atlanta thrashers history
atlanta thrashers history
Atlanta Thrasher ticket holders are expecting improvement in this their sixth season at Philips Arena. Although the Thrashers have only been around a short time, NHL fans with Thrashers tickets are looking for an exciting season.
Hockey in Atlanta came and went over 20 years ago, when the Flames came and left in the early 1980s. This time, Ted Turner brought a new team in the modern National Hockey League to Atlanta in 1999. As typical for expansion teams, the Thrashers finished in last place in their division. The following season the Thrashers would improve, as they climbed out of the cellar.
Once again, the Thrashers finished last in 2001-02, but the team made strides to invest in their future with the addition of rookies Dany Heatley and Ilya Kovalchuk. Heatley would go on to win the Calder Trophy.
The 2002-03 season would see the Thrashers get off to a lousy start. They would later right the ship and finish in third place. Heatley scored four goals in the All-Star game and was named the games most valuable player. In mid-season, the Thrashers would change coaches twice. General Manager Don Waddell would take over behind the bench and guide the Thrashers to an even record of 4-4-1 in nine games. Then Bob Hartley was hired and Atlanta would play much-improved hockey. They went 19-14-5-1 in the last half of the season to finish in third place in the division.
The Thrashers were poised for great things in 2003-04 based on their strong finish from the previous season. But before they took the ice, tragedy struck as Heatley and Dan Snyder were involved in a terrible automobile accident. Unfortunately, Snyder died as a result of the injuries suffered in the accident. Heatley suffered a major knee injury in the accident and faced felony reckless driving charges.
In spite of the accident, the Thrashers would play well until a mid-season slump would see Atlanta win twice in 21 games. Heatley’s return to the team couldn’t even give Atlanta the inspiration the needed, as they wound up finishing second in the division, missing the playoffs once again.
Thrasher fans with tickets to the Philips Arena are counting on Atlanta to skate their way to the their first playoff appearance. The Thrashers are counting on a mostly experienced team to guide the youngsters as they have five players over the age of 35. That way, Thrashers ticket holders will get to see the old and new, and with a little luck, make their first trip to the NHL Playoffs.
