No day like today

It looks like today is the day that the NHL will announce that hockey is being move out of Atlanta and relocated to Winnipeg. I believe most of us thought that we would be seeing the original Jets team (the Phoenix Coyotes) come back to it's home instead of the Thrashers being taken. The city of Atlanta has gone through the loss of an NHL team once before when the Atlanta Flames were moved to Calgary in 1980 less than a decade after it's founding in 1972. It took 19 years for Atlanta to get their franchise back and just a mere 12 years later, it's being taken away again.

Condolences to the true Atlanta Thrashers fans who supported their team when no one else did.


Today is also apparently the day that Manitobans and Peggers alike have been looking forward to since 1996 when their franchise was taken from them. Granted, no one saw this playing out as it has but it seems that the people of Winnipeg will be watching NHL hockey front and center sooner rather than later. I have heard from Manitobans since the team left that they wanted their team back. Now this team that is being moved there, It's not their team but it's a team. Here's hoping the city of Winnipeg embraces this new hockey club, whatever team name that they choose to call themselves, and the fans that ultimately will come with them when they move. Cherish this team and come out to support them in full force to prove to the rest of the NHL that a mistake was not made in this move.

Congratulations Winnipeg you have gotten what you wished for.


As a Detroit Red Wings fan, I cannot imagine the pain or longing that both of these cities and their hockey fans have gone through and are continuing to go through. Seeing that the city of Atlanta has gone through this process twice, I would hope that the fans in Winnipeg are sensitive and understanding towards the Thrasher fans. I also hope that the Thrasher fans do not act hostile towards the fans of Winnipeg. Both cities have dealt with the loss of a team in the past and should relate on some level on how the other is feeling. This next season is going to be a season of adjustment and change. Here's hoping it will all work out for the best.