The Atlanta Flames were a professional ice hockey team that played in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1972 to 1980. The Flames were the first major league sports franchise in Atlanta, and they had a storied but short history.

The Flames were originally based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, where they were founded in 1972. However, the team struggled to find a fan base and financial stability, so they were sold to a group of investors led by Tom Cousins for $6 million in 1980. The team was then moved to Atlanta, where they became the city’s first major professional sports franchise.

One of the key reasons that the Flames moved to Atlanta was the potential for growth and expansion in the southern United States. At the time, there were very few NHL teams in the southern part of the country, and many believed that there was an untapped market for professional hockey in the region. The Flames were seen as a way to test the waters and see if a southern NHL team could be successful.

The Flames got off to a promising start in Atlanta, finishing with a record of 35-32-13 in their first season. They made the playoffs in their first two years in the city, but they were never able to advance past the first round. The Flames struggled to find consistent success on the ice, which made it difficult for them to build a fan base.

Despite their struggles, the Flames had some talented players during their time in Atlanta. Their most notable player was defenseman Frank Mahovlich, who was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1981. Other notable players included Eric Vail, Guy Chouinard, Tom Lysiak, and Dan Bouchard.

Off the ice, the Flames faced many challenges in building a fan base. The team played in the Omni Coliseum, which was located in the downtown area of Atlanta. While this was a convenient location, it also meant that the team was competing with other entertainment options in the city. Moreover, the city’s warm climate made it difficult to generate interest in a winter sport like hockey.

Another challenge for the Flames was the fact that Atlanta is not a traditional hockey market. While the city had a growing population and a strong economy, it did not have the same lineage of hockey as cities like Toronto, Montreal, or Boston. As a result, many people in Atlanta were not familiar with the sport, which made it difficult for the Flames to win over new fans.

Despite these challenges, the Flames did have some dedicated fans in Atlanta. However, the team’s financial struggles continued, and they were eventually sold to a group of investors in Calgary in 1980. The team was renamed the Calgary Flames, and they have been based in the city ever since.

Overall, the Atlanta Flames were an important team in the history of the NHL. They were the first major league sports franchise in Atlanta, and they helped to pave the way for other southern-based NHL teams like the Dallas Stars and the Tampa Bay Lightning. While the Flames were not ultimately successful in Atlanta, they played an important role in expanding the scope of professional hockey in North America.

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