 While European @-@ born players were a part of the NHL since its founding , it was still rare to see them in the league until 1980 . The WHA turned to the previously overlooked European market in search for talent , signing players from Finland and Sweden . Anders Hedberg , Lars @-@ Erik Sjoberg and Ulf Nilsson signed with the Jets in 1974 and thrived in North America , both in the WHA and later the NHL . The Jets won three of the six remaining WHA championships after signing European players , and their success sparked similar signings league @-@ wide . 
