Signed as a free agent, July 29, 1977. Reclaimed by Atlanta Flames prior to Expansion Draft, June 9, 1979.
The Jets signed centerman Kent Nilsson in the summer of 1977 and he had two prolific seasons in a Jets uniform, topping the 100-point plateau each time in helping lead the Jets to two AVCO Cup championships. He was named the WHA's rookie of the year for 1977-1978 and the league's most gentlemanly player the following year. After their entry into the NHL, the Jets were left in the unenviable position of having to let him go to the Atlanta Flames, who owned his NHL rights, and he remained with the Flames for six seasons. After NHL stops with the Minnesota North Stars and Edmonton Oilers, he wound up his playing career in Europe, where he played for various teams across Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and his native Sweden. His last NHL action came in 1995 as a member of the Oilers.
