Former player joins ownership group to submit official request to bring back old NHL franchise

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Liam McCormick
March 12, 2024 (11:55)

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In an incredible report today from NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, significant progress is being made to bring back the Atlanta Thrashers. Now, former player and current broadcaster Anson Carter is joining an ownership group to be the face of the effort to bring back the Thrashers. Carter played 674 NHL games with nine different teams across his career after being drafted by the Nordiques, but is now calling Atlanta home.

Carter is joining Alpharetta Sports and Entertainment Group, a consortium that has formally submitted a request to the NHL today to begin the expansion process. According to their press release, Carter had been in conversation with Bettman about a return to Atlanta since 2019, and now finalizing their plans to construct a world-class arena complex, Atlanta has checked all the boxes for an NHL team. With the support of the city and state governments as well, it seems full speed ahead for a return to Atlanta.

Atlanta will be competing with Utah in the immediate future to be the next NHL destination. Utah currently has the benefit of already having an NHL ready rink, and could be created as soon as this offseason with the uncertainty around the Arizona Coyotes. The Coyotes are still playing in a University arena with no plans for a permanent home, leading to reports that they could be relocated as early as this offseason.

As for returns to old NHL destinations, many Canadian hockey fans will be disappointed with the lack of attention to the Quebec Nordiques. Unfortunately for now, too many massive American markets are emerging with interest in an NHL team for Gary Bettman to consider the much smaller Quebec City anytime soon. Still, it will be amazing to see the return of the Thrashers - hopefully, they can find some sustained success this time around.