NHL heading to Winnipeg!!! - Page 54

1ajs · #**1061** Posted **May 31, 2011, 1:34 PM**

Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION
True North to announce purchase of Thrashers at news conference
By: Gary Lawless and Tim Campbell
Posted: 05/31/2011 6:44 AM

True North Sports and Entertainment has called an 11 a.m. press conference to announce it has purchased the Atlanta Thrashers subject to NHL board of governors' approval.
The Free Press learned early this morning that a deal had not been finalized but that there was enough confidence among the parties involved, True North, the NHL and Atlanta Spirit Group, to call a press conference.
Lawyers worked all night and will continue to in order to complete the transaction prior to an announcement.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and True North partner David Thomson are en route to Winnipeg for the announcement.
The league and its owners will have two matters on which to vote, now likely on June 21 in New York. They will be asked to allow True North to relocate the franchise to Winnipeg's MTS Centre and to confirm True North as the franchise's new owners.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/bre...122858484.html

drew · #**1062** Posted **May 31, 2011, 1:49 PM**

It has begun!

Calgarian · #**1063** Posted **May 31, 2011, 1:50 PM**

Fuckin Eh! good job Winnipeg, Can't wait to see the Jets (or whatever they will be called) come to town.

Joshy · #**1064** Posted **May 31, 2011, 2:08 PM**

A few leaks over the last day are indicating the new team name will be Manitoba Polar Bears.

Take it for what it's worth.

Calgarian · #**1065** Posted **May 31, 2011, 2:16 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshy

A few leaks over the last day are indicating the new team name will be Manitoba Polar Bears.

Take it for what it's worth.

That's kind of weak.

Surrealplaces · #**1066** Posted **May 31, 2011, 2:38 PM**

Atlanta is becoming the factory for Canadian hockey clubs. We just need to put a couple more teams there so they can move to Hamilton and Quebec.

Congrats Winnipeg.

Bigtime · #**1067** Posted **May 31, 2011, 2:43 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshy

A few leaks over the last day are indicating the new team name will be Manitoba Polar Bears.

Take it for what it's worth.

What's the Inuit word for Polar bear? Perhaps that would be better (although probably hard to pronounce for most!).

Travis007 · #**1068** Posted **May 31, 2011, 3:11 PM**

Congrats Winnipeg! What a fantastic day for the city and for Canada!

It'll be a shame if they use another team name though. The "Jets" is pretty classic. Other names I've heard are:
-Winnipeg Rebels
-Winnipeg Arrows
-Winnipeg Wolves
-Winnipeg Bears

Surrealplaces · #**1069** Posted **May 31, 2011, 3:13 PM**

Is there any reason they can't use 'Jets' as the name? Is it a legal issue?

freeweed · #**1070** Posted **May 31, 2011, 3:16 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Surrealplaces

Is there any reason they can't use 'Jets' as the name? Is it a legal issue?

No. They can use it just fine (the NHL owns the name and would easily sell it).

Problem is, this isn't the Jets. That team is currently still playing in Phoenix. Plus, TNSE like many companies may want their own "stamp" on the team.

Minnesota didn't re-use "North Stars" and no one had a conniption.

Plenty of teams in pro sports return to cities and don't re-use the old name.

You Need A Thneed · #**1071** Posted **May 31, 2011, 3:17 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Surrealplaces

Is there any reason they can't use 'Jets' as the name? Is it a legal issue?

No, the NHL owns the trademark. They could use the Jets name if they wanted to.

I think the biggest reason is marketing. Everyone already has a Jets jersey. They want people to buy a new jersey.

Of course, they would sell lots of Jets jerseys if the new ones were significantly different than the old.

Calgarian · #**1072** Posted **May 31, 2011, 3:25 PM**

They would sell tons of merchandise no matter what the team is called....

artvandelay · #**1073** Posted **May 31, 2011, 3:39 PM**

From Calgarypuck

Wooster · #**1074** Posted **May 31, 2011, 3:42 PM**

Congratulations Winnipeg!! Welcome back to the bigs! what a fantastic day for the city.

Talk about a bonus not having to build a franchise from scratch. Team will already be pretty good this coming season.

feepa · #**1075** Posted **May 31, 2011, 3:52 PM**

Congratulations Winnipeg!!! I can safely say this now!!!!

You deserve it! Your city has truly shown it wants and will support an NHL team.

A true Winter and hockey paradise!

MrOilers · #**1076** Posted **May 31, 2011, 4:02 PM**

Will you people please think about the tens of people in Atlanta whose feelings are going to be crushed?

OhioGuy · #**1077** Posted **May 31, 2011, 4:04 PM**

Since the Thrashers played in the Eastern Conference and Winnipeg is anything but Eastern in its location, what is the likely realignment of teams?

Would Nashville take over Atlanta's position in the Southeast? And if so, the Central division has an opening. Would that opening be filled by Winnipeg? Or would they move Minnesota into the Central and place Winnipeg in the Northwest?

Or maybe something more radical, such as the Predators moving to the Southeast, the Stars moving to the Central, the Avalanche move to the Pacific, and Winnipeg ends up in the Northwest?

Yume-sama · #**1078** Posted **May 31, 2011, 4:17 PM**

Yay Winnipeg!

Traynor · #**1079** Posted **May 31, 2011, 4:25 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrOilers

Will you people please think about the tens of people in Atlanta whose feelings are going to be crushed?

LMAO!!!!

MolsonExport · #**1080** Posted **May 31, 2011, 4:28 PM**

Heard it live from the Buttman's mouth.

WoooHoooo!

Winningpeg, Notlanta!