NHL returns to Winnipeg

In the early morning hours, True North Sports and Entertainment and the Atlanta Spirit Group finally signed off on a deal that will see the Thrashers move to Winnipeg, returning NHL hockey to the Manitoba capital for the first time in 15 years.
The announcement was met with euphoria by hockey fans in Winnipeg. Thousands gathered in the downtown area to celebrate today’s announcement – the majority of them decked out in Winnipeg Jets garb.
The inked had barely dried on the transaction when True North launched into their sales pitch for season’s tickets. An aggressive season ticket campaign is underway as you read this, cleverly titled “Drive to 13.” The goal is to sell 13,000 season tickets before the puck drops next fall. Manitoba Moose season ticket holders will have first access to tickets and the rest of the population will be able to secure season’s seats beginning on Saturday.

Winnipeg New Hockey Team

WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) — The Atlanta Thrashers are moving to Winnipeg.

True North Sports and Entertainment announced Tuesday at Winnipeg's MTS Centre that it has purchased the struggling team and will shift it to Canada next season.

The deal is reportedly worth $170 million, including a $60 million relocation fee that would be split by the rest of the league.

Winnipeg has been without NHL hockey since the Jets moved to Phoenix in 1996. The Thrashers entered the league three years later as an expansion franchise, but ownership problems, a losing team and dwindling attendance doomed the club.

The team ranked 28th out of 30 teams this year with an average attendance of less than 14,000.

The deal still must be approved by the board of governors, which meets June 21, but that shouldn't be a stumbling block.