Winnipeg Jets: Was Teemu Selanne Their Most Popular Player Ever?

Exciting times just got considerably more exciting in River City.

Teemu Selanne is coming home.

No, the Finnish Flash won't be resurfacing as a member of 17 Wing Winnipeg, although the Jets did contact his people about trying to lure Selanne back to where it all began. Instead, the Finnish Flash will be clothed in enemy colors, but Teemu Selanne will never be viewed as the enemy.

Not in Winnipeg.

More to the point, when the Anaheim Ducks arrive at the MTS Centre for their assignment with the Jets, Selanne will be greeted as the returning prodigal son. Prepare the fatted calf because, with the exception of the opener on Oct. 9 vs. the Montreal Canadiens, there will be no more highly anticipated date on the Jets' calendar than Dec. 17.

The 17th is a Saturday, meaning national TV, and I'm guessing you'll see more old Selanne Jets' sweaters on display in the new barn on Portage Avenue than any other player's jersey.

When word got out that Selanne had signed on for a 19th National Hockey League season, it set me to thinking about his place, in terms of popularity, in the Jets' pecking order.

Certainly, Bobby Hull was lionized like no other during the glory days in the World Hockey Association, and the Swedes, particularly Ulf Nilsson and Anders Hedberg, also hold a special spot in Pegtown hockey hearts. But, in NHL terms, no Jets' player realized the level of idol worship that Selanne attained.

In his astonishing and unparalleled rookie season of 1992-93, during which he scored 76 goals, 132 points and claimed the Calder Trophy as the NHL's top freshman, devotion toward Selanne became cult-like. It was a mania. And he handled it all with a quiet dignity. He was humble, obliging, quick to smile and gracious. By all accounts, he hasn't changed.

Selanne is a rare breed, in that he's never felt the pain of poison arrows. Certainly not from the media.

Wayne Gretzky had his detractors, especially early on when he was branded the Great Whiner by some. Mario Lemieux was considered aloof and haughty at times. Gordie Howe was criticized for hanging on too long. Phil Esposito was regarded as a chronic complainer. Bobby Hull was dogged by rumors of marital unrest.

Not so for the Finnish Flash. Much like contemporaries Steve Yzerman and Joe Sakic, Selanne has managed to carve out a lengthy and celebrated career with nary a discouraging word directed his way.

And, to think, it all began in little ol' Winnipeg, which is experiencing beginnings of a different sort now. How much better would it be for Jets' loyalists had he chosen to sign with the Jets and close his career in Pegtown?

"When you have four kids and a couple of dogs and a couple of horses and stuff, so many things to move, there is no way I can move anymore," said Selanne, who lives in an exclusive coastal community in Orange County. "But like I said, Winnipeg has been a special place for me, and I'm very excited to go back and play there again."

The feeling will be mutual for 15,015 fans on Dec. 17.

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