The 1985–86 Winnipeg Jets season was the 14th season of the Winnipeg Jets, their seventh season in the

National Hockey League The National Hockey League (NHL; , ''LNH'') is a professional ice hockey league in North America composed of 32 teams25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. The NHL is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Cana ...

. General Manager John Ferguson replaced coach Barry Long late in the season and guided the club on an interim basis to a 7–6–1 record. The Jets placed third in the Smythe, and despite their dismal 26–47–7 record, qualified for the playoffs only to lose to the

Calgary Flames The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary. The Flames compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The ...

in the first round.

Offseason

After a record breaking 1984–85 season, in which the Jets posted 43–27–10 record, earning 96 points, the team had a very quiet off-season. Winnipeg participated in the 1985 NHL entry draft on June 15, 1985, and with their first round pick, 18th overall, the Jets selected Ryan Stewart from the

Kamloops Blazers The Kamloops Blazers are a Canadian major junior ice hockey team based in Kamloops, British Columbia. The team plays in the B.C. Division of the Western Hockey League's Western Conference and plays its home games at the Sandman Centre. The Blaze ...

of the WHL. Stewart had 33 goals and 70 points in 54 games with the Blazers during the 1984–85 season. Some other notable selections by the Jets were goaltender Daniel Berthiaume in the third round, defenseman

Fredrik Olausson Karl-Gustav Fredrik Olausson (born October 5, 1966) is a Swedish former ice hockey player from Nybro who is currently assistant coach for HV71 in Elitserien. He had previously played 17 seasons in the NHL and another 6 in Sweden. He was a mem ...

in the fourth round and forward

Danton Cole Danton Edward Cole (born January 10, 1967) is an American former professional hockey player and the former head coach of the Michigan State Spartans men's hockey team. He had guided the USA Hockey Under-18 team to a pair of gold medals and a b ...

in the sixth round. On June 25, 1985, the Jets signed team captain

Dale Hawerchuk Dale Martin Hawerchuk (April 4, 1963 – August 18, 2020) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player and coach. Drafted first overall by the Winnipeg Jets in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft, Hawerchuk played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for ...

to an eight-year, $3.2 million contract. Hawerchuk, who was the first overall draft pick by Winnipeg in the 1981 NHL entry draft was coming off a 53-goal and 130 point season with the club in the 1984–85 season. The club signed undrafted free agent goaltender Pokey Reddick on September 25, 1985. Reddick spent the 1984–85 season with the

Brandon Wheat Kings The Brandon Wheat Kings are a Canadians, Canadian major junior ice hockey team based in Brandon, Manitoba. Founded in 1936, the team was for three decades a successful junior team playing principally in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. The Whe ...

, going 14-30-1 with a 5.64 GAA in 47 games.

Regular season

The only thing to keep fan interest near the end of the season was the three-way turtle derby between the Jets,

Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. The Canucks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conferenc ...

, and

Los Angeles Kings The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles. The Kings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. ...

for the final two playoff spots in the Smythe Division, since the

Edmonton Oilers The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton. The Oilers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...

and

were well ahead of them and had already locked up the top two spots in the division. After a dreadful February in which they went 3-8-1 to drop to 19th overall in the NHL (ahead of only Vancouver and a woeful

Detroit Detroit ( , ) is the List of municipalities in Michigan, most populous city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is situated on the bank of the Detroit River across from Windsor, Ontario. It had a population of 639,111 at the 2020 United State ...

squad), the Jets went 5-4-1 in their last ten to finish tied with Vancouver for third place in the Smythe with 59 points, while Los Angeles was out with 54. But since the Jets had more wins than the Canucks (26 to 23), Winnipeg won the tiebreaker and claimed third place in the Smythe, drawing the Calgary Flames in the first-round thus avoiding a matchup with the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion and Presidents Trophy winning Edmonton Oilers.

Final standings

Record vs. opponents

Schedule and results

, - , 1, , L, , October 10, 1985, , 3–4 , , align="left", @

( 1985–86) , , 0–1–0 , , 17,498 , - , 2, , L, , October 11, 1985, , 3–8 , , align="left", @

( 1985–86) , , 0–2–0 , , 16,762 , - , 3, , L, , October 13, 1985, , 2–5 , , align="left",

Quebec Nordiques The Quebec Nordiques (, pronounced in Quebec French, in Canadian English; translated "Northmen" or "Northerners") were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association (1972–1979) an ...

( 1985–86) , , 0–3–0 , , 14,374 , - , 4, , W, , October 16, 1985, , 4–3 , , align="left", @

Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings (colloquially referred to as the Wings) are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit. The Red Wings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the East ...

( 1985–86) , , 1–3–0 , , 14,766 , - , 5, , W, , October 19, 1985, , 4–3 , , align="left", @

Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. The Maple Leafs compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the A ...

( 1985–86) , , 2–3–0 , , 15,009 , - , 6, , W, , October 20, 1985, , 8–5 , , align="left",

( 1985–86) , , 3–3–0 , , 15,527 , - , 7, , W, , October 23, 1985, , 9–3 , , align="left",

( 1985–86) , , 4–3–0 , , 13,269 , - , 8, , T, , October 25, 1985, , 7–7 OT, , align="left",

Washington Capitals The Washington Capitals (colloquially known as the Caps) are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. The Capitals compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NH ...

( 1985–86) , , 4–3–1 , , 12,472 , - , 9, , W, , October 27, 1985, , 5–3 , , align="left",

( 1985–86) , , 5–3–1 , , 11,913 , - , 10, , L, , October 30, 1985, , 3–7 , , align="left", @

( 1985–86) , , 5–4–1 , , 17,243 , - , - , 11, , W, , November 2, 1985, , 3–1 , , align="left", @

Minnesota North Stars The Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League (NHL) for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, Minnesota, and the team's colors for ...

( 1985–86) , , 6–4–1 , , 13,026 , - , 12, , L, , November 3, 1985, , 3–4 OT, , align="left",

St. Louis Blues The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis. The Blues compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...

( 1985–86) , , 6–5–1 , , 11,376 , - , 13, , L, , November 6, 1985, , 3–7 , , align="left", @

Buffalo Sabres The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. The Sabres compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Con ...

( 1985–86) , , 6–6–1 , , 10,828 , - , 14, , L, , November 8, 1985, , 3–7 , , align="left",

New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in New York City. The Rangers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team plays ...

( 1985–86) , , 6–7–1 , , 15,296 , - , 15, , L, , November 9, 1985, , 2–7 , , align="left",

( 1985–86) , , 6–8–1 , , 11,324 , - , 16, , T, , November 13, 1985, , 3–3 OT, , align="left", @

( 1985–86) , , 6–8–2 , , 16,762 , - , 17, , W, , November 15, 1985, , 5–3 , , align="left",

New Jersey Devils The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The club w ...

( 1985–86) , , 7–8–2 , , 11,348 , - , 18, , L, , November 17, 1985, , 4–5 , , align="left",

( 1985–86) , , 7–9–2 , , 14,155 , - , 19, , W, , November 20, 1985, , 3–1 , , align="left",

( 1985–86) , , 8–9–2 , , 10,494 , - , 20, , L, , November 22, 1985, , 1–8 , , align="left", @

Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins (colloquially known as the Pens) are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh. The Penguins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), E ...

( 1985–86) , , 8–10–2 , , 10,338 , - , 21, , L, , November 23, 1985, , 1–8 , , align="left", @

Hartford Whalers The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its 25-year existence in Hartford, Connecticut. The club played in the World Hockey Association (WHA) from 1972 until 1979, and in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1 ...

( 1985–86) , , 8–11–2 , , 11,957 , - , 22, , L, , November 26, 1985, , 3–4 , , align="left", @

( 1985–86) , , 8–12–2 , , 9,835 , - , 23, , L, , November 27, 1985, , 1–6 , , align="left", @

Philadelphia Flyers The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia. The Flyers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team play ...

( 1985–86) , , 8–13–2 , , 17,211 , - , 24, , L, , November 29, 1985, , 1–4 , , align="left",

New York Islanders The New York Islanders (colloquially known as the Isles) are a professional ice hockey team based in Elmont, New York. The Islanders compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (N ...

( 1985–86) , , 8–14–2 , , 15,426 , - , - , 25, , W, , December 1, 1985, , 2–1 , , align="left",

( 1985–86) , , 9–14–2 , , 13,528 , - , 26, , T, , December 3, 1985, , 4–4 OT, , align="left", @

( 1985–86) , , 9–14–3 , , 15,362 , - , 27, , L, , December 4, 1985, , 4–7 , , align="left", @

( 1985–86) , , 9–15–3 , , 16,872 , - , 28, , L, , December 7, 1985, , 2–3 , , align="left",

( 1985–86) , , 9–16–3 , , 13,095 , - , 29, , L, , December 8, 1985, , 1–4 , , align="left",

( 1985–86) , , 9–17–3 , , 11,435 , - , 30, , W, , December 11, 1985, , 6–3 , , align="left", @

( 1985–86) , , 10–17–3 , , 8,584 , - , 31, , L, , December 13, 1985, , 3–6 , , align="left",

( 1985–86) , , 10–18–3 , , 15,447 , - , 32, , T, , December 15, 1985, , 3–3 OT, , align="left",

( 1985–86) , , 10–18–4 , , 14,438 , - , 33, , L, , December 17, 1985, , 6–8 , , align="left", @

( 1985–86) , , 10–19–4 , , 8,865 , - , 34, , L, , December 18, 1985, , 4–5 , , align="left", @

Chicago Black Hawks Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...

( 1985–86) , , 10–20–4 , , 16,363 , - , 35, , W, , December 20, 1985, , 7–4 , , align="left",

( 1985–86) , , 11–20–4 , , 14,686 , - , 36, , W, , December 22, 1985, , 7–5 , , align="left", @

( 1985–86) , , 12–20–4 , , 17,498 , - , 37, , L, , December 23, 1985, , 3–5 , , align="left", @

( 1985–86) , , 12–21–4 , , 10,406 , - , 38, , L, , December 26, 1985, , 5–6 , , align="left",

( 1985–86) , , 12–22–4 , , 13,998 , - , 39, , L, , December 28, 1985, , 4–5 , , align="left", @

( 1985–86) , , 12–23–4 , , 9,969 , - , 40, , L, , December 30, 1985, , 2–4 , , align="left", @

( 1985–86) , , 12–24–4 , , 8,577 , - , - , 41, , L, , January 3, 1986, , 3–7 , , align="left",

Montreal Canadiens The Montreal Canadiens (), officially ' ( Canadian Hockey Club) and colloquially known as the Habs, are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal. The Canadiens compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic D ...

( 1985–86) , , 12–25–4 , , 15,461 , - , 42, , W, , January 5, 1986, , 4–0 , , align="left",

( 1985–86) , , 13–25–4 , , 11,860 , - , 43, , T, , January 7, 1986, , 2–2 OT, , align="left",

( 1985–86) , , 13–25–5 , , 10,879 , - , 44, , L, , January 11, 1986, , 4–8 , , align="left", @

Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston. The Bruins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The t ...

( 1985–86) , , 13–26–5 , , 13,124 , - , 45, , W, , January 14, 1986, , 5–4 , , align="left", @

( 1985–86) , , 14–26–5 , , 13,848 , - , 46, , L, , January 15, 1986, , 0–4 , , align="left", @

( 1985–86) , , 14–27–5 , , 16,135 , - , 47, , W, , January 17, 1986, , 5–1 , , align="left",

( 1985–86) , , 15–27–5 , , 15,577 , - , 48, , L, , January 19, 1986, , 1–2 , , align="left",

( 1985–86) , , 15–28–5 , , 15,577 , - , 49, , L, , January 22, 1986, , 3–6 , , align="left", @

( 1985–86) , , 15–29–5 , , 11,621 , - , 50, , L, , January 23, 1986, , 5–7 , , align="left", @

( 1985–86) , , 15–30–5 , , 10,191 , - , 51, , L, , January 25, 1986, , 2–7 , , align="left", @

( 1985–86) , , 15–31–5 , , 12,471 , - , 52, , W, , January 29, 1986, , 5–3 , , align="left",

( 1985–86) , , 16–31–5 , , 12,755 , - , - , 53, , L, , February 1, 1986, , 6–9 , , align="left",

( 1985–86) , , 16–32–5 , , 12,877 , - , 54, , W, , February 2, 1986, , 6–3 , , align="left",

( 1985–86) , , 17–32–5 , , 12,540 , - , 55, , L, , February 7, 1986, , 2–5 , , align="left", @

( 1985–86) , , 17–33–5 , , 11,438 , - , 56, , T, , February 9, 1986, , 3–3 OT, , align="left", @

( 1985–86) , , 17–33–6 , , 11,353 , - , 57, , L, , February 12, 1986, , 2–4 , , align="left", @

( 1985–86) , , 17–34–6 , , 16,762 , - , 58, , W, , February 14, 1986, , 5–4 , , align="left",

( 1985–86) , , 18–34–6 , , 14,620 , - , 59, , L, , February 17, 1986, , 4–8 , , align="left", @

( 1985–86) , , 18–35–6 , , 17,211 , - , 60, , L, , February 19, 1986, , 2–5 , , align="left", @

( 1985–86) , , 18–36–6 , , 12,558 , - , 61, , L, , February 21, 1986, , 2–5 , , align="left",

( 1985–86) , , 18–37–6 , , 13,317 , - , 62, , W, , February 23, 1986, , 4–2 , , align="left",

( 1985–86) , , 19–37–6 , , 14,354 , - , 63, , L, , February 26, 1986, , 2–8 , , align="left",

( 1985–86) , , 19–38–6 , , 14,047 , - , 64, , L, , February 28, 1986, , 3–6 , , align="left",

( 1985–86) , , 19–39–6 , , 14,614 , - , - , 65, , L, , March 2, 1986, , 4–6 , , align="left", @

( 1985–86) , , 19–40–6 , , 10,262 , - , 66, , L, , March 3, 1986, , 1–6 , , align="left", @

( 1985–86) , , 19–41–6 , , 15,349 , - , 67, , W, , March 5, 1986, , 4–1 , , align="left",

( 1985–86) , , 20–41–6 , , 13,136 , - , 68, , W, , March 8, 1986, , 4–2 , , align="left", @

( 1985–86) , , 21–41–6 , , 14,030 , - , 69, , W, , March 9, 1986, , 5–3 , , align="left",

( 1985–86) , , 22–41–6 , , 15,128 , - , 70, , L, , March 12, 1986, , 5–8 , , align="left",

( 1985–86) , , 22–42–6 , , 13,335 , - , 71, , W, , March 16, 1986, , 6–0 , , align="left",

( 1985–86) , , 23–42–6 , , 13,570 , - , 72, , L, , March 18, 1986, , 2–6 , , align="left", @

( 1985–86) , , 23–43–6 , , 17,498 , - , 73, , W, , March 19, 1986, , 6–4 , , align="left",

( 1985–86) , , 24–43–6 , , 14,135 , - , 74, , L, , March 21, 1986, , 3–5 , , align="left", @

( 1985–86) , , 24–44–6 , , 18,130 , - , 75, , L, , March 23, 1986, , 4–7 , , align="left",

( 1985–86) , , 24–45–6 , , 13,254 , - , 76, , W, , March 24, 1986, , 8–4 , , align="left",

( 1985–86) , , 25–45–6 , , 13,837 , - , 77, , L, , March 28, 1986, , 3–6 , , align="left", @

( 1985–86) , , 25–46–6 , , 16,762 , - , 78, , W, , March 31, 1986, , 5–2 , , align="left", @

( 1985–86) , , 26–46–6 , , 9,170 , - , - , 79, , T, , April 2, 1986, , 4–4 OT, , align="left", @

( 1985–86) , , 26–46–7 , , 8,843 , - , 80, , L, , April 6, 1986, , 4–6 , , align="left",

( 1985–86) , , 26–47–7 , , 15,487 , - , - , ''Legend'':

Playoffs

The Jets lost the Division Semi-finals in three-straight against the

Player statistics

Regular season

;Scoring ;Goaltending

Playoffs

;Scoring ;Goaltending

Awards and records

Transactions

Trades

Free agents

Draft picks

The Jets selected the following players at the 1985 NHL entry draft, which was held at the Toronto Convention Centre in

Toronto Toronto ( , locally pronounced or ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, most populous city in Canada. It is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. With a p ...

on June 15, 1985.

NHL amateur draft

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:1985-86 Winnipeg Jets Season Winnipeg Jets season, 1985-86 Winnipeg Jets (1972–1996) seasons Winn 1985 in sports in Manitoba 1986 in sports in Manitoba 1980s in Winnipeg

Offseason

Regular season

Final standings

Record vs. opponents

Schedule and results

Playoffs

Player statistics

Regular season

Playoffs

Awards and records

Transactions

Trades

Free agents

Draft picks

NHL amateur draft

See also

References