The Atlanta Thrashers history reflects the journey of a once-promising NHL expansion club founded in 1999. The Atlanta Thrashers hockey team quickly gained attention for its skilled players and passionate fan base. Despite exciting seasons and standout performances, the franchise faced challenges that ultimately led to relocation, leaving behind a significant legacy in Georgia’s hockey scene.
Established
1999
City
Atlanta – Winnipeg
League History
1999 – Present / National Hockey League
Team History
2011 – Present / Winnipeg Jets
1999 – 2011 / Atlanta Thrashers
Nickname
Thrashers – The Atlanta Thrashers are among the most beloved teams in the NHL, and their nickname has a unique origin. “Thrasher” is derived from Georgia's state bird, the Brown Thrasher. This tiny songbird is known for its loud and melodic call that can be heard throughout Georgia's forests and fields.
Atlanta Thrashers Origin
The team was named after this native species to honor its home state of Georgia when it joined the league in 1999 as an expansion team alongside Nashville Predators, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Minnesota Wilds. Since then, they have become one of hockey’s most recognizable franchises, with over 20 years of history!
From winning division championships to making multiple playoff appearances during their short tenure in Atlanta (1999-2011), fans still remember fondly what could have been had they stayed around longer than just 12 seasons before relocating to Winnipeg, Canada, in 2011, where they became known as "the Jets."
Even though they may no longer play at Philips Arena or wear those classic black & red jerseys anymore, we will never forget them by their name: The Atlanta Thrashers - inspired by our beloved Brown Thrush!
Championship
Stanley Cup 0
Arena
2018 - Present / Bell MTS Place
2011 – 2017 / MTS Centre
*Atlanta*
1999 – 2011 / Philips Arena
Owner
2011 – Present / True North Sports and Entertainment
2003 – 2011 / Atlanta Spirit, LLC
1999 – 2003 / Time Warner
- 1999
- 2003
- 2011
Atlanta Thrashers Team Formation
After the departure of the IHL’s Atlanta Knights from 1992 to 1996 to become the Quebec Rafales, the city was awarded an NHL franchise on June 25, 1997, as part of a four-team tiered expansion. This also included teams in Nashville, Columbus, and St. Paul, in which each new franchise would begin play as its respective new arena was completed. ...
New Ownership Atlanta Spirit
On September 21, 2003, Time Warner, the owners of both the Thrashers and the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks, sold both teams to Atlanta Spirit, LLC, a group consisting of businessmen based both in Atlanta and elsewhere.
Heading to Winnipeg
Due to financial losses and ownership struggles, the team was frequently a target of relocation rumors. In later years, reports saw the team courted by suitors intending to relocate to Kansas City, Missouri; Quebec City, Quebec; Hamilton, Ontario or Winnipeg, Manitoba. On January 22, 2011, the team’s ownership group claimed it had lost the US $130 million in the last ...
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
Atlanta Thrashers History
The Atlanta Thrashers history begins in the 1999–2000 NHL season. The Atlanta Thrashers hockey team was established as an expansion franchise playing its home games at Philips Arena in downtown Atlanta. Owned initially by Time Warner and former Atlanta Hawks owner Ted Turner, the Thrashers entered the league with high hopes though they struggled early on. They developed regional rivalries, especially with the Nashville Predators, as the team worked to build its identity.
In their first years, the Atlanta Thrashers hockey team had difficulty finding success on the ice. From 2000 through 2005, they regularly finished near the bottom of their division, with limited wins and many losses. Ownership and management changed several times. However, the tide began to turn under general manager Don Waddell, who took over before the 2006–07 season and brought in key players and coach Bob Hartley. These changes boosted the Atlanta Thrashers history and raised expectations among fans.
The 2006–07 season stands out in the Atlanta Thrashers history. Under Hartley and stars like Ilya Kovalchuk and Kari Lehtonen, the team won the Southeast Division and secured its first-ever playoff berth. Although they were swept by the New York Rangers in the first round, this was a landmark moment in Atlanta Thrashers hockey team lore. They showed they could compete in the postseason and set a new standard for the organization.
Despite that breakthrough, the Atlanta Thrashers hockey team couldn’t sustain playoff success. They made only one playoff appearance in their entire tenure in Atlanta and never won a postseason series. Ongoing ownership issues, market challenges, and inconsistent performance led to instability in later seasons.
Thrashers Achievements
In 2011, after 12 seasons in Georgia, the franchise relocated to Winnipeg, Manitoba, becoming the modern Winnipeg Jets. The move ended the Atlanta chapter of the Atlanta Thrashers history but started a new legacy under the same franchise lineage.
One of the proudest achievements in Atlanta Thrashers history was winning the Southeast Division title in 2006–07, becoming the only major division championship in the franchise’s time in Atlanta. That season, they also recorded their best regular season record, showcasing players like Kovalchuk and Lehtonen who delivered standout performances.
Though the Atlanta Thrashers hockey team never won a Stanley Cup, nor advanced beyond the first round of the playoffs, its legacy includes helping grow hockey in non-traditional markets. The team played 12 seasons in Atlanta, developing a core fan base and delivering memorable moments that remain part of NHL history.
Retired Number
99 / Wayne Gretzky
*Blue is this team’s history