11°c A few clouds
18°c Sunny
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Chipman to meet with NHL brass
Mark Chipman (WINNIPEG FREE PRESS ARCHIVES) Photo Store
TRUE North chairman Mark Chipman will lead a contingent from the NHL's newest city -- Winnipeg -- to a meeting of the league's executive committee today in New York.
Chipman will update the top committee of NHL owners on the state of his company's transaction to buy the Atlanta Thrashers and move them to Winnipeg for the start of the 2011-12 season.
The meeting is expected to include an update from True North on the season-ticket campaign that was launched last Wednesday.
The campaign concluded just after noon CT on Saturday and in less than 72 hours, True North sold all 13,000 season tickets for commitments of three to five years. It also opened a waiting list for season tickets and capped that list at 8,000 before Saturday was over.
Today's meeting, which is expected to include NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, is the prelude to the June 21 full board of governors meeting in New York that will be asked to approve the change in ownership and its relocation. A majority of 75 per cent of league owners must give thumbs up to the sale, while a simple majority is required to allow the relocation to Winnipeg to proceed.
Those approvals are expected to be easily obtained, given the quality of True North's partnership of Chipman and David Thomson, plus the decisive success of the ticket campaign.
True North director of communications Scott Brown said Monday that he had no updates on any coming announcements about the franchise's hockey department or its new name. He said fans should not expect anything on either front today.
Chicago Blackhawks assistant GM and senior director of hockey operations Kevin Cheveldayoff has been offered the job. Chicago sources said he's been offered a five-year deal. That deal has apparently not been finalized and an announcement could be pushed into later this week.
There were also a variety of reports in the last few days about the future of Atlanta Thrashers GM Rick Dudley, who was informed by True North on Saturday that he will not be moving to Winnipeg with the franchise.
There have been reports that Dudley's buyout was part of the deal with the Atlanta Spirit group but another item of speculation has suggested Dudley's payout, including some amount of money from True North, will take place over the next eight years.
The Atlanta/Winnipeg franchise will be represented at Wednesday's NHL GM's meetings in Boston by former Thrashers GM and its outgoing president Don Waddell.
-- with files from Gary Lawless
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition June 7, 2011 C2
- Back to Top
- Return to Hockey
Poll
Most Popular Hockey
- Burmistrov wants out of Winnipeg
- B's bring their A game
- Ready for prime time
- Paille's late goal gives Bruins 3-0 series lead over sagging Rangers
- Jets cut ties to ECHL club
- Avalanche remain silent on report that former star goalie Patrick Roy may return as coach
- Kane's days are numbered in 'Peg
- Frk's four points leads Mooseheads
- Jokinen says Jets a good fit for him
- Ex-Jets MacLean, Carlyle on Sochi coaching list
- Ready for prime time
- Winnipeg Jets among most expensive pro teams to watch
- Burmistrov wants out of Winnipeg
- Jets cut ties to ECHL club
- Burke will be back; he's just that good
- 'It's the worst feeling'
- Ex-Jets MacLean, Carlyle on Sochi coaching list
- Fast start for Hawks
- Colin Greening has OT winner in Senators 2-1 victory; Penguins lead series 2-1
- Red Wings flying high
- Enough of Buff: Get rid of him
- For first time, Jets GM Cheveldayoff is poised to put stamp on the franchise
- Chevy's choice: Stick with Noel or pursue Vigneault
- Young prospects will get every opportunity to stick with the big club: Cheveldayoff
- It's broke - Fix it
- Jets' playoff hopes dealt fatal blow
- This end-of-season scenario old, and Jets fans and players know it
- Win against Montreal Jets' last hope in playoff push
- Caps just too much for Jets
- It's lucky 13 for the Winnipeg Jets at NHL draft
- Winnipeg Jets among most expensive pro teams to watch
- Burmistrov wants out of Winnipeg
- Jets cut ties to ECHL club
- Burke will be back; he's just that good
- The Gretzky of Gretzky collectors sells hoard that brought him closer to game
- Avalanche remain silent on report that former star goalie Patrick Roy may return as coach
- Enough of Buff: Get rid of him
- Winnipeg Jets among most expensive pro teams to watch
- It's broke - Fix it
- When money talks, it says, 'End fighting in the NHL'
- Manitobans go fourth, fifth in WHL draft
- Slideshow: Things that didn't exist the last time the Leafs were in the playoffs
- Summer could be a sizzler
- Wheat Kings land Patrick after draft day deal
- Chevy's choice: Stick with Noel or pursue Vigneault
- Burmistrov wants out of Winnipeg
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.