Winnipeg Jets 1.0 Rookie Rewind: Teemu Selanne

Let's rewind the tape and look back at the rookie season of the 'Finnish Flash' Teemu Selanne and his insane 76-goal performance with the Winnipeg Jets

We thought you'd enjoy this great piece from our History Substack contributor Matthew Zator.

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Everyone loves looking back at the history of their favourite players, especially their rookie season when they just broke into the league. That’s what this article series is going to endeavour to do, rewind the tape and let you re-live the glory of their first season in the NHL.

From their first NHL goal to milestones and exciting moments, this will either be a nostalgic flashback or an exciting introduction to Winnipeg Jets 1.0 history. So without further ado, let’s take a look at the next player to be featured in this series, none other than the ‘Finnish Flash’ Teemu Selanne, who had one of the most insane rookie seasons of all time.

Flashback to the 1988 Draft When Selanne Was Selected 10th Overall

The 1988 Draft produced a lot of star talent. From the group of Mike Modano, Trevor Linden, Jeremy Roenick, Rod Brind’Amour, Alexander Mogilny, Tony Amonte, Rob Blake, Mark Recchi, and, of course, Selanne, six players hit the 1,000-point plateau and four finished with over 500 goals.

Looking back at their careers now, Selanne and Recchi probably should have been in the conversation for first overall considering Selanne finished with the most goals (684) and Recchi the most points (1,533). Modano, who did come off the board first, was third in both goals (561) and points (1,374), so it’s not like he didn’t live up to his first-overall billing. However, in hindsight, Selanne definitely should have been selected higher than 10th.

Oct. 8, 1992 - Selanne’s First NHL Goal

Goaltender - Jeff Hackett (San Jose Sharks)
Time of the Goal - 16:13 of the 1st period (assisted by Phil Housley & Keith Tkachuk)

The Finnish Flash got to work almost immediately in the NHL, scoring his first goal in his second game against the San Jose Sharks, beating Hackett on a breakaway. He then went on a run of 11 goals in 10 games, including his first hat trick on Oct. 14 against the Edmonton Oilers where he only had four shots in the game.

The Rest of Selanne’s Rookie Campaign

It didn’t take long for Selanne to show the NHL that he was a special talent capable of bringing fans out of their seats. His trademark speed that got him the nickname “The Finnish Flash” was on display all season long as he made quick work of every team he faced en route to a 76-goal season. As part of the onslaught, he had five hat tricks (including a four-goal game on Feb. 28 against the Minnesota North Stars), 17 multi-goal games, and a nine-game goal streak.

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