Is Prince George a hockey town? Some may say “Yes” while others state “No”.
One may easily suggest “Yes” having supported two junior teams the last 20 years, one of those (the Spruce Kings) double that amount of time.
One could also suggest “No” since the Cougars have remained at the bottom of WHL attendance the last few years while the Spruce Kings have played many of their home games the last few seasons in front of a half empty PG Coliseum.
Attendance at local games isn’t the only criteria which determines whether a city is hockey crazy but it certainly plays a weighty role. Let’s use attendance to gauge and examine the issue:
The PG Cougars are getting a much needed fresh start. Fans showed their displeasure and frustration with the previous regime by staying away from games in droves. CN Centre was only filled to 29.2 per cent of capacity in the 2013-14 regular season sporting an average of 1,693. The next smallest was Swift Current at 2,119 although it should be pointed out the Broncos played to 73.6 per cent capacity.
Only four of the 22 WHL teams had an average crowd of less than 3,000. The league average was 4,488.With new ownership comes new enthusiasm especially since two of the six partners are high profile and very well respected NHL players (Dan Hamhuis and Eric Brewer) who have roots to the team. The other four are local residents (Greg Pocock, Ernest Ouellet, Raymond Fortier and John Pateman) who plan on getting a return on their investment knowing that will only happen if crowds dramatically increase. By the way, Hamhuis has confirmed he has a 15 per cent share of the team.
WHL insider Gregg Drinnan has reported that Brewer also has 15 per cent, Pocock 35 per cent and the other three investors make up the remaining 35 per cent. Hamhuis and Brewer remember playing for the Cougars in front of a building that was filled many nights, but that goes back to the late 90’s and early 2000’s.
The feedback I have received indicates that since the change at the top became a reality many fans are ready to return and support the Cougars, either by purchasing season tickets or by going to many more WHL games than they have in recent years. Does this mean attendance will double, triple or possibly even increase more? This is where it gets tricky. No one is really sure. Its one thing for fans to say in casual conversation they are returning, but perhaps another to put their money where their mouth is.
Capacity crowds on opening night and Teddy Bear night are realistic but what’s the number going to be on a cold Tuesday night in December against a team like Tri-City?
Meanwhile, it’s no secret that the Spruce Kings are struggling financially and have strongly indicated they need more fans at their games at the Coliseum because revenue from the House Lottery doesn’t pay all the bills. In 31 home dates (including three in the playoffs) the Spruce Kings only averaged 1,112 fans (about the league average) but down from 1,175 the previous season.
Having paid close attention to hockey in P.G. as a member of the media for the last 35 years, my guess is the Cougars in the 2014-15 season will see a massive jump in attendance that will average in excess of 3,000 a game. The Spruce Kings may also see a small bump but only if they can capitalize on the overall increase in the city’s hockey enthusiasm.
I have no doubt Prince George is a hockey town, in fact, one of the best in the country. However, our city is no different than most others in that results are important. Winning and competitiveness are all an important part of the equation. The Cougars sizzle, new ownership or not, will quickly evaporate if recent trends continue where they have missed the playoffs in five of the last seven years. The Spruce Kings haven’t won a playoff round in nine years.
Fans in P.G. have been more than patient. A banner will be welcome but just taking significant steps toward success, both on and off the ice, will help ensure the long term viability for both teams in the city.
From the Quote Rack:
Willie Mays turned 83 on Tuesday. He’s gone from “Say Hey” to “What Did You Say?”
Comedy Writer Marc Ragovin of New York
Hall of Famer Jim Brown “The NCAA is the most reprehensible organization God ever created.” And God responded “Don’t blame me, I didn’t do it.”
Bud Selig, again tooting his own horn as MLB commissioner, “When I took over in 1992, the gross revenue … was $1.2 billion. This year will be well over $8 billion.” But at least $1 billion of that has
to be beer purchases at Yankee Stadium.
Contributor Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com
16 year-old Florida girl Grace Bush graduating from college and high school in the same week would be big news—if not for some SEC players that graduate from grammar school and college in the same week.
Willie Nelson recently became a fifth-degree black belt. I’m sure his martial arts Master had no trouble at all calling him ‘grasshopper’.
Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California
NBA analyst Charles Barkley is in hot water for saying “There’s some big ol’women in San Antonio and it’s a gold mine for Weight Watchers”. Of course this comes from someone nicknamed “The Round Mound”.
The NBA wants to punish Donald Sterling by forcing him to sell the Clippers and then use the proceeds to buy The Harlem Globetrotters. If they really wanted to punish him, they would make him purchase the Washington Generals.
Comedy writer TC Chong of Vancouver (http://alwaysfunny.com/)
The Running of the Bulls was just held … no, wait, that was sponsors fleeing the LA Clippers.
Brad Dickson of the Omaha World-Herald:
Oprah Winfrey is reportedly interested in buying the LA Clippers. Now it’s really become a soap Oprah.
Another thought about the Clippers fiasco: anyone find it strangely poetic that a guy named Silver banned a guy named Sterling.
Comedy writer RJ Currie www.Sportsdeke.com
And in case you missed it:
Given a bleak year in the pork industry, some Canadian companies are now putting about four slices fewer (500 grams down to 375) in each pack of bacon while charging the same price. Could one refer to this as Back Bacon ?
Hartley Miller is the sports director for radio station 94X. His column appears Fridays on hqprincegeorge.com. Send along a quote, note, or anecdote to [email protected].
Follow him on twitter: @Hartley_Miller