Winnipeg NHL team sells out season tix

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WINNIPEG, Manitoba, June 4 (UPI) -- Season tickets for the prospective Winnipeg, Canada, NHL franchise sold out minutes after they were put on sale Saturday, team officials said.

The one-time Atlanta Thrashers are awaiting approval from the league's board of governors to approve their sale to True North Sports and Entertainment and subsequent relocation to the Canadian city.

The board is set to vote June 21, and True North in the meantime launched a drive to sell 13,000 season tickets to demonstrate the city's commitment to a new NHL franchise.

Fans responded by snapping them all up shortly after they were put on sale Saturday afternoon, the team said.

"It was an extraordinarily impressive statement by the fans in Winnipeg that they are ready to embrace NHL hockey," NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly told the Winnipeg Sun. "I'm sure our board of governors will certainly take note."

"Holy smokes, that's unbelievable," added Thrashers Goalie Chris Mason. "I really can't wait to experience the excitement of playing in front of a sold-out, enthusiastic crowd. It's just going to be crazy."