What will you remember about the Thrashers?
As Tim Tucker reported, the name and logo of the Thrashers will not relocate to Winnipeg when the team does. They were not a part of the deal when the Atlanta Spirit sold the franchise to True North Sports and Entertainment.
Also not a part of the deal apparently was team president/former GM/former part-time head coach Don Waddell. He served as general manager for 10 of the 11 seasons in which the Thrashers played in Atlanta.
“They bought the assets of the company, excluding name and logo,” Waddell said. “That remains with our ownership group, Atlanta Spirit…I’m going to stay here through the close of business.”
“Then I’ll explore my options”, he added. “Whether that is staying here in Atlanta or looking to move in another direction, I will evaluate that when the time comes.”
So, if anyone knows of any openings for those experienced in assisting the running of a professional sports franchise right into the ground…
I will always remember the time I was able to share a game with Peter Bondra...oh wait, that's just Big Shooter of The Blueland Chronicle. (Photo/Krisabelle)
Anyway… once the team does close up shop and Mr. Waddell’s work here is finally complete, the “Thrashers” will officially become no more and fade off into the memories the citizens of Thrasherville. But while these memories are still fresh in our minds, allow me to ask you just what you’ll remember about the team and the time they spent here.
I chatted briefly with my family about this very subject as we made our way back from Florida earlier this week. I found it interesting that we all came up with differing responses.
For my younger son Chris, his first thoughts went back to opening night of the 2003-04 season when we all gathered to not only begin a new hockey campaign, but also say goodbye to Dan Snyder. He recalled the bagpipes playing as 18,000-plus fans mourned the loss of one who left us far too soon.
For Matt, my oldest, he was quick to point out coach Bob Hartley. Not just for what he did behind the Thrashers bench, leading them to their two best seasons and one-and-only playoff appearance, but he also remembers how Hartley pulled him from a crowd of people during the open house prior to the 2006-07 season.
“Hey, I know you”, the coach said. “How is your skating comin’ along there, Matty?”
Only Coach Bob could ever call him that.
Nasty Nest tailgate parties always attracted some interesting folks. Fans from visiting teams were even welcome down at the Gulch, as these Caniacs can attest (Photo/Kracker)
He then asked about his schoolwork and how his Bantam team was doing so far.
My wife Judi told me that she would never forget what Philips Arena was like the night of the first playoff game in April 2007, and how the upper deck shook when Eric Belanger scored that fist playoff goal in team history.
Sadly, there would only be five more scored during the four-game sweep to the Rangers… one each by Greg deVries, Pascal Dupuis, Ilya Kovalchuk, Shane Hnidy and Keith Tkachuk. Both Tkachuk and Dupuis added a pair of assists and will forever hold the all-time playoff scoring record with three overall points.
Kovy had a goal and one assist while Nic Havelid and Brad Larson each notched a pair of assists.
Maybe you’ll remember that the Thrashers played to a record of 342 wins, 437 losses, 78 overtime losses and 45 ties in 902 regular season games. Post-lockout, their record was 222-212-58, but during the last four seasons it slipped to 138-151-39.
Perhaps the team’s first ever game on October 2, 1999 will come to mind, a 4-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils. If you were there, certainly you recall the team’s first-ever goal scored by Kelly Buchberger at the 11:26 mark of the second period. The assists on the goal went to Martin Prozchaka and the enigmatic first-ever draft pick in team history, Patrick Stefan.
Many will certainly remember the very first ever victory in franchise history as Damian Rhodes blanked the Islanders in New York 2-0 on October 14,1999. Twelve days later came the first home win, 2-1 over the Flames, the first team to depart Atlanta. The next month saw the team’s first-ever hat trick, courtesy of Dean Sylvester against the Vancouver Canucks.
Hanging out at Taco Mac after games with fellow Thrashervillians like Krisabelle is something I will always remember fondly (Photo/Smoothie)
Surely many will remember when this Thrashers organization employed two of the most promising young stars in the league, Ilya Kovalchuk and Dany Heatley. Or maybe you’ll recall the 2002 draft when then-general manager Don Waddell elected to go with a young Finnish netminder with the second overall pick, Kari Lehtonen.
And then there was the Bob Hartley era between January 15, 2003 and October 17, 2007. He took over the team during its fourth year after Curt Fraser was fired following an 8-20-4-1 start. The Thrashers finished that season 19-14-5-1 with Hartley behind the bench. Their 78 overall points that year were the most ever at the time and it was topped by 12 points the next…just prior to the lockout.
In all, the Thrashers went 136-112-13-24 during his time as head coach before the 0-6-0 start in 2007 cost Hartley his job.
Of course, since that time…well, we’ve already gone over that.
Many I am sure will recall the last goal ever scored by an Atlanta Thrasher…a power play tally by Tim Stapleton during the 5-2 loss to Pittsburgh in the season finale roughly two months ago. Or maybe what will come to mind is the last hat trick, courtesy of fourth-liner Eric Boulton against the Devils last December.
The last win came in New York as the Thrashers blanked the Rangers 3-0 behind Ondrej Pavelec’s 29 saves. The last win at home was a 5-4 shootout win against the Ottawa Senators on March 27. The last ever regulation win in Philips Arena came way back on February 11 when they knocked off the Rangers 3-2. Evander Kane scored twice in the third period to secure that win.
OK, so sometimes it doesn't exactly suck to be the Ice Man...even though I knew they only hung around me on the off chance they might meet Big Shooter (Photo/Mile Malak)
The most goals scored by a Thrasher was Kovalchuk, (328), followed by Slava Kozlov, (145), Marian Hossa, (108), Dany Heatley, (80), Bryan Little, (68), Marc Savard, (63), Patrik Stefan, (59), Ray Ferraro, (56), Jim Slater, (47) and rounding out the top-10 is Todd White, (43).
No, that was not a typo.
I’m certain many of you will recall certain favorite players…whether it is the likes of Kovalchuk, Lehtonen, Savard, Jeff Odgers, Hossa, Evander Kane, Pasi Nurminen, Garnet Exelby…the list goes on and on. I’m sure I’ll read about these players as well as many, many others in the comments section below.
As for me…well, I’m sure all of the above and many other things will come to mind when I reminisce about those Atlanta Thrashers many years down the road. Like my family, I will recall the electric atmosphere that surrounded the run up to and into the playoffs back in ’07, shedding tears with you all when we said goodbye to young Dan Snyder and getting to know such classy people as coach Bob Hartley, radio voice of the Thrashers Dan Kamal and others that crossed our paths between 1999 and 2011…and I’ll always get a chuckle out of the things that crazy bird Thrash would do to entertain us all.
But the very first thing I know that I’ll think about when reminiscing about the Atlanta Thrashers era is…YOU, the good people of Thrasherville.
I will remember the fun we shared before, during and sometimes even after games down at Philips. I will also recall with fondness the gatherings at places like TJs Sports Bar & Grill where we would meet to watch select road games.
Mr. and Mrs. Benning receive their 7th fan Award with Nik Antropov (Atlanta Thrashers)
I’ll think about the good we did here last spring when a small suggestion made on this blog exploded into a great movement to get the Bennings, a.k.a ‘The Kiss-Cam Couple’, selected as last year’s 7th Fan Award recipients. As I have many times before, I simply have to express my deepest and most sincere appreciation to all those who flooded the team’s office with e-mails, phone calls and letters on their behalf.
And a special tip of the hat to the Joint Chiefs of Staff members of Operation POM-POM for your efforts in making that happen for such a deserving couple that we all came to love and revere.
I will forever cherish the opportunity I was given to meet so many of you…whether it was at the games, viewing parties or even just here on this online forum I have been so blessed to have hosted for the last four Thrashers seasons.
Players, coaches, trades, draft picks, stats, records, goals, wins and losses may fade into the mist of passing time, but I will always remember you Thrasherville.
Atlanta Thrashers 1999-2011 - Thrasherville Forever
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
242 comments Add your comment
james c.
June 3rd, 2011
10:14 am
To all Atlanta hockey fans: Please know that the vast majority of us here in Winnipeg feel for you.It is eerily similar to what happened here in 1996 when no one stepped up locally to purchase our beloved Jets.I am sickened by some of the stupid and insulting comments made by “trolls” on the Coyotes’ and Thrashers’ blogs and want you to know that true hockey fans are part of a larger community.
I would love to see your great city (I have been to Atlanta and loved it!) part of the NHL again as it is a huge market and with proper ownership should have prospered at least to the extent of Raleigh or Nashville.Unfortunately it will likely be many years before Atlanta ever has another shot but we will treat your former team well here in Winnipeg.It looks like the team will sell out the entire 15,000 season tickets in our arena based on sales so far.Good luck and hope the Thrashers brand is reborn in another league as I always loved the swooping bird logo.
Red Light
June 3rd, 2011
10:16 am
Nicely done Bill.
Rawhude, Joe Friday, World Be Free, Smoothie, R. Stroz, Hockey Biltong, Brendan, Alan R., FormerIslesFan, BlueNote, kracker, Spud Webb, Big Shooter, and many others (I am sure I left out) are vitally more important than the hockey itself, as are all of the others that I met or went to games with during the last 11 seasons. But, one of my best hockey memories follows.
Red Light
June 3rd, 2011
10:17 am
Oops, Rawhide!
Red Light
June 3rd, 2011
10:21 am
I have so many memories about the past 11 years, but I want to take you back to Nov. 22, 2006, when the Thrashers visited Washington the night before Thanksgiving. My sister and brother in law were living just outside the District and we were invited to spend the holidays with them. Six of us hopped the Metro and went to Verizon Center. We all had great tickets and I had my media credential. The Thrashers played well that night and as the game was in hand, I left my seat and went down to the locker room with about five minutes left in the game. As you may recall, there were a number of brawls late in that game.
It started when Sutton took a run at Mike Green with the Thrashers leading 4-2. Vishnevski got pummeled by Brashear. Sutton took on Ben Clymer, De Vries wrestled with Bradley, Larsen went with Sutherby, Erskine battled Hossa, Moose quarreled with Kolzig and finally Mellanby took on Heward if I recall. Watching the fights on a hallway monitor, the parade of players to the dressing room was quite entertaining.
Vishnevski was a bloody mess. Sutton simply shot me a wide grin. De Vries looked no worse for the wear and Larsen came down the tunnel and yelled to anyone listening, and we all were, “Now that was Old-Time hockey.”
In the game’s waning seconds, Hanlon, on the Capitals’ bench, gestured toward Hartley, flapping his arms like a chicken. Hartley responded by mouthing the words, “Next time.”
After the game concluded with the Thrashers winning the game 4-2, the coaches made their way through the tunnel to the hallway outside the Thrashers dressing room, when suddenly Glen Hanlon burst through the door, called Bob Hartley everything unprintable imaginable, and then said, “Ok, Bob, you and me right now!”
I was the only Atlanta media guy there, so when it was time to begin asking questions, one of the media relations reps for the Thrashers whispered in my ear and said, “Ask Bob what happened in the hallway after the game.” And so I did.
Hartley calmly explained that Hanlon had challenged him to fight in the hallway. I asked him if that had ever happened to him before, yada, yada, yada. Several other guys covering the game asked me what had happened, so that was a lot of fun.
You can imagine the looks on my kids’ and my nephew’s faces when I explained the entire ordeal on our ride home.
Brashear, Sutherby and Mellanby each were suspended for one game and Hartley and Hanlon were fined $10,000 each.
Now, that was a great night!
BluelandBeliever
June 3rd, 2011
10:32 am
Dan Kamal, getting that unrivaled access to our players at practices. Nasty Nest. Shaffee. THRASH (worlds best mascot), Eric Boulton quality fights, ‘Can i get a what what?’,
Zombie Steve
June 3rd, 2011
10:36 am
I’m gonna miss the Blue Crew =(
jen
June 3rd, 2011
10:39 am
I remember taking my daughter to her first game vs. Philly in 2002. He was about a year and a half. She wore my old baby Flames jersey (because I was a little tiny Flames fan) and at least 5 of the Bulb staff made sweet comments about how cute she was and one of them had worked at the Omni and was so glad we had NHL hockey back in this town.
Marc Savard biting Darcy Tucker
Kane KOing Matt Cooke
Hearing my daughter and her best friend giving Marty Brodeur hell, then him being pulled after giving up 3 or 4 goals and them feeling like they were responsible because they couldn’t put up with the heckles. (we wound up blowing that game as I recall)
Hossa’s last hat trick with the hats all over the ice was my phone screen saver until I finally had to get rid of that phone last year.
The Isles game where we came back in overtime to win, during the playoff push. Phillips was full and rockin’ out. It was so loud you couldn’t hear sign language
Buffalo game a few years back, went to OT, we lost in the shootout. My daughter got out her Thrashers megaphone and became the section cheerleader. I had a client with me who was from latin america who had never seen a hockey puck in her life, and she’s been a puckhead ever since.
Being in the building to salute Keith Tkachuk’s 1,000th point (scored as a Blue, but he WAS a Thrasher the year before)
Kovy’s finger point
Hoisting the banner
The All Star festivities – getting to see a florid Bobby Hull in the flesh and to realize EXACTLY how small of a man Gary Bettmen is. Running around the arena during the All Star practice to get pictures done with every team’s mascot
Being stuck in traffic to the sound of Dan Kamal
On the couch with the fam, making the magic triangle to kill of a 5 on 3
Working @ Casino Night with Jeff Cowan – still love the Brabarian
Moose calls (the stuffed moose signed by Moose is probably our favorite piece of Thrashers what not)
I’m so on the fence about weather or not I can even watch NHL hockey right now. I haven’t been able to watch the final. One of my friends was texting me about what a great game I was missing, and my heart’s just not in it right now. Having to explain this to you kid who has grown up going to games, pactices, events, who proudly says, I love hockey, you people who like football are weird, who’s tears I dried when her favorite player (Exelby) was traded, is just really tough.
Thanks Rawhide for the forum and your insight. Always a pleasure to read. I don’t think we ever met in person, but I know I’ve seen you around. We were the ones with the little stuffed Moose hanging off the seat and the little girl who said that the goalie stinks instead of sucks because ladies don’t say suck.
Zombie Steve
June 3rd, 2011
10:45 am
Great story – Red Light
Susan Reid
June 3rd, 2011
10:46 am
That they were never as good, as fiery, or as fun as the Atlanta Flames…
Jenny
June 3rd, 2011
10:51 am
I was supposed to move to Baltimore in November 2006. One of my friends bought us seats on the glass for the home opener that October as a going away present. It was absolutely fantastic. And of course, the energy before the first playoff game. I remember going down to the glass for their warm ups and the chants just seemed to overwhelm the players. My friend’s also won the Unleash the Fury video that year, so the season will always carry a little more weight for me.
I went to a Braves game the other day, and I was overwhelmed with sadness. The Braves have their own traditions, but it got me thinking about some things we’d never get to experience again with 10k-18k of our closest friends. No more (controversial) Knights! during the National Anthem, no more Unleash the Fury videos (which seemed to have stopped anyway), no more Thrash falling from the rafters, no more fireballs for every goal scored. We really did build some great traditions here.
J(Z)
June 3rd, 2011
10:51 am
I remember that game Red Light…luckily, I just happened to have DVR’d it and saved it for the longest time to show to friends how awesome the end of that game was!
DW
June 3rd, 2011
10:54 am
Well done Bill. Your blogs will be missed. Good luck in the future.
Russ
June 3rd, 2011
11:09 am
11 years of complete incompetence that cost the Atlanta market an NHL franchise that the fan base didn’t deserve to lose.
Russ
June 3rd, 2011
11:11 am
And, of course, the great blogs by Rawhide. Thank you, sir.
Puck Like A Porn Star
June 3rd, 2011
11:11 am
Favorite memory: First stoppage of play during Playoffs Round 1, Game 1 vs. the Blueskirts. A parade of boos for Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York” turns to deafening cheers when a Believe in Blueland sign is raised on the streets of Manhattan.
ZAvalanche
June 3rd, 2011
11:12 am
I remember the heat from the Flaming Birds when Thrashy scored, that was awesome and quite unique.
I remember showing up to an Avs-Thrashers game in hopes of seeing what was sure to be Foppa’s last game in Atl, wearing my Forsberg jersey, he didn’t play, but I can’t tell you how many people in the CNN center kept asking me “Is peter going to play?”. That points to the knowledge and interest of Atl hockey fans.
I remember watching the playoffs at Taco Mac in Buckhead with Bill and a ton of great people in Thrasherville. THAT was fun! It makes me sad to know that if I ever live in Atl again I won’t be able to join you all for a game.
I remember one of my first dates with my wife was a hockey game at Thrasherville – I don’t remember who they played because I was nervous as hell, but it was her first ever NHL game and she loved it!
I went to grad school with a few Canadians and I remember going to games with them and they were shocked at how much Thrasherville knew and loved the game.
I remember Kovy’s first ever goal in Phillips, the crowd went ape-sh!t.
Most of all – I will always remember this blog and the insightful posters here. You have done a hell of a job Bill. SI or ESPN needs to hire you to write for them. As you all know I will always be an Avs fan, but there is a special place in my heart for Thrashy. Firing Hartley was the wrong move. Nice work management…………..
Alana
June 3rd, 2011
11:16 am
I have so many memories of the Thrashers… I loved this team…My best friends and roomates were the intermission guys on the ice. They played human bowling and sumo wrestling on ice, they also ran the youth clinics. I remember coming to Will-Call to pick up my free tickets and hanging with the guys… I will miss their stories…
My first date with my soon to be husband was at a Thrashers game in 2007, we have been to so many games together since and enjoyed every moment of those games. There are too many memories to list…
I still sleep in my Believe In Blueland/Comcast shirt… This article and the loss of my Thrashers makes me cry. Thanks for all your hard work and for loving the Thrashers as much as we did….
Sage of Bluesland
June 3rd, 2011
11:20 am
I will remember so many things. Unfortunately, my first thoughts will be of the abject failure that was foisted on the good people of this city. This failure is personified in one Don Waddell.
I will remember the failed promises, the bluster, the snivelling laughs, the lisping explanations. I will remember the disappearance from the media, when he realized himself that he could not be trusted not to stick his own foot in his mouth.
I will remember a string of uncaring ownership–and the arrogance with which the last group carried themselves. I will remember an organization given no real chance to succeed, with a haphazard feeder system and a shrinking budget. I will remember a man who could rarely make a draft pick count beyond the early first round, if then–and an inept and underfunded scouting department.
I will remember good things, too. I will remember feeling like the dark days of continual losses were finally being rewarded by seeing Kovalchuk and Heatley on the ice at the same time early (i.e., preseason) in the 2001 season. Their magic was evident for all to see. They were truly gems to build around–and I felt we finally had two pillars from which to build a solid foundation. I will remember that same foundation being ripped asunder in preseason 2003 (an event which I never fully recovered from). Hossa was a ‘good’ player; Heater was the future face-of-the-franchise and Captain for life.
I will remember when a glass-groined Euroteen was taken with the 2nd pick of the 2002 draft–and realizing that the “Five-Year Plan” was a mere pipe-dream….coupled with the realization that the “Legends of Blueland” (talent pipeline) was a joke, a suffocating trickle…
I will also remember the excuses made by so many in support of the indefensible. I will never forget how wrong some were so often on such obvious things.
I will remember that this blog went from being an embarrassment (pre-Rawhide) which rivalled the ownership’s dedication and senior management’s incompetence…to one which exceeded all else, relatively, in the figurative joke otherwise known as ‘Blueland’….
But, I will also finally remember a city which wanted a reason to believe–simply stopped based on the continued negligence and fraud perpetrated by the organization’s leadership….
Krisabelle
June 3rd, 2011
11:29 am
Thank you for this wonderful blog, Bill; you’ve always been so much fun and such a dedicated blogger. Getting to know you, and having the opportunity to meet your family, has been one of the best things this team has brought to me. Reading everyone’s favorite memories has been both enjoyable and bittersweet. I have so many favorite memories of this team. Cheating at Black Jack with Marty “The Party” Reasoner at Casino Night. Meeting my favorite player, Bryan Little, and having him turn out to be just so absurdly kind. The sense of camaraderie among us Thrashers fans. The thrill of jumping up to high-five and sing along to Song 2 whenever a goal was scored by one of our boys in blue. Meeting other fans at games, CNN Center, tailgates, and draft parties. A puck Shea Weber flipped out of play landing smack-dab in Smoothie’s lap at the last Nashville game we attended. Yukking it up with The Blueland Chronicle and Wild Bill Tiller in Section 317. Seeing the young talent at Prospect Camp. Christophe Schubert telling a security guard to step aside to let us into the VIP area at Casino Night. Submitting the “What kind of sandwich would you be?” question to Ask A Thrasher and cracking up when it was asked to every player thereafter. Smoothie’s hysterical Thrashers rap. Running into XLB dining with his family at Feast in Decatur on my second date with Smoothie. Commiserating with “tweeps” on Twitter during heart-stopping 3rd period rallies. Bringing people to their first hockey game and watching them experience the fun and excitement. Cheering for the Kiss Cam Couple at every game I attended. Kane’s KO of Cooke (legendary).
Thank you to Smoothie for awakening my love for hockey, and for being a willing partner in such lunacy as “lucky moose socks” and wearing fluorescent yellow stuffed crabs from IKEA around our necks in support of Joey Crabb. I fell for the Thrashers at the same time I fell for you, and this team will always be extraordinarily special to me for that reason.
Thank you ALL for enhancing the Thrashers experience. I will leave you now with a few lines from Smoothie’s *hit* rap song, “Yo, Check the Thrashers” (surely coming soon to iTunes):
“He’s not very tall but he’ll burn ya with speed, good luck trying to catch this dope sly Swede! Even if ya do he’ll make the right read, cuz Toby is a doctor of sick-ass feeds!
Comin’ down the tracks with a train of pain, numba 9’s on a mission so u ‘memba his name
The name’s Evandah just like The Champ, so don’t ya complain when he lights ya’ lamp!
Yo check da’ Thrashers, a playoff real deal, Pevs droppin’ pills like a waiver wire bank steal
Slates racin’ down da ice like a greasy frittata, he’ll work u in da corner like a dirty lambada!
Wee Freddy P likes to rock da wok, but get him on the ice and he’ll make u lose ya jock!
Todd Whitey White don’t need no Garmin, he gets to da crease to deposit the Charmin!”
TableHockey
June 3rd, 2011
11:32 am
My Dad, a native of Buffalo, used to take us to see Flames games when we were young and I loved it but once the Flames left there wasn’t much hockey around (we didn’t have cable) and my joy of the game faded. My interest in the game was rekindled while watching the 2006 Winter Olympics (I’m sure Bettman would hate to hear that) and I started following the Thrashers immediately after the Olympic break.
I’m sure I’m leaving some out, but here are my favorite Thrashers moments:
- My first Thrashers game at the Bulb on March 10th 2006 (a 3-1 loss to the Senators but regardless of the outcome I was hooked on the game)
- The big brawl against the Capitals in Washington on November 2006 with less than two minutes to play (Thashers go on to win 4-2)
- Experiencing the first ever Thrashers play-off game at the Bulb April 12th 2007
- Hedberg’s ridiculous poke check on Mats Sundin during a shoot out win in October 2007
- Hossa’s many highlight goals – my favorites include the “Hop-a-long Hossa” goal, the hat trick against Detroit, and the sharp angle goal from the goal line against Cam Ward (Ward’s reaction was priceless)
- Kovalchuk’s hat tricks and highlight goals – my favorites include the hat tricks against the Ducks and Leafs, the many one-timers from the point and the infamous point to Crosby in the penalty box
- Kozlov’s many shoot out goals
- Recchi’s shoot out winner against his former team the Penguins on January 13th 2008
- Working the 2008 NHL All Star game here in Atlanta
- The Thrashers beating the Wild in March 2008 in front of a sold out Phillips for the franchise’s first ever win against Minnesota
- Opening night 7-4 win over the Capitals in October 2008
- The Thrasher’s playing the role of play off spoilers in March/April 2009
- Bryan Little’s 31 goals in the 2008-2009 season
- The “Headless Hedberg” incident in January 2010
- Chasing Ryan Miller off the ice in the March 2010 4-3 win over the Sabres
- Evander Kane’s knock-out of Matt Cooke to wrap up the 2009-2010 season
- Burmistrov’s sick goal against the Capitals on November 19th 2011
- Byfuglien’s explosion of goals in the first half of the 2010-2011 season
- Witnessing Boulton’s hat trick in person on December 18th, 2010 and leaving the Bulb that night with the Thrashers in first place in the division
My biggest regret in all of this is that my kids (ages 4 and 1) are too young to have experienced NHL hockey in Atlanta. I’m sure we’ll make some road trips to Nashville or Raleigh in the future but it won’t be the same as home town hockey.
English Teacher
June 3rd, 2011
11:32 am
One night, my son and I were sitting in 412 when a guy and a girl came up and asked if we’d like to come down and sit with Chuck the organist. We did, of course, and this was the beginning of the most meaningful friendship I made through Thrashers hockey.
Chuck Bell is an outstanding individual. Not only is he an extremely talented musician, he’s also a father, a fan, and a friend. That night, I discovered that the best seats to watch a game was from the middle of the upper bowl, and my son discovered an outlet for his love of music. In games that followed, Chuck would often invite us back down to sit with him, but he would always come by and to visit. When we did sit with him, he would let my son “help” with the contest sound effects; often when you heard the “Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!” as some contestant knew that the Ryobi drill was, in fact, lower than $39.95, that was my boy doing his part.
When I volunteered during the ASG, Chuck was a familiar face, and since I was working in the production office, we were working together. During down time, he showed me around the press box areas which helped me perform my volunteer duties more efficiently when I was asked to deliver updated scripts.
As we became frequent guests of Chuck’s, my son grew to be a better sport. Not one to take a loss lightly, he would often rant and rave about minutia which cost the win. When I say “rant and rave”, I mean he would be nuclear in his reaction. However, it was quite easy to temper this by simply saying, “Son, if they lose, and you pitch a fit, we will never sit with Chuck again.” It wasn’t long before he’d figured out how to make a preemptive joke about losing to keep from going to his dark place. Regardless of my son’s reaction to winning or losing, Chuck always welcomed us back. When I told my son that the Thrashers were going to Loseipeg, his first question was, “What’s Chuck gonna do?”
So, there were tons of games, including an incredible game one of the playoffs, an All Star weekend, a shot at “Six Degrees of Blueland” (I got all the questions right, by the way), draft parties, paintball with the players, Fan Face-offs, auditioning for the PA spot, and many fantastic hockey friends, but for me, the best thing I’m taking away from Thrashers hockey, is my friend Chuck.
See you guys in Gwinnett this fall!
DWTOO
June 3rd, 2011
11:33 am
What I’ll remember(not in any particular order):
1) The first and last games.
2) Greg DeVries wearing MRS DWTOO’s blue vest at Casino Night.
3) The bagpiper and Dan Snyder and how my daughter made black arm bands from construction paper and cut out ‘37′ to glue on them.
4) The friends I’ve made thru this blog and the tailgates.
5) How the players – even the stars – stopped to sign autographs after practice. Denny Lambert had to be the best. We saw him wade thru a ton of kids on MLK day one year. Before he turned to head into the lockeroom he looked up and asked the crowd “if he got everyone” becuase he didn’t want anyone to go home disappointed.
Like any parent we had some tough times in the teenage years with our daughter, but, the one thing that we always had was the love of hockey and I’ll miss going to the games with her.
Remember, we still have hockey in Atlanta – Glovesave29 put it well. Let’s pack the Gwinnett Arena and show everyone we are a hockey town and maybe we’ll have this chance again.
Thanks Bill – I’ve been reading this blog since the days of the Ice Princess and you’ve done an outstanding job. Beth and I are glad to be your friend and look forward to seeing you at the Arena, TJ’s, or wherever hockey fans gather.
Smoothie
June 3rd, 2011
11:34 am
WBF – nice post man, and you can count on it! (Glads games & other assorted gatherings etc) People like you are what make the game of hockey so great…so many classy people I’ve met along the way, even from Buffalo!
Red Light – indeed, I am so happy to have met so many fun and passionate people as a result of my interest in a game. The fun times we shared gathering in various areas within the club section will never be forgotten. Truly, the “Atlanta Spirit” was manifested in the wonderful people who followed this team so loyally and passionately despite a chronic, never-ending series of disappointments. Too bad the imbeciles who owned the team could never live up to the principles of stewardship and community investment about which they once blustered proudly and as it turns, insincerely.
I could go on and on but then I won’t be able to choke back the tears any longer. Thanks to all of you, both those whom I’ve met and enjoyed spending time with on countless occasions and those whom I did not have the pleasure of meeting, for your willingness to demonstrate an unfailing and unabashed passion for a game and a team you loved with such fervor, dedication and grace.
Sad Penguins fan
June 3rd, 2011
11:34 am
As a Penguins fan in Atlanta, I am extremely sad to see the Thrashers leave. I went to numerous games including every time the Pens came to town. I love hockey and played for 10 years while growing up in Atlanta! Hockey could have taken a hold, but as I’ve been saying for years, I could run a better team on my xbox!!! Waddell was either always an idiot or his hands were tied too tight by the idiot owners. Either way, my memory of the Thrashers will be forever tainted by Don Waddell and the ASG A-holes. It’s a sad day for the NHL regardless of the new smallest market in the NHL’s excitement. Had they been given the chance, the Thrashers could have been one of the most profitable teams in the league. But it takes money to make money in sports! If the ASG would have understood that, put a little money and effort into the Thrashers, then the could have made a lot more over time. (By the way, I’m a Penguins fan because my extended is from Pittsburgh and I grew up watching Lemieux and Jagr. I was born in Atlanta cause my father worked for Delta)
Bruce
June 3rd, 2011
11:37 am
I remember taking my son who was 6 at the time to the first preseason game held in Philips Arena and then taking him as a 17 yr old to his last game on Mar. 27 2011. So sad that this is something that we can NEVER do again together.
James Mayes
June 3rd, 2011
11:40 am
250 Fans Show up in the parking lot at Phillips Arena And to cheer and try to convince the owners
not to sell the team to winnipeg,And Sadly it didn’t work.Nice Try Atlanta!!!!!!
Al
June 3rd, 2011
11:45 am
Posting under my real name, not hiding behind my soma handle any further.
I had been given the “test” banner that many of you would recognize as the one hanging in the Ice Forum (Big, Maroon, Inaugural Season) from the company that won the contract from Turner to do the signage. I’m proud to say that even though they printed it upside down and had to redo it, I have one of the very first things ever printed with a Thrashers logo on it.
I was at the first home victory against Calgary, the tickets were given to me by the same sign printing company that I was doing computer repairs for. That was my first NHL game. I was in love with the sport, even though I couldn’t follow the rules, yet.
I’ll remember playing the EA Sports NHL games on my Xbox and Xbox 360 with my best friend Justin, eventually learning all the rules and ins and outs of the game.
The push to the playoffs was an exciting time, that was one of the only times I went to Philips and saw a majority of Thrashers Jerseys as it felt like that was the season all the “Fairweather fans” were rooting for the Thrash.
I remember meeting Mr Heat Miser for the first time at my job. Shooting the breeze with him about hockey at work has been great for the past few years, I’m hoping the conversation continues about the Glads or any (hopefully) AHL team that comes along.
Who can forget the great viewing party at TJ’s where it looked as if Buffalo was going to skate away with a W and the Thrashers won in a shootout? Thats where I met some of the regulars and started posting here shortly after.
Watching my niece Charlie at rookie camps, as enthralled as a 2 year old can be…
I finally got my wife hooked on hockey, Boults hat trick game against NJ converted her to a hockey and Thrashers fan, she thinks we got royally screwed. I think she will stay a fan of the game but she (like the rest of us) really hates Bettman and the league for what they did to us in the space of 20 days.
Finally I’d like to thank Bill (again) and all of you posters here in this blog for being accepting and accessible – for some reason in this life of mine I have always been excluded when it comes to being part of something bigger (like sports – I was “asked” to leave the team when I played High School football and even though I was in Theater in High School and College I was always a bit of a loner) and all of you (with a few exceptions) have been an absolute joy to chat with and bother for the past few years. I’m going to miss you all very much. The only thing I will not miss is Sage and his constant need to seek validity by mocking his fellow human beings to try and drive his point across.
Thank you Bill and fellow posters. See you at Glads games, on Facebook and Twitter.
Bill – ever thought of opening a group on facebook and calling it “Rawhides Rowdies”? If so please send me an invite – I would gladly join
English Teacher
June 3rd, 2011
11:47 am
That first night…
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30329054&l=542b327460&id=158100952
TableHockey
June 3rd, 2011
11:47 am
Rawhide – my Thrasher’s memory is apparently in jail – can Trixie help me out?
Red Light
June 3rd, 2011
11:49 am
Dennis & Beth: Sorry to leave you out. I knew I was going to forget someone, and at least it was two ex- or now re-born Flyers’ fans! LOL.
Sage of Bluesland…excellent work!
Smoothie…lets play some golf and forget about this crap for a few months.
Thanks Zombie and J(Z)
ZAvs and any others…join us on Facebook!
Old Flame
June 3rd, 2011
12:02 pm
So many of the above comments bring back such great memories. While I always first think of the playoffs, two other events I fondly remember, which I’ve not noticed mentioned: When the Thrashers beat Bob Hartley’s Colorado team 2-0 here, when they were defending Stanley Cup Champions (one of the Thrashers best played games), and the other being the very first home preseason game in Sept. 1999, which I believe was also the first official event held at Phillips Arena. I also have the sad honor to having been at both the Flames and Thrashers final games in our fair city of underappreciated hockey fans.
Rawhide, thanks for your fine work and outstanding commentary over the years. I’ve never commented here before, but have enjoyed what you, and our fellow fans, have provided on this blog.
Smoothie
June 3rd, 2011
12:02 pm
Red Light – priceless story big guy, thanks for sharing!
frenchy
June 3rd, 2011
12:07 pm
Well… I am from Quebec city so I also lost 2 NHL franchises over the years. This one hurts even more…we were getting real close to finally get somewhere with our roster…Just like the Nordiques who went on to win the cup the year after they left Quebec city…
This blog was my first stop in the morning; I hope to be able to keep reading it…
Thanks Ice Man
jeff97
June 3rd, 2011
12:07 pm
So many memories..its tough to remember all of them. For me, this is the second time i have lost a team. I grew up a Hartford Whalers fan and used to go with my dad in the 80’s and was there when they left.
My wife, son and I have been going to games here in ATL for years. My son starting going when he was 5 months old and is now 4. he went to 35 games this year with us and this is one of the things i will miss most.
I will also miss that we will never have a chance to see that Stanley Cup here in ATL on our own ice. No matter how bad our team was, there was always hope of next year….now, there is no next year….its really hard to comprehend at this point.
Top higlights
the 2 playoff games….there was nothing like that.
The first game of 03-04 when Tamer scored the game winner as we mourned Snyder’s Death.
Watching Kovy and Hossa in 2006-07.
My son getting to meet the players at practices.
My wife getting me a zamboni ride for my 40th b-day earlier this year..hats off to you hon!
Thanks for the Blog Bill, I have always enjoyed reading this and it was a pleasure meeting you last year up in Nashville during our Ice trip.
Jeff
ZAvalanche
June 3rd, 2011
12:10 pm
OK, I rarely, well never, post my real name online. I am a “friend” of KeepTheThrashers, but many of you I feel like I do – so you can request me as a friend on FB. Name: Mike Zentner, email mike.zentner AT gatech.edu. If you ever find yourself in CO, give me a shout, we will hit up an Avs game
. And if it happens to be against the ‘Peg, bring your Thrashers jerseys!
This saddens me so much. I love Atl and love the Thrashers. This is just sad.
ZAvalanche
June 3rd, 2011
12:16 pm
**meant I feel like many of you do** lo siento
Matt from MN
June 3rd, 2011
12:19 pm
Watching Heatley and Kovalchuk play together and thinking what a great future this franchise had at that time. Man, was I ever wrong.
ThrashDawg
June 3rd, 2011
12:32 pm
I am too pissed to remember anything good that happened on the ice so I will instead mention the thing I will most remember. The first game after Mr. Benning passed away and Mrs. Benning and family were at the game and the kiss cam showed her. I was sitting about 10 rows down from her and she had tears streaming down her face…I will have to say I did as well, as I do just typing this! I am just glad Mr. Benning was not alive to witness the cluster screw job that has went on since his passing! May you live forever in the hearts and minds of Thrasher fans Mr. Benning and thank you for your service to our Country!
Matt from MN
June 3rd, 2011
12:35 pm
Sitting in a Suite for one of the Inaugural Season’s pre-season games.
Taking my daughter to her first (and last) hockey game, and how even after being destroyed by Toronto that night, she asked if we could do it again.
Watching the Thrash come from behind, after being down 4-0 to the NJ Devils in the 3rd period with Brodeur in goal and winning in overtime. Great seats as we were right behind the NJ goal in the third.
Sitting in the “nose bleed” seats with my Mom and watching the Thrashers vs. Wild and thinking about all the games we used to go see as a family at the old Met Center in Bloomington.
Joe Friday
June 3rd, 2011
12:40 pm
With so many good times from being at Opening Night 1999 to the last ever game and all the 100s of big and little games and events in between, the lasting memory is going to be of the complete and total injustice done to us by Waddell and the Spirit Group. I cannot stand injustice, it makes me very sad and angry, and unfortunately that’ll be my lasting memory of the Thrashers, the injustice of it all.
I was very happy to meet so many great people at the game, confirming what I already knew, that hockey people are the best. It takes a special breed to appreciate the game, and I’m pleased to be amongst you good folk. Hopefully the good memories will come back over time and I’ll be able to appreciate the NHL again one day, but today ain’t that day . . .
I’ll now never be able to pay off on that bet with my wife, to finally get a tattoo . . . a Thrashers logo on my keister when they won a Cup . . . Levenson, Gearon, and Seydel . . . you suck.
Cherokee
June 3rd, 2011
12:51 pm
Season ticket holders since day one. My whole family is sad. The best moments: first game, first playoff game (I’ve been to Finals games that didn’t feel like that), Exelby blooding Sundin with a body check and Kaner KO’ing Cooke (got a signed picture of that one in the basement.
Thanks for making me tear up on a Friday, Bill. See you all at the Glads games.
Blank
June 3rd, 2011
12:58 pm
“So, if anyone knows of any opening for those experienced in assisting the running of a professional sports franchise right into the ground…” LOL. Good one.
Who Cares
June 3rd, 2011
1:02 pm
I will always remember the fans. Yes the few and far between fans who actually liked the stupid sport of hockey down here in the South. My favorite memory was the official press conference were it was official that the Thrashers were sold! Hockey is an awful sport. I might of liked it if I grew up in canada or russia but I did not. I will remember the transplanted loud mouth yankees who liked hockey and the rest of all the fat outshape slobs I saw around town wearing thrasher hats, shirts, jersey’s etc. The majority of Atlanta has spoken not once but twice. We don’t like or care for hockey. Please NHL never come back to the A-Town.
Al
June 3rd, 2011
1:07 pm
Wow who cares, great friggin attitude.
glovesave29
June 3rd, 2011
1:09 pm
Nice opportunity to say goodbye to those I have chatted with for the past 4 years….thanks Bill. You have always done a great job here – and I reiterate that you are missing your career calling…
I will remember the even at Centennial Olympic park when the new logo and jersey was unveiled. The place was packed, Flames logos everywhere – the sheer optimism was palpable…
I remember the first home game Tkachuk played against Montreal. What it was like to have a REAL power forward and how much it changed our team. Really thought we’d have a deeeeeep playoff run that season.
I remember sitting on the glass next to the Pens bench and hearing all the vets telling a whining (what else is new) rookie Cindy Crosby to sit down and shut up. Or the looks on the players faces when my buddy yelled thru the seam in the glass for them to sit down, he could not see – in French!
I will miss the excitement my kids had on game day. Or that they always came home with a stick or a puck, and the pride they felt walking thru CNN center with their latest addition to their collection.
I remember my part in operation POM POM at TJ’s. What was that? Try to get me kicked out? Ha Ha Ha Ha! Sorry, babe – I am a regular.
I am happy for the friends I have made. I hope they continue to be my friends – at events, on facebook….wherever. Let us not lose touch as you are a group of great people with a love, knowledge and passion for the sport that is unequalled. I always loved how trolls would come on board and be shocked by the quality of the work done here on this blog.
I am over the NHL. I do not want them back. I will not miss the know-it-NONE Sage’s whining. I will not miss the target of operation POM POM. I will not miss the logo that looks like a toilet flushing. I will not miss the morons of the ASG.
I do hope MANY here patronize the Gladiators. Time to bleed black, burgundy and bronze.
3stripes
June 3rd, 2011
1:11 pm
I will never forget taking my 80+ year old Mom to her first NHL game. My regular seats were in the upper deck, so I had to get them traded for the handicap seats at the top of the lower bowl. We got to the game, my Mom in her newly gifted Thrashers alternate logo jersey, and had a great time. She froze her butt off, but from that point on she followed the Thrashers and always tried to catch at least part of the TV games. She may not have always known what was going on, or every nuance of the rules, but she sure knows what a goal is, and we would often discuss the Thrashers in our phone conversations.
Sad, sad, sad.
Puckmeister
June 3rd, 2011
1:32 pm
Random memories –
Listening to my husband mutter “Tamer” every time Chris Tamer failed to clear the puck out of the defensive zone. In fact, all future bad, panicky, failed attempts to clear the puck were to be known as “Tamers”. As in, he just “Tamered” it. Though, I remember Tamer’s game winning goal opening night too.
My older daughter’s adoration of Jeff Odgers, when she was younger, because “he took care of everyone else”. My younger daughter’s adoration of Moose, because, well, his name was “Moose” (and he is one heck of a good guy). Watching warm-ups with my daughter and seeing Moose skate by and give her a wink and a smile, including this year when he was with Jersey.
Dan Snyder joking around with my older daughter at the STH Face Off event hours before the accident….. The ceremony (and video that played) honoring Dan. Wearing our #37 pins.
Seeing Ray Ferraro score his 300th goal with my older daughter and her statement that it was “the best game ever”. If I recall, that was also the same game where Heatley scored into an open net on one of those crazy bounces off the Philips boards that catch the goalies way out of position.
Playing our game of guessing which Thrasher would score the next goal.
My younger daughter freaking out when the firebirds spit their fire, when she was little, and spending the whole game buried in my chest. It was tough when the Thrashers scored a lot of goals! Speaking of which, getting free tacos when the Thrashers scored 6 (or was it 5?) goals.
Sitting on the edge of my seat during a 1 – 0 win over Calgary years ago. Low scoring but very exciting.
Big Buff scoring the game winning goal in overtime against Buffalo this past year.
The playoff games.
Bill – I’ve enjoyed your blogs and insight. I didn’t post but I always read them. I also enjoyed meeting you briefly at the Toronto debacle this past year as we both grumbled about “freakin” Clark MacArthur scoring so many goals. Memories
World Be Free
June 3rd, 2011
1:43 pm
james c-enjoy the team dude. I am going to miss Burmie, was a special player and a great kid.
Smoothie-we will be up for a Glads game-
Falcon
June 3rd, 2011
1:48 pm
Thrashers? Who are the Thrashers?
Larry E
June 3rd, 2011
1:52 pm
Many great memorys of Thrasher games, but most of all the practices at the Ice Forum in Duluth. The kids watching the pros. My grandson started playing there five years ago as one of the Jr.Thrashers and loved wearing the same uniforms as the Thrashers. He has advanced to the AAA Thunder level now but loved going to tournements representing the Thrashers. It sad that the following kids will not get to wear the uniforms. I also met Kane two summers ago at a Waffle house near the Ice Forum, nice guy, and he gave me his autograph for my grandson, which hangs on his wall.