Music: {allcanada} THRASHERS' WADDELL SAYS HE'S NOT MOVING TO WINNIPEG

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

{allcanada} THRASHERS' WADDELL SAYS HE'S NOT MOVING TO WINNIPEG

The tenure of Atlanta Thrashers President Don Waddell has come to an end.

Waddell said in a Tuesday conference call that he's not moving to Winnipeg with the Thrashers and isn't sure where the next step in his career will lead him.

The news came just hours after it had been announced by both True North and the Atlanta Spirit Group that the team will move to Winnipeg pending NHL Board of Governors approval.

"They have Mark Chipman up there running a very successful franchise in the American Hockey League," Waddell said. "I'm gonna stay here through the close of business. When we hand the keys over to Winnipeg, we want to hand it over in the best condition that we can. Assuming that happens sometime after the Board of Governors meeting and after the Draft, then I'll explore my options."

A veteran of more than 30 years in professional hockey as a player, coach and manager, Waddell used his experience to guide the Thrashers as the team's general manager from 1999 to 2010. During that span, the Thrashers won 308 games and finished first in the Southeast Division during the 2006-07 campaign, earning a playoff appearance that year. He was responsible for piecing together numerous parts of the current Thrashers squad.

Waddell also served as the general manager for the U.S. teams at the 2005, 2002 and 2001 World Championships and was the assistant general manager for the 2004 and 2000 World Championships and the 2004 World Cup team. As a player, Waddell helped the U.S. to a Gold Medal at the 1983 World Championships.