The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Kelly Carrington Staff Writer There wasn't much doubt that the Atlanta Thrashers would be calling Winnipeg home after 13,000 season tickets sold out in 17 minutes. The NHL board of governors on Tuesday unanimously approved the sale of the Thrashers to True North Sports and Entertainment. As of press time, True North had yet to announce the name for the new Winnipeg team. Winnipeg fans exploded with excitement, having been without an NHL team for 15 years following the 1996 relocation of the Jets to Phoenix. The board of governors' vote was the final hurdle for the Winnipeg-based True North to officially gain ownership of the Thrashers. 'Honoured' "We are very honoured by the NHL board of governors' unanimous decision today," True North chairperson Mark Chipman said, as quoted by CTV News. "We know that the fans of this province have an appetite for NHL hockey that is rivaled by few in the league and intend to work very hard to make Manitobans proud of our franchise for years to come." Those in Atlanta had a much different feeling. "It's a sad day for hockey fans in Atlanta, but the franchise is going to a good place and run by good people," Thrashers president Don Waddell was quoted as saying by CTV. "I wish them well, because a lot of good people are going to go with them." According to CTV, the sale is reportedly for US$170-million, including a $60-million relocation fee that will be divvied up among the other 29 team owners. "Obviously, everybody is sorry and distressed and unhappy that we found ourselves in the circumstance where our franchise was leaving Atlanta," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman was quoted as saying. "We're particularly sorry for the fans that are there, but obviously based on the reception that we've gotten, everybody is extremely excited about the opportunities in Winnipeg for our return." The Winnipeg NHL team is set to begin play at the MTS Centre for the 2011-12 season.6/24/2011
