On June 21, 2011, the NHL Board of Governors approved the sale of the Atlanta Thrashers to True North Sports and Entertainment, a company committed to moving the team across the border to bring professional hockey back to Winnipeg. The small city in Manitoba has not had an NHL since the old Winnipeg Jets departed to Phoenix after the 1996 season. The Thrashers were introduced to the league in 1997—this is the second team the city has lost after the Atlanta Flames were moved to Calgary in 1980.
The team cost True North Sports and Entertainment an estimated $170 million; the NHL collected $60 million of the purchase as a relocation fee.
The Jets will wear a redesigned jersey with a logo that reflects the old team’s style while incorporating a modern and aggressive look. The name, logo, colors and insignia honor the members of the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Fans in Winnipeg were ecstatic to welcome their team to the Great White North; season tickets sold out in a mere 17 minutes upon their release to the public and a waitlist of 8,000 fans was shut down after two hours.
The Jets will enjoy playing in front of a packed house every night in the MTS Centre, which holds 15,015 fans.
Although the team will be moving to central Canada, the Jets will remain in the Southeast Division of the NHL for the remainder of this season. Next year the league is expected to realign the teams in a new format—most likely a four conference league with 7-8 teams in each conference based on location.
With a much improved fan base, the once stagnant Thrasher team will look to build success in a new city with a passion for hockey. This season the Jets will attempt to make the playoffs for only the second time in franchise history.
