Grand Forks Jets

The **Grand Forks Jets** are a team of the Red River Hockey League, where they have played since their (and the league's) inaugural 1961-62 season. Based in Grand Forks, North Dakota, the Jets play their home games at the 6,067-seat Ralph Engelstad Arena on the campus of the University of North Dakota.

## History

The Jets name is a reference to the Grand Forks Air Force Base.

The Jets are the second MAHL team to be based in North Dakota, following their Red River leaguemates the Fargo Titans and preceding their fellow leaguemates the West Fargo Wasps.

The Jets have won 8 Red River League Titles (tied with their archrivals the East Grand Forks Pointers for most RRHL Titles) and have appeared in 4 Super Series.

### Culture

#### Traditions

Grand Forks has hit the ice to the theme of "2001: A Space Odyssey" since the 1968-69 season, creating one of the most electrifying entrances in the MAHL.

#### Rose Garden

Jets fans have been singing along to Grand Forks' own Lynn Anderson's hit "Rose Garden" after victories since the song was released in 1970. The song was picked to honor the hometown singer, but it has become the unofficial anthem of the Jets and their fans.

Lyrics:

> *"I beg your pardon, I never promised you a rose garden, Along with the sunshine, There's gotta be a little rain sometime, When you take you gotta give so live and let live or let go, Oh-whoa-whoa-whoa, I beg your pardon, I never promised you a rose garden*
>
>
> *I could promise you things like big diamond rings, But you don't find roses growin' on stalks of clover, So you better think it over, Well, if sweet-talkin' you could make it come true, I would give you the world right now on a silver platter, But what would it matter*
>
>
> *So smile for a while and let's be jolly, Love shouldn't be so melancholy, Come along and share the good times while we can*
>
>
> *I beg your pardon, I never promised you a rose garden, Along with the sunshine, There's gotta be a little rain some time*
>
>
> *I beg your pardon, I never promised you a rose garden*
>
>
> *I could sing you a tune and promise you the moon, But if that's what it takes to hold you, I'd just as soon let you go, But there's one thing I want you to know, You better look before you leap, still waters run deep, And there won't always be someone there to pull you out, And you know what I'm talking about*
>
>
> *So smile for a while and let's be jolly, Love shouldn't be so melancholy, Come along and share the good times while we can*
>
>
>
> *I beg your pardon, I never promised you a rose garden, Along with the sunshine, There's gotta be a little rain sometime, I beg your pardon, I never promised you a rose garden"*
>
>

### Rivalry Trophies

#### The Giant Fork

The Jets' archrivals are the East Grand Forks Pointers, against whom they compete for The Giant Fork, an 8-foot tall aluminum fork awarded to the winner of the season series between the two teams (or, when said series is tied, the team which scores the most goals in their meetings).

Currently, the Jets hold the Fork, having won it back in 1988 and holding it the following year to tie the trophy series at 12-12.

#### Nodak Cup

The Jets also compete with their in-state rivals the Fargo Titans for the Nodak Cup (named after both teams' home state of North Dakota). Like the Fork, the Cup is awarded to the team which wins their head-to-head series each year (or, if the teams are tied, the one with the higher goal differential).

Currently, the Jets hold the Cup, having won it back in 1987 and holding it the following two years. The Jets lead the all-time trophy series, 8-5.