Raise a glass - or throw a catfish - to celebrate the anniversary of the Nashville Predators.
Raise a glass - or throw a catfish - to celebrate the anniversary of the Nashville Predators.
On June 25, 1997 the NHL Board of Governors granted a conditional franchise to Leipold Hockey Holdings, LLC that became the Nashville Predators. Now the Predators and this city are preparing to welcome the entire league for the 2023 NHL Awards and NHL Draft. The Predators will commemorate the franchise's anniversary with events downtown this week.
Three other groups received conditional franchises on the day in 1997. The Minnesota Wild, Columbus Blue Jackets, and the Atlanta Thrashers (now the Winnipeg Jets) share this date in history with the Predators.
It is a bit of a full circle moment as the Predators celebrate this year's anniversary. David Poile, who was named the Predators first General Manager on July 9, 1997, will wrap up his career with the NHL draft before officially handing the reins over to the franchise's first head coach, Barry Trotz on July 1. On May 31, Trotz hired Andrew Brunette to be the new head coach of the team. Brunette played for the inaugural Predators team and scored the first goal in franchise history.
There are plenty of great memories to look back on in Nashville's twenty-six year history, but right now Poile, Trotz, and the fan base are focused on the future. Trade deadline moves and yesterday's Ryan Johansen trade with the Colorado Avalanche are major steps in a franchise transition. With the NHL draft just three days away, plenty of cap space, and a team headed in a new direction, the franchise and fan base will spend this anniversary looking to the future.
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