Jets unveil magnificent tribute to Dale Hawerchuk.

The Winnipeg Jets did something wonderful over the weekend, and no doubt it is a moment that will stick with many members of the organization's die hard fan base.

On Saturday, the Jets paid tribute to former Winnipeg Jets legend Dale Hawerchuk when they unveiled a massive statue in his honor. The statue, one that was made in Hawerchuk's likeness, will stand proudly in True North Square in downtown Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, a fitting tribute to a man the team described as the greatest player in the history of their franchise.

Hawerchuk was selected first overall by the Winnipeg Jets at the 1981 National Hockey League Entry Draft and would have an immediate and profound impact on the fortunes of the Winnipeg Jets' organization. Hawerchuk would score 45 goals and add 58 assists for a total of 103 points over 80 games in his rookie season, winning the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL's rookie of the year and leading the Jets to an unprecedented 48 point jump in the standings from the year prior.

While Hawerchuk would go on to play for teams like the Buffalo Sabres, St. Louis Blues, and Philadelphia Flyers, he was truly at his best as a member of the Jets. During his time in Winnipeg he would break the 100 point barrier in 6 different seasons, including in 5 consecutive seasons from 1983-1984 to 1987-1988.

Sadly Hawerchuk would pass away suddenly at the age of 57 in August of 2020 after a battle with stomach cancer.

The Jets truly did a wonderful job of honoring their former player on Saturday with several speakers in attendance for the unveiling of the statue, turning the tribute to Hawerchuk into a big event for fans of the the player and the team. Hawerchuk's wife Crystal, former Winnipeg Jet Kris King, Hall of Famer Paul Coffey, and many more spoke during the tribute which in all was nearly an hour long.

You can watch the entire thing in the video below, courtesy of the Winnipeg Jets, but if you would like to jump ahead to the unveiling of the statue itself you can find that at the 47 minute mark of the video.