1979–80 season. The merger required the franchise to give up most of its WHA roster in the expansion draft. Hull, Hedberg, and Nilsson had already departed for NHL franchises (Hull to Hartford and Winnipeg, Hedberg and Nilsson to the New York Rangers). The new NHL Jets struggled in their early seasons but eventually became a perennial playoff team through the 1980s.

1996 — The Phoenix Relocation. The original Winnipeg Jets franchise relocated to Phoenix in 1996 to become the Coyotes. The modern Winnipeg Jets (re-established in 2011) is technically a different franchise — the relocated Atlanta Thrashers — though it inherits the original Jets brand identity. This collection focuses on the original WHA Jets only.

The Bobby Hull Signing — A Closer Look

No event in WHA history matters more than the Bobby Hull signing. Without it, the league probably folds in its first year. With it, the WHA became a major league overnight. The signing happened in June 1972 after months of preliminary contact between Jets ownership (Ben Hatskin) and Hull's agents. Hull demanded a $1 million signing bonus — at the time an unimaginable figure for any professional athlete — and Hatskin orchestrated a financing arrangement with WHA ownership groups across the league to spread the bonus across multiple franchises.

The June 27, 1972 press conference at the corner of Portage and Main in downtown Winnipeg drew thousands of fans and media. Hull held the giant ceremonial check; the photograph became one of the defining images of 1970s sports. Hull's 10-year, $2.75 million contract was bigger than any NFL contract, bigger than any MLB contract, bigger than any other hockey or basketball contract.

Hull kept his end of the bargain. He won league MVP in his first WHA season (1972–73) with 51 goals and 52 assists in 63 games. He captained the Jets to three Avco World Trophies (1976, 1978, 1979). He scored 303 goals across his seven WHA seasons. And when the Jets crossed into the NHL in 1979, Hull was 40 years old and still able to score for the Hartford Whalers in a brief return.

A Royal Retros Winnipeg WHA Jets jersey with #9 on the back is more than a throwback piece of apparel. It's the jersey of the player whose contract built an entire major league. That's why it's the most-requested item in the entire WHA Jets collection.

The Hot Line — Hull, Hedberg, Nilsson

The Hot Line — Bobby Hull at left wing, Ulf Nilsson at center, Anders Hedberg at right wing — was the most productive forward line in WHA history and one of the most productive in any major-league hockey era. From 1974 through 1978, the trio combined for over 500 goals and earned the Jets three Avco World Trophy appearances (winning 1976 and 1978).

The line's chemistry was unique. Hull was the established North American superstar at age 36-39 — a left-handed shot, dominant physical presence, and master of the slap shot. Nilsson was a 23-year-old Swedish playmaker — quick, creative, and capable of finding Hull and Hedberg in any setting. Hedberg was a 23-year-old Swedish goal-scorer — fast, deceptive, and capable of scoring 50 goals in 49 games (his 1976–77 mark, an unwritten-barrier-breaking pace).

The Hot Line ended in 1978 when Hedberg and Nilsson signed with the New York Rangers — the largest signing in NHL free-agent history at that point. The trio's four-year run in Winnipeg is one of the most beloved chapters in WHA history.

The Greatest Winnipeg WHA Jets Players

Bobby Hull (#9, 1972–1979). The most important signing in WHA history. WHA MVP 1972–73. Three-time Avco World Trophy champion. 303 goals across seven WHA seasons. Hockey Hall of Fame, 1983.

Anders Hedberg (#15, 1974–1978). Swedish right winger. Member of the Hot Line. 50 goals in 49 games during the 1976–77 season. Two-time Avco champion. Signed with the New York Rangers in 1978.

Ulf Nilsson (#11, 1974–1978). Swedish center. Member of the Hot Line. The playmaking engine that fed Hull and Hedberg. Two-time Avco champion. Signed with the New York Rangers in 1978.

Lars-Erik Sjoberg (#4, 1974–1979). Swedish defenseman. Captained the Jets from 1976. The first European to captain a major-league North American hockey team. Two-time Avco champion as captain.

Joe Daley (#30, 1972–1979). The franchise's all-time WHA-era goaltender. Three-time Avco champion. The man between the pipes for all three Jets championship runs.

Bobby Kromm (Coach, 1974–1977). The architect of the Hot Line and the Jets' 1976 Avco championship.

Tom McVie (Coach, 1979). Coached the 1978–79 Jets to their final Avco championship.

Norm Beaudin (#7). WHA Jets veteran scoring forward, contributor to the 1976 championship.

Veli-Pekka Ketola (#27). Finnish forward, part of the European pipeline that defined the late-WHA Jets.

Kent Nilsson (#14). Swedish center (no relation to Ulf), joined the Jets in 1978.

Terry Ruskowski (#10). Center, contributor to the 1979 Avco championship.

Other notables: Larry Hornung, Bill Lesuk, Mike Ford, Peter Sullivan, Dan Labraaten, Wally Lindstrom, Lyle Moffat, Ron Lalonde — and from the 1979 championship roster, Morris Lukowich, Rich Preston, John Gibson.

The European Hockey Pipeline — How the Jets Changed the Sport

The Winnipeg WHA Jets were the single most important franchise in opening North American hockey to European talent. Before the Jets' 1974 signings of Hedberg and Nilsson, only a handful of European-born players had played meaningful minutes in major-league North American hockey. The conventional wisdom was that European hockey was different — slower, more positional, less physical — and that European players couldn't compete in the North American game.

The Jets proved that wrong, conclusively, in five years. Hedberg, Nilsson, Sjoberg, Veli-Pekka Ketola, and Kent Nilsson all became major-league stars in Winnipeg. The Hot Line dominated the WHA. Sjoberg captained a championship team. By 1979, the Jets had on their roster more European talent than any major-league hockey franchise had ever fielded.

The European pipeline that opened the door to today's globalized NHL traces directly back to the Jets' 1974 Hedberg-Nilsson signings. Within a decade, Borje Salming, the Stastny brothers (with the Quebec Nordiques), Mats Naslund, Jari Kurri, and dozens of other Europeans had transformed the NHL. The Jets — and their legendary general manager Rudy Pilous — were the first ones through the door.

The Winnipeg Arena — The Heart of WHA Jets Hockey

The Winnipeg Arena (capacity 15,393) was the home of the WHA Jets throughout the 1972–1979 era. The building had hosted hockey since 1955 and was the primary venue for Manitoba pro hockey for decades. The Arena's distinctive features — a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II that hung above the ice for the entirety of the franchise's run, the Bobby Hull-era championship banners, and the steeply pitched seating bowl that put fans right on top of the action — made every Jets home game feel like a national event for Winnipeg hockey fans.

The Winnipeg Arena was demolished in 2006 after the original Winnipeg Jets relocated and the new MTS Centre (now Canada Life Centre) opened to support the modern Winnipeg Jets franchise.

How to Identify Authentic Winnipeg WHA Jets Throwback Apparel

  • Verify the WHA-era color values. Authentic WHA Jets blue, red, and white have specific Pantone-matched values. Off-color reproductions can drift toward navy or maroon.
  • Check for the WHA-era wordmark. The 1972–1979 Jets used a specific stylized "JETS" wordmark. The modern post-2011 Winnipeg Jets use a completely different wordmark and crest. Mismatched-era reproductions are a tell.
  • Era-specific sleeve striping. The WHA Jets had bold horizontal sleeve stripes — period correct. A WHA Jets throwback with no stripes or with chevron-style sleeves is a modern restyle.
  • For Bobby Hull customs: Period-correct WHA-era numbering used a specific font family. We use that family on our Bobby Hull #9 customs. Generic block fonts on a Hull-era jersey are a tell.
  • Royal Retros standard: Every product in this collection is reviewed for period accuracy before it goes live. We don't carry color-drift reproductions or mismatched-era throwbacks.

More Frequently Asked Questions About the Winnipeg WHA Jets

When did the original Winnipeg Jets exist?

The original Winnipeg Jets WHA franchise existed from 1972 to 1979. The franchise then joined the NHL (1979–1996) before relocating to Phoenix as the Coyotes. The modern Winnipeg Jets (2011–present) is technically a separate franchise — the relocated Atlanta Thrashers.

Did the WHA Jets ever win a championship?

Yes — three Avco World Trophies (1976, 1978, 1979). The most championships of any WHA franchise.

Who was the WHA Jets' best player?

Bobby Hull, by virtually every measure. WHA MVP, three-time Avco champion, 303 career WHA goals, the man whose contract built the league. Anders Hedberg is a close second among non-Hull players — his 50-in-49 1976–77 season is a WHA legend.

What was the Bobby Hull contract?

In June 1972, the Jets signed Bobby Hull to a 10-year contract worth $2.75 million, with $1 million as a signing bonus. At the time, it was the largest professional sports contract ever signed in any sport.

Who was Lars-Erik Sjoberg?

Swedish defenseman, captained the Jets from 1976. The first European to captain a major-league North American hockey team. A defining figure in the Jets' European-talent identity.

Where did the original Winnipeg Jets go?

The original NHL Winnipeg Jets franchise (which existed 1979–1996) relocated to Phoenix in 1996 to become the Phoenix Coyotes (later Arizona Coyotes). The modern Winnipeg Jets (2011–present) is a different franchise — the relocated Atlanta Thrashers — that inherits the original Jets brand.

Does Royal Retros carry both Jets eras?

This collection focuses on the WHA-era Jets only (1972–1979). The original Jets franchise's NHL years (1979–1996) and the modern Jets (2011–present) are separate franchises with different identities.

Where can I find related Royal Retros collections?

The WHA Jets connect to multiple collections: the broader WHA collection, the Legacy Hockey collection, the Historic Hockey collection, the European hockey collection, and our broader hockey collection.

Manitoba Hockey Cross-Shop

The Winnipeg WHA Jets anchor the broader Manitoba hockey heritage that Royal Retros represents. Pair a WHA Jets jersey with:

Winnipeg WHA Jets at Royal Retros — Authentic 1972–1979 Throwbacks. Custom Names & Numbers. Sizes S–5XL. Three Avco Trophies. The Hot Line Lives On.