5 Dirtiest Winnipeg Jets Players In Franchise History

Evander Kane, Winnipeg Jets — NHL fans know that this is the second stint of hockey in the city of Winnipeg. The original Jets franchise moved to Phoenix and is now known as the Arizona Coyotes. They have been there since 1996. During the 2011-12 season, the Winnipeg Jets were reborn after relocating from Atlanta. Although there have been bright spots in Winnipeg, there have been questionable unsportsmanlike players to don a Jets jersey.

5. Chris Thorburn Hits Tampa Bay Lightning's Sami Salo From Behind

Thorburn has been with the Atlanta Thrashers/Winnipeg Jets franchise since the 2007-08 season. The 6-foot-3 right winger’s highest point total was 19 during the final year in Atlanta. He is not known for being a scoring threat, and this video could be used as ‘Exhibit A’ in the NHL court of law as to how Thorburn’s types of plays are not needed in the NHL.

4. Adam Lowry Hitting Buffalo Sabres' Patrick Kaleta

Patrick Kaleta is trying to help prevent the Winnipeg Jets from putting the puck in the net. As you can see from this clip, what is Kaleta’s reward for his work? The reward is delivered by Jets’ Adam Lowry. He felt it was necessary to push Kaleta head first into the boards when he did not see it coming. This hardly is a great role model to the young kids learning how to play the game.

3. Anthony Peluso Hitting Dallas Stars' Alex Goligoski

Anthony Peluso is one of the dirtiest players in the short history of the Winnipeg Jets. This video is just a small example of what type of thug the franchise has. Physical play is part of the game, but if you deliver these types of hits where the opponent is needing stitches, he is hardly a player deserving of a roster spot on a hockey team. Players are supposed to score goals, not make these types of plays.

2. Evander Kane Hitting Anaheim Ducks' Clayton Stoner

This is another similar play to what Peluso did to Goligoski above. On Apr. 3, 2014 Kane was accused, away from the ice, of assault in Vancouver, British Columbia. On Apr. 5, 2014 he was benched by Jets coach Paul Maurice in a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Jets were tired of his actions. This type of play could suggest links to possible assault rumors in Vancouver. He was later dealt to the Buffalo Sabres.

1. Dustin Byfuglien Cross Checking New York Rangers' J.T. Miller

Byfuglien is slightly different than the other thugs on the Winnipeg Jets, but the message is still the same: The Jets have thugs on their team. Byfuglien is capable of putting pucks in the net, but the former Chicago Blackhawks player is not exempt from delivering dirty hits. This is just a prime example that you can have the ability to put pucks in the net, but also deliver some questionable hits.

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