Atlanta Thrashers

The NHL’s return to the Atlanta Metro is one step closer, as the Forsyth County Commission approved the final agreements for The Gathering at South Forsyth on Wednesday. Numerous NHL insiders have further expressed the increasing likelihood that Vernon Krause’s group will be able to secure an NHL expansion franchise soon, at which point construction will begin on the new arena.

Gathering at South Forsyth: Forsyth County greenlights $3B mixed-use development with NHL-ready arena Forsyth County Commission approved agreements for The Gathering at South Forsyth, a $3 billion mixed-use project with an NHL-ready arena.

BREAKING: Alpharetta Sports and Entertainment Group, led by Atlanta Gladiators owner and former NHL veteran Anson Carter, has submitted a formal request for an NHL expansion franchise:

“We will be dropping a puck for the ‘27-28 season provided the NHL votes to expand and picks Atlanta.”

Vernon Krause is a name you can expect to hear much more from in the coming months and years. It has been 13 long years and counting since the Thrashers’ departure, but the future of hockey in Atlanta and the State of Georgia is looking brighter than ever.

EXCLUSIVE: Local developer behind The Gathering says he met with NHL commissioner In a Channel 2 Action News exclusive, Vernon Krause, the businessman behind the proposal to build a new arena in Forsyth County, said he met with the National Hockey League commissioner.

It was great to see the Thrashers logo and uniform on the ice once again, even if for just one evening (for now, at least!)

There are so many great photos with so many familiar faces from the old days, feel free to share them below in the comments!

Major thanks to the Atlanta Gladiators and Mr. Anson Carter on their hard work and a great evening, and for helping bring Atlanta hockey back into the spotlight!

Blueland is BACK!

Join the Gladiators as they take the ice as the Atlanta Thrashers with specialty jerseys, arena theming and more.

Tickets on sale now! https://bit.ly/3fHnYAW

Eric Belanger, who scored the first ever playoff goal, has been named the first head coach of the Lions de Trois-Rivières, one of the new member clubs of the ECHL.

Eric Bélanger devient le premier entraîneur-chef de l’histoire des Lions de Trois-Rivières 🦁⚜️
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Eric Bélanger becomes the first Head Coach in the history of the Trois-Rivières Lions