American Decades
Hockey
Southern Exposure.
Much to the consternation of Canadian fans, ice hockey moved south in the 1990s as six new National Hockey League (NHL) franchises played in the Sun Belt—the San Jose Sharks (1991), Tampa Bay Lightning (1992), Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1993), Florida Panthers (1993), Nashville Predators (1998), and Atlanta Thrashers (1999). Only one traditional venue for hockey was added in the decade, the Ottawa Senators (1992). Having gained the Senators, Canada lost the Quebec Nordiques in 1995 when they became the Colorado Avalanche; at the same time the Winnipeg Jets moved to Arizona where they became the Phoenix Coyotes. Completing the southern migration of major league hockey was the relocation of the Hartford Whalers to Raleigh, North Carolina, to become the Carolina Hurricanes. In 1999 one of the southern teams even won the Stanley Cup, the symbol of league supremacy, when the Dallas Stars beat the Buffalo Sabres, four...
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1990's Sports
