Thrashers fans schedule event
Here are the details, as provided to me the Thrashers fan club, for an event to be held Saturday to support the Thrashers remaining in Atlanta. It will be held in the Gulch by Philips Arena.
Wear your team clothing and bring your signs for pictures. Bring your cameras and phones. During the final hour we will get everyone assembled for a group photo. Photos go to Gary Bettman, the AJC, on facebook, etc, for all to see that we love our team!
It is very important to show visible (and vocal) support for the Thrashers, so really try be there, at least for the last hour! We are thinking about trying to get people like Dan Kamal, Jay Bird, maybe Jeff Schultz to speak during the last hour. Don’t know if we can get anyone on such short notice.
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177 comments Add your comment
Ethan
May 18th, 2011
4:32 pm
I cancelled my season tickets about 4 years specifically because of those NastyNest clowns.
I refuse to keep paying good money to try to take my family to see NHL Hockey only to be surrounded by those classless animals and their poor sportsmanship, complete disregard for other fans and their pathetic chanting with crude language.
I love hockey and will always love the Thrashers with all my heart, but I was not going to keep throwing my money away on tickets to help keep them here as long as my family’s fun at a sporting event will be disrupted by that particular disruptive group who maliciously try to ruin the games and the atmosphere for everyone else.
RB1
May 18th, 2011
4:35 pm
Don’t worry, we’ll treat them well here in Winnipeg….
Thrashers fan
May 18th, 2011
4:37 pm
Where is the “Gulch”?
Stu
May 18th, 2011
4:40 pm
It isn’t Bettman you need to convince about support. You need local ownership that there’s a reason to keep the team there. In the 90’s during the ‘Save the Jets’ campaign a rally drew more than 35,000 people and over $13M was raised from citizens and local business but the NHL wouldn’t make any effort to delay moving the team. Without a legit buyer there doesn’t seem to be any interest from the NHL to step in. Unless you’re Phoenix. Then they will purchase the team, run it for years, and lose money on it each season even though no legitimate buyers come forward. Other than people who want Glendale to buy the team and hand it to them.
Mark R
May 18th, 2011
4:44 pm
Didn’t the Winnipeg Jets average 11,000 fans per game their last season before moving? Did Winnipeg ever win a playoff game? How many times did Winnipeg make they playoffs? Didn’t they have Bobby Hull? Just asking.
glovesave29
May 18th, 2011
4:47 pm
Ugh..my experience says that Ms. Lewis will more likely DISCOURAGE more people from attending than able to attract them.
Marietta St Thrasher
May 18th, 2011
4:53 pm
Stu, there are legit buyers but they (nobody) would want to buy a team without some part of the Arena revenues. The Octocluster that owns the Hawks, Phillips Arena and the Thrashers removed the Thrashers from any rights to the arena not that long ago. If these perspective groups (there are two groups interested) could negotiate with SOMEONE they might be able to strike a deal but the ASG and the exiting SD Padres owner are in an exclusive negotiating period (for Hawks and Phillips) so you cannot even talk them about working out a revenue deal. NHL needs to delay this till that deal is made or falls through to give a perspective owner to keep the team in Atlanta a fair shot.
Puck Like A Porn Star
May 18th, 2011
4:53 pm
What’s everyone’s problem with Lisa Lewis?? Not sure I’ve met her, so fill me in.
Hittahomer
May 18th, 2011
4:53 pm
chris – I couldn’t have said it any better. As a former season ticket holder (”I’m the loudest guy in 315!”), each time they traded star players I received notes from them that continually emphasized their dedication to winning. But the only ones ever held accountable for their losses was a coach.
I was a diehard fan who bought into Waddell’s “5 year plan.” I was there for Dean Sylvester’s hat trick, when Odgers used to patrol the ice, I bemoaned our top D pairing of Tremblay and Kaberle, but loved when Dany and Ilya hit the ice. I was there for Hordichuck’s first knockout, and McEachern’s hat trick to introduce himself to the team. I was cautiously optimistic when the Atlanta Spirit Group came around out of nowhere, after David McDavid was pushed aside. I remember the introductions for 6 separate captains, in a span of 7 seasons. I was still there even after those 5 years had long passed. I was there after the lockout, when owners told the fans that the economic system wasn’t feasible, then promptly raised ticket prices. I was there when Waddell sold the farm for Dupuis, Tkachuck and Zhitnik, only to be swept from the first round of playoffs. I was there for the all-star game, and then when they traded Hossa. I officially gave up after the ‘09 season ended. I knew they weren’t going to be able to bring back Ilya, and couldn’t stand to see yet another favorite leaving town.
I was strongly committed to this team for over 8 seasons. I just needed the Atlanta Spirit Group to do the same.
ThrashFan85
May 18th, 2011
5:08 pm
Puck Like A Porn Star there is nothing wrong with Lisa Lewis. She is just a die hard Thrashers fan who helped start up the fan club. People have given her a hard time and smack talked her because she may now agree with someone else’s point of view. I have met her several times and she has always been polite to me and my family.
Sage of Bluesland
May 18th, 2011
5:08 pm
“…It sounds like all this poor idea will accomplish is making the collective followers of the Thrasher look and sound like trailer park refuse….”
Amen. A collection of sheep being led to slaughter is all that is. Embarrassing, really.
I suggest the bumbles from the “Save the Thrashers” nonsense-website would better spend their time writing a book documenting all that went wrong from inception to present.
The sooner some of you accept reality, the better. It reminds me of so many pitiful attempts by the sheepset to defend Don Waddell for so many years….Look where that got you. Some of you don’t bother to show your face anymore, but I understand it. I don’t blame some of you.
(I just wish we had a Sara-spweadsheet-special during these dark days to help us see the light!)
Dan was my favorite Thrasher
May 18th, 2011
5:13 pm
A rally, that’s what we need! That and 170 million dollars will keep the Thrashers in Atlanta.
MANAWAR
May 18th, 2011
5:14 pm
Mark R THATS BECAUSE OUR $ WAS WORTH ABOUT 65 CENTS US & WE HAD A BAD RECESSION THAT LASTED WELL INTO THE 90s BUT WE STILL MANAGED TO RAISE 13M IN SAVE THE JETS RALLY.
Puck Like A Porn Star
May 18th, 2011
5:15 pm
ThrashFan85: Thanks for the insight; weird state of affairs.
Sage of Bluesland: Have you heard the Bouchard radio interview with TSN? Penny for your thoughts?
jojo
May 18th, 2011
5:16 pm
If the Thrashers move north I hope the owners of the Spirit go with them. They never made the move to put a winning team in the city. They have given the City Of Atlanta a bad image. Grab the money and run.
glovesave29
May 18th, 2011
5:24 pm
TF85 – respect your opinion, but gotta disagree. People do not trash because we disagree with her point of view, an opposing viewpoint is welcome, and necessary for a good conversation. The source of the dislike / distrust falls far deeper….
Atlanta Flames Fan
May 18th, 2011
5:30 pm
I hate to burst anyone’s bubble, but a “rally”, “tailgate”, “picnic”, or anything else you want to call it won’t matter squat. We need a legit buyer. And we need him now.
Doug
May 18th, 2011
5:35 pm
The only time I go to Thrashers games is when the Rangers come to town. I like having a hockey team here but seriously … this is not a hockey town and this rally is too late. If people cared, they would have gone to the games.
Gwinnett Fred
May 18th, 2011
5:36 pm
Them departing totally SUCKS – and I guarantee of the $2000 a year I spend going to games not one dime will be spent on anything having to do with Philips Arena or the Hawks.
Thrashered/Relocationist
May 18th, 2011
6:05 pm
Single? Looking? Wanna marry a loser? Attend this rally.
to clarify
May 18th, 2011
6:08 pm
Thrashered/Relocationist – scared that it can have effect and thrashers might stay in atlanta? then spam – have fun.
Keep Hockey in Atlanta
May 18th, 2011
6:17 pm
Funny thing is if the Thrashers move and play in the MTS Center, at max capacity they would still be in the lower tier of the league attendance wise since the place only holds 15,000.
Horsetoothedjackass
May 18th, 2011
6:18 pm
@Ethan It’s a hockey game, not a church picnic. If you want to go to a game and it not be rowdy, go to a Braves game/ If you don’t like the fans chanting and yelling, then I don’t suggest you ever attend a pro soccer match, as similar behavior is exhibited there.
Robert
May 18th, 2011
6:18 pm
The “Fat Lady’s” hummin’!!!…Good-By Atlanta!!!!!!
GoodbyeThrash
May 18th, 2011
6:19 pm
glovesave29, do elaborate on the fan club President. I have heard negative things about the fan club and in particular the way Lisa Lewis conducts herself whcich has kept me from joining. And I agree. A rally of obnoxious drunk fans will only make us all look bad.
Big Wally
May 18th, 2011
6:23 pm
General Sherman treated Atlanta better than ASG has.
David F
May 18th, 2011
6:27 pm
I am also from Winnipeg, and feel for you folks who are true Thrasher fans. We went throught the same thing 15 years ago and had a rally of 40,000 people, If the Thrashers do end up here, we will have the welcome mat ready, but make no mistake, the vast majority of us do not take pleasure of this being possibly at your expense.
Steve-o
May 18th, 2011
6:29 pm
Dan was my favorite Thrasher: A rally, that’s what we need! That and 170 million dollars will keep the Thrashers in Atlanta.
———————————
That a boy, Dan– be apathetic and cynical. It’s the Atlanta way!
farleybear
May 18th, 2011
6:31 pm
Won’t help anyway….this deal is gonna get done either way. They are Winnipeg bound. Sorry if that doesn’t sit well with some of you, but it is what it is.
PMC
May 18th, 2011
6:42 pm
If you go, someone bring a ceremonial rail for Waddell. This town needs an exorcism from that demon.
jerry
May 18th, 2011
6:55 pm
What the hell they gonna put on Sports South now? Women’s volleyball?
Sage of Bluesland
May 18th, 2011
6:56 pm
Puck-Like-Star, I DID finally listen to that interview with Bouchard. It’s almost hard to believe some of the things he was saying, such as Donny actually saying “goaltending was a myth”. Even I have a hard time attributing something so asinine to even bumbling and fraudulent Donny….BUT, I trust his word more than I ever would Don.
However, let’s look back on the inception of the Thrashers and there is credence as the Flames-of-yore were never entered into any equation that I can recall during that first year or two.
What an easy, simple goodwill-opportunity utterly wasted. Yet another example of inexplicable decision-making by ownership and management. There are so many it’s really not funny.
Another quote I found nearly unbelievable was the one about being hired for “one day per month”. Again, I have no reason to doubt Bouchard was telling the truth–but it’s just so surreal, isn’t it?
Unfortunately, it’s all part of how this foundation was built upon quicksand from the very beginning; how this organization was unloved from the start–and placed in incompetent hands to make decisions.
I think that clown Ciovacca (or whatever; the one on a one-sheep crusade) would be better served to spend his time doing the necessary research to write a book on everything that went wrong; their causes; their effects; etc. I actually think that would be better served to the fans of the soon-to-be-gone Atlanta Thrashers. It could actually be a guide on precisely what not to do when starting a sports enterprise.
Such a shame. The people of Atlanta were defrauded, pure and simple. The league office has culpability, even approving the sale to such a diverse and haphazard collection of individuals where any negative-ripple of relationship would have disastrous results to the whole (i.e. the individual parts were too small and the dropping of any of them would have caused the house-of-cards to collapse…which it did as if on cue).
I have never seen anything quite like it. Unloved by Turner/Time Warner. Unloved by ASG. An incompetent buffoon kept in charge the entire time. You can’t dream this up.
WTF?
May 18th, 2011
6:58 pm
good luck, herman cain will be at centennial park which is where all the media will be. It’s an omen, time to let another country/city deal with the revolving door of talent policy the thrashers have had in place for years. You knew it was all over when the thrashers decided to make buff their long term player. I bet he’s pissed and feeling duped. Your new home team with be Nashville and guess what? They can win and make the playoffs. Fancy that…
Mat"T"
May 18th, 2011
7:39 pm
We are there!
Mat"T"
May 18th, 2011
8:05 pm
Even if this Saturday ends up being completely futile in saving our team, it is what each of us decide to make it. For some, another chance for my fellow fickle fans of Atlanta to complain about the ownership yet again and why boycotting The Thrashers was such a great idea to begin with. Or, it could be a celebration of NHL Hockey in Atlanta for the last time in our lifetime. That alone is worth it. Still, hope is what I choose to remain:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8lT1o0sDwI
Harvey Dent
May 18th, 2011
8:25 pm
RE: Horsetoothedjackass @ 6:18 PM
Allow me to present to “Exhibit B,” with Atlanta Spirit Group being “Exhibit A,” as to why people stopped buying season tickets to the Thrashers.
Nice Work in Helping ASG Kill Fan Interest in NHL Hockey in Atlanta, Horsetoohedjackass!
MrBill
May 18th, 2011
8:26 pm
See the article
Winnipeg Free Press > Sports > Hockey > Manitoba won’t subsidize NHL but will help try to score Winnipeg team: Premier
HockeyThe Canadian Press – ONLINE EDITION
Manitoba won’t subsidize NHL but will help try to score Winnipeg team: Premier
Thrashers@Atlanta.com
May 18th, 2011
8:31 pm
In general speaking, people do not know what is missing until it is gone. In reality, what missing is winning the Stanley Cup in Atlanta and what gone are the thrashers.
Jeff97
May 18th, 2011
8:53 pm
Unless there is miracle out there, looks like this will be the second time my team has left town. I was living in Hartford when the Whalers relocated to Carolina. that was a real shame. i grew up a Whaler fan that was tough to see them leave. this will just really suck if the Thrashers leave.
blazerdawg
May 18th, 2011
8:53 pm
Someone get Glavine to invest with the Hawks prospective new owner. Owning both must have some benefits, especially if the Thrashers are operated moderately well. Make part owner Glav president, keep them both and negotate a better TV deal with both props.
You're Kidding Right???
May 18th, 2011
9:38 pm
Gulch………….Jay Bird…………cmon be serious as this is no time to joke.
You're Kidding Right???
May 18th, 2011
9:40 pm
Horsetoothedjackass……………..BABABOOEY to y’all!!!!!
El-Gordo
May 18th, 2011
10:10 pm
We Jets fans learned quite a while ago to trust nothing that either the NHL or G.B. says. The NHL put up a tremendous fight (and still is) in Phoenix in order to maintain the possibility of getting a decent US national TV contract. I would expect the same would hold for Atlanta. I think (I could be mistaken) that Phoenix just passed the cumulative total of 500,000,000.00 $US in losses after 15 years in the desert and he NHL is in there fighting, so there might be hope yet for the Thrashers. The NHL doesn’t want to move to either Winnipeg, Hamilton, or Quebec City if it doesn’t have to.
jim
May 18th, 2011
10:36 pm
5,000 fans would make a statement…if it’s a few hundred fans people will say “they never deserved an NHL team.” In a few short years when they are contenders all those people who didn’t buy tickets because of an issue they had with the owners will wish they has stuck it out.How many years did Yankee fans complain about Steinbrenner or Maple Leaf fans about Harold Ballard? Through it all they still bought tickets and that is what it comes down to…a real shame if Atlanta loses this team.Still mind boggling to me in a city of Atlanta’s size there aren’t investors willing to pool together $110 million…really not that much in the scheme of major pro sports.With proper branding this team could be one of the league’s finest organizations…sadly it may not be in Atlanta.
Original Sharon
May 18th, 2011
10:46 pm
Great, now there are two Sharons, but I do support a fan gathering.
Thrashers27
May 18th, 2011
11:12 pm
Unfortunately, I’m not in town, but if I were, I would try to get this chant going. Please, someone get it going…
TAKE-OFF, YOU HO-SERS! TAKE-OFF, YOU HOS-ERS! TAKE-OFF, YOU HO-SERS! TAKE-OFF, YOU HOS-ERS! TAKE-OFF, YOU HO-SERS! TAKE-OFF, YOU HOS-ERS! TAKE-OFF, YOU HO-SERS! TAKE-OFF, YOU HOS-ERS! TAKE-OFF, YOU HO-SERS! TAKE-OFF, YOU HOS-ERS! TAKE-OFF, YOU HO-SERS! TAKE-OFF, YOU HOS-ERS! TAKE-OFF, YOU HO-SERS! TAKE-OFF, YOU HOS-ERS!
Here Come The Jets
May 18th, 2011
11:30 pm
Coming this October – fan pops open a cold labatt’s blue, rips open a package of lays potato chips, picks up the remote and changes channel to Tsn then begins watching the Jets take on the defending Stanley Cup champs the Vancouver Canucks – now we can get back to our regularly scheduled program.
Kaat
May 18th, 2011
11:43 pm
I think the criticism of CViv is really getting out of hand. Like all journalists he is working with the sources he has. And, he is one of the few people writing about the Thrashers. Just because you don’t like the message doesn’t mean you should shoot the messenger.
That being said, I hope the turn out is good for the rally. Someone on Facebook has, what I consider to be a good idea. Appeal to fans of other Southern teams to show up too. The way I see it, we are all in this together. Solidarity in the South!
G52PIM228
May 19th, 2011
12:04 am
History teaches us rallies do not make a difference..
G52PIM228
May 19th, 2011
12:44 am
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said he is “not aware” of any looming deal that would see the Atlanta Thrashers move to Winnipeg.