Thrashers Deny Report Team Sold, Will Relocate To Winnipeg

The Thrashers said that reports out of Winnipeg that the team has been "sold and will relocate to the city next season are false," according to Chris Vivlamore of the ATLANTA CONSTITUTION. Thrashers GM Don Waddell said "there is absolutely nothing to it, and there is no forthcoming announcement or plans for relocation" (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 2/18). NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly yesterday in an e-mail said, "There has been absolutely zero discussion at the league level of Thrashers to Winnipeg. There is no truth whatsoever to these rumors." Daly added NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman "did not visit Winnipeg earlier this week -- or even earlier this year for that matter" (WINNIPEG SUN, 2/18). The WINNIPEG FREE PRESS reported True North Sports & Entertainment, which owns and operates the city's MTS Centre, is "rumoured to be putting the finishing touches on a deal that will see the Thrashers franchise leave Atlanta and come to Winnipeg for the start of the 2010-11 season." True North Sports & Entertainment Dir of Corporate Communications & Hockey Operations Scott Brown said, "Of course we deny it; it's completely false" (WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, 2/17).