Atlanta Puck Fever: Unveiling the Potential NHL Comeback in the Southern Heartland

Will the NHL return to Georgia for a third time?

By Merrick Parnell

The National Hockey League (NHL) could be eyeing another market to expand to. 

According to former NHL player and TV analyst Kevin Weekes, the Atlanta metro moved closer to getting an NHL franchise back. According to a tweet from Weekes, Forsyth County, Georgia, is close to approving an arena project. Weekes believes the potential for a new arena is a significant step toward landing a pro hockey team in Georgia and Forsyth County, just 50 minutes north of Atlanta. 

The Atlanta Thrashers in a game vs Vancouver. The Thrashers played in the NHL in Georgia before moving.

This is a developing story, but the plan is to build a 1 Billion dollar arena and entertainment complex known as the The Gathering at South Forsyth. On January 31st, County commissioners voted 4-1 to move forward with potentially financially contributing to the arena project. 

The NHL has had two different teams in Atlanta with the Flames and then the Thrashers. Both teams would eventually relocate to Canada.

Possible NHL Expansion to Utah

The NHL is also considering expansion to Salt Lake City Utah. That process seems a bit farther along as the NHL has already issued a statement about that market and its potential ownership group. Read more on that story here.