Former NHL player Anson Carter is leading a group that is looking to bring a professional hockey team back to Atlanta. Alpharetta Sports & Entertainment put out a statement on Tuesday making clear of their intention to bring an NHL expansion team to Alpharetta, Georgia. "I've lived in Atlanta since 2009, and I have no doubt that the best league in the world will thrive in its return to Metro Atlanta," Carter said in a statement. "... I have been in dialogue with commissioner (Gary) Bettman since 2019 about an expansion team returning to the Fulton County Metro Atlanta market, knowing that NHL franchise decisions are exclusively decided by the NHL Board of Governors." The other partners alongside Carter include Neil Leibman of Top Tier Sports, Peter Simon of Simon Sports and Aaron Zeigler of Zeigler Entertainment Group. Carter said that proposed development for an arena would also have an outdoor stadium for soccer or lacrosse, a hotel, retail, a performing arts venue, an esports venue, as well as community and practice facilities. Armstrong Post Trade Deadline (1) The Atlanta Thrashers were in the NHL from 1999-2011 before ultimately relocating and becoming the Winnipeg Jets. Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith formally asked the NHL to initiate the expansion process and bring a team to Salt Lake City back in January. The Arizona Coyotes also continue their search to secure a permanent arena in the Valley as they look to pursue land in North Phoenix through an auction.
