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 Winnipeg is getting its NHL franchise back, 15 years after the emotional departure of the Jets. After losing the Winnipeg Jets to Phoenix in 1996, the Manitoba capital welcomed the announcement Tuesday morning that the Atlanta Thrashers are coming to town. True North Sports and Entertainment completed a deal to purchase the Thrashers on Tuesday, at roughly 5:30 a.m. Though they may not be called the Winnipeg Jets Ð that name was sold with the rights to the franchise Ð Jets jerseys, t-shirts and ball caps were spotted everywhere in Winnipeg as the announcement was made. A press conference was called at roughly 11:15 a.m. to make the announcement of the return of the NHL to the city. Though Atlanta is losing their NHL team, Manitobans couldn't be happier. Flin Flonner Donovan Smith, an avid hockey and Jets fan, is among those jumping for joy. "This is huge for Winnipeg and the province. It gives us a better chance to watch games instead of [traveling] to Edmonton," said Smith. "Plus, all the Jets fans who lost their team get what's coming to them after 15 long years!" In the weeks leading up to the announcement, it looked as though either the Thrashers or the Phoenix Coyotes would be Winnipeg-bound. 'Potential burst' "I'm happy that Atlanta is the team that's moving," said Smith. "I mean, Phoenix is a well-managed cap team who are playoff contenders, but Atlanta is almost ready for the potential burst. "The team is loaded with young talent like Zach Bogosian, Evander Kane, Bryan Little, Alexander Burmistrov and Ondrej Pavelec. "Throw in veterans Andrew Ladd and Dustin Byfuglien and this team is not too far away from a playoff berth. "What a better way to celebrate that than to have a white out!" The sale of the Thrashers is still pending final approval from the NHL Board of Governors. A meeting will take place in New York on June 21. A 75 per cent approval rate is needed for the purchase of the franchise, while the relocation needs a majority vote. As well, the Winnipeg team will need to sell 13,000 season tickets before the meeting to make this work. "I have no reservation in this city's ability," said True North chairman Mark Chipman at a press conference broadcast by CBC. The deal is worth $170 million, which includes a $60 million relocation fee. With a population of 762,600, Winnipeg becomes the smallest market among the 30 NHL cities. With a capacity of just over 15,000 seats, MTS Centre will be home to the still-to-be-named club.3/6/11
