It’s the announcement that thousands of Winnipeggers and Canadian hockey fans from coast to coast have been patietly waiting to hear.

On May 31, 2011 we finally heard the news that drove Winnipeggers to shut down Portage and Main nearly two weeks ago: the Atlanta Thrashers have been purchased by True North Sports Entertainment (TNSE) and the NHL will return to Manitoba for the 2011/12 season.

With his family sitting in he front row, TNSE Chairman of the Board Mark Chipman made the official statement that the MTS Centre will be home to the seventh Canadian NHL franchise. No name has been decided upon yet, but a ticket drive will start for the general public on June 4, with the goal to sell 13,000 season tickets before the next NHL Board of Govenors meeting on June 21.

By visiting www.driveto13.com, fans interested in buying tickets can find all the necessary information including pricing information, frequently asked questions, and an daily ticket drive meter that shows how many season tickets have been sold.

Mike Sirant, the varsity coach of the Bisons Men’s hockey program said that “hockey is important in our culture” and that having an NHL team in Winnipeg would only serve to heighten interest in hockey in Winnipeg.

Sirant went on to say that in previous years there has been a strong relationship between the Bisons and the city’s AHL team, the Manitoba Moose, and with the Jets before they left in 1996; he hopes to continue this relationship with the new NHL team.

One of the benefits of this relationship in the past was the chance for Bison athletes to compete against Moose prospects, honing their skills against professional players. With the return of the NHL to Winnipeg, the Bisons could have an opportunity to play against NHL calibre players — a valuable experience for any CIS team.

Dr. David T. Barnard, U of M President and Vice-Chancellor released a statement today where he congratulated TNSE for their hard work and determination to realize a dream that has stayed alive in Manitoba since the Winnipeg Jets left in 1996.

Barnard ended his statement by saying that “there is much to celebrate this week, especially for hockey fans. You have been waiting for this announcement for the better part of two decades.Enjoy your party at The Forks. You’ve earned it.”