On March 12th in sports history, one significant event took place in 1997 when the National Hockey League (NHL) announced that it would be expanding to four new cities: Nashville, Atlanta, Minneapolis-St. Paul, and Columbus. This expansion marked a significant moment in the league's history, as it aimed to increase its presence in the southern and midwestern United States.
The Nashville Predators, Atlanta Thrashers (now the Winnipeg Jets), Minnesota Wild, and Columbus Blue Jackets were born out of this expansion, with each team beginning play in the 1998-99 or 2000-01 seasons. The addition of these teams brought the total number of NHL franchises to 30, making it one of the largest professional sports leagues in North America.
Interestingly, the NHL's decision to expand to these cities was met with some skepticism at the time, as hockey was not traditionally popular in the southern United States. However, the league believed that by establishing a presence in these markets, it could grow the sport's popularity and attract new fans.
Since their inception, each of these expansion teams has experienced varying levels of success. The Nashville Predators, in particular, have become a competitive force in the Western Conference, reaching the Stanley Cup Finals in 2017. The Minnesota Wild and Columbus Blue Jackets have also established themselves as consistent playoff contenders, while the Atlanta Thrashers struggled on the ice and with attendance before eventually relocating to Winnipeg in 2011.
The NHL's expansion announcement on March 12th, 1997, may not be as well-known as some other moments in sports history, but it nonetheless represents a significant milestone in the league's evolution and growth.
