History


2021
TNSE and Canada Life announce new downtown arena name
TNSE and Canada Life announce new downtown arena name

True North Sports + Entertainment and Canada Life Assurance Company announce a 10-year venue naming partnership, renaming Bell MTS Place to Canada Life Centre. 

2020
Dale Hawerchuk passes
Dale Hawerchuk passes

Winnipeg Jets legend Dale Hawerchuk passes away at the age of 57 following a battle with cancer. The team’s 10th season is dedicated to Dale with a redesigned anniversary logo featuring his number 10. True North also announces a permanent statue, to be unveiled in True North Square.

Travis Price Centre opens at Camp Manitou
Travis Price Centre opens at Camp Manitou

Generously supported by the Price Family and the Travis Price Classic, Camp Manitou’s new Travis Price Centre opens its doors to campers June 15. Along with the development of an additional 11 acres, the new lodge contributes to doubling camp’s capacity to 400 campers per day.

Downtown Community Safety Partnership launches
Downtown Community Safety Partnership launches

The COVID-19 global pandemic commences with the postponement and eventual cancellation of NHL, AHL and concert activity. Over the next 18 months, public health restrictions ebb and flow. Throughout the pandemic, the True North team is kept intact, allowing for notable community support, including the formal launch of the Downtown Community Safety Partnership, of which True North is a founding partner.

2019
Fifth True North Square Tower announced
Fifth True North Square Tower announced

True North Square’s residential and office tower, 223/225 Carlton, welcomes its first residents. That same month, a fifth tower, the future home of Wawanesa’s North American Headquarters, is announced.

2018
True North Square opens
True North Square opens

After a 26-month construction effort, the first of True North Square’s four towers, 242 Hargrave, opens with the first commercial tenant commencing occupancy. That same month ground breaks on the second phase, the 430,000-square-foot Sutton Place Hotel & Residences.

2018 playoff run
2018 playoff run

The Winnipeg Jets reach the Western Conference Final. The #WPGWhiteout Street Parties hosted on Donald Street draw over 120,000 fans over the course of nine home playoff games.

2017
TN Touring established
TN Touring established

TN Touring is established and begins to bring exciting Broadway-calibre touring productions to mid-size arenas in Canada’s medium and smaller markets.

TNSE & Bell MTS Announce New Facility Names
TNSE & Bell MTS Announce New Facility Names

True North Sports + Entertainment and Bell MTS announce the renaming of MTS Centre to Bell MTS Place. Additionally, MTS Iceplex is renamed Bell MTS Iceplex. The change of names is a result of Bell’s purchase of MTS in March 2017.

2016
Winnipeg hosts NHL Heritage Classic
Winnipeg hosts NHL Heritage Classic

Winnipeg hosts the NHL Heritage Classic. The weekend includes the launch of the Winnipeg Jets Hall of Fame, and a Jets Alumni vs. Oilers Alumni game featuring hockey legends such as Dale Hawerchuk, Teemu Selanne and Wayne Gretzky.

MTS Iceplex Expansion
MTS Iceplex Expansion

MTS Iceplex completes an $8-million, 21,000-square-foot expansion and becomes the official practice facility of both the Winnipeg Jets and the Manitoba Moose. The expansion also creates a new home for the True North Youth Foundation.

True North Square Announcement
True North Square Announcement

True North announces and breaks ground on True North Square, a $400-million four-tower mixed-use development that will be located adjacent to MTS Centre.

2015
Return of the Manitoba Moose
Return of the Manitoba Moose

True North relocates its AHL franchise from St. John’s, Newfoundland back to Winnipeg. The team reclaims the Manitoba Moose name and becomes the second tenant at MTS Centre.

Return of the Whiteout
Return of the Whiteout

The Winnipeg Jets make it to the NHL post-season for the first time since relocating to Winnipeg. The return to the post-season also marks the return of the “Whiteout”. Originally a celebration from the Jets’ previous era, fans continue the tradition of getting decked out in white from head to toe to show their post-season support.

2014
Burton Cummings Theatre acquisition
Burton Cummings Theatre acquisition

True North takes over the operations of the Burton Cummings Theatre, driving activity in the building and beginning restorations to the historic theatre originally built in 1906. In time, True North acquires the property.

WJTNF assumes operations of Camp Manitou
WJTNF assumes operations of Camp Manitou

With the vision of enhancing programming for WJHA student athletes, the Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation assumes the operations of Camp Manitou, a 28-acre camp established in 1930 by six Winnipeg service clubs. The foundation continues to invest in refurbishing and restoring the grounds and building new amenities.

2012
Project 11 Launches
Project 11 Launches

Following the 2011 passing of Winnipeg Jets player Rick Rypien, the curriculum-based mental wellness program Project 11 launches in his honour, fulfilling his wish to provide youth with mental wellness resources that he never had. The program begins with curriculum for students in Grades 5 to 8. Project 11 grows to be available to all grades in 2021.

2011
Winnipeg Jets 2.0 First Game
Winnipeg Jets 2.0 First Game

The Winnipeg Jets Hockey Club plays its first regular season game of the 2.0 era on October 9, 2011 against the Montreal Canadiens.

Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation Established
Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation Established

With the return of NHL hockey to Winnipeg, the MMYF transitions to become the Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation (WJTNF). Later, in 2016, it is rebranded as the True North Youth Foundation (TNYF) to reflect its commitment to youth programming.

True North Purchases Atlanta Thrashers
True North Purchases Atlanta Thrashers

Led by owners Mark Chipman and David Thomson, True North purchases and relocates the NHL’s Atlanta Thrashers franchise to Winnipeg.

2010
MTS Iceplex opens
MTS Iceplex opens

MTS Iceplex, a public-private partnership, officially opens, offering the community four NHL regulation-size hockey rinks and 12,000 hours of ice time annually.

2009
Manitoba Moose in Calder Cup Finals
Manitoba Moose in Calder Cup Finals

The Manitoba Moose, operating as a flagship franchise in the AHL, advance to the Calder Cup Final. The team wins the Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy, awarded to the regular season points champion.

2007
MMYF Lil’ Moose Program Launches
MMYF Lil’ Moose Program Launches

The MMYF launches its first self-programmed activity – the hockey/play-based Lil’ Moose which is the first iteration of the Winnipeg Jets Hockey Academy. The program engages 30 underserved youth in its first year.

MTS Centre hosts IIHF World Women’s Hockey Championship
MTS Centre hosts IIHF World Women’s Hockey Championship

Winnipeg hosts the International Ice Hockey Federation’s (IIHF) World Women’s Hockey Championship at MTS Centre. Canada beats the United States 5-1 to capture the gold medal.

2006
MTS Centre Hosts 2006 AHL All-Star Classic
MTS Centre Hosts 2006 AHL All-Star Classic

Winnipeg hosts the 2006 AHL All-Star Classic at MTS Centre. The Canadian AHL All-Star team defeats the PlanetUSA AHL All-Star team 9-4 in front of a capacity crowd of 15,015 fans – an AHL record. Moose netminder Wade Flaherty is named Most Valuable Player and Moose veteran Jimmy Roy serves as captain of the winning Canadian team.

2005
MTS Centre Hosts 2005 Juno Awards
MTS Centre Hosts 2005 Juno Awards

MTS Centre hosts one of its first marquee events, the 2005 Juno Awards. The live show is hosted by comedian Brent Butt, with Avril Lavigne, The Tragically Hip and k-os among the award winners.

2004
First Manitoba Moose Game At MTS Centre
First Manitoba Moose Game At MTS Centre

The Manitoba Moose play their first game in MTS Centre against the St. John’s Maple Leafs. Later that season, the Moose win the North Division Championship.

Opening of MTS Centre
Opening of MTS Centre

MTS Centre opens its doors on November 16, 2004 with a grand opening concert called “Northern Lights Northern Stars”. The show features performances by celebrated Manitoba artists, including Burton Cummings, Randy Bachman, Tom Cochrane, Doc Walker and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.

2002
Demolition of Eaton’s Department Store
Demolition of Eaton’s Department Store

Demolition of the former Eaton’s department store on Portage Avenue begins, making way for a new arena that would open on the site 28 months later.

2001
Manitoba Moose join AHL
Manitoba Moose join AHL

The Manitoba Moose and five other IHL teams join the American Hockey League (AHL). The team begins an affiliation with the Vancouver Canucks.

New Arena Plan
New Arena Plan

With the support of private partners and three levels of government, True North announces its plan to develop and build a new 15,000-seat arena on Portage Avenue.

1999
True North Sports & Entertainment Limited is incorporated
True North Sports & Entertainment Limited is incorporated

True North Sports + Entertainment Limited is incorporated to pursue the development of a multi-purpose sports and entertainment facility in downtown Winnipeg.

1996
Manitoba Moose Yearling Foundation founded
Manitoba Moose Yearling Foundation founded

The Manitoba Moose Yearling Foundation (MMYF) is founded to facilitate community involvement among players, coaches, board members and employees. As part of True North’s commitment to giving back, efforts centre on raising funds for a number of local charities with a focus on youth and active living.

Manitoba Moose Hockey Club begins operations
Manitoba Moose Hockey Club begins operations

The Manitoba Moose Hockey Club begins operations at the Winnipeg Arena. The first home game, held on October 11, 1996, starts a new era of professional hockey in Winnipeg, helping to fill the void left by the departure of the NHL’s Winnipeg Jets.

Minnesota Moose purchase and relocation announced
Minnesota Moose purchase and relocation announced

On May 21, 1996, Mark Chipman announces the purchase and relocation of the IHL’s Minnesota Moose at a press conference held at the Winnipeg Arena, marking the symbolic beginning of True North Sports + Entertainment.