Thrashers to the ‘Peg?
Posted May 20, 2011 06:40:08 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The NHL and True North Sports and Entertainment are disputing a report that a deal to bring the Atlanta Thrashers to Winnipeg is done.
Citing sources, The Globe and Mail reported Thursday evening that the announcement confirming the sale will be made Tuesday in Winnipeg.
True North spokesman Scott Brown says it’s not true.
The Globe report says the NHL board of governors has already approved the sale and transfer of the team, pending negotiation of a purchase agreement between the Thrashers’ owners, and True North.
NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly, in an email to The Canadian Press, said as far as they know, there is nothing done, and the board has not approved anything.
But that hasn’t stopped hockey fans in Winnipeg from celebrating.
Ron Ramirez remembers watching the Jets play as a kid and says he can’t wait to see them again as an adult.
Ramirez wrote part of his master’s thesis on the impact of the Jets’ departure on Winnipeg and says he’s thrilled to think they could return.
Darren Ford — the founder of www.jetsowner.com — says he has no doubt Winnipeg will get an NHL team again and the anticipation is palpable.
But he adds he will hold his applause until he sees something official.
Winnipeg lost its beloved Jets in 1996 when the team moved to Phoenix because of financial problems.
Since then, Winnipeg has built a new arena — the M-T-S centre — and has argued it can support an NHL franchise once again.
