NHL
Why Dale Hawerchuk Is Back in the Jets’ Record Book
The NHL combined Winnipeg’s two eras with Atlanta in September. Here is what that changes, with the updated Hawerchuk–Scheifele comparison.
The NHL’s September 24, 2026 consolidation puts Dale Hawerchuk alongside the modern Jets and Atlanta Thrashers in one franchise record book.
The change concerns which seasons belong in the record book. It does not add goals to a retired player’s career or remove the modern Jets’ achievements.
Three Chapters in One Record
Winnipeg’s record spans 1979–96, Atlanta’s 1999–2011 tenure and Winnipeg from 2011–12. Arizona’s 1996–2024 seasons remain separate.
That boundary matters when comparing lists. A player’s time in an included chapter counts; his production after moving outside those chapters does not automatically follow him into the Jets totals.
What the Current Numbers Show
The official franchise record database, checked October 23, lists Hawerchuk with 379 goals and 929 points in 713 games. Mark Scheifele stands at 374 goals and 915 points. Thomas Steen’s 553 assists remain the leading total, with Scheifele at 541.
| Record | Leader | Scheifele, October 23 Check |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | Hawerchuk, 379 | 374 |
| Points | Hawerchuk, 929 | 915 |
| Assists | Steen, 553 | 541 |
Those are later totals than the figures in the September announcement. A record-book explanation can remain valid while an active player’s distance from the mark changes after each game.
Atlanta has also stayed in the combined record. Ilya Kovalchuk’s 615 points carry an Atlanta team designation; Blake Wheeler’s 812 span Atlanta and Winnipeg. Shane Doan’s entry includes his original Winnipeg season: seven goals and 17 points in 74 games. His later Arizona production is outside that Jets entry.
How to Compare an Older List
Check the seasons covered before deciding that two lists disagree. A list confined to Winnipeg since 2011 answers a narrower question than the newly consolidated franchise book. Likewise, a player’s NHL career total includes production that may fall outside the club record.
For Hawerchuk, the change places his Winnipeg achievements directly alongside the current team’s. For Scheifele, it makes the pursuit an official comparison inside the same record, with the relevant season boundaries visible.
Sources and Notes
- Winnipeg Jets: Consolidated history: September 24, 2026 announcement.
- Jets and NHL: The included eras: the seasons assigned to Winnipeg, Atlanta and Arizona.
- NHL Records: Winnipeg franchise leaders: regular-season totals checked October 23, 2026.
