WINNIPEG (SBP) — Holding back bitter tears and choking through his words, Commissioner Gary Bettman somberly announced that the NHL will be relocating the Atlanta Thrashers to Winnipeg for the upcoming season. \u00a0The move is seen as a possible end to Bettman\u2019s mission to destroy professional hockey in Canada.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a sad day for American interests in the NHL,\u201d said Bettman as he let defiant, unwiped tears stream down his face, \u201cWe really did try everything to keep the disengaged, apathetic fans of Atlanta happy by keeping their somewhat beloved team in town.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo fans all over the United States and the world excluding Canada, I am truly sorry to say that NHL hockey is returning to Winnipeg.\u201d<\/p>\n
The NHL\u2019s move back to Canada ends a string of snubs, departures and expansion to the United States. \u00a0In 1995, the Quebec Nordiques were relocated to Denver to become the Colorado Avalanche. \u00a0And, in 1996, the Winnipeg Jets were relocated to Arizona to play before thousands of empty seats in Phoenix. \u00a0One of Bettman\u2019s proudest moments was when he blocked Jim Balsillie from purchasing and moving a franchise to southern Ontario.<\/p>\n
\u201cThose were some momentous times,\u201d said Bettman, \u201cIt was the golden age of the NHL when we could move teams to large American markets that didn\u2019t know what hockey was. \u00a0Heck, they didn\u2019t even know what ice was! \u00a0We enjoyed having back page coverage and there is nothing more breath-taking than a hot, stuffy arena populated with vacant seats.\u201d<\/p>\n
Continued Bettman: \u00a0\u201cSadly, this won\u2019t be happening in Winnipeg. \u00a0Gone are the days of half empty rinks and propping up cash strapped teams.\u201d<\/p>\n
All is not lost, though. \u00a0To offset the Winnipeg move, Bettman announced that the NHL will be expanding to hockey hot beds like Albuquerque, New Mexico, Daytona Beach, Florida and Shreveport, Louisiana.<\/p>\n
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