OT- Any hockey fans?

[August_West]

Probably one of the worst teams to a be a fan of in professional sports. Not only have they sucked, but more than half the time it's a complete sh!tshow. I'm having trouble thinking of a more downtrodden fandom. Even the Mets have 1986. I'd rather be a Cubbies fan honestly.

Well..... I was 2 in 1969 so I have Superbowl 3 . Also I was raised outside NYC until 9 years old and I grew up going to every Jets home game between the ages of 4-8 to see Namath play. he was and still is my favorite athlete of all time. But man have we suffered since.

 

[intlzncster]

Well..... I was 2 in 1969 so I have Superbowl 3 . Also I was raised outside NYC until 9 years old and I grew up going to every Jets home game between the ages of 4-8 to see Namath play. he was and still is my favorite athlete of all time. But man have we suffered since.

I mean, your fans were the only people who boo'ed their own draft choice every single year. It was comical. Then I remember cheering for Gholston, and he turns out to be a dud (saved the Pats skins on that one, because I think they'd have jumped on him).

 

[Husky25]

Probably one of the worst teams to a be a fan of in professional sports. Not only have they sucked, but more than half the time it's a complete sh!tshow. I'm having trouble thinking of a more downtrodden fandom. Even the Mets have 1986. I'd rather be a Cubbies fan honestly.

The entire City of Cleveland just collectively scoffed at you in derision...

 

[August_West]

I mean, your fans were the only people who boo'ed their own draft choice every single year. It was comical. Then I remember cheering for Gholston, and he turns out to be a dud (saved the Pats skins on that one, because I think they'd have jumped on him).

Thats why Ive given up. My father too, he was the biggest jets fan ever, had season tickets from the first game in the AFL. We cant stand what the modern day jets fan has become. Not that the bumbling idiots running the franchise are any better and might be worse.

 

[Adios]

I loved hockey when going to Whale games, was really into it. I tried to maintain my interest after they left, but struggled a lot and basically lost touch with the professional game to the degree that I watch virtually no NHL hockey even during the playoffs.

I've been following college more than the NHL these days, but the college scene here sure helped heal old wounds. Yale vs Quinnipiac in the final is a game for the ages.

 

[intlzncster]

The entire City of Cleveland just collectively scoffed at you in derision...

But it's Cleveland. Does that even count?

 

[intlzncster]

Thats why Ive given up. My father too, he was the biggest jets fan ever, had season tickets from the first game in the AFL. We cant stand what the modern day jets fan has become. Not that the bumbling idiots running the franchise are any better and might be worse.

That's definitely where the problem is. Patriots did a 180 when Bob Kraft showed up.

Just like the Mets who have to get rid of the massive albatross around their neck that is the Wilpon family.

 

[Danpisco12]

Hockey lost me when they had the first slapshot contest at an All Star game.

You would watch the All Stars shooting at an empty net with no one on them and one puck would go near the goal, the next over the glass etc

And then in any game the announcer would say after a goal that the guy who scored saw a slight 6 inch opening when he shot that was just to the left of goalie. This with a man on him and a goalie in the net. Yeah right.

Really they just wind up and fire anywhere towards the vicinity of the goal and hope it goes in or gets deflected off a skate or stick. Not exactly pinpoint accuracy

As someone who plays hockey you honestly could not be more wrong.

 

[August_West]

As someone who plays hockey you honestly could not be more wrong.

Yeah, I was going to take that post to task too. Just not right. The thing is they are so big fast and skilled now, that almost never can you find open ice in a scoring area to be a sniper from. Even if you do, goalies are stopping everything they can see. Screens, back doors and deflections are really the only way to get a puck in the net most of the time. Players absolutely have the skills. It's a different game than it was 40 years ago.

 

[Danpisco12]

Yeah, I was going to take that post to task too. Just not right. The thing is they are so big fast and skilled now, that almost never can you find open ice in a scoring area to be a sniper from. Even if you do, goalies are stopping everything they can see. Screens, back doors and deflections are really the only way to get a puck in the net most of the time. Players absolutely have the skills. It's a different game than it was 40 years ago.

Very true. I didn't even play division 1 or anything but during pick up when we don't have 2 goalies we play where you need to hit the post to score and even I am able to do that pretty reliably. Given the space most all NHL players would absolutely astonish you with their ability to routinely pick corners from almost anywhere on the ice. Try watching a practice sometime.

 

[IHeartStairs]

The best sweaters, best goal music, never the best team but will always be my team. Bring them back

 

[Waquoit]

Jack Edwards is excellent……..from ESPN to very good hockey guy!.

So you must think Derek Sanderson was the best color guy ever!

 

[Waquoit]

Patriots did a 180 when Bob Kraft showed up.

Nope, the Pats did a 180 when the Big Tuna showed up. The Krafts just took credit for it.

 

[Husky25]

So you must think Derek Sanderson was the best color guy ever!

Sanderson was, say, colorful...
But Brickley is a better color guy.

 

[intlzncster]

Nope, the Pats did a 180 when the Big Tuna showed up. The Krafts just took credit for it.

You are talking solely on the field. The Krafts changed the whole model of how the entired organization functioned; when I mean 180, I'm talking how the whole organization operated top to bottom. And yes, Parcells was absolutely key. But Parcells did not keep the Pats winning for the next decade and a half.

The day after the NFL approved the sale in February 1994, Patriots fans showed their appreciation by purchasing almost 6,000 season tickets en route to selling out every game for the first time in the team's 34-year history. Every home game—regular season, postseason, and even preseason—has been sold out since. -wikipedia

No coincidence that the Pats made the Superbowl 2 years after they bought the team.

Then, of course, they hired Bill Belichick, the best coach in modern football history, and its single greatest hire. Being a great leader is about finding the right people to do the job, first and foremost. And BB is greater than BP over the long hall. Everything they've done since then has been spot on. It's now one of the most valuable franchises in all of sports. And a model of professional sports team organizations. Even the way that Kraft got in there, by buying the stadium/lease ahead of time, was very Krafty.

 

[Scoe]

Calhoun was on the Whalers board of trustees.

 

[Scoe]

Old-time hockey!!

Yep, I miss the old Civic Center I used to always go to the old Wendys there and sneak in food under my Whalers starter jacket which I still have btw lol, good times.

 

[August_West]

Nope, the Pats did a 180 when the Big Tuna showed up. The Krafts just took credit for it.

And he almost did the same for jets, but alas it was the jets and he bailed.

 

[Waquoit]

And he almost did the same for jets, but alas it was the jets and he bailed.

And the Cowboys

 

[Waquoit]

You are talking solely on the field. .

Because that's what matters most. You forget that the Krafts ran Tuna out of town and the team turned back into crap. They get props for bringing in Belichick. If they don't do that, the team stays crappy and Kraft is just another meddlesome owner like Jerry Jones.

 

[intlzncster]

Because that's what matters most. You forget that the Krafts ran Tuna out of town and the team turned back into crap. They get props for bringing in Belichick. If they don't do that, the team stays crappy and Kraft is just another meddlesome owner like Jerry Jones.

Fan support, facilities, TV, quality of org are all important for getting players to come and having the money to pay. Running tuna out of town was a good thing. As he's shown over the years, tuna is not a good long term option. Tuna can't get out of the way of his own ego.

And recognizing the greatness of BB and being willing to give up a first for him was nothing short of genius. Especially given belichik's previous failing in Cleveland.

Most importantly, Kraft learned from the tuna situation that he shouldn't mess with management. Few billionaire owners can resist. But the culture of the organization flows directly from the top.

 

[Husky25]

Yep, I miss the old Civic Center I used to always go to the old Wendys there and sneak in food under my Whalers starter jacket which I still have btw lol, good times.

If it's the Civic Center you miss, you can go there anytime. There is no more mall, but the arena is the exact same. It is also one of the reasons the NHL won't return to Hartford and none of Global Spectrum's improvements get it any closer. The building has to be gutted at least, which will reduce capacity because luxury boxes and club seats need be installed. It will probably bring hockey capacity to or below 14,000. Except for Winnipeg and NYI, NHL venues are above 17,000. That means the building should probably be razed and rebuilt...but can a 17,500 stadium fit on the current footprint? Doubtful.

Regardless, a new building is probably too much public expense for only a hope.

 

[August_West]

If it's the Civic Center you miss, you can go there anytime. There is no more mall, but the arena is the exact same. It is also one of the reasons the NHL won't return to Hartford and none of Global Spectrum's improvements get it any closer. The building has to be gutted at least, which will reduce capacity because luxury boxes and club seats need be installed. It will probably bring hockey capacity to or below 14,000. Except for Winnipeg and NYI, NHL venues are above 17,000. That means the building should probably be razed and rebuilt...but can a 17,500 stadium fit on the current footprint? Doubtful.

Regardless, a new building is probably too much public expense for only a hope.

Hockey will NEVER be back in Hartford. We had our shot and blew it. More inept ownership and management to blame for the fans lethargy.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

If it's the Civic Center you miss, you can go there anytime. There is no more mall, but the arena is the exact same. It is also one of the reasons the NHL won't return to Hartford and none of Global Spectrum's improvements get it any closer. The building has to be gutted at least, which will reduce capacity because luxury boxes and club seats need be installed. It will probably bring hockey capacity to or below 14,000. Except for Winnipeg and NYI, NHL venues are above 17,000. That means the building should probably be razed and rebuilt...but can a 17,500 stadium fit on the current footprint? Doubtful.

Regardless, a new building is probably too much public expense for only a hope.

There was talk about a new arena being built just North of I-84 on Main Street; but, very recent developments know have that lot being used for the potentially relocated New Britain RockCats AA baseball team (see other thread). But, I believe Hartford sold the Church Street Garage across from the XL that could be used to expand a new/rebuild arena if the city closed that block of Church Street. Not sure how the parking would be replaced (hopefully not on top, i.e. the old New Haven Coliseum).

Either way, I still strong believe that Hartford’s problems need to be separated from UConn’s. UConn needs an on-campus 12K or so arena for basketball (and maybe hockey). Hartford needs to then decide if it wants a 18K arena for a NHL team, which I believe is a pipedream especially with Bettman still in charge, or a top-of-the-line, 10K arena for minor league hockey more along the lines of what Providence, Albany, Rochester, Grand Rapids, etc. have.

 

[Waquoit]

And recognizing the greatness of BB and being willing to give up a first for him was nothing short of genius. Especially given belichik's previous failing in Cleveland..

What failure was that? He got that franchise to the playoffs. The fans turned on him because he had no use for Bernie Kosar anymore. The fanbase chose Bernie over Bill, that's why I have little sympathy for Browns fans.

 

[IHeartStairs]

Saying Whaler fan's blew it is insane. We outdrew the the Bruins on multiple occasions in the 80's (when we were good) yet they get called a great hockey town even though no one mentions they drew barely 75% capacity in the mid 2000's. The Blackhawks finished last in the league in total attendance 2005-07. heck even the Penguins were being shopped to other cities before Crosby was drafted. Fans EVERYWHERE show up for a winner and inept (corrupt) management killed my team, not the fans. It could work again and a new arena downtown not only keeps those hopes alive but it puts UConn in a better position for the future as well.

 

[Husky25]

Saying Whaler fan's blew it is insane. We outdrew the the Bruins on multiple occasions in the 80's (when we were good) yet they get called a great hockey town even though no one mentions they drew barely 75% capacity in the mid 2000's. The Blackhawks finished last in the league in total attendance 2005-07. heck even the Penguins were being shopped to other cities before Crosby was drafted. Fans EVERYWHERE show up for a winner and inept (corrupt) management killed my team, not the fans. It could work again and a new arena downtown not only keeps those hopes alive but it puts UConn in a better position for the future as well.

The old Garden sat an uncomfortable 14,448 for hockey. If you want to measure a team's following, look at capacity percentage, not just paid attendence over a 41 game schedule. There were many a night that Bruins fans outdrew the Whalers in on Trumbull Street.

Boston was not a good organization after the strike in '05, but 75% of 17,500 is still 13,000. Not bad for a last place team. Then they went through a major culture change around '07-08 timeframe. Jacobs actually references and credits the Sox and Patriots for it. He didn't want the Bruins to be the only franchise in town to not win a Championship.

 

[IHeartStairs]

The old Garden sat an uncomfortable 14,448 for hockey. If you want to measure a team's following, look at capacity percentage, not just paid attendence over a 41 game schedule. There were many a night that Bruins fans outdrew the Whalers in on Trumbull Street.

Boston was not a good organization after the strike in '05, but 75% of 17,500 is still 13,000. Not bad for a last place team. Then they went through a major culture change around '07-08 timeframe. Jacobs actually references and credits the Sox and Patriots for it. He didn't want the Bruins to be the only franchise in town to not win a Championship.

Yup and by looking at percentage in the Whalers best years 86-87 The Bruins drew 12,431 and 12,128 which is around 83% filled in a HUGE market compared to the Whale average of 92% filled in a limited market. I'm not saying we had a filled building every night each year because that is far from the truth but I'm sick and tired of people singling out Hartford for not packing them in for a losing team when even OG6 teams (in the US) struggle at the gate when the team is losing. I think an NHL team could strive here with the right ownership, good marketing and corporate support all of which was absent in the past. Replacing the Civic Center is step one.

 

[Scoe]

If it's the Civic Center you miss, you can go there anytime. There is no more mall, but the arena is the exact same. It is also one of the reasons the NHL won't return to Hartford and none of Global Spectrum's improvements get it any closer. The building has to be gutted at least, which will reduce capacity because luxury boxes and club seats need be installed. It will probably bring hockey capacity to or below 14,000. Except for Winnipeg and NYI, NHL venues are above 17,000. That means the building should probably be razed and rebuilt...but can a 17,500 stadium fit on the current footprint? Doubtful.

Regardless, a new building is probably too much public expense for only a hope.

It is not the same not without the Wendy's you just wouldn't understand. It may look the some but doesn't have the same feel to it. Of course they need a new arena.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

Yup and by looking at percentage in the Whalers best years 86-87 The Bruins drew 12,431 and 12,128 which is around 83% filled in a HUGE market compared to the Whale average of 92% filled in a limited market. I'm not saying we had a filled building every night each year because that is far from the truth but I'm sick and tired of people singling out Hartford for not packing them in for a losing team when even OG6 teams (in the US) struggle at the gate when the team is losing. I think an NHL team could strive here with the right ownership, good marketing and corporate support all of which was absent in the past. Replacing the Civic Center is step one.

Don’t discount the fact though that are are fewer corporate headquarters in the Hartford areas in the 2000’s than there were in the 1980’s, especially in the insurance and banking industry. Corporations pay for the big boxes and are able to write them off as a business development expense. Those boxes and the money they generate is what drove the rash of new sports arenas across all of the leagues in the last 20 years (of course mostly paid by taxpayer dollars; but, that is a separate story). The lack of boxes, especially lower level ones, doomed the XL to second tier status. Without boxes and corporations willing to pay for them, getting a new NHL size arena in Hartford will be difficult.