Comments on: In a town like Toronto… http://www.psycholadyhockey.com/in-a-town-like-toronto%e2%80%a6/ Stalking a hockey rink near you. Oh my! Thu, 26 Aug 2010 10:49:09 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Chris http://www.psycholadyhockey.com/in-a-town-like-toronto%e2%80%a6/comment-page-1/#comment-735 Chris Wed, 13 Jan 2010 22:32:29 +0000 http://www.psycholadyhockey.com/?p=384#comment-735 Good reply PL. It really comes down to what other choices are available in the area and how the product (the team) is viewed by the market. In Winnipeg the Moose are the cream of the crop so they can demand a higher ticket price. In Toronto the Marlies are totally an after thought (more Leafs fans would consider a trip to Buffalo, especially to watch the Leafs, than going to a Marlies game for any price). Ryan, along with the old supply and demand factor, there is the atmosphere as well. At Toronto Marlies games there is ZERO atmosphere because the arena is half empty (and I don't know if lower ticket prices would help this, but it wouldn't hurt trying). I'd rather go to a good Junior game with high intensity and kids fighting to prove themselves as potential NHL'ers with a good vocal crowd (in a smaller arena) then a rink that is half full. With that said, I saw a Junior game in Edmonton a few months back at Rexall Place and because it was a TINY TINY crowd in a large rink the atmosphere was horrible and the game reflected it. There, similar to Toronto they are not the cream of the crop, but they are a hockey market and they are trying to sell their tickets at a premium price (not to mention $10 parking outside the rink). It all comes down to the market, the competition as well as the product on the ice. (except the Leafs, crappy product yet they sell out every game). Good reply PL. It really comes down to what other choices are available in the area and how the product (the team) is viewed by the market. In Winnipeg the Moose are the cream of the crop so they can demand a higher ticket price. In Toronto the Marlies are totally an after thought (more Leafs fans would consider a trip to Buffalo, especially to watch the Leafs, than going to a Marlies game for any price).

Ryan, along with the old supply and demand factor, there is the atmosphere as well. At Toronto Marlies games there is ZERO atmosphere because the arena is half empty (and I don’t know if lower ticket prices would help this, but it wouldn’t hurt trying). I’d rather go to a good Junior game with high intensity and kids fighting to prove themselves as potential NHL’ers with a good vocal crowd (in a smaller arena) then a rink that is half full.

With that said, I saw a Junior game in Edmonton a few months back at Rexall Place and because it was a TINY TINY crowd in a large rink the atmosphere was horrible and the game reflected it. There, similar to Toronto they are not the cream of the crop, but they are a hockey market and they are trying to sell their tickets at a premium price (not to mention $10 parking outside the rink).

It all comes down to the market, the competition as well as the product on the ice. (except the Leafs, crappy product yet they sell out every game).

]]> By: Psycho Lady http://www.psycholadyhockey.com/in-a-town-like-toronto%e2%80%a6/comment-page-1/#comment-734 Psycho Lady Wed, 13 Jan 2010 20:34:34 +0000 http://www.psycholadyhockey.com/?p=384#comment-734 ...and I say that as someone who had season tickets for the Leafs, Marlies, and Majors all at the same time! :S …and I say that as someone who had season tickets for the Leafs, Marlies, and Majors all at the same time! :S

]]> By: Psycho Lady http://www.psycholadyhockey.com/in-a-town-like-toronto%e2%80%a6/comment-page-1/#comment-733 Psycho Lady Wed, 13 Jan 2010 20:18:16 +0000 http://www.psycholadyhockey.com/?p=384#comment-733 Why wouldn't I make that comparison? Buffalo is an hour from us. Most people who couldn't get Leafs tickets went that route instead of spending money on a lower level of hockey like the AHL. You pay that in Winnipeg because there is no competition. As Chris said, there are four hockey teams in the GTA, I'm not sure why we'd be expected to shell out money for all four teams just so we can "prove" we are "real" fans. Why wouldn’t I make that comparison? Buffalo is an hour from us. Most people who couldn’t get Leafs tickets went that route instead of spending money on a lower level of hockey like the AHL. You pay that in Winnipeg because there is no competition. As Chris said, there are four hockey teams in the GTA, I’m not sure why we’d be expected to shell out money for all four teams just so we can “prove” we are “real” fans.

]]> By: Ryan http://www.psycholadyhockey.com/in-a-town-like-toronto%e2%80%a6/comment-page-1/#comment-732 Ryan Wed, 13 Jan 2010 20:12:08 +0000 http://www.psycholadyhockey.com/?p=384#comment-732 Chris - Here in Winnipeg the AHL tix range in price from 22.50-42.50 and the team consistently draws 6,000-7,000 and was even up as high as 12,000 during last year's playoff run. So the answer to your question of "who wants to spend that" is "alot of people" it just depends on your perspective. PL - Holding up Buffalo's pricing scheme as a comparison is a bit of a stretch, compare to comparable hockey markets like Chicago, Minnesota, Denver etc. I don't know enough about "true Toronto hockey fans" to wade into this debate, just wanted to make those two points. Chris – Here in Winnipeg the AHL tix range in price from 22.50-42.50 and the team consistently draws 6,000-7,000 and was even up as high as 12,000 during last year’s playoff run. So the answer to your question of “who wants to spend that” is “alot of people” it just depends on your perspective.

PL – Holding up Buffalo’s pricing scheme as a comparison is a bit of a stretch, compare to comparable hockey markets like Chicago, Minnesota, Denver etc.

I don’t know enough about “true Toronto hockey fans” to wade into this debate, just wanted to make those two points.

]]> By: Psycho Lady http://www.psycholadyhockey.com/in-a-town-like-toronto%e2%80%a6/comment-page-1/#comment-729 Psycho Lady Wed, 13 Jan 2010 06:00:20 +0000 http://www.psycholadyhockey.com/?p=384#comment-729 Oh i KNOW! They used to make that argument that a "REAL" fan would pay the $57 they were originally charging (front row in Buffalo is $62 for SSHs). I said, "No, a real fan will pay $12 and go see the Majors." Them, "That's a different style of hockey." Me, "OK, then they'll travel 25 minutes down the 403 and pay $20 to see the Bulldogs." Checkmate. I don't think that it's that the fans don't care, it's just, like you said, a total rip off! :) And, GWMJ, the picture is a couple seasons old - i used to be blonde! Oh i KNOW! They used to make that argument that a “REAL” fan would pay the $57 they were originally charging (front row in Buffalo is $62 for SSHs). I said, “No, a real fan will pay $12 and go see the Majors.” Them, “That’s a different style of hockey.” Me, “OK, then they’ll travel 25 minutes down the 403 and pay $20 to see the Bulldogs.” Checkmate. I don’t think that it’s that the fans don’t care, it’s just, like you said, a total rip off! :)

And, GWMJ, the picture is a couple seasons old – i used to be blonde!

]]> By: Chris http://www.psycholadyhockey.com/in-a-town-like-toronto%e2%80%a6/comment-page-1/#comment-728 Chris Wed, 13 Jan 2010 05:53:28 +0000 http://www.psycholadyhockey.com/?p=384#comment-728 I only went to Marlies games when I had an AHL card and could get in for free! haha I think their ticket prices are still out of whack. Who wants to spend 38-42 for "platinum" seats. It's minor league hockey, they should not be selling anything as platinum. But MLSE doesn't really care about how many people go to the games, its cheaper and easier for them to access players. Oh, and I miss the days of going to games at St. Mike's and spending intermissions in the bar! Love your perspectives though Psycho Lady! I only went to Marlies games when I had an AHL card and could get in for free! haha

I think their ticket prices are still out of whack. Who wants to spend 38-42 for “platinum” seats. It’s minor league hockey, they should not be selling anything as platinum.

But MLSE doesn’t really care about how many people go to the games, its cheaper and easier for them to access players.

Oh, and I miss the days of going to games at St. Mike’s and spending intermissions in the bar!

Love your perspectives though Psycho Lady!

]]> By: Garrett Bauman http://www.psycholadyhockey.com/in-a-town-like-toronto%e2%80%a6/comment-page-1/#comment-727 Garrett Bauman Wed, 13 Jan 2010 04:59:16 +0000 http://www.psycholadyhockey.com/?p=384#comment-727 Great post. Glad that someone out there sees it the same way I do! Being a Leafs' fan can be frustrating at times, but people forget too easily just how good things were prior to the lockout, when the team was a serious threat and near the top of the league standings. We will get there again - but righting the ship takes time. And the reward will be all the more sweeter for those who never wavered in their support for the team. :) Great post. Glad that someone out there sees it the same way I do! Being a Leafs’ fan can be frustrating at times, but people forget too easily just how good things were prior to the lockout, when the team was a serious threat and near the top of the league standings. We will get there again – but righting the ship takes time. And the reward will be all the more sweeter for those who never wavered in their support for the team. :)

]]> By: GirlsWearingMyJersey http://www.psycholadyhockey.com/in-a-town-like-toronto%e2%80%a6/comment-page-1/#comment-726 GirlsWearingMyJersey Tue, 12 Jan 2010 21:44:59 +0000 http://www.psycholadyhockey.com/?p=384#comment-726 Awesome post. You really do have a way of putting things into perspective. As you already know, (I think) being born and raised in San Jose, I'm a Sharks fan to the core. But here's another little known fact... I own 5 jerseys - 4 Sharks... but the 5th is a Leafs jersey that I also proudly wear. I don't claim to be a hardcore Leafs fan. I can't ramble off stats and facts. But I do recognize the long history they have and what they mean to the sport of hockey. P.S. What's up with the blonde hair? Not that you look bad as a blonde. :-) Awesome post. You really do have a way of putting things into perspective. As you already know, (I think) being born and raised in San Jose, I’m a Sharks fan to the core. But here’s another little known fact… I own 5 jerseys – 4 Sharks… but the 5th is a Leafs jersey that I also proudly wear. I don’t claim to be a hardcore Leafs fan. I can’t ramble off stats and facts. But I do recognize the long history they have and what they mean to the sport of hockey.

P.S.
What’s up with the blonde hair? Not that you look bad as a blonde. :-)

]]> By: Psycho Lady http://www.psycholadyhockey.com/in-a-town-like-toronto%e2%80%a6/comment-page-1/#comment-725 Psycho Lady Tue, 12 Jan 2010 21:09:08 +0000 http://www.psycholadyhockey.com/?p=384#comment-725 That's true. I made the same argument while I was working at MLSE. As for things like the Marlies, they destroyed their fanbase when the team moved to Toronto, and the higher ups decided they could charge NHL (Buffalo) prices for their tickets. It wasn't until the 4th season before the prices were lowered, by then it was too late. As for the Majors, I don't think I need to tell you that they moved from an arena that probably did not seat 2000 people to the Hershey Centre. Arguably, their fanbase was very small (although at capacity) for a very long time - so if anything I'd blame the front office for not doing more to draw in new blood once they had the space for them. Those are just some theories, though. I'm only JUST starting to come back to junior hockey now, so I've been out of the loop for a long time. Last Majors game I saw was in the College School Arena, and the last time I was at the Hershey Centre was when it was the home of the Ice Dogs! :) That’s true. I made the same argument while I was working at MLSE. As for things like the Marlies, they destroyed their fanbase when the team moved to Toronto, and the higher ups decided they could charge NHL (Buffalo) prices for their tickets. It wasn’t until the 4th season before the prices were lowered, by then it was too late. As for the Majors, I don’t think I need to tell you that they moved from an arena that probably did not seat 2000 people to the Hershey Centre. Arguably, their fanbase was very small (although at capacity) for a very long time – so if anything I’d blame the front office for not doing more to draw in new blood once they had the space for them. Those are just some theories, though. I’m only JUST starting to come back to junior hockey now, so I’ve been out of the loop for a long time. Last Majors game I saw was in the College School Arena, and the last time I was at the Hershey Centre was when it was the home of the Ice Dogs! :)

]]> By: Chris http://www.psycholadyhockey.com/in-a-town-like-toronto%e2%80%a6/comment-page-1/#comment-724 Chris Tue, 12 Jan 2010 20:57:07 +0000 http://www.psycholadyhockey.com/?p=384#comment-724 One thing, you mistake "Leaf fans" for hockey fans in a "town like Toronto". If people in Toronto were true hockey fans there would be more than 2,500 people at Ricoh, and at Majors and Battalion games. The Majors are the #8 ranked team in Canada and they are averaging less than 2,200 per game? Brampton is under 2,000? Leafs fans support the Leafs (blindly), but they do not truly support hockey. One thing, you mistake “Leaf fans” for hockey fans in a “town like Toronto”. If people in Toronto were true hockey fans there would be more than 2,500 people at Ricoh, and at Majors and Battalion games.

The Majors are the #8 ranked team in Canada and they are averaging less than 2,200 per game? Brampton is under 2,000?

Leafs fans support the Leafs (blindly), but they do not truly support hockey.

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