And then there were seven....Welcome back Winnipeg

May 31^st, 2011 will go down as a day I never thought I would see, the day the National Hockey League returned to Winnipeg. Looking back to the final game the Jets played in Winnipeg after being eliminated by the Detroit Red Wings in their opening round series of the 1996 Stanley Cup Playoffs, I can honestly say I never thought the NHL, especially with Gary Bettman in charge, would be calling Winnipeg home to a franchise once again.

Anyone who has watched the scenarios play out in markets like Atlanta, Florida and of course Phoenix can tell you that the league’s attempt to make the game fly down south was met with limited success. All three markets had varying levels of success, with Florida creating the biggest buzz when they made it to the 1996 Stanley Cup Final only to fall to  the Colorado Avalanche, who were also in the midst of making a name for themselves after relocating from Quebec City a year earlier. While the NHL was able to create a buzz and find success in some of the cities it brought the game to, there have been just as many, if not more that are on shaky legs. For every Colorado, San Jose and Minnesota you have a handful of clubs that just have not been able to maintain a balance that will last long term.

The question that jumps out after today’s announcement is who is next? Will it be Florida, or Phoenix, or perhaps Columbus, who has had solid fan support during their tenure in the National Hockey League but limited success on the ice with their lone post season appearance coming in 2009. It is tough enough to build a Stanley Cup contender, but if you ask me it is tougher to build a solid franchise in the many U.S. markets the league has set up shop or have looked to as possible destinations.

Like myself, the National Hockey League did not expect a return to Winnipeg when the last box was packed and sent for Phoenix when the Jets left 15 years ago. To many Canadians it is a great day for hockey and rightfully so, but for the NHL and those who supported the game in Atlanta and in other markets south of the boarder it is anything but exciting. Gary Bettman had his work cut out for him when he took the job as commissioner of the National Hockey League and he continues to face similar adventures to this day. Hopefully the lessons learned will make for a stronger league, with stronger ownership and a level of support in all markets the league is presently in with a push by those lurking in the bushes to be on their best behaviour if they chance to get into the game comes about.