Books on the Jets

Following are the books I have written covering the history of the Jets:

Coming Up Short

The comprehensive history of the Jets' years in the NHL

Coming Up Short details the history of the NHL's Winnipeg Jets, one of pro hockey's least successful, but most beloved teams.

The team's tumultuous 17-year journey is chronicled in exhaustive detail from their humble beginnings in 1979 to their tearful departure in 1996.

This authoritative history of the Jets' NHL years is written by a fan, for fans, to remember and celebrate their team with equal parts fondness, anguish and humor.

To purchase the paperback edition, please click here and for the electronic edition, please click here.

The Last Season

A fan’s memoir of the final season of Winnipeg Jets hockey

In the spring and summer of 1995, Winnipeggers rallied like never before to save their hometown team. But in the end, despite heroic efforts, it all fell apart, leaving the Jets to embark upon one final lame-duck season before flying the coop.

Relive the ups and downs of the 1995-96 season through the eyes and ears of Jets historian Curtis Walker, who shares his insight into the fateful “Season to Remember” and the agony of being a fan of a poorly run small-market team.

To purchase the paperback edition, please click here and for the electronic edition, please click here.

Challenge ’76

The World Series of Hockey

Between 1972 and 1979, pro hockey’s two major leagues, the National Hockey League and the upstart World Hockey Association, fought each other tooth and nail. Their lawyers argued bitterly in courtrooms, and their teams waged desperate battles to sign the best players.

Following the settlement of the WHA’s antitrust suit against the NHL, the two leagues began facing each other on the ice in exhibition play. The WHA teams fared well, winning more than half of the 73 games played. Indeed, the new league iced many quality teams, which were on par with the best the NHL had to offer. But sadly, the champions of the two leagues would never meet to decide a true world championship.

In Challenge ’76: The World Series of Hockey, hockey historian Curtis Walker explores what may have happened had the WHA’s Winnipeg Jets met the NHL’s Montreal Canadiens in 1976 for all the marbles. The Jets were fresh off their first AVCO Cup championship. Two more would follow over the next three years. The Canadiens, meanwhile, had just won the first of what would be four consecutive Stanley Cups.

This matchup between budding dynasties of rival leagues could have been the greatest series that was never played.

For the paperback edition, click here (Canadian buyers please use this link). For the e-book, click here (Canadian buyers please use this link).

Jet Stream

Stories from the Winnipeg Jets Booster Club newspaper (1973-1979)

Beginning in 1973, members of the Winnipeg Jets Booster Club lovingly and painstakingly produced their own newspaper called the Jet Stream. Filled with detailed articles and candid player interviews, it gave readers an unparalleled insight into their favorite hockey team. Featured here is the best of the Jet Stream, reproduced in its original format.

To purchase (paperback only), please click here.

The Complete Winnipeg Jets Statistical Register (1972-96)

This is the complete statistical reference guide for the Winnipeg Jets (1972-96), covering the team's seven years in the World Hockey Association and subsequent 17 years in the National Hockey League. Included are game results, scoring and goaltending statistics, individual and team records, selected game summaries and a detailed player register.

To purchase (paperback only), please click here.

(In Canada, use amazon.ca).

Winnipeg Jets: The WHA Years Day by Day

This book is an exhaustive and detailed day-by-day history of the WHA Jets, topped off with franchise statistics and rare promotional photographs.

From the amazing Bobby Hull to multiple WHA championships, WHA Jets history is lovingly collected, told and celebrated for hockey fans the world over.

To purchase, please click here.