Muammar Al Khadafi

The 2011-2012 NHL season opens this coming weekend, and nowhere is it being more eagerly anticipated than in Winnipeg.   After 15 years without their beloved Jets, Winnipeggers got the news last May the Atlanta Thrashers were being purchased and relocated to the city.   They snapped up 13,000 season tickets, bought the new gear and jerseys when the redesigned Jets logo was released and have eagerly awaited the October 9 clash with the Montreal Canadiens that opens their 2011-2012 season.

The NHL put off realignment until the conclusion of this season, so for the time being the Jets are in the NHL's Southeast Division 1500 miles away from their nearest division rival.  

But Jets fans don't care.   They have NHL hockey back and they'll be rocking the MTS Centre on Sunday and proving how much they missed it.

The folks in Winnipeg can't wait for the 2011-12 NHL season to start because for the first time since 1996, there will be an NHL team in the city. 

The deal to purchase the Atlanta Thrashers and move them to Winnipeg became official when it was approved at the June 24 NHL Board of Governors meeting.   It was subsequently followed by a crowd pleasing announcement that the team would officially be renamed the Winnipeg Jets.

The new owners of the team are coming up with a brand new logo and uniforms for the team.  As for what division the Jets will play in, they will stay in the Southeast Division for now   The NHL decided to table the realignment issues caused by the move until the end of the 2011-12 season.  

The peeps in Winnipeg don't care.   They are just counting the days until the NHL season starts.