Atlanta Thrashers and City of Atlanta
to Host 2005 NHL All-Star Weekend

55th NHL All-Star Game to take place Feb. 13, 2005 at Philips Arena; All-Star Weekend to include NHL FANtasy, SuperSkills and YoungStars Game

The Atlanta Thrashers and the City of Atlanta will host the 2005 NHL All-Star Weekend, which will take place from Feb. 12-13, 2005, at Philips Arena. Today's announcement, made by Thrashers Vice President and General Manager Don Waddell, the National Hockey League and Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, is the culmination of a year-long bid process with the NHL that was spearheaded by the Thrashers in conjunction with Time Warner Inc., the City of Atlanta, Atlanta Sports Council and Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau.

As part of today's announcement, it was revealed that all Thrashers full season ticket holders for the 2004-05 season will be given an opportunity to purchase All-Star Weekend ticket packages, with pricing information to be announced at a later date.

"In the five years since we launched the Thrashers franchise, our season ticket holders, fans, sponsors and partners within the community have fully supported our efforts to build this team and grow the great sport of hockey," said Waddell. "We're honored to host this prestigious event featuring the NHL's top athletes performing at one of the premier sports and entertainment venues, Philips Arena, and providing Atlanta with another great opportunity to showcase its world-class facilities and amenities."

"The NHL is thrilled that the 2005 NHL All-Star Weekend will be hosted by the Atlanta Thrashers," said Frank Supovitz, Group Vice President, Events and Entertainment, NHL. "Atlanta is a city rich in hockey tradition, dating back to the early 70s. We're planning a series of events and entertainment designed to treat die-hard and novice fans, young and old. We look forward to the opportunity of making the 2005 NHL All-Star Weekend the best ever."

The NHL All-Star Weekend is expected to provide an estimated $15-$18 million dollar boost to the local economy. Approximately 7,000 hotel nights will be booked for NHL guests, with an expected 700 domestic and international media in attendance to cover the event. Two hundred and seventeen countries and territories will watch the All-Star game on television. In addition, NHL All-Star Weekend is expected to raise more than $500,000 for charity, with more than 1,500 local volunteers are likely to participate.

"As a fan of the Thrashers and the NHL, I speak for all Atlantans when I say how proud we are to add NHL All-Star Weekend to the list of major sporting events that our city has hosted," said Mayor Franklin. "We look forward to welcoming the league and its fans to the greatest hockey city in the South."

NHL All-Star Weekend features the 55th All-Star Game to be played at Philips Arena on Sunday, Feb. 13. The SuperSkills competition and YoungStars game on Saturday night, Feb. 12, also highlight the action at Philips Arena.

The NHL fan experience, "NHL FANtasy," which will be held at the Georgia World Congress Center during the week of the All-Star Game, provides fans with the opportunity to experience the sights, sounds and action of the NHL. This interactive hockey theme park and festival will usher in the All-Star Weekend with more than 30 attractions and exhibits. Over the course of several days, fans can test the velocity of their slapshot, step into goal and face a rapid-fire of pucks, play pickup hockey games, learn about the history of the sport, and view the oldest trophy in professional sports, Lord Stanley's Cup.

Further details on the 2005 All-Star Game, including ticket information, will be released at a later date. For downloadable images of Philips Arena's grand entrance that spells "ATLANTA," visit the online press kit section at www.PhilipsArena.com.

The Atlanta Thrashers are a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company. For ticket information, visit the team's Web site at www.atlantathrashers.com or call the Thrashers at (404) 584-PUCK.

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