What Happened to the Atlanta Thrashers – And Where Did They Go?

For many Atlanta sports fans, the Atlanta Thrashers still feel like unfinished business. If you’ve ever asked, “Where did the Atlanta Thrashers go?” or wondered what happened to NHL hockey in Atlanta, you’re not alone.

Here’s a clear breakdown of where the team went, why they left, and what that means today if you live in or visit Atlanta, Georgia.

Where Did the Atlanta Thrashers Go?

The Atlanta Thrashers moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada in 2011.

After the relocation, the team was renamed the Winnipeg Jets. So:

• Then: Atlanta Thrashers (NHL team based in Atlanta, played at Philips Arena downtown)
• Now: Winnipeg Jets (same franchise, now based in Winnipeg, Canada)

In other words, the Thrashers franchise still exists, just under a different name and in a different city. Atlanta did not get a replacement NHL team after the move, so as of now, there is no NHL team in Atlanta.

Quick Timeline of the Atlanta Thrashers

Here’s a simple overview to make the history easy to follow:

Why Did the Atlanta Thrashers Leave Atlanta?

From the perspective of local fans, the Thrashers leaving can feel sudden and frustrating. Behind the scenes, several common factors are usually mentioned:

1. Ownership and Business Challenges

The Thrashers were owned by a group that also controlled other Atlanta teams. Over time, there were:

• Internal disputes and legal issues among owners
• Challenges investing in and promoting the team long-term
• Limited stability compared with some other NHL franchises

This made the team more vulnerable when potential buyers from other cities showed interest.

2. Attendance and Market Support

Many Atlantans supported the Thrashers, but overall attendance often lagged behind stronger NHL markets. Common issues included:

• Hockey competing with Falcons, Braves, Hawks, and college sports
• Limited local hockey culture compared with northern cities
• A shorter history with the sport than traditional hockey markets

From a business angle, this made relocation to a more hockey-focused city attractive to some potential owners.

3. The NHL’s View of the Market

The NHL has to weigh:

• Arena deals
• Local TV and media interest
• Long-term fan base growth

Winnipeg had an existing, passionate hockey culture and a strong desire to bring the NHL back. When a stable ownership group stepped up, the league approved moving the franchise there.

Did Atlanta Have an NHL Team Before the Thrashers?

Yes. The Atlanta Flames were the city’s first NHL team, playing from the early 1970s until they moved to Calgary, Alberta, Canada in 1980.

So Atlanta has lost two NHL franchises:

1. Atlanta Flames → Calgary Flames
2. Atlanta Thrashers → Winnipeg Jets

This history often comes up when people discuss whether the NHL might return again.

Is There Still Professional Hockey in Atlanta?

Even though the Thrashers are gone, hockey did not disappear from metro Atlanta. If you live in Atlanta or are visiting and want to watch or play hockey, you still have options.

Atlanta Gladiators (Duluth, GA)

The Atlanta Gladiators are a professional hockey team playing in the ECHL, a recognized minor professional league.

• Home Arena: Gas South Arena
• Location: 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth, GA 30097
• Distance from Downtown Atlanta: Roughly 25–35 miles northeast, depending on traffic

The Gladiators attract:

• Families looking for more affordable hockey than typical major-league prices
• Former Thrashers fans who still want to support a local team
• Newcomers curious about live hockey

Games are usually fast-paced and family-friendly, and parking and access are often less stressful than a downtown arena setting.

Where Did the Thrashers Play in Atlanta?

If you’re exploring downtown Atlanta or remembering old game days, it helps to know where the Thrashers actually played.

• Home Arena: Philips Arena (now known as State Farm Arena)
• Location: Downtown Atlanta, next to Mercedes-Benz Stadium and near the CNN Center area

While the Thrashers are gone, State Farm Arena is still a major venue, now home primarily to the Atlanta Hawks (NBA) and concerts. Walking around that area, long-time fans sometimes still associate the building with Thrashers memories.

Can You Still Get Atlanta Thrashers Gear?

Even though the team no longer exists in Atlanta, Thrashers jerseys, hats, and memorabilia remain popular with collectors and nostalgic fans.

You might find Thrashers gear:

• At sports resale and vintage shops around metro Atlanta
• Through online marketplaces and auction sites
• Occasionally at local sports collectible shows and events

If you wear Thrashers gear around Atlanta, you’ll often still get random comments like, “Man, I miss that team.”

Will Atlanta Ever Get Another NHL Team?

As of now, Atlanta does not have an NHL franchise, and no move or expansion has been officially confirmed. However, the topic comes up regularly among:

• Local fans
• Sports talk shows
• National hockey discussions

Things that often get mentioned when people speculate about the NHL returning to Atlanta:

• Metro Atlanta’s growth and large population
• Many residents who moved here from traditional hockey markets up north
• Existing arenas and infrastructure
• The city’s track record of supporting major sports when teams are competitive and well-marketed

Nothing is guaranteed, but Atlanta remains part of the conversation whenever the league or media talk about possible expansion or relocation markets.

What Can a Hockey Fan in Atlanta Do Now?

If you’re missing the Thrashers and want to stay connected to hockey while living in Atlanta, you have several options:

1. Support Local and Regional Hockey

• Attend Atlanta Gladiators games in Duluth
• Look for college hockey or club-level games in the region
• Check local rinks for youth and adult league games to watch or join

2. Watch the Winnipeg Jets

If you followed the Thrashers closely, you might choose to:

• Keep an eye on the Winnipeg Jets as the continuation of the franchise
• Follow former Atlanta-era players who stayed with the organization for a while after relocation

Some fans still informally think of the Jets as “the team that used to be ours.”

3. Get Involved in the Local Hockey Community

Around metro Atlanta, you’ll find:

• Ice rinks in places like Duluth, Alpharetta, Kennesaw, Marietta, and Johns Creek
• Adult recreational leagues, youth programs, and learn-to-skate classes
• Pickup hockey sessions where adults of various experience levels participate

If you’re new to the sport, this can be a hands-on way to experience hockey without an NHL team in town.

Key Takeaways for Atlanta Residents and Visitors

• The Atlanta Thrashers moved to Winnipeg in 2011 and became the Winnipeg Jets.
• Atlanta currently has no NHL team, and the Thrashers franchise will not be returning.
• The team’s former home, Philips Arena (now State Farm Arena), is still an active venue in downtown Atlanta.
• Professional hockey still exists in metro Atlanta through the Atlanta Gladiators in Duluth and a growing local hockey community.
• While the Thrashers are gone, hockey culture in Atlanta continues, and the possibility of future NHL interest in the city remains a regular topic of conversation among fans.

For anyone in Atlanta wondering “Where did the Atlanta Thrashers go?”, the short answer is: they became the Winnipeg Jets, but their legacy – and the passion for hockey – still lives on here in Atlanta.