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Nashville Predators Timeline

  • Dec. 18, 1996 – The Nashville Arena opens.
  • June 25, 1997 – National Hockey League Board of Governors grants conditional franchise to Leipold Hockey Holdings, LLC.
  • July 9, 1997 – Franchise names David Poile as first general manager.
  • Aug. 6, 1997 – Franchise names Barry Trotz first head coach.
  • Sept. 25, 1997 – Saber-toothed Tiger logo unveiled as team’s mascot at First American Building in downtown Nashville.
  • Nov. 13, 1997 – Predators unveiled as franchise name. The Predators was the name selected by fans.
  • May 4, 1998 – National Hockey League recognizes Nashville Predators as 27th team in league history.
  • June 1, 1998 – Predators acquire Marian Cisar as first player from Los Angeles.
  • June 4, 1998 – Predators sign defenseman Jay Moore as first free agent.
  • June 25, 1998 – Predators name radio station WWTN as flagship station.
  • June 26, 1998 – Predators select Mike Dunham, Scott Walker, Tomas Vokoun and Greg Johnson in NHL expansion draft. Predators signed 26 players total.
  • July 6, 1998 – Tom Fitzgerald is named team’s first captain.
  • Oct. 10, 1998 – Predators host first home game against the Florida Panthers. A sellout crowd witnessed the Predators fall 1-0.
  • Oct. 13, 1998 – Andrew Brunette scores Predators first goal in team history against the Carolina Hurricanes. The Predators defeated Carolina for the franchise’s first victory.
  • Feb. 1, 1999 – Predators open practice facility at Centennial Sportsplex.
  • April 17, 1999 – Predators end first season with loss to New Jersey Devils.
  • May 25, 1999 – Predators Foundation awards $170,000 in grants to Nashville and middle Tennessee based charities and community organizations.
  • Aug. 4, 1999 – Predators name Nashville Arena Gaylord Entertainment Center.
  • Dec. 6, 2001 -- Predators record franchise’s 100th victory over the Ottawa Senators.
  • March 8, 2002 – Predators make “Playoff Pledge.” Team guarantees playoff appearance or increase for 2002-2003 season tickets will be refunded.
  • Dec. 12, 2002 – Tomas Vokoun becomes team’s No. 1 goalie after trade of Mike Dunham.
  • March 1, 2003 – Barry Trotz establishes new record for most games coached by original coach at 392.
  • June 21-22, 2003 – Predators host NHL entry draft.
  • April 7, 2004 – Predators lose first-ever playoff game 3-1 against the Detroit Red Wings.
  • April 11, 2004 – Predators win first-ever playoff game over Detroit Red Wings 3-1.
  • Feb. 15, 2005 – NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announces cancellation of 2004-05 season.
  • Aug. 5, 2005 – Predators sign first NHL All-Star in Paul Kariya.
  • April 2007 – Predators lose in first round of playoffs for third consecutive season to San Jose Sharks. Predators lost to Sharks in 2006 and Detroit Red Wings in 2004.
  • May 23, 2007 – Owner Craig Leipold reaches agreement to sell Predators to Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie.
  • June 28, 2007 - Leipold decided not to sign a binding agreement with Balsillie. Reports indicated that Leipold may sell the team to William DelBiaggio, who may have intentions of moving team to Kansas City, Mo.

  • July 18, 2007 - A local group seeking to keep the Nashville Predators in Tennessee met in New York with Leipold and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. The Nashville group formed in response to the possibility of the team being sold to an outside owner and moved to Hamilton, Ontario or Kansas City.

  • Aug. 1, 2007 - The Predators signed a letter of intent to sell the team to a local group of investors trying to keep the NHL franchise from leaving town. The group contains eight partners and includes David Freeman, chief executive officer of 36 Venture Capital LLC, and Herb Fritch, CEO of HealthSpring Inc. The only partner from outside the Nashville area is William "Boots" Del Biaggio III, a California venture capitalist who is a part-owner of the San Jose Sharks.

Information Courtesy of Nashville Predators' Web site.

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