Winnipeg Jets to Honour RCAF Hockey Team

By John Chalmers,
CAHS Membership Secretary
posted October 2023
The 2023-24 NHL hockey season is now upon us, and while I hope the Edmonton Oilers win the Stanley Cup, I’ll be watching another Canadian team with special interest! The Winnipeg Jets have come up with a novel way to help celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force.

During the 2023-24 season, the Jets will pay tribute to the RCAF’s hockey team that won the gold medal in the 1948 Olympic winter games at St. Moritz, Switzerland. A new jersey honouring the RCAF Flyers will be worn by Jets team members in three games: December 4 vs. Carolina, January 27 vs. Toronto, and on the 100th anniversary of the RCAF on April 1 the jerseys will be worn in the game against Los Angeles. Shown here is Jets captain Adam Lowry in the new jersey with historic roots. It replicates the 1948 jersey, with a jet aircraft added to the roundel. Photo by Jonathan Kozub, courtesy of Winnipeg Jets, via the internet.
Adam Lowry in jersey.
Although the RCAF Flyers got off to a rough start, losing games in Canada, it came together at the Olympics and goalie Murray Dowey recorded five shutouts in the tournament. See more when you click here. A story about the team at a National Air Force Museum of Canada web site can be seen online here.
In this official photo of the RCAF Flyers, S/L Sandy Watson appears in uniform at right rear. Watson was a physician who assembled the team and served as manager. Photo via Hockey Gods news where all team members are identified and named. An internet search for information about the Flyers will bring up many stories and photos about them. Mark your calendar to see the Flyers uniforms back on the ice December 4, January 27 and on the 100th anniversary of the RCAF on April 1!
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