Thrashers Moving to Winnipeg
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman at the Winnipeg press conference / NHL.com
The NHL will return to Winnipeg this fall at Atlanta's expense, as the announcement was officially made this morning that True North Sports & Entertainment has acquired the Atlanta Thrashers.
No Name Yet During the press conference regarding the sale and relocation of the team, it was asked whether a name had been decided. The new owners said it has not yet, though I'm sure a decision can't be more than a week or two away. Logos and jerseys need to be designed and produced by September.
2011 NHL Entry Draft It was also discussed that Winnipeg now has the 7th overall pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft which takes place on June 24. It's too soon to know whether they'll have a jersey ready to give to their pick — or even a name for sure.
Board of Governors still need to approve Worth pointing out also is that the deal is still subject to Board of Governors approval at their next meeting on June 21. I can't imagine that will be a problem. There's a lot of information out there today in the Canadian media so I just wanted to get this on the blog so we could talk about names.
Winnipeg in Southeast Division While it wasn't mentioned during the press conference, reports have said there will be no divisional realignment prior to the season. That's because the schedule has probably already been completed. This means Winnipeg will be in the Southeast Division for the 2011-12 season. Expect realignment next summer.
Stanley Cup & Relocation This is the first time in 14 years that an NHL franchise will relocate — the last being the Hartford Whalers to North Carolina in 1997. Here's an odd stat: Of the four teams that moved south in the '90s, only the team that left Winnipeg has yet to win a Stanley Cup. The Stars, Avalanche, and Hurricanes each won a championship after moving, but never prior. (And for that matter, the Thrashers never won one either.)
I know most of you don't need me to say it but I'm sure there are a lot of younger readers here. This is the second time that Atlanta has lost an NHL team to Canada. The Atlanta Flames moved to Calgary in 1980.
Chris
Once of the features launched on the blog last summer was league Logo Maps. And just like with the Jersey Galleries, I plan to make some improvements and re-launch it this summer. Now there's been a significant change on the map, here's a sneak peek at the new series.
View NHL Map 2011— in a larger map
The map is completely interactive. You can zoom in or out and move around it as much as you like. You can even change to satellite view and zoom right down to each club's arena. Enjoy!
Reader Comments (50)
Chris, any plans to post the history of Jets jerseys?
Wow, i have great sympathy for the fans of ATL but congrats Winnipeg, I hope to see you in St. Louis
As a diehard Pens fan for 32 of my 38yrs on this earth, I would like to say congrats to Winnipeg! Hopefully the team will be known as the JETS!!
I think they should move Nashville to the Southeast, and then Minnesota to the Central
A real shame for the true die hard Thrashers fans, of which there were of course many. But a chance to see the NHL back in Winnipeg is a very exciting prospect; I can't see why the avenue to bring back the Jets name should cause any problems..."The Manitoba Jets" has a rather nice ring to it, and I can't see that the guys in Pheonix will be able to put up much of a fight over that.
What happens now to Thrashers jerseys and merch? Forever immortalized or soon to be forgotten?
The way I see it, they're still my guys on the ice... just in different sweaters and a different city/country. Looks like I was a Thrashers fan c. 1999-2011, and a Winnipeg _____ fan c 2011-????. Yea It sucks I won't be able to go to Thrashers games anymore, but it will be great to see my guys play in front of full houses.
Funny thing is I own a Jets (even Hartford/Nordiques/North Stars) t-shirts... I nearly bought a Selanne repro Jets jersey about 2-3months ago.
The point being is I LOVE hockey. In my mind, it's the greatest sport on this planet. The Thrashers introduced me to hockey in 1999 when I was 11yrs old. I am now 22yrs and love the sport... even if it is leaving my city... again. I am thrilled at the thought my guys will be playing in front of a full house each night. I want to see what that atmosphere will do their their game. I don't hate the Thrashers for leaving, I do hate the ASG for ruining my fun and taking the title of worst-owners group (in my mind)... Oh and screwing up the future of hockey in the state of Georgia (there are a lot of youth leagues and high school level/college club level teams that may dwindle after this transaction).
@Rob: Pheonix has nothing to do with the Winnipeg Jets, the NHL owns the rights to the name and said the True North can use the name if they want to. I think the debate that True North is facing is whether to satisfy the fans and name the team the Winnipeg Jets like everyone wants, or to create an all new brand which is what True North REALLY wants to do.
After all these years the nhl is finally returning to Winnipeg and they’re thinking of using Bullwinkle as the team logo? Are they for real? the idea of calling the team anything other than the jets is so bad i can’t believe they are even seriously considering it. why waste the built-in recognition and sentimental allegiance of an existing fan base? why make the effort to start from scratch to try and create a new generation of “moose/polar bear/or whatever” fans? why miss out on all the classic jets merchandising opportunities? why ignore the trend in the nhl where retro is “in” and all the other teams are doing there best to exploit any history they may have with pseudo “vintage” jerseys? It really doesn’t make any sense to me.
I can think of only one reason why they wouldn’t name the new team the jets – bettman never wants to hear that name again.
Silly to forget this when writing my previous comment, but the Jets name, logo, likeness etc. is owned by the league (as indeed are the Coyotes themselves). So, it is less likely there will be a problem in reviving the Jets name afterall.
Would be a nice gesture by the league to give the Jets back to Winnipeg, although I think it would be unlikely without a little cash incentive.
I was watching on Sportsnet this afternoon and after the press confrence they interviewed the Comish. They asked about the name and who holds it and Gary Bettman had said that the NHL holds the copyright to the Jets name. So if they want it, it's there to be had (at quite a cost I am sure!). It's up to whether or not the new ownership wants to go back to their roots or choose a new name.
It should be the Jets. I don't think fans in Winnipeg would go for anything else other than that.
I feel bad for just general Atlanta hockey fans. Ouch. I'd love to see the Winnipeg Jets again, but I can't not acknowledge poor Atlanta. At least the Atlanta Falcons are still pretty good? I want to make a joke about how they could wear those front-numbered Thrashers jerseys to the football stadium...but no...they should really have Falcons jerseys...
I'd really rather not see "Manitoba Jets", as I think a provincial-named team is silly, but whatever. I'm a Senators fan so I'm not very impacted. I suppose it's the same as Colorado, Florida, or Minnesota. Curse these "modern" teams taking on State/Province names instead of cities! (But not really)
I get that the Jets is a recognizable brand, but there's something I haven't seen anyone talking about — they sucked! In their second season, they only had 9 wins. Granted, they made the playoffs more times than they didn't throughout their 17 years, but only to the second round twice and never any deeper. It sounds like True North is considering an entirely new brand to build from the ground up in Winnipeg. Yes, please!
Let the past be the past and enjoy your sugar-coated memories of the Jets just like Minnesotans remember the North Stars. But I probably speak for the silent minority when I say I'd like to see this team create an entirely new identity. No Jets, no Moose, no Falcons. Nothing that's been done before. Start again. It's not like there will be a problem filling seats this fall.
Just out of curiosity, how long does it take to develop a logo and produce jerseys, even if they're just taking the old Jets moniker? I'd think it would take a really long time, and September seems like super short notice. Have they been working on the new unis since before the announcement? Or are they just going to have to rush development?
All the major Canadian sports networks are covering this live, and even local news stations around the country have made this a top story. We're all very excited to have the NHL back in Winnipeg! After 15 years, a dream has become a reality!
If I could make a recommendation, perhaps move the Leafs logo out from behind the Sabres logo or put the logo in Northern Ontario and connect it to Toronto with a line or arrow.
Looking great otherwise!!
Congrats to Winnipeg! happy to see their excitment!
I would say move Colmbus or nashville to the east and move Van to the pacific division
I am in that minority. The Jets are the Coyotes now and the Coyotes own that history, no matter who 'officially' owns the name, etc. (The Cleveland Browns do not a rule make). Hawerchuk, and Numminen have had their jerseys retired by Phoenix, and Phoenix has continued to honor retired Jets' numbers. This should be a new team - not the Jets, not the Moose. Maybe the Threshers ;)
BX wrote: "If I could make a recommendation, perhaps move the Leafs logo out from behind the Sabres logo or put the logo in Northern Ontario and connect it to Toronto with a line or arrow."
I agree the overlapping is a little annoying. Unfortunately with Google Maps, I don't have control over how the map markers are positioned beyond the actual location. As a rule, markers to the south are on top of markers to the north. Nothing I can do about that as much as I'd like to. But that's why we have the zoom and pan controls.
Move Winnepeg to the NW division. Colorado to the Pacific. Then Dallas to the SE. OR Dallas to central and nashville to SE. As a Stars fan, I hate the 9:00 game time starts.
Chris, I agree that the Jets name should be allowed to exist only in memory. I would guess that the bulk of the Wild fans - especially those with season tickets - would drop that name in favor of "North Stars." The Wild gave the Twin Cities a second chance with the NHL and the fans have embraced the team gratefully. You could pretty much say the same about Bay area fans with the Seals & Sharks. In the same vein, the relocated Thrashers are giving Winnipeg its second chance; start it off right by forging a new NHL identity the way Minnesota & Bay area fans have.
Although I think promoting the Moose name and logo to the NHL would not be too bad. It is one of the greatest looks in the game - at any level.
You forget Chris, the Jets did win two championships in the WHA. My team (Toronto) have been mired in mediocrity and the name doesn't even make grammatical sense, but I would never want a Toronto team not called the Maple Leafs.
Give the fans what they want.
All I can say is "YES!!!" As a die-hard hockey fan, I must say that Atlanta was never a really great place for an N.H.L. franchise; and that Manitoba's rich hockey history makes it extremely deserving of a team. That's why I disagree with you Chris: the Winnipeg/Manitoba _____ should retain one of the names of their hockey teams, whether it be the "Jets" or the "Moose". However, that being said: coming from Worcester, MA; I remember how awful it was when we lost the Ice Cats to Peoria, IL. And the fact that this has happened TWICE in twenty-one years (thankfully Worcester has only lost one team in my seventeen-year life span) must absolutely demoralize Southern hockey fans, and to them I give my sincere condolences. BUT the province of Manitoba lives and breathes hockey, and no offense to Atlanta: they deserve this team. GO JETS!
I'm excited to see Winnipeg get a team back, and, while I do hope the "Jets" name returns, I can understand going in a new direction. The best ORIGINAL name I've heard so far (a fan posted it on a TSN message board) was the "Winnipeg Whiteout", playing off of the snowy conditions in Winnipeg while paying tribute to the old Jets.
If they do go back to the "Jets" name, I'd love to see them semi-incorporate the Thrashers' awesome (and not-often-enough-used) alternate T-bird logo, modified of course, as perhaps the new jet plane in an updated logo. Or not. I just really liked that T-bird logo (it should've been made the primary from the start of the franchise).
"Granted, they made the playoffs more times than they didn't throughout their 17 years, but only to the second round twice and never any deeper."
...mostly because they were stuck in the powerhouse Smyth division with the likes of Edmonton and Calgary, not because they "sucked." They actually had some great teams in the 80's.
And the 9 wins in year 2? Possibly because the NHL basically raped the 4 teams coming into the league from the WHA...so I'd be willing to overlook that.
Looking at that map, I'm surprised Nashville was a contender to move to the Eastern Conference! It's a race between Detroit and Columbus geographically.
Columbus is one pixel closer to the east then Detroit, by that virtue, they should move.
Also Chris, the AHL team will need a new location, and probably a name to boot.
Random: I don't like that until you zoom in on that map, the Rangers logo is completely covered by the Devils and Isles logos. ;)
Winnipeg has too rich a hockey history to not use a name from the past; Jets, Falcons, etc. Not using the Jets moniker and its license to print money would be like tripping at the finish line. Leave the "Extreme Ice Bearzz" kind of name to somewhere with less heritage.
@Chris: Maybe the Jets' NHL history was mediocre, but the Jets' stretch back much further. Winning 3 of 7 league championships in the WHA is nothing to sneeze at. And the Bobby Hull contract did more for hockey than the 50 years of NHL previous.
What really strikes me about the map is how clustered the NE is, and what a huge chunk of empty space the west is.
Chris wrote: 'I get that the Jets is a recognizable brand, but there's something I haven't seen anyone talking about — they sucked! In their second season, they only had 9 wins. Granted, they made the playoffs more times than they didn't throughout their 17 years, but only to the second round twice and never any deeper.'
Chris, while this is true, you have to put it into context. When they joined the NHL, the Jets were reigning Avco Trophy champions, and then were stripped of all but two of their players due to the NHL's spite towards the WHA. When they were in the NHL, they played in the Smythe division throughout most of the 80s. As such, they were constantly having to play either the Oilers, the Flames or both in the playoffs. The Smythe Division was far and away the best division in the 80s, and from 1983-1990, one of the two Alberta teams either won the cup or lost in the finals. If the Jets would have been in any other division, they likely would have had much more in the way of playoff success.
markarm: To be fair, it mimics population centers in that way as well. More people live in the east that the west and can therefore support more hockey teams.
Regarding my Jets comments: I haven't forgotten about their glory days in the WHA, but that was a different league. All I'm saying is, leave the past where it is and begin a new era of hockey in Manitoba. Seems hockey fans are nothing if not nostalgic. Either that or it's "the devil you know beats the devil you don't," I suppose.
I've been all over whatever news has come out about the Thrashers the past few weeks (and the Coyotes before that) so I'm not really going to comment on that aspect of the post.
I just wanted to mention that whenever I see a map like this of the NHL teams is it reminds me how inappropriate it is that we have the NHL divided by Eastern and Western Conferences. I mean, I don't really have a problem with the way it's split up (although I feel for Detroit, Columbus and Nashville) I just think maybe sticking with Wales and Campbell would have been a better idea than having a Western Conference when very few teams are truly west enough for that to be appropriate. It's more like Eastern and The 15 Teams That Aren't As Far East conferences.
@Markm: Maple Leafs is grammatically correct because it is a pluralization of a proper noun.
Sorry Chris - it has to be the JETS. Sure they 'sucked' but no matter. On to bigger and better things.
I hear that no matter the nickname, we will be the "Manitoba ______________" which is fine with me.
Go Jets!
I'm with Chris on this one. Once you take off the rose-colored glasses of memory, you realize the Jets actually were a pretty awful team in their NHL days. They only won 2 playoff series in 17 years, which is probably one reason why their attendance was so bad. I'll be honest... I'm skeptical that a city the size of Knoxville, Tennessee can support an NHL team, even in Canada. But if the team wins, the fans will probably come. On the flip side, if this team is as bad as the Jets were, Winnipeg might become the 2nd NHL city to lose two different teams.
It's unfortunate that it wasn't Phoenix moving to Winnipeg instead. What a great "feel-good" story it would have been. However, Winnipeg is rightfully back in the NHL, regardless. As for the Jets, still, if it's what the overwhelming majority want, then, that should be the name of the team. As for team history, here is a sample. Like the Cleveland Browns, the Seattle SuperSonics name, brand, and history will remain in Seattle for a new/relocated NBA franchise. That team would share the same Sonics' history as the Oklahoma Thunder, the team that relocated from Seattle. There is no reason why the second chapter of the Jets cannot share the old Jets history with the Coyotes.
Chris, I have to agree with you that the new ownership will look to rename the team. Why keep the name Jets with so many people already owning the apparel? With a new name comes more revenue.
I don't think that the fact that the Jets sucked plays into the uniform. The Jets sweaters simply look awesome and probably more importantly they really mean something to Winnipeg
I'm not so sure they won't realign. One of the reports I read today had True North paying the NHL something like $25 million to cover expenses to keep the Coyotes in Phoenix. As True North was the leading buyer outside of Hulzinger, this suggests at the very least that the league had been working to get the Thrashers to Winnipeg. I'm guessing this is the only reason the league decided to take on another year of owning the Coyotes (because the $25 mil is enough to clear the bonds that have been holding Hulzinger up in court).
I'd be willing to wager there has been contingencies in place for the schedule since the NHL announced they'd be propping up the Coyotes. Otherwise, you look at that $25 million, the timetable of the whole mess, and you have to wonder why they wouldn't have a schedule in place with Winnipeg in the Northwest division.
As for the name, I think it will be similar to what happened with the Seattle Sounders in the MLS. The Sounders didn't have much of a history, and were pretty much a minor league team, but the fans were loud about it when it came time to name the team. I don't really care either way, but I'm sure a lot of fans in Manitoba would gladly shell out far more dollars for new Edgified Jets jerseys than Moose or Arrows or Falcons or what-have-you (why no discussion of resurrecting the old WHA Winnipeg Warriors - sans degrading Native American imagery, of course)?
The thing with the Jets name is that you're almost trying to pretend they never left and became the Coyotes. 20,30 years from now you'll have kids who are fans of the team but don't know about of understand the big gap in the team's history. This is a different franchise. If the Coyotes had come back, then yeah, call them the Jets.... but that team is still out in the desert and may yet move somewhere else even. Plus, the first time the team was named the Jets, they had to get permission from the NFL's New York Jets. They may need that permission again. As much sentiment is attached to the Winnipeg Jets name, I hate to say it but I think that the Thrashers should get a new name, instead of creating this whole "New Jets / Old Jets" scenario. The New Jets would most likely get a new look anyway, which would undoubtedly have some people going "pfft, that's not the Jets". And this is without bringing up the history of the Jets in the NHL (which I'm not sure is even relevant... I mean you don't see the Capitals or the Blues changing their name just because they've never won a Cup and have sucked more than they've been good). The New Jets would not be the Old Jets or have any connection to them except for geography. I don't know. I guess you could have said the same thing about the Senators, but with them there was such a HUGE gap in time, plus the old franchise was dead, not still out there but relocated, with Shane Doan still playing for them.
Only Columbus and Detroit are using the Eastern Standard Time in the West Conference. Since Detroit is a very strong hockey market already and Columbus has some difficulties with attendance (they ranked 27th in the league this season), they should move the Blue Jackets to the Southeast. Just like that, they'll play more games against teams that are closer to Columbus which would likely spark rivalries. They'll also save on travel costs.
To fill the gap in the Central division, they should move the Stars there and replace them by the Avalanche in the Pacific division. Winnipeg will of course be in the Northwest.
@Trotz you are confused. The City of Glendale is paying the NHL up to $25M to cover the Coyotes losses next season, as they did this past season. However many people are thinking the $60M relocation fee True North paid the NHL to move the Thrashers will help offset the NHL's expenses in owning the Coyotes.
I feel, that since Minnesota and the Bay Area were not given the luxury of retaining their old teams' names and logos, neither should Winnipeg be awarded that luxury. At least for the name.
Now, does that mean they can't honor the history of that team in some way? Of course not.
Since the old Winnipeg Jets won the most WHA championships while that league existed, perhaps this former Atlanta team should be name after the WHA's trophy.
Manitoba Avcos has a nice ring to it, nicer than even Jets or Moose or any other name.
Think about it, they could retain Jets colors, and since the Avco Cup was named after the defense contractor Avco Corporation, they could still use some kind of aircraft or aviation type theme.
I don't think its certain that Winnipeg will move this season. Isn't it stated that all 30 team owners must agree to a change in conference/division? I forget but someone somewhere said that he expects Winnipeg to play this coming season in the southeast to give the league and owners ample time to realign all divisions.
I think that's the best case scenario, because right now there's like 17 teams in the Eastern time zone, two of them play in the Western Conference. Not to mention Dallas is located in Central time zone, but plays in the pacific division. If you put Winnipeg in the NW then they're in the Central timezone and like Minnesota they'd have to travel two timezones west as would Vancouver two timezones east to the Central Timezone.
So while the majority of teams are for the most part geographically close, it's still all kinds of screwed up. Plus if you give Detroit or Columbus the ability to move to the Eastern Conference and/or timezone then you'll be hearing from other teams like Nashville, Dallas and others about why they have to travel and should be close.
It depends if the NHL wants to base it on travel costs and milage or if you want to keep rivals and make geographical. I think for it really to work out, you need to rework EVERYTHING.
I personally like the option of 2 Conferences, 4 Divisions (2 Divisions per conference) . Each Division has 8 teams. That might be too radical for some. However it would keep the majority of the rivalries. Detroit and Columbus stay in the Western Conference, but I still their travel would be less.
If that doesn't work, someone mentioned that the NHL adopt the MLB style with a East/Central/West format in both Conferences. To keep confusion down you could rename the conferences the Campbell (or American) and Prince of Whales (or National). Not this or anything will remedy the DET/CMB issue of the only two Eastern timezone teams playing in the West, unless you expand to 32 teams and make sure at least one team is in a Western City like Kansas City, Seattle, Las Vegas, Portland, etc.
Of course this all depends if Phoenix will stay put or if they end up moving. I think the next city to get a team is KC. They've got a arena built and it's NHL/NBA ready. So that would give the NHL 31 teams.
Where does the 32nd team go?
Anyway it's fun to think about and play with for while, then I start getting headaches. But I've got an idea... Yes, normally that's not a good thing, but lately it's not been so bad :D
Nashville and Winnipeg switching divisions would be easiest but Detroit wants into the East.
Ive put together a format of 2 conferences over 4 divisions.
Pacific (7)-- Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, San Jose, LA, Anaheim, Phoenix
Midwest (7) -- Dallas, Colorado, Nashville, St.Louis, Chicago, Minnesota, Winnipeg
Northeast (8)-- Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Buffalo, Detroit, Columbus, Pittsburgh
Atlantic (8)-- Boston, New Jersey, Rangers, Islanders, Philly, Washington, Tampa Bay, Florida
Im still shocked that then NHL is willing to pour so much money into Phoenix where hockey has NO CHANCE, while they let Atlanta go so easily where all they needed to be successful was a dedicated owner. I know that there were no offers to keep them in Atlanta, but why couldnt the NHL assume ownership for a few years to see if one would have appeared?
I agree with renaming the team. Winnipeg/Manitoba _________. BUT for the team to have a 3rd jersey in '11-'12 that is the Winnipeg Jets sweater modernized in the Reebok cut. There then True North forges a new identity with the team while paying homage to the past, satisfying the hardcore Jet fans. The Leafs did it with their St. Pat's jerseys a couple years ago, why not again here?
I've seen some awesome jersey concepts here guys. I have a few of my own that I'm tinkering with. But they're 2D and I'd like to attempt my hand at 3D jerseys for the Winnipeg franchise and I'll send them to Chris for him to post.
However the 3D template I'm working (jersey only) has a few flaws. Can someone point me to where they download the 3D jersey from. If you go to the Concepts section the Nordiques, Maroons and Dallas Stars are the type of jersey I want to work with but found something similar on another forum, but when I downloaded it it wasn't working properly and not just that, the sleeve stripes were white as was the background.
Thanks in advance for the help.
-mattman2900
I don't know anything about the inner-workings of trademarks and copyrights, but a security agreement was placed on the name "Winnipeg Jets" on June 2nd, if that could possibly be any reason to believe the original team name is still in play.