The Jamestown Jets were an

American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, pe ...

junior ice hockey Junior hockey is a level of competitive ice hockey generally for players between 16 and 21 years of age. Junior hockey leagues in the United States and Canada are considered amateur (with some exceptions) and operate within regions of each cou ...

team based in

Jamestown, New York Jamestown is a city in southern Chautauqua County, in the U.S. state of New York. The population was 28,712 at the 2020 census. Situated between Lake Erie to the north and the Allegheny National Forest to the south, Jamestown is the largest pop ...

. Originally members of the

United Junior Hockey League The Northern Junior Hockey League (NJHL) was an independent regional junior ice hockey league based in Jamestown, New York. The league operated from 2008 to 2010. History United Junior Hockey League The United Junior Hockey League (UJHL) was cre ...

and later the

Northern Junior Hockey League The Northern Junior Hockey League (NJHL) was an independent regional junior ice hockey league based in Jamestown, New York. The league operated from 2008 to 2010. History United Junior Hockey League The United Junior Hockey League (UJHL) was cre ...

. The Jets played in the

Canadian Canadians (french: Canadiens) are people identified with the country of Canada. This connection may be residential, legal, historical or cultural. For most Canadians, many (or all) of these connections exist and are collectively the source of ...

Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League The Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League (GMHL) is a Canadian developmental junior ice hockey league. The league has primarily had teams in the Greater Toronto Area, Central Ontario, Northeastern Ontario, and Quebec. In 2019, they added three t ...

in 2010-11.

History

The team was announced in March 2008. The team's name comes from the

Winnipeg Jets The Winnipeg Jets are a professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg. The team competes in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference, and is owned by True North Sports & Entertainment, pl ...

and was chosen by a fan. The franchise was founded by majority owner Barry Soskin and Dennis Canfield in March 2008 and the team logo and name was released on April 22, 2008 at a press conference at the JSBIA. In August 2010, the Jets join a Canadian league

Ontario Ontario ( ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada.Ontario is located in the geographic eastern half of Canada, but it has historically and politically been considered to be part of Central Canada. Located in Central Ca ...

. On September 17, 2010, the Jets played their first GMHL game, at home, winning 4-3 over fellow expansion club

Sturgeon Falls Lumberjacks The West Nipissing Lynx are a junior ice hockey team based in Sturgeon Falls, Ontario, Canada. They play in the Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League (GMHL). History The Sturgeon Falls Lumberjacks were announced in summer 2010. The Lumberjacks r ...

. The game was the first international regulation game in the GMHL's history. On April 30, 2011, the Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena moved to evict the Jets, claiming that the team's lease was with the previous owner and was no longer valid due to the team's sale.Rodriguez, Jason (2011-06-02)
Gloves coming off

The Post-Journal The '' Post-Journal'' is a daily newspaper, serving the area around Jamestown, New York. The current editor of the paper is John Whittaker. It is owned by Ogden Newspapers Inc. and is billed as "southwestern New York's leading newspaper" with a c ...

. Retrieved 2011-06-03. Less than three weeks later, the GMHL announced that the Jets would be leaving the GMHL as part of the lease issues with the Arena. The establishment of the

Jamestown Ironmen The Jamestown Ironmen were a Tier II junior ice hockey team in the North American Hockey League. The Ironmen played their home games at the Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena in Jamestown, New York. History The franchise began as an expansion tea ...

, which is also a Junior A franchise but one based in the U.S.-based

North American Hockey League The North American Hockey League (NAHL) is one of the top junior hockey leagues in the United States and is in its 48th season of operation in 2022–23. It is the only Tier II junior league sanctioned by USA Hockey, and acts as an alternati ...

, put the Jets' future in doubt and was a direct cause of the lawsuit as the Jets held an "exclusive" lease. The team continues operations and is currently dormant as the lawsuit is active. At one time, Canfield had proposed renovation of the smaller Allen Park Ice Rink which was not cost effective.Dean, Nicholas (2011-06-18)
Jets owner has eye on Allen Park Ice Rink
The Post-Journal. Retrieved 2013-02-17. http://post-journal.com/page/content.detail/id/617920/Struggle-To-Survive.html. As of April 2013 the lawsuit Canfield filed against the Ironmen, Arena, and NAHL has progressed to New York State Supreme Court and is currently in the discovery phase sitting in the judges chambers. The Ironmen have since suspended operations.

Regular season records

Notable alumni

Alexander Galaysha Alexander Galaisha (born April 6, 1991) is a Kazakhstani former professional ice hockey goaltender. Galaisha played one game in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) with HC Yugra Hockey Club Yugra (russian: Хоккейный клуб Югра ...

References

External links

Official Web site
{{upstate New York Sports Sports in Jamestown, New York Ice hockey teams in New York (state)