In addition to building a statue in his likeness at the True North Square's plaza, the Winnipeg Jets have applied to re-name a two-block stretch near the Canada Life Centre in honour of the late Dale Hawerchuk.
The club announced Friday the intention to designate the area on Graham Avenue between Donald Street and Carlton Street as Honourary Dale Hawerchuk Way. If approved by the city, the re-named portion would take effect in time for the Jets' 2021-22 regular season home opener. The statue, which has already been commissioned, is set to be unveiled in August of 2022.
A Hall of Famer and Jets legend, Hawerchuk died in August 2020 after battling stomach cancer. The Jets had previously announced their intent to build a statue, and say they were able to communicate the plans to Hawerchuk before his passing.
Hawerchuk was drafted first overall by the Jets in 1981. He went on to play nine seasons in Winnipeg and five in Buffalo before finishing up his distinguished 16-year NHL career with stints in St. Louis and Philadelphia.
A teenage star, Hawerchuk recorded 518 goals and 1,409 points in 1,188 regular-season games (he added 30 more goals and 99 assists in 97 playoff games).
