#34 Geoff Kirbyson (Author) and the 1978-79 WHA Champion Winnipeg Jets

Winnipeg-based author and journalist Geoff Kirbyson is our guest on episode 34 of the PHA Podcast and we’ll take an in-depth look at the 1978-79 Winnipeg Jets Avco Cup Championship team.  After the interview with Geoff  we’ve included some great insight on that team by Jets center Terry Ruskowski, who was our guest episode 16. Geoff Kirbyson is a life-long Jets fans, who wrote a fabulous book about the WHA’s greatest line - The Hotline - Anders Hedberg, Ulf Nilsson and Bobby Hull. When Ulf and Anders left the Jets for the NHL New York Rangers in 1978, all seemed lost for the Jets.  However, the arch-rival Houston Aeros folded in the summer of ’78 and the Jets were able to obtain many of their top players, including Ruskowksi, Rich Preston, Morris Lukowich and Scott Campbell. How this team overcame their differences to eventually to defeat Wayne Gretzky and the Edmonton Oilers to become WHA champions is truly an inspirational story. To celebrate to the 40th anniversary of the 1978-79 Jets, Geoff has organized a reunion and a banquet that fans can attend on June 1, 2019.  Please see the show notes for details or visit Geoff Kirbyson on Twitter. To learn more about the WHA, visit us at WHA Hockey on Facebook.  This is THE WHA site on the web with 6,000-plus dedicated rebel leaguers sharing WHA memories every day. We greatly appreciate your feedback and the heartfelt letters we’ve received from fans around the world regarding the podcast. Please contact us via our Pro Hockey Alumni Podcast website or social media with any comments or questions.  Also, we’d appreciate any ratings or reviews you may be inclined to give wherever you listen to podcasts. Host:  Mark Willand Geoff is organizing a 40-year reunion of the 1978-79 team at the end of this month, culminating with a banquet on June 1. Players are flying in from four different countries, including Kent Nilsson, Terry Ruskowski, Rich Preston, Willy Lindstrom, Morris Lukowich, Peter Sullivan, Roland Eriksson, Scott Campbell, Kim Clackson, John Gray, Paul MacKinnon, Glenn Hicks, Joe Daley, Markus Mattsson, Bill Lesuk, Lyle Moffat and coach Tommy McVie. https://www.eventbrite.ca/.../40-year-reunion-of-the-1978... ITunes SoundCloud Stitcher Twitter Facebook Instagram Google Play Mark Willand Pro Hockey Alumni WHA Hockey Boston Bruins Alumni Geoff Kirbyson on Twitter