What's the deal with Hockeytown?

[Jason 65]

I just finished watching the Wings vs. Lightning game on NHL Network and I noticed once again that there was a severe lack of fans at the game. I know it's only preseason, but this is about the 20th time I have noticed that when watching Detroit games. I don't think it's fair to call your city hockeytown if you can't even fill your seats for most games. Montreal has sold out every preseason game so far. I know that here in Vancouver the building is sold out every night too. I don't expect sellouts in Nashville, Carolina or Phoenix, but Detroit? C'mon hockeytown, prove that you are worthy of your name!

What do y'all have to say about this?

[mack 44]

it's preseason.

[Lufria 1]

it's preseason.

+1

[Jason 65]

I know it's preaseason. I even mentioned that. However, I've watched a bunch of regular season games over the past couple of seasons only to see plenty of lower bowl red seats empty. That's pretty strange for a perennial winner in a hockey loving state.

[hehatemefrisbee 0]

this question gets asked so much.

Corporations buy the lower bowl tickets. These tools dont care about hockey, and are only there to sell shit. It costs too much to go downtown now, so they dont bother showing up.

Add that with the local economy being horrible, its hard to get a full house. Upper level tickets for pre-season are $50. Would you pay that?

[JR Boucicaut 3801]

$54 :)

[Fire0nIce228 1]

For pre-season. Holy crap.

I got decent tickets to the Pens/Canes game in Raleigh on the 5th for that price in the lower section of the rink.

[mack 44]

Pre-season anything sucks; I maybe made half the Predators' pre-season games.

[DarkStar50 679]

Pre-season should be free season. Let them make money on soda, hot dogs, and parking.

[Wayne 0]

The economy in southeast michigan is so horrible right now that people don't have the money to buy regular season tickets, let alone pre-season.

I suggest a temporary move from Detroit to Grand Rapids :D .

[Sniper15 0]

I know it's preaseason. I even mentioned that. However, I've watched a bunch of regular season games over the past couple of seasons only to see plenty of lower bowl red seats empty. That's pretty strange for a perennial winner in a hockey loving state.

I know exactly what you're talking about man. I saw some playoff games last year that had a lot of lower bowl seats empty.

[dustwvl 0]

It all depends on when you are looking also. The arena really does not fill up until almost the second period. They have a lot of late arrivals.

[Hidious 0]

Where does that name come from again? How old is it? Hockeytown, common, don't take that too seriously, it's obvious that some Canadian cities take cheering for your team to another level. And i'm not saying this to disparage American cities at all, it's just the way it is. That's one of the reasons why i'm having a hard time accepting the fact that there's no team in Quebec city.

[Chadd 916]

Where does that name come from again? How old is it? Hockeytown, common, don't take that too seriously, it's obvious that some Canadian cities take cheering for your team to another level. And i'm not saying this to disparage American cities at all, it's just the way it is. That's one of the reasons why i'm having a hard time accepting the fact that there's no team in Quebec city.

Those empty seats in Detroit are sold out in the regular season or playoffs. Cheer as loud as you want but it's money that makes a difference. The Nords couldn't survive in Quebec City and new ownership moved them where they could turn a profit. The fact that the attendance in QC was near the bottom of the league didn't help either.

[Hidious 0]

Sure, money makes the difference, i think most people know that already. But IMO, filling the seats for the season and playoffs is not the only requirement to be considered a "hockeytown". (I'm not saying Detroit isn't one of those, it's just not THE hockeytown)

I was too young at the time to remember why the Quebec city market was so asleep (crappy team?) but i think it's safe to say that today, at this moment, there's room for another team in Quebec's market and luckily, some influent people have already started the procedures to get a team back in Quebec city. (plans for a new rink)

[x107metallica 0]

Since the joe has a lack of suites big bussiness buys 90% of the lower bowl i have been told. They give there tickets to employees but they dont end up going.

[chk hrd 164]

Quebec City definitely would have to get a new rink. Even though it has a long history the Collise (sp) is a toilet.

[Rustpot 1]

Since the joe has a lack of suites big bussiness buys 90% of the lower bowl i have been told. They give there tickets to employees but they dont end up going.

They buy upper too. The tickets I got last season (New Year's Game) were from a friend's dad who took them in partial exchange for cabinets in a company break room.

Sat right in front of Yzerman in the press box though, and top of the tier is still close enough to see facial expressions and hear them cussing out the ref when the crowd is quiet.

They sell out lots of games, just not fill them all.