The Nashville Predators' 2007-2008 season marks the tenth season in the history of the franchise. We're celebrating the occasion with a special section of our Web site, dedicated to revisiting the history of the organization. This section will grow with new features and interactive elements as the 10th Anniversary Season unfolds. (Note: Click the 10th Anniversary banner at the top of any page in this section to return to this index.)
On the second-to-last day of the 2003-04 season, a loss by the Edmonton Oilers clinched the Predators' first-ever playoff berth.
April 7, 2004
The Predators faced the Detroit Red Wings in the franchise's first playoff game. Adam Hall scored 16 seconds into the game to give the Preds a 1-0 lead, but Detroit would later rally for the win.
April 11, 2004
In the first home playoff game in team history, the Predators earned their first playoff victory, a 3-1 decision over Detroit.
April 18, 2006
Paul Kariya netted a hat trick as part of a four-point night in Nashville's 6-3 win over Detroit in the regular season finale.
April 5, 2007
With a 4-1 win over St. Louis, Nashville hit the 50-win mark for the first time in franchise history. The club would end the '06-07 season with a record of 51-23-8 for a franchise-best 110 points.
“It has been a thought to pursue music, but it is a tough decision because music is hard to get into,” Allison said. “But, with some of the contacts I’ve made it might be a little easier. My hockey career might be winding down even though I think I can still play, but my wife and I were just talking about Nashville and somehow trying to come back to Nashville to live. That is where we want to stay and raise our kids.”
The Lindsay, Ont., native has played in 372 career NHL games from 1994 to the present, spending the 2006-07 campaign with the Binghamton Senators, Ottawa’s primary AHL affiliate.
What are your fondest memories of Nashville?
“There are so many. The two biggest things were that both of our kids were born there. That’s the best memories we have, and probably what is pulling us back there. We lived in Franklin when we were there, and just kind of fell in love with the city – the lifestyle was very attractive to us. Everyone was just so friendly and laid back, and there is so much to do – you could do something different everyday. Plus, being in music myself, it is obviously one of my favorite places to be. I was also lucky enough to sing for Joe Galante of RCA Records during my time there, so I have a lot of memories.”
What was the most exciting part about living in the community?
“It isn’t one particular thing as much as it is the entire package. The lifestyle, there is so much to do, plus country music is so big for me. I love the fact that on any given night you can find a place to go listen to some good music. So, everything for us fits our lifestyle, and with our kids being born there, we would love to be able to raise them in Nashville.”
Who were you closest to during your time on the team?
“My first year there we were pretty close with Jason York and Andreas Johansson. But it’s funny because one of the things we liked about the team so much is that everyone kind of hung out, there weren’t a lot of cliques. It was a lot of fun. Scott Walker is from my area so I got to know him while he was there, but I really hung out with everyone. Both Chris Mason and Scott Nichol are still really good friends and we still keep in touch.”
Is there any one on-ice moment that you remember from your time in Nashville?
“The biggest thing was that when I first signed there, they were up front and told me I was being signed for the minor league team. I still came in with the mindset that I would make the team, but my first game was fun because I actually did make the team, and overcame a lot of obstacles to be there. Also, my first year there was the first year the team made the playoffs, so it was special to know I was a part of that. I remember when we found out that night that we made it, we were on the way back from a road trip and we got off the plane to a couple hundred people cheering us so that was special.”
Is there anyone who was on one of your Nashville teams that went on to surprise you with what they have accomplished in the league?
“The biggest one is Chris Mason. He came from basically playing in the minors and being up and down to coming in and being a backup. When he finally got a chance to show what he could do he took over the number one spot. It is nice to see a story like that, because he has always worked hard and is just an all-around great guy and teammate. You love to see a guy like that do well.”
How else did you grow either professionally or personally during your time in Nashville?
“Besides becoming a father, realizing that there might be an opportunity in music somewhere in the future was big. I did one little charity show and it seemed like the people who came out really enjoyed it, so it was a nice feeling, and kind of gave me the confidence to pursue something.”
10th Anniversary Feature Archive:
Flashback Feature: Where are they now? Greg Johnson
Flashback Feature: Most Impressive single-game offensive performances
Flashback Feature: Where are they now? Cliff Ronning
10th Anniv.: Where were they then?
Flashback Feature: Ten years of transactions
Where are they now? Catching up with Stu Grimson
Where are they now? Original captain Tom Fitzgerald
Where are they now? Blueliners Bob Boughner and Drake Berehowsky
Where are they now? Forward Rob Valicevic
Where are they now? Denny Lambert
This Month in Predators' History
April 3, 2004On the second-to-last day of the 2003-04 season, a loss by the Edmonton Oilers clinched the Predators' first-ever playoff berth.
April 7, 2004
The Predators faced the Detroit Red Wings in the franchise's first playoff game. Adam Hall scored 16 seconds into the game to give the Preds a 1-0 lead, but Detroit would later rally for the win.
April 11, 2004
In the first home playoff game in team history, the Predators earned their first playoff victory, a 3-1 decision over Detroit.
April 18, 2006
Paul Kariya netted a hat trick as part of a four-point night in Nashville's 6-3 win over Detroit in the regular season finale.
April 5, 2007
With a 4-1 win over St. Louis, Nashville hit the 50-win mark for the first time in franchise history. The club would end the '06-07 season with a record of 51-23-8 for a franchise-best 110 points.
Flashback Feature: Where are they now? Jamie Allison
Jamie Allison
Jamie Allison was able to grow professionally in more that just the hockey world during is his time in the Music City. A veteran of 67 contests for the Predators from 2003-06 pursued his other career, one in country music even performing for some of the top executives in town.“It has been a thought to pursue music, but it is a tough decision because music is hard to get into,” Allison said. “But, with some of the contacts I’ve made it might be a little easier. My hockey career might be winding down even though I think I can still play, but my wife and I were just talking about Nashville and somehow trying to come back to Nashville to live. That is where we want to stay and raise our kids.”
The Lindsay, Ont., native has played in 372 career NHL games from 1994 to the present, spending the 2006-07 campaign with the Binghamton Senators, Ottawa’s primary AHL affiliate.
What are your fondest memories of Nashville?
“There are so many. The two biggest things were that both of our kids were born there. That’s the best memories we have, and probably what is pulling us back there. We lived in Franklin when we were there, and just kind of fell in love with the city – the lifestyle was very attractive to us. Everyone was just so friendly and laid back, and there is so much to do – you could do something different everyday. Plus, being in music myself, it is obviously one of my favorite places to be. I was also lucky enough to sing for Joe Galante of RCA Records during my time there, so I have a lot of memories.”
What was the most exciting part about living in the community?
“It isn’t one particular thing as much as it is the entire package. The lifestyle, there is so much to do, plus country music is so big for me. I love the fact that on any given night you can find a place to go listen to some good music. So, everything for us fits our lifestyle, and with our kids being born there, we would love to be able to raise them in Nashville.”
Who were you closest to during your time on the team?
“My first year there we were pretty close with Jason York and Andreas Johansson. But it’s funny because one of the things we liked about the team so much is that everyone kind of hung out, there weren’t a lot of cliques. It was a lot of fun. Scott Walker is from my area so I got to know him while he was there, but I really hung out with everyone. Both Chris Mason and Scott Nichol are still really good friends and we still keep in touch.”
Is there any one on-ice moment that you remember from your time in Nashville?
“The biggest thing was that when I first signed there, they were up front and told me I was being signed for the minor league team. I still came in with the mindset that I would make the team, but my first game was fun because I actually did make the team, and overcame a lot of obstacles to be there. Also, my first year there was the first year the team made the playoffs, so it was special to know I was a part of that. I remember when we found out that night that we made it, we were on the way back from a road trip and we got off the plane to a couple hundred people cheering us so that was special.”
Is there anyone who was on one of your Nashville teams that went on to surprise you with what they have accomplished in the league?
“The biggest one is Chris Mason. He came from basically playing in the minors and being up and down to coming in and being a backup. When he finally got a chance to show what he could do he took over the number one spot. It is nice to see a story like that, because he has always worked hard and is just an all-around great guy and teammate. You love to see a guy like that do well.”
How else did you grow either professionally or personally during your time in Nashville?
“Besides becoming a father, realizing that there might be an opportunity in music somewhere in the future was big. I did one little charity show and it seemed like the people who came out really enjoyed it, so it was a nice feeling, and kind of gave me the confidence to pursue something.”
10th Anniversary Feature Archive:
Flashback Feature: Where are they now? Greg Johnson
Flashback Feature: Most Impressive single-game offensive performances
Flashback Feature: Where are they now? Cliff Ronning
10th Anniv.: Where were they then?
Flashback Feature: Ten years of transactions
Where are they now? Catching up with Stu Grimson
Where are they now? Original captain Tom Fitzgerald
Where are they now? Blueliners Bob Boughner and Drake Berehowsky
Where are they now? Forward Rob Valicevic
Where are they now? Denny Lambert
