If you’ve lived in Atlanta long enough, you probably remember the Atlanta Thrashers, the city’s former NHL team that played at Philips Arena downtown. Today, many people still ask: “Who are the Atlanta Thrashers now?” and “Where did our team go?”
Here’s a clear breakdown of what happened, where the team is now, and what that means for hockey fans in Atlanta, Georgia today.
The Atlanta Thrashers franchise no longer exists in Atlanta. The team:
So, when people ask “Who are the Atlanta Thrashers now?”, the direct answer is:
The team’s history and records from 1999–2011 are part of that same franchise line, just in a different city with a different name.
For local fans, this was Atlanta’s second chance at NHL hockey, after the Atlanta Flames left for Calgary in the 1980s.
From the NHL’s perspective, it was a relocation, not a new franchise, so the Thrashers’ history moved with the team.
Today, the Winnipeg Jets:
If you followed players like Ilya Kovalchuk, Dany Heatley, or Marian Hossa during the Thrashers era, they are part of the same franchise history that now sits under the Winnipeg Jets name.
Here’s a simple way to see the transition:
| Aspect | Atlanta Thrashers (Past) | Winnipeg Jets (Now) |
|---|---|---|
| City | Atlanta, Georgia | Winnipeg, Manitoba (Canada) |
| Home Arena | Philips Arena (now State Farm) | Canada Life Centre |
| NHL Seasons | 1999–2011 | 2011–present (same franchise line) |
| Status in Atlanta | No longer active | No active NHL franchise in Atlanta |
| Current Team Name | — | Winnipeg Jets |
For Atlantans, this means that the NHL franchise that once played here no longer operates in Georgia, even though its history lives on in another city.
No, there is no current NHL team based in Atlanta.
As of now, Atlanta is not home to an NHL franchise, and all official NHL games involving the former Thrashers franchise are played as Winnipeg Jets games in Canada.
However, that doesn’t mean hockey is dead in Atlanta. Far from it.
If you’re in Atlanta and you miss the Thrashers, you still have several ways to stay connected to hockey.
You can still follow:
Many Atlanta sports bars and restaurants—especially around:
often put on NHL games during the season, especially during the playoffs. Calling ahead to ask if they’ll show a Jets game or another team’s matchup is a practical step.
While there’s no NHL team, there are:
These can be good options if you want live hockey without traveling far from Atlanta.
If losing the Thrashers made you want to get more involved on the ice, the Atlanta metro area has several rinks where you can skate, play amateur hockey, or join a league. Some commonly known ice facilities include:
These facilities typically offer:
If you’re in Atlanta proper, these rinks are generally reachable via:
Calling the rink or checking their posted schedule is usually the best way to find:
Even though the Atlanta Thrashers are now the Winnipeg Jets, Atlanta is still a major sports city with:
If you miss top-level hockey in downtown Atlanta, you’re not alone. Many long-time residents still remember game nights at Philips Arena, the unique jerseys, and the Thrashers’ bird logo.
As of now, there is no active NHL team in Atlanta, and no confirmed, official plan to bring one back. Expansion or relocation decisions are made by NHL leadership and team owners, and they can change over time—but nothing is guaranteed.
Yes, you can still find:
These items are usually sold as collector or retro gear, and you may see them worn by long-time fans around neighborhoods like Midtown, Buckhead, and the suburbs on game days or at local rinks.
All official team records, playoff appearances, and stats from 1999–2011 belong to the Winnipeg Jets franchise, which is the direct continuation of the Atlanta Thrashers in the NHL’s structure.
If you’re visiting Atlanta and wondering what remains of the Thrashers:
With that, the answer to “Who are the Atlanta Thrashers now?” is simple for anyone in Atlanta:
