Was there really any other choice?

The folks who run the Winnipeg Jets have dug out their old set of antlers, updated the colours and slapped it onto their farm team as it moves back to Manitoba.

Call it V. 3.0 of the Manitoba Moose, the animal that just won’t die.

“We kicked around a bunch of names like we did with the Jet name,” True North Sports boss Mark Chipman said after a news conference at the downtown rink, Monday. “But we kept coming back to it. That’s 15 years of history, which for us is a long time. There’s banners hanging in the rafters of this building and we’re very proud of that name.”

Sure, Chipman originally inherited the name from Minnesota, buying a chunk of that franchise and moving it north back in 1996, when it was part of the now-defunct International Hockey League.

After cutting its teeth in the IHL, the Moose and the people behind it came of age in the American League, albeit it as Vancouver’s farm outpost.

When True North made the jump to the NHL, the antlers were mothballed as the Jets set up a farm operation in St. John’s, N.L. After all, nobody on The Rock wants to cheer for a Moose.

In Winnipeg they will – especially now that it’s carrying Jets prospects wearing Jets colours.

The cost: a fraction of what it costs to see the Jets. In fact, ticket prices ($15, $20 and $25) are lower, on average, than they were for the old Moose.

But this time True North doesn’t need to come close to filling the lower bowl to make this work.

“This is not really a business move as much as it is a hockey move for our organization,” Chipman said, citing his expectations at “several thousand” fans per game. “That’s where the real benefits will be gained... is having those players here.”

Next season, when the Jets run into injury trouble they aren’t looking at 24 hours to get a replacement in.

“When we moved to the Western Conference we really found how challenging it was,” Chipman said of the St. John’s arrangement. “We’re in Southern California trying to get a guy in from St. John’s really proved to be difficult.”

Finding a new location for the farm wasn’t easy, either.

In fact, this Moose only found its way back to Manitoba by accident. Two accidents, actually.

No. 1, the Jets tried and failed to land a Western Hockey League team.

And 2, they tried and failed to move their AHL operation to Thunder Bay.

“We spent the better part of two years with the folks at Thunder Bay, and we were hopeful that was going to come to fruition,” Chipman said. “That would have been a great market for us.”

But plans for a new building in Thunder Bay fell through.

Funny thing is, the move to Winnipeg, as hastily as it was put together, has anything but a temporary feel.

True North is spending millions on a two-storey upgrade to the Iceplex and renovating the big rink to accommodate two pro teams. So this Moose appears to be digging its heels in for a lengthy stay.

“We’re not looking at it as a short-term thing,” Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff said. “Obviously in today’s game the economic viability of things is very important, so we can’t underestimate that. But from the planning and the infrastructure.... we’re looking at making it as long-term as we possibly can, if not indefinite.

“We’re full-steam ahead to try to make this work for the long-term.”

I can’t see it not working.

The biggest challenge, scheduling two teams, shouldn’t really be one. Many AHL teams share buildings with a major tenant.

And there’s always a place for affordable, family entertainment.

For the True North family, it’s like the prodigal son coming home.

“We wouldn’t be in the NHL today but for those 15 years,” Chipman said of the days in the minors. “It’s in our DNA. Zinger, Chevy and I grew up in that league, and so did many of our people that started with us 19 years ago and still work for us today.”

So there really was no other choice.

IDEA OF BEING IN WINNIPEG PRETTY SWEET FOR JETS PROSPECTS

Sure, JC Lipon, like all Winnipeg Jets prospects, wants to play for the NHL team next season.

But if he spends another year developing with the AHL farm team, it’s not a bad second choice.

“I used to be a fan of the Moose growing up, being from Saskatchewan,” the 21-year-old Regina native said, after pulling on the new Manitoba Moose sweater. “So it looks pretty cool to me.”

Lipon and Scott Kosmachuk, in town for the unveiling, Monday, say the move from St. John’s to Winnipeg for next season will put some extra zip into whoever plays on the farm.

“I’ve had some buddies that played in Toronto in that system, and Boston,” Lipon said. “It’s made it just a little more exciting being closer to the bigger team and feeling the buzz of the city, and just getting used to the city as well.

“We had great support in St. John’s, though.”

The IceCaps played before sellout crowds of nearly 6,300 the first three seasons before dropping below 6,000, on average, this past year.

Capacity will be around 8,800 in Winnipeg using the lower bowl of the arena.

Kosmachuk played a home pre-season game for the Jets.

“It was quite a treat,” the Toronto product said. “Hopefully we get the same support from the fans here.”

While getting called up will be easier, logistically, players say that’s not a big deal for them.

“The travel might be bad,” Lipon said. “But at that point when you’re getting called up you’re excited either way.”

Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff says the Moose will likely be in a division with midwest teams like Chicago and Grand Rapids, with some games against the AHL’s new California division likely.

They might not see opponents from the East.