THRASHERS MUST BE STOKED BY EARLY SEASON TICKET NUMBERS

          The NHL Atlanta Thrashers, which begin play in '99,
     have received 5,300 season-ticket reservations since they
     began accepting $100 refundable deposits for each seat two
     weeks ago, according to the ATLANTA CONSTITUTION.  As part
     of the expansion agreement, teams must sell 12,000 season
     tickets before they begin play.  Nashville, which begins
     play in '98, has received 2,000 ticket inquiries, but will
     first decide on prices before it takes any orders, said club
     spokesperson Kevin Phillips (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 7/11).