Thrasherville will not soon forget what Atlanta Spirit did here
On October 5, 2007, opening night of the Thrashers 2007-8 season, Atlanta Spirit co-owner Rutherford Seydel stood by as the 2006-07 Southeast Division Championship banner was raised to the rafters of Philips Arena. He took control of the microphone as it was hoisted up and made a promise, a vow, to the 18,707 fans that had packed into the arena…and everyone else in the greater Thrasherville community. He assured us that night that he and the other co-owners would do everything in their power to bring a Stanley Cup championship to Atlanta.
I remember this event very well. My wife and I were sitting in section 319 along with our two sons. Just six months prior we were in 316 for the first playoff game in team history, feeling the upper deck shake when Eric Belanger scored the first ever post season goal for the Thrashers.
Rutherford Seydel stands by as the 2006-07 Southest Championship banner is raised to the rafters of Philips Arena. That night he promised the AS, LLC would do everything in their power to bring a winning team to Atlanta. It was a promise that went unfulfilled (AJC/Pouya Dianat)
Unfortunately, Seydel’s promise was not only to go unfulfilled but as we now painfully realize, icing a competitive NHL team was in fact never the intent of the Atlanta Spirit, LLC, (Lies, Lawsuits and Contempt). His pledge that night was nothing more than hollow words uttered by one-eighth of an ownership group that never planned to put forth any effort whatsoever to back them up.
Just a few days after that opening night, I posted my first “Ice Man” blog on this site. By then we had had already seen the team drop the first two games and were on their way to six straight defeats to start the season. But before game number seven was played they fired head coach Bob Hartley…the only coach ever to take them to the playoffs and the only one ever to lead them to beyond 83 points in a single season.
I wrote a blog that day saying “good-bye and thank you” to coach Hartley…a man I had gotten to know and respect while my oldest son attended a couple of his hockey camps. In that opine, I indicated that the only true measure to gauge whether or not the move was the correct one or not would me determined by how the team fared afterwards and by who he was replaced with.
Of course, the person that finished the season behind the bench was general manager Don Waddell, whom so many felt should have been the man departing Thrasherville instead of Hartley. The team finished that campaign with a record of 34-40-8 for 76 points. They followed that up with another 76 effort during John Anderson’s first year as head coach then 83 in his second and least season. Last year they posted 80 points with coach Craig Ramsay at the helm.
I’ll leave it to you to determine whether or not the move to replace Hartley was a success or not. I think you all know where I stand on that issue.
AS, LLC: The Roots That Caused The Tree To Rot
While I understood that there were serious issues facing this Thrashers organization the day Waddell announced Hartley’s departure, what I didn’t quite yet have a firm grip on back then…something every Thrashers fan should have now…was just how deep the roots of the true problem with this organization ran. It was easy to point a finger at the only GM the franchise had ever had…really easy… but the fact of the matter was that the tips of the root system that was rotting the Thrashers tree forked in eight other directions…one to each of the partners that made up the Atlanta Spirit, LLC.
Bob Hartley will be remembered as the only head coach to lead the Thrashers to a playoff berth. Thanks to the AS, LLC's lack of commitment to success, the team never came close to that level of play after he was released (AJC file photo)
From the day they took over the Thrashers, Hawks and Philips Arena, the AS, LCC members admitted they were not hockey people. But over the course of time we began to understand that they not only had no clue what they were doing as owners of an NHL franchise, they actually had a certain disdain for the them as well as their the fans. As such, they were treated as unwanted stepchildren.
The Spirit Boys took over at a time in the Thrashers history when the team was moving up in the hockey world. In the years leading up to that banner-raising night in the fall of ‘07, they had gone from 74 to 78 to 90 then to 97 points and a playoff spot. This team had no issues putting butts in seats on a regular basis back then…even to the point where there was talk on this blog about a “sellout jinx” as they had a habit of playing below par in front of a full Philips Arena.
It was a “jinx” the Spirit Clowns made certain we would not have to worry too much about in seasons to come.
A packed Philips Arena was not much of a worry here the past four years because Levenson, Seydel and the rest of the Great Octocluster choked off funds needed to keep top-tier talent, the main cause of the organization’s Player Retention Deficit Disorder. First it was Marion Hossa departing Atlanta at the trade deadline of 2008 along with Pascal Dupuis…who also scored for the Thrashers in their first playoff game…for such superstars as Erik Christensen, Colby Armstrong, Angelo Esposito and a draft pick. The revolving talent door continued to spin leading up to the departure of Ilya Kovalchuk two winters ago.
Ilya Kovalchuk departed Thrasherville in February of 2010. He was not alone in understanding the owners of the team he played for made playing here futile. It is they who should hang their heads in shame (AJC/Curtis Compton)
Hossa, Kovalchuk and others departed Thrasherville for pretty much the same reason…the owners lacked a commitment to do what was necessary to build a successful franchise here and so they decided to take their talents elsewhere.
All the while, the Octocluster remained distracted with their years-long legal battles amongst themselves.
As if this wasn’t enough to turn Atlanta area hockey fans sour to their product, co-owner Bruce Levenson…the person the rest of the Spiriteers deemed the most qualified to represent the hockey portion of their little investment…employed such PR skills as calling a season ticket holder a “smart ass” during a town hall meeting. Later in that gathering when he was asked by another paying customer about rising ticket prices at the same time the on-ice talent level was being lowered, Levenson said we would have to just “deal with it”.
Insulting the people who they expect to shell out major coin to enjoy their product…yup, Brucie boy, that’s an excellent way to endear yourself and your team to the local sports community.
The Atlanta Spirit ‘Disposes’ Of Its Unwanted Stepchild
But today, the most dysfunctional and pathetic ownership cluster flop ever to stain the fabric of professional sports delivered their final insult…final slap to the face…to those who supported and followed the Thrashers. After running the team straight into the ground…after running the team at bargain basement levels at or just over the league minimum…after lying to the fan base for six years about their desire to “dispose” of the team…after displaying a contemptuous demeanor towards you and I…the seven remaining co-owners collected their millions and spirited the Thrashers off to Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Whether Don Waddell was coaching from the bench or performing GM duties, the team he was responsible for placing on the ice was often times simply too painful to watch...for the fans and the players (AJC/Curtis Compton)
They will say that they had no choice…that there was not enough fan support to attract buyers intending to keep the team here. They’ll once again point the same finger of blame that was wagged in our faces last winter when Michael Gearon, Jr announced their desperate attempts to unload the team. They’ll say and do all of this, that is, if and when they acquire the intestinal fortitude to publicly answer such questions.
But to the notion that the fans here are to blame for what the Atlanta Spirit did to hockey in Atlanta I have but two words:
Bravo Sierra.
The responsibility rest squarely on the shoulders of the giant steaming pile of EPIC FAIL known as the AS, LLC…and I will toss in their willing accomplice Don Waddell, who for seven years merely serviced this team at bare bone levels and met payroll.
Unfortunately, none of this does anything to heal the pain that is felt by Atlanta hockey fans…and sports fans in general. You know what happened here, although so many across the continent may not. Anger, frustration…these words do not do justice for what we feel towards the individuals who inflicted this upon us.
One day I’d like someone to ask them all if they felt any shame for the damage they inflicted here…damage that could not have been any worse if they deliberately intended to do so. But feeling shame is a quality reserved for souls that actually give a damn about anyone outside of their own personal spheres. So looking for such with this group would be a bit much to ask.
And Finally…A Vow To You, Atlanta Spirit Boys
And so on behalf of the good people of Thrasherville, I would like to address the following to those directly responsible for this disaster…Mr. Seydel, Mr. Levenson, Michael Gearon Sr., Michael Gearon Jr., Ed Peskowitz, Todd Foreman, Beau Turner and even Steve Belkin.
The beginning of the end of the Thrashers. The Atlanta Spirit, LLC take over as owners in 2004 (AJC Staff Photo)
In the spirit of that now-infamous “vow” from Rutherford Seydel to fans on October 5, 2007, I now make a solemn pledge to each and every one of you.
We will not forget you and we will not forget your names. But most importantly we will not forget what you collectively did to destroy NHL hockey in Atlanta, nor shall we forgive you for your actions.
It is a promise…a pledge…that I am quite certain will be kept far better than the one you made to us that night when the one-and-only Thrashers championship banner made it’s way up from the ice of Philips Arena.
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516 comments Add your comment
Up Yours ASG
June 1st, 2011
12:15 am
If Bruce Levenson were on fire, would you walk away or look for a tank of gasoline?
PMC
June 1st, 2011
12:16 am
Thanks for this article Ice Man, very well done. In the end, they ran the team like the Indians owner from Major League.
Up Yours ASG
June 1st, 2011
12:26 am
If Bruce Levenson’s father had just used a condom, the world would have one less scumbag.
Jamie
June 1st, 2011
12:27 am
On the bright side, bring on the Knights!
Brendan
June 1st, 2011
12:53 am
R.Stroz, just think … what if Waddell had been fired? That probably would have fixed everything. Okay, not the inept ownership, but I’m pretty certain that some other GM could have won a playoff game with nine (9) Top 10 overall picks with which to build the franchise into a contender.
Thrashy Thrashy
June 1st, 2011
1:22 am
ASG never spent the damn money, though. Inept and clueless as he is, even Waddell would have done better (a couple more playoff appearances, at least) if he’d had some money to spend.
The buck stops with ASG. They have no clue. None whatsoever.
litz
June 1st, 2011
1:27 am
All I can say is … presuming the NBA locks out … 82 empty dates in Philips.
I hope they enjoy bankruptcy. Gonna be fun when they can’t pay the bills. The $110mil for the Thrashers might buy them out of most of the $125mil loan against the Hawks, but that’s not gonna help them if there’s no NBA next year and they can’t service the rest of the debt.
Absolutely they’ll get what they deserve. You don’t pull shenanigans like this without it eventually coming ’round full circle and biting you in the rear.
Ask Mr Madoff about that.
Good Riddance
June 1st, 2011
1:31 am
For the first five years I had season tickets and went to almost every game. However, after several seasons of woeful hockey exacerbated by the inability to develop the talent that they had and the fact that life went on without hockey, I quit after the strike season when the management had the audacity to raise prices. My decision was confirmed when Waddell traded Heatley the day after the season ticket renewal. I have not been to a game since and have not looked back. My original conviction has been proven by the arrogant and incompetent good old boy ownership that was lying to its customers and partner from day one. They have gotten exactly what they deserved which is a team that has never won a single playoff game and has instead left a legacy of failure and incompetence.
Jan
June 1st, 2011
1:34 am
This article is a bit harsh…My boss Rutherford and the rest of the Atlanta Spirits are good guys and did what they had to do. People can blame the owners but they need to look at the fans. The Thrashers had some very loyal fans but not enough to keep the Thrashers in the ATL. These guys are very level headed business men and are where they are in life because of the wise decissions they have made in life. I understand the fans being upset but calling our office and cussing, fussing and making threats to me or anyone else at our office) does not and will not help anything. The Atlanta Spirits having to sell the Thrashers is due to the economy, sort of how some people has had to sell their house, car or let stuff go back. I know these guys would have loved to been able to keep the Thrashers but there just wasn’t enough funds there to do so. People can say what they want but I , We (DPSSers) know that Rutherford Seydel is a GREAT person and I will stick up for him anyday against anyone!!
C Kimbell
June 1st, 2011
1:49 am
I cannot believe that the ASG took the great game of Hockey OUT of Atlanta!! The one sport in Atlanta that was a joy to watch…never too hot..never too cold…and ALWAYS exciting !! Atlanta let the Atlanta Knights get out of town to “make way” for an NHL team, and now they’ve sold them right out from under us ! Talk about feeling “cheated” !! And maybe if Atlanta sports didnt charge so freakin much for admission, sell $ 2.00 hot dogs for $ 6.00 and .75 cent cokes for 3.50, MORE people MIGHT come out and enjoy some of the events !! Wish the Thrasher players the BEST of luck, but hope the owners have a MISERABLE year. The fans sure will this fall !!
Maali
June 1st, 2011
2:01 am
i don’t know what’s worse… that we knew asllc only kept the team as a tax write off, or that they finally just threw in the towel and have sent the team packing. my greatest hope is that their emotional corruption extends to their business practices as well, and fate & the justice system show them no mercy. or they go personally and professionally bankrupt. either way, karma works it all out in the end. but it was truly a joy to have made the acquaintance of you and so many others through this team. thanks, bill.
Sportsfan
June 1st, 2011
2:12 am
Wow how angry are you, I think the businessmen involved did their best to promote a winning team, after all it would only seem beneficial to them, as businessmen, to have a successful team.
I suggest to everyone to do your homework before you start pointing fingers, and maybe, try on their shoes for a while, you might see it in a different light!
Thrashy Thrashy
June 1st, 2011
2:22 am
I suggest that Sportsfan’s lobotomy was a daggone sight short of successful.
Sportsfan
June 1st, 2011
2:42 am
Thrashy Thrashy, I bet you voted for Obama too didn’t you? How’s that working out for you?
Dave
June 1st, 2011
2:47 am
Canknucklehead: You are a class act. Thank you for your post.
litz
June 1st, 2011
3:21 am
Thrashy … I believe the phrase is “a can or two short of a sixpack” …
Section-310
June 1st, 2011
3:49 am
Brendan – You are spot on. We Thrasher’s fans were sold down the river for $60 million and the promise of 2500 more seats in Winnipeg’s area. The NHL is moving a team to a town 20% the size of metro Atlanta where the arena hold about 13,000. A sell out will be less then our average attendance this past year. But True North has promised to spend $20 million to add 2500 seats.
Watch out Manitoba citizens – you are going to be on the hook for a new arena. With the ever increasing player salaries and jet fuel, the new Jets (ex Thrashers) will be loosing money very soon.
Then what will Bettman do – move Winnipeg to Moose Jaw.
Watch out Nashville, Carolina, Columbus, Islanders, Florida, Dallas – Bettman is here to help!!! Which of these teams moves to Quebec City next?
Bettman is an idiot and the NHL board are a bunch of greedy bastards.
They sold their souls for less than $2 million a team and 2500 butts.
NHL fan most of my life & Thrashers Season Ticket Holder – NOT ANY MORE!!!!
murray herron
June 1st, 2011
4:30 am
I have just read all the comments from all the contributors…the question I have to all of you is this… outside of the original six teams pre 1967 the vast majority of the new teams that have come into the NHL have had ownership problems… Vancouver had Medicore in 1970…Tom Scallon and Lyman Water were both Americans and Scallon went to jail for 3 years on stock fraud. Winnipeg and Quebec lost its franchises because of economic issues Calgary reclaimed the Flames from Atlanta… but fans forget that the Calgary team in the WHA folded because again it was owned by an American… Montreal has been sold by an American back to the Molson Family so it should be safe…Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal now all have all Canadian ownerships.
The problem all the Canadian teams had was we were paying players in US dollars. Those days are over… with the new player agreements US southern markets do not make sense
The failed US NHL teams include:
Atlanta twice (Flames, Thrashers)
California (Seals)
Cleveland (Barons)
Colorado (Rockies)
Kansas City (Scouts)
Minnesota (North Stars)
Hartford (Whalers)
Current US teams in trouble
Phoenix
Florida
Tampa Bay
Carolina
The American economy is cactus…The NHL should look at further relocation moves to Quebec and move importantly to Europe. Three cities Moscow, St Petersburg’s both the KHL and Stockholm of the Swedish Elite league. The three cities have NHL quality facilities and are hocky areas that have not been tapped yet. Broadcast revenue and sponsorship would flow very easy to the European clubs.
As for Atlanta as a sports town your city held one of the worst Olympics in the history of the games…The OAC got down on their hands and knees and thanked Christ for the 2000 Sydney Games.. Atlanta was bagged by the OAC, the sponsors, your own NBC as well as all of the Olympic broadcasting community as a disaster. Kevin Gospher the vice president of the OAC from Australia commented that Atlanta was a total screw up..
Should Hockey go back to Atlanta the answer is simple no. You basketball fans I would be the next to worry Atlanta Spirit. How long will that franchise last?
ranallo10 (in AT)
June 1st, 2011
5:13 am
@Libby and Pinhead — I’ll miss your company in the 200s…it would’ve been nice to have one last BOULTON TIME with you two before this terrible news came. Be sure to drop me an email if you’re in Vienna.
@Rawhide — Thanks for your work as Blogmeister. You far surpassed the contributions of your AJC predecessors, and brought a great culture and an amazing dedication to hosting a place for Thrashers fans to discuss their favorite team. I truly appreciate all of the time you’ve spent appeasing idiots like myself. Thank you.
@Everyone else — It was fun while it lasted, but a shame that it’s over.
Fan for Life
June 1st, 2011
6:24 am
Jan, PLEASE, selling the Thrashers is due to having lousy owners and a lousy team. Maybe Rutherford will give you part of his check as a bonus for defending him. He and his group are a bunch of litigious liars and we, the fans, are the ones who lose out. Put the calls through directly to him. You don’t deserve to listen to them.
Fan for Life
June 1st, 2011
6:35 am
Please ask Rutherford and his buddies what the did to grow the fan base? NOTHING!
Thinking of Bruce
June 1st, 2011
7:11 am
If you would like to express your interest in purchasing a product from Bruce Levenson’s company UCG, give them a call.
UCG Headquarters
Two Washingtonian Center
9737 Washingtonian Blvd., Ste. 100
Gaithersburg, MD 20878-7364
Phone: 301.287.2700
Lets hope he can “deal with” all the interest in his other products.
what now
June 1st, 2011
7:29 am
well at least the thrashers are moving to a “real” hockey city. yep… the same “real” hockey city that lost their team in 1996 after drawing 2k per game LESS than Atlanta did in their last season.
IRON LEAGUE 13
June 1st, 2011
7:30 am
Been a while, but I’ve gotta say so long and thanks to the following here at AJC for speaking up…Schultz, Bradley and especially RAWHIDE. The last entries from yo all are spot on and Mr. Tiller again thank you for all of your efforts it was worth it.
That said and it PAINS me to say this, but I’m done with my beloved sport until it gets it’s act together. That starts with the NHL for it’s careless and wanton expansion…uncalculated and blind. Nuff said. You’ve all heard my tirades on the subject, simply put basketball fans shouldn’t have been able to buy this package and put all their efforts into BASKETBALL, that’s Bettman and Co.’s faults for allowing that with this group and even with Time Warner. Destined to fail from the start really.
I took my young son to a couple games this year to see if he liked the game as much as his old man, he did. Sad with the current state of the professional game around here coupled with the healthcare like costs (ever increasing) of playing recreationally at competitive levels. My game has been co-opted, hijacked and sullied on MANY levels and MANY fronts since my playing days. How can I pass it on to my son? It’s heartbreaking enough for me to wash my hands clean of it until it becomes more accessible again, but I won’t hold my breathe. I’ll make up for lost time concentrating on soccer at least I know I have little shot of a local MLS team breaking my heart and I can easily have the boy participate in it at a grassroots level.
Hockey has become another bad b**ch that broke my heart. Hasta la bye bye.
Honest Ingine
June 1st, 2011
7:35 am
GWINNETT GLADIATORS……
what now
June 1st, 2011
7:35 am
jan… after reading your post, I can see why you would defend Rutherford. you should be ecstatic that you have any job. please tell us that your job does not include having to conduct written correspondence.
Olara
June 1st, 2011
7:38 am
The best way to show support for the Thrasher’s is to boycott other events at the arena! From the way they run the teams to the way the building has become outdated and in disrepair, this group does not deserve another penny from the fans of this city!
Olara
June 1st, 2011
7:42 am
Columbus Cottonmouths has my support!
To Jan
June 1st, 2011
7:42 am
Maybe you missed the memo, and court filing, where the Atlanta Spirit admitted they wanted to sell the team six years ago.
Maybe you missed the memo, or are too ignorant to monitor payroll numbers, where the Atlanta Spirit have raised the Hawks payroll from around 30 million to 70 million over the past six years, whereas, the Thrashers payroll has remained constant.
Maybe you missed the memo, where the Atlanta Spirit claim they are losing money on the Hawks as well.
Maybe you missed the memo, or perhaps Rutherford failed to inform you, he was sought to “unload” the Thrashers for several years, even before the Spirit had clear title.
Maybe you missed the memo, where the Atlanta Spirit have continually stated that there was no way the Thrashers could move due to the naming rights agreement with Philips and the agreement to operate the team in Atlanta with the NHL.
Maybe you missed the memo about Rutherford’s real concerns, putting his arm around a Hawks cheerleader Rutherford after Game 6 of the Hawks/Bulls series or being tossed down on the stage at a Widespread Panic concert.
Now go look for your Red Stapler.
To Jan
June 1st, 2011
7:44 am
Here’s a song for you and Rutherford. The artist appears very level headed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pj1-Fd3oibc&feature=player_embedded
To Jan
June 1st, 2011
7:45 am
Rutherford is “where he is in life” because he married Laura Turner.
To Jan
June 1st, 2011
7:51 am
These guys are very level headed business men and are where they are in life because of the wise decissions they have made in life.
We are very level headed consumers and realize the Atlanta Spirit has been lying for years. As a result, we have made the level headed choice to boycott the arena in the future. It’s just a business decision, nothing personal.
IRON LEAGUE 13
June 1st, 2011
7:59 am
Yeah, to Jan…you’re a tool. Just another gullible, yes-person walking the lines of your boss. Looky here, I don’t know if you think for yourself, but has it EVER occurred to you that bosses are like politicians and that MOST of them will present themselves in a certain light before their peons…errr…I9 mean employees? It’s basically psy-ops and I’ve seen it MANY MANY times in my career. Talk with bossperson one and one and you may see them loosen up and expose themselves, but then do a 180 when they’re heads in the game that they’re really trying to play. Congrats, you’ve been played.
IRON LEAGUE 13
June 1st, 2011
8:00 am
typos…sorry now off to work
Don Rickles
June 1st, 2011
8:17 am
Did Jan’s sugar daddy cry her a river last night to get some action?
Imagine That
June 1st, 2011
8:18 am
If the ticket prices were not so high, More people would have supported them. Between the ticket price, Parking, Consessions, it was a nightmare…You could not bring your family out to the games. I have a family to support…
TrueBlu
June 1st, 2011
8:21 am
ASG might as well shut down the Hawks and implode Phillips Arena. Neither will ever again receive money from my pocket and I’m sure that I am not alone. We will not forget you ASG and you will see a direct impact from a city wide strike on your remaining assets in this city and from the products your companies produce. Payback is coming.
BTF
June 1st, 2011
8:34 am
Thanks, Ice Man (Bill Tiller), for writing this blog. It embodies the frustration of many Thrashers fans who have really paid attention to the good and bad of the Thrashers. I have tried to remain positive about each of the coaches that came after Hartley, but when you write such a retrospective like you did, I have always thought like you did in the back of my mind, but were afraid to admit.
I always wondered why Don Waddell was still GM after 8 losing seasons and 1 playoff appearance with 4 straight playoff losses. Why was Hartley fired when it was Waddell who should have been fired or players that should have been benched, demoted, or traded because of such poor performances. Why is it that the ASG didn’t COMMIT to icing the best possible teams, build better relationships with former Atlanta Flames players, executives, owners so that they could learn how to run a franchise or work on retaining this franchise in Atlanta? Why did ASG not spend advertising dollars on other media outlets other than the ones that carried Thrashers games such as 680 The Fan, SportsSouth, FoxSportsSouth, etc.? Why? Because they wanted to sell this team from the get go, and didn’t give a rat’s behind about this team. But if they didn’t care about this team why did they buy it in the first place? Or if they knew nothing about hockey, why did they not hire someone who did? If the team was failing why did Turner not buy it back? Instead a read that Turner made comments that pretty much said that he wasn’t going to do anything to help it survive either. As far as I am concerned, I won’t attend any Hawks games or events at Phillips, and I would even extend a boycott to anything that Ted Turner owns too because he could save this team if he wants, but won’t because he is not “committed” to this team or the community of hockey fans that have grown. One cannot say that a hockey community has not grown in Atlanta; look at the number of rinks that have sprouted up for youth hockey- 7 or 8 including the one in Cumming that opened last year. Look at the high school teams that now have ice hockey teams and actually play GHSA sanctioned games. That was not in Atlanta before; now it is. Maybe, if an ownership group presents itself that really gives a sh-t about hockey, and really supports it and either knows about hockey or seeks to hire people that do know about hockey, then maybe, the NHL would truly make history, and let Atlanta really have a 3rd go at an NHL franchise. It is unlikely, but it sure does sound nice.
R. Stroz
June 1st, 2011
8:45 am
NEW MOTTO:
Boycott Philips, finish what the ASG started.
KLS1
June 1st, 2011
8:53 am
Adios Amgigos, its been fun. Thanks for the entertainment over the years, more often than not this blog has been more interesting than the games themselves. Which pretty much says it all.
Sadly, I will be watching this team because I have followed the players for so long. I hope they can finally win but then again kinda hope they fail for 10 years so peg fans get a taste of our struggle.
Hey Zach, post a minus 27 again and these canadian nuts will drag you through the streets behind a snow mobile. Why didn’t we think of that?
Bill Clement
June 1st, 2011
8:55 am
Was hockey ever promoted well in Atlanta? Did the flagship station 680 the Fan promote the Thrashers? Did the local sports show more than a fight and one goal? What was done to build up interest beyond relying on die hard fans?
Bill Clement
June 1st, 2011
9:05 am
I wonder if Mayor Reed would be more passionate if the Hawks were rumored to be leaving? Seems the politicians and business community saw the Thrashers as a novelity and really didn’t promote them.
Bill Clement
June 1st, 2011
9:06 am
I must have missed it, but what night was ‘hockey talk’ on the flagship of the Thrashers 680? Funny how all season the hawks got 80% more air play on the sports talk shows. NBA playoffs ad nauseam while the Stanley cup playoffs rarely get mentioned. Remove Kincade and how muck hockey knowledge was there?
Can’t build fan interest ignoring a team.
EA
June 1st, 2011
9:15 am
Jan-your boss summed up his stupidity in his last interview with Jeff Hullinger. After blaming the fans for not supporting the Thrashers even though they did nothing to market the team, build the fan base or put a competitive team on the ice, he said GO THRASHERS. He said this knowing that the team would be sold in a few hours. What a loser.
Transplanted Girl in True North
June 1st, 2011
9:17 am
Hi,
I came to AJC website to see if there were any reaction to the news of the relocation of Thrashers. I’m pleasantly surprised that there are many people who do care and are feeling sad about the move. And for any consolation, I’d like to let you know the team will be treated so much better in Winnipeg. (http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/story/2011/05/31/sp-nhl-winnipeg.html). And of course if any of you come up here to cheer the team you’ll be welcomed warmly and enthusiastically.
I moved to Canada a few years ago and by now I know how important/special Hockey is to Canadians. In fact it’s almost a religion here. Although I still haven’t learned the beautiful game of Hockey, the announcement has made me believe in NHL a little bit (after what hadn’t happened with Pheonix’s franchise negotiation last year, esp. Commissioner Bettman acting like a tyrant).
Thanks for taking care of the team for the last 11 (?) years and pls come up North to join the Manitobans!
LAC
June 1st, 2011
9:27 am
Well Bill, I must say… WELL DONE, to you for your years doing your blog. You Always provided thought provoking questions to us fans and the Lively discussion was fun and sometimes tense and now sad.
You will be remembered as a GIANT in the Atlanta hockey scene, and for that THANK-YOU !!!
I made a business decision, since the business climate in Atlanta is very poor, to move my operation headquarters to Kansas City, a more central location and I have 100% given up on Atlanta as a business location and for sure as a sports town, Just a Loser in all regards…. This move was the last straw. good Luck in the future to you and your Family !
Bill Clement
June 1st, 2011
9:28 am
The Flames were treated well in calgary. The fact they used the “A” logo as their alternate captain patch speaks volumes of class. I hope Winnipeg can do the same for the Thrashers. Please remember Atlanta when you break out throwback jerseys!
Lambert Gone Fishin'
June 1st, 2011
9:36 am
I will echo what others have said.
Great blog Rawhide..I’m sure its not going to happen…but I’d love it if the blog could stay and you could cover the Glads….the team I will now be following, the merchandise I will now be buying, etc.
And as others have said…I make this oath…one I will keep. NOT ONE DIME of mine will be spent on attending a Hawks game or buying any Hawks merchandise while the ASG is in control. Nor will I attend anything at Philips. A full boycott. Once they are out…I’m back in…its not personal…but I’m ready to burn down the whole s**thouse to make this point if need be.
And lastly, enjoy the team Winnipeg. You’ll hear no bad words from me. I know exactly how the excitement feels upon hearing that NHL hockey is coming back to your city, so believe me, I understand.
Zombie Steve
June 1st, 2011
10:59 am
Bill- I’ve been reading and enjoying your blog for over 2 years. You have been more than just a hockey blog writer, you have been our voice (the fans). Thank you for being informative, humorous, and unapologetic in your coverage of the Thrashers.
Rawhide
June 1st, 2011
11:01 am
OK everyone…the guys at the AJC had closed off comments on the blog because a few of you decided to use this as your own personal playground and post up phone numbers and contact information of members of the AS, LLC. I went out on a limb to have it re-opened so that those who choose to use this online forum to discuss the Thrashers, playoff hockey and the sport of hockey can still do so.
However, understand that the comments are being closely monitored and anyone posting any personal contact information will have it removed and will be banned from future comments.
These are the rules. If you want to continue having this blog…regardless for how long or short a period of time…then please respect them.