Winnipeg (Manitoba in general) has a long & distinguished history through the Canadian Military, RCAF etc. Main hub & training center for pilots during WW1 & WW2... to present day. Billy Bishop Flight School & so on. Home to the Canadian wing of Norad etc etc etc..... The "Leaf" a nod to Country, military (air) insignia.
Afraid I'm not one who subscribes to sports franchise histories being "exportable" ehhedler. The Atlanta Flames, Jets 01, Oakland/California Seals, Kansas City Scouts & so on & so forth while legally did become the Calgary Flames, Coyotes, Barons (North Stars & Stars), the Scouts the Rockies & Devils those records & memories live on in the hearts & minds of the citizenry, the fans & players, Coaches & Officials etc. Intangible. No one cared about the Diques history in Denver nor what the Nordiques did and why should or would they? Try as they might, Leagues have it wrong.