1997day.year
The National Hockey League approved expansion franchises for Nashville (1998), Atlanta (1999), Columbus (2000), and Minneapolis-Saint Paul (2000).
The NHL board approves four new expansion franchises for Nashville, Atlanta, Columbus, and Minneapolis–Saint Paul between 1998 and 2000.
In 1997, the National Hockey League took a landmark decision to approve four new expansion franchises. This approval brought NHL teams to Nashville (which began play in 1998), Atlanta (1999), Columbus (2000), and Minneapolis–Saint Paul (2000). The move aimed to broaden the league's reach into southern and midwestern markets. It marked one of the largest single expansions in the NHL's modern history. These additions set the stage for hockey's growth in non-traditional regions across North America.
National Hockey League
Nashville
Atlanta
Columbus
Minneapolis-Saint Paul