From the moments after its birth back on June 25, 1997, the Atlanta Thrashers have been a franchise that has followed a well-conceived plan that has built a foundation for success.

Back on that June day, expectant hockey fans in Atlanta could only imagine a team that would one day boast the likes of Ilya Kovalchuk, Dany Heatley and Kari Lehtonen. Why, back then, the team didn't even have a name, just the exciting news that an Atlanta-based NHL team would begin play in 1999-2000.

The name would come on Feb. 16, 1998, when "Thrashers" was announced, linking the team to the official state bird of Georgia. On April 23, 1998, the franchise's logo and colors were unveiled in a live internet launch that coincided with a press conference at the CNN Center in Atlanta. Buy Atlanta Thrashers Tickets.