Atlanta Thrashers
The Atlanta Thrashers are a National Hockey League team based at Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.
- Founded: 1999-2000 (awarded June 25, 1997)
- Arena: Philips Arena (capacity 19,008)
- Uniform colors: light blue, navy blue, red, gold, white
- Logo design: a stylized bird's head
- Stanley Cup final appearances: none
Franchise history
The Atlanta Thrashers are one of the NHL's newest teams. Altanta was awarded a NHL franchise in 1997 to replace the Atlanta Flames which departed for Calgary in 1980 and became the Calgary Flames. The newly-formed Thrashers selected Patrik Stefan with their first number one draft pick in 1999. They played their first game on October 2, 1999, losing 4-1 to the New Jersey Devils.
In September 2003 the team was sold to a group of executives [1] by Time Warner, along with the Atlanta Hawks pro basketball team, with which the Thrashers share the arena. Also in September of 2003, star forward Dany Heatley crashed his Ferrari in a one-car accident that seriously injured Heatly and killed Thrashers center Dan Snyder, who was a passenger in the car. The Thrashers dedicated their 2003-2004 season to Snyder's memory.
The Thrashers have never made the playoffs in their short history. Their best season was 2003-2004, where out of 83 games, they won 33, lost 37, tied 8 and had overtime losses in 4 games.
The Thrashers play in the Southeast Division of NHL's Eastern Conference. They are currently coached by Bob Hartley.
The team name and logo come from the brown thrasher, the state bird of Georgia.
Players of Note
Current stars:
Not to be forgotten:
- 37 Dan Snyder
Retired Numbers:
- 99 Wayne Gretzky (retired league-wide by the NHL)
