‘Hot Line’ to be first inductees into Winnipeg Jets Hall of Fame

WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Jets have dialed 40 years into the past for the first inductees of the team’s hall of fame.

The Jets’ prolific ‘Hot Line’, made up of Bobby Hull, Anders Hedberg and Ulf Nilsson, will be enshrined during the Heritage Classic weekend in October.

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Combined, the three players scored an average of 310 points per season during the World Hockey Association Days. They also helped lead Winnipeg to two WHA titles in 1976 and 1978.

“Given the ‘Hot Line’s’ enormous accomplishments and what they did to put Winnipeg on the international hockey map, it is an obvious choice to honour Anders, Bobby and Ulf for our first induction ceremony,” said Mark Chipman, governor of the Winnipeg Jets Hockey Club, in a statement. “The ‘Hot Line’s’ contributions showcased Winnipeg as an exciting hockey market and paved the way for other great players to come to our city.”

Hull played his entire WHA career with the Jets, scoring 303 goals and 335 assists in 411 games. The Hockey Hall of Fame inductee was also named a WHA MVP twice in 1973 and 1975.

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“It was so fabulous playing here, but to be remembered and honoured, it is quite an accomplishment that I am thankful for,” said Hull in a statement.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "It was so fabulous playing here, but to be remembered and honoured, it is quite an accomplishment that I am thankful for," said Hull in a statement.

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Hedberg suited up in four seasons with the Jets during the 1970s. He scored 100 points or more in each year, amassing 236 goals and 222 assists in 286 games. Hedberg was named the WHA’s rookie of the year in 1975. He has already been inducted into the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame, the IIHF Hall of Fame and the Swedish Hockey Hall of Fame.

“I’m extremely proud to be first in line with the Hot Line to be inducted into the Jets Hall of Fame,” said Hedberg in a statement.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I'm extremely proud to be first in line with the Hot Line to be inducted into the Jets Hall of Fame," said Hedberg in a statement.

“Winnipeg and the Jets opened their arms for me and made me part of a changing hockey world that is today much more international. We lived in Winnipeg for only four years but I still, to a certain extent, feel like a Winnipegger.”

Nilsson arrived in Winnipeg in 1974 for the first of four seasons with the Jets. He racked up 140 goals and 344 assists in 300 WHA games. Nilsson was also named the league’s playoff MVP in 1976.

“It’s such an honour to be recognized. I will probably be very emotional during the ceremony, it’s so nice to come back to Winnipeg,” said Nilsson in a statement.

The Jets’ Hall of Fame was created to honour the impact and accomplishments of the team’s past players.