God damn I’m in a good mood. Hockey is returning to its rightful place in Canada. Word on the street is the True North Co. has bought the Atlanta Thrashers for a mere $110 million and will pay the $60 million to relocate back to Winnipeg.
I know aside from myself, Chris, and the people of Winnipeg, no one really gives a shit, but you should. Since the Jets left Winnipeg for Phoenix, the providence of Manitoba has been starving for hockey. Granted they have the Manitoba Moose (which consistently lead the AHL in attendance), but minor league hockey is a joke. Moving the Thrashers to Winnipeg is the first step in the NHL attempting to correct the mess it is (if you doubt me, read Chris’s blog about the state of the NHL). The biggest mistake was letting the Jets to leave Winnipeg to begin with. Shit, since the move the Coyotes have been a joke, Wayne Gretzky proved he cannot coach his way out of a paper bag, and the team is currently owned by the NHL due to blatant financial mismanagement.
The Jets were a historic franchise that boasted some greats like Bobby Hull, Dale Hawerchuk, Teemu Selanne, Darren Turcotte, Alexi Zhamnov, Keith Tkachuk, and one of the league’s best defenseman, Moe Mantha. In fact the Selanne, Zhamnov, Tkachuk was one of the best lines of the 90’s (I actually owned a Zhamnov jersey at that time).
There’s only one issue I have with this move. According to Winnipeg’s mayor, the team will not be named The Jets. Word around the campfire is it’ll be a “Manitoba” team, and will be named the Moose, Thrashers, Falcons, or Polar Bears. In my not so humble opinion, this is absolute bullshit. If a team returns to Winnipeg, the only fitting name would be the Jets. To name it something like the Polar Bears would completely bastardize the franchise.
While this hasn’t been officially announced, it’s happening. True North has already announced that the Manitoba Moose are being relocated to St. John’s, leaving an open stadium for the NHL in Winnipeg.
Oh, people of Atlanta you’re all f*cking pathetic and I will never shed any tears for you. You lost the Flames in 1980 and losing the Thrashers in 2011. This past Sunday the City of Atlanta held a rally to save the Thrashers and a whopping 200 people showed up. Well done Atlanta, you don’t deserve a hockey team or any sports team for that matter.
I pledge to all of you that once the announcement is made I will go to Mitchell & Ness and have them make me a vintage Moe Mantha jersey. Well done Manitoba, you’re finally getting real hockey back in Winnipeg. Now if somehow the Coyotes would relocate to Quebec, all would be right in the world.
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