What Happened to the Atlanta Thrashers — And What Team They Are Today

For hockey fans in Atlanta, Georgia, the question comes up again and again: “What team did the Atlanta Thrashers become?”

The short answer: the Atlanta Thrashers became the Winnipeg Jets.
When the Thrashers relocated in 2011, the franchise moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada and was renamed the Winnipeg Jets, which is the same NHL franchise that used to play in Atlanta.

Below is a clear breakdown of how that happened, what it means for Atlanta sports fans, and how you can still stay connected to hockey in and around the city.

From Atlanta Thrashers to Winnipeg Jets: The Franchise Timeline

Here’s the basic story of the team’s transformation, laid out simply:

Key point:
The same franchise license that once belonged to the Atlanta Thrashers is now the current Winnipeg Jets in the NHL.

So if you’re in Atlanta and wondering, “Where did our NHL team go?” — the official continuation of that team plays its home games in Canada, not Georgia.

Why Did the Atlanta Thrashers Leave?

People in Atlanta often remember the Thrashers with a mix of nostalgia and frustration. While individual opinions differ, some common factors are often discussed:

• Ownership and financial issues made it difficult to keep the team in Atlanta.
• Lower attendance compared to other NHL markets made the franchise less stable.
• Arena and lease concerns at what was then Philips Arena (now State Farm Arena) added complexity.
• A strong, ready-made fan base in Winnipeg helped make relocation appealing to new ownership.

From a local perspective, the move felt abrupt, especially if you lived in Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or the northern suburbs and had built the Thrashers into part of your sports routine.

Are the Current Winnipeg Jets “The Same” as the Thrashers?

Legally and historically, yes:

• The Winnipeg Jets (since 2011) are the same NHL franchise that started as the Atlanta Thrashers in 1999.
• Franchise records (like all-time statistics and team history from 1999–2011) stay with the franchise, even after it relocates.
• When you see NHL stats about the Jets franchise that start in 1999, that includes the Atlanta years.

However, fans sometimes see it differently:

• In Winnipeg, many fans emotionally connect the current Jets to the original Jets franchise (which later became the Arizona Coyotes), even though that’s a separate legal franchise.
• In Atlanta, many still think of the Thrashers as a distinct chapter in the city’s sports history, separate from what the team became in Canada.

But for your FAQ purposes:
The Atlanta Thrashers became the current Winnipeg Jets.

What Does This Mean for Hockey Fans in Atlanta Today?

If you live in Atlanta and miss the Thrashers, you’re not alone. While the city doesn’t have an NHL team right now, there are several ways local fans engage with hockey:

1. Following the Winnipeg Jets from Atlanta

Some Atlanta fans chose to stay loyal to the franchise and now follow the Winnipeg Jets as “their” team. Others picked a new favorite NHL team, often based on:

• Players they liked from the Thrashers era
• Regional ties (like other Southeastern or Eastern Conference teams)
• Style of play or personal connections

If you were a Thrashers fan and want to keep that historical link, supporting the Winnipeg Jets is the most direct continuation.

2. Local Hockey: Where Can You Watch Live Hockey in Atlanta?

Even without the NHL, Atlanta still has options for live, in-person hockey:

Atlanta Gladiators (ECHL)

• League: ECHL (a professional minor league, one step below the AHL, which feeds the NHL)
• Home Arena: Gas South Arena
• Location: 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth, GA 30097

The Atlanta Gladiators are the main professional hockey presence in the metro area. The level of play is solid, and for many Atlanta residents, Gladiators games fill the live-hockey gap left by the Thrashers.

For someone living in Intown Atlanta, expect roughly a 30–45+ minute drive to Duluth depending on traffic on I‑85.

3. Playing Hockey in Atlanta: Ice Rinks and Community Options

If the Thrashers got you interested in playing hockey — or you just want to get on the ice — there are several rinks in and around Atlanta where local residents skate, play pickup hockey, and join adult leagues. Common hubs include:

• Center Ice Arena – Sandy Springs
• The Cooler – Alpharetta
• IceForum – Duluth

Many of these rinks offer:

• Public skating sessions
• Adult recreational hockey leagues
• Youth hockey programs and learn-to-skate classes

These facilities serve residents from neighborhoods all over metro Atlanta: Brookhaven, Sandy Springs, Roswell, Alpharetta, Duluth, Lawrenceville, and more.

How the Thrashers Era Still Shows Up Around Atlanta

Even though the franchise is gone, traces of the Thrashers are still visible if you know where to look:

• Vintage jerseys and hats: You’ll still see Thrashers logos at local sports bars, rinks, and even around Midtown or East Atlanta when the weather cools off.
• Local hockey culture: Longtime fans often talk about the 2007 playoff run and favorite players from the Thrashers days.
• Memorabilia: Shops around the city occasionally have Thrashers gear tucked away, and some Atlantans trade items through local sports collectibles groups.

For newer residents who moved to Atlanta after 2011, the Thrashers can feel like a “lost chapter” of the city’s sports story — but for many locals, that chapter still matters.

FAQ-Style Quick Answers for Atlanta Residents

Q: What team did the Atlanta Thrashers become?
A: The Atlanta Thrashers relocated in 2011 and became the Winnipeg Jets of the NHL.

Q: Is there still an NHL team in Atlanta?
A: No. Atlanta does not currently have an NHL team. The city’s former NHL franchises (the Flames and the Thrashers) both relocated.

Q: If I was a Thrashers fan, who should I follow now?
A: Many former Thrashers fans in Atlanta either:

• Follow the Winnipeg Jets as the direct continuation of the franchise, or
• Choose another favorite NHL team based on personal preference.

Q: Where can I watch live hockey near Atlanta?
A: The Atlanta Gladiators in Duluth are the main professional team in the region. You can also watch local league games at rinks like Center Ice Arena, The Cooler, and IceForum.

Q: Is there any chance NHL hockey could return to Atlanta?
A: Conversations about NHL expansion or relocation come up from time to time, and Atlanta is sometimes mentioned as a possibility. However, there is no active NHL team in Atlanta right now, and any future movement would depend on league decisions and ownership groups.

For anyone in Atlanta, Georgia trying to understand the Thrashers’ story: the franchise you once cheered for at Philips Arena is now skating as the Winnipeg Jets. While the NHL left town, the hockey culture it helped build is still very much alive across rinks and arenas throughout metro Atlanta.