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Post by rockon on Dec 30, 2007 11:17:22 GMT -4
I don't mean to be making a habit of posting newspaper articles on this site, but some of the content (The Morgue) from this article may have surfaced from this site. Really, do we appreciate the caliber of hockey that we have access to???
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Editor:Is it the Civic Centre
or The Morgue?
I was happy to see an excellent editorial ‘Getting behind the home team’ (The Guardian, Dec. 27, 2007) in support of our P.E.I. Rocket.
We have been season ticket holders since the Rocket came to P.E.I. and we see the slow demise of team support as well. I can’t judge the economic benefit to Charlottetown and P.E.I. as a whole other than to say that after every game I’m amazed at how much traffic there is out of the major arteries from Charlottetown after each game. That has to be a crude indicator of the infusion of dollars into the city for every game.
I agree with the editorial in that we don’t appreciate the calibre of hockey that we have access to. Each club that ices a team at the Civic Centre has at least three or four NHL draft picks on the roster. Hockey doesn’t get any better than this at the junior level.
I might be so bold as to suggest that we don’t deserve the Rocket. I find the majority of fans that attend the games provide pathetic support for their home team. Almost nobody claps or cheers when they hit the ice. If we don’t let the team know we are alive and supporting them, we are giving up a big part of home ice advantage and making it harder for them to win at home. Attend a game in Moncton and you will see what fan support is all about. I’ve often heard the Civic Centre referred to as The Morgue and it’s not an inaccurate description. Hopefully this week’s editorial will stimulate some interest and support in keeping this high-quality hockey club on P.E.I.
Bernie MacIntyre, Marshfield
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Post by wingman on Dec 30, 2007 15:42:43 GMT -4
I think that people do appreciate the caliber of hockey, but I think they would also appreciate having a competitive team during at least one point in the five years they have been here. The novelty of having a team in a "prestigious" league (as the Guardian's editorial put it) wears off after a couple of years, that is found in any city/market, not just PEI. The Rocket needs to learn that using that approach to garner interest in fans isn't enough and perhaps that is one reason why they couldn't make a go of it in Montreal too. Don't forget, the Savard's had this team in another market and couldn't make it work there either, so it's not just PEI fans.
Perhaps another question that should be asked is if the Rocket appreciate the fans they do/did have. It seems like every year there are less game promotions/giveaways and taking away things like the video screens doesn't come across as showing that appreciation.
Another way to show that appreciation is to give the fans a winning team, a team that has the hopes of making a serious playoff run. The editorial last week mentioned how the corporate backers should stop asking "what's in it for me?". Well the fans have been attending the games, buying merchandise for 5 years now, perhaps the Rocket shouldn't be saying "the people of PEI need to be doing more for the Rocket" and instead be thinking "what can we do for the fans that have been with us and bring back old and potentially new fans". Icing a top caliber, contending team instead of teams that have the potential to only win a round or two in the playoffs would go a long way to show that appreciation.
People want to see good caliber of hockey which the QMJHL provides but they also want to cheer on a team that they know will go far come playoff time. As much as people want to blame Islanders and don't want to point a finger at the Rocket, we have never had that in the five years since the Savard's brought this team to the Island.
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Post by countsheep on Dec 30, 2007 16:44:31 GMT -4
It's very simple.
Islanders have to stop telling themselves what "great Island hockey fans" they are, and actually buy tickets and show up at the frigging games.
....else we'll all be back to watching river hockey, forever.
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Post by Stuck in a Loop... on Dec 30, 2007 17:10:59 GMT -4
Even with the amount of noise in the morgue, its very hard to hear it on the ice from the players point of view, so really it feels like they are playing in front of no one most times, When someone starts a go rocket go chant (a member of this board) you hear ppl telling him to shut up most times or just stupid lil remarks and the chant often dies out with him and a few lil kids doing it
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Post by wingman on Dec 30, 2007 18:12:45 GMT -4
It's very simple. Islanders have to stop telling themselves what "great Island hockey fans" they are, and actually buy tickets and show up at the frigging games. ....else we'll all be back to watching river hockey, forever. and the Rocket don't need to do anything increase interest? |
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Post by bois on Dec 30, 2007 18:30:20 GMT -4
It's very simple. Islanders have to stop telling themselves what "great Island hockey fans" they are, and actually buy tickets and show up at the frigging games. ....else we'll all be back to watching river hockey, forever. It isn't simpple at all wingman presented a very well written counterpoint and as usual the responses he gets are snide digs at Island hockey fans once more why should Islanders buy tickets? give them a reason to buy more tickets our attendance is not that bad in relation to the rest of the league quit bellyaching in the media about how bad this place is... do something about it for fuck sakes as for the rink it is what it is.. it isn't gonna get better.. it isn't gonna get louder... enjoy the hockey.. cheer who you wanna cheer.... but stop trying to make your fellow Islanders and hockey fans look bad every chance you can.. the Island has many great hockey fans .. they have had these fans before the Rocket ever showed up and if they leave us the hockey fans will remain |
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Post by countsheep on Dec 30, 2007 19:28:03 GMT -4
I'm not trying to make anyone look bad.
Yes, there are "great hockey fans" here, but what we need right now are more "great ROCKET hockey fans".....not just the ones here on Rockettalk.
My take on this is that the way this team is playing right now, there's no good reason for real hockey fans NOT to go to at least the occasional game - it's not as if we have a great many entertainment choices here in January-February.
It's winter, it's cold, there's plenty of snow on the ground, it's real hockey weather, and that's when hockey fans make their way to the rink.
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Post by fireside on Dec 30, 2007 19:54:19 GMT -4
the team is playing much better then early on in the season but we continue to go to the rink and see losing home games. While they may win on the road quite often its the games at home that will get more ppl to attend the games.
i think that we have some really great hockey fans here and i also agree with wingman and think his post was well thought out and bang on in many respects. Someone I knew was going through old papers last week after Christmas and came across a stack of old Rocket programs from year one, wow they have changed considerably and have become cheaper each year. Taking away the signed hats/sticks for the kids when the stars are announced was a cheap tactic by the rocket and i know it wasn't a booster club decision and that even they thought it was a terrible idea. The kids loved getting those items, nothing better then getting picked to get a stick/hat by a "game star" and have it been your favorite rocket player, now that was a way to foster a connection of a young fan to the team. Make it a part of the game day experience again.
An increase in game day promotion, events with the public may help to foster a connection of island fans to the team itself.
Many of us on these boards have stayed season ticket holders through the terrible years, we still go to all the home games, that is why we are on these boards, we are fans of the hockey, and the team. Try to connect with the fans they have lost, the ones that don't go, they have a lot of work to do and maybe an inside change will help that who knows. I will continue to go to the games, cheer on the team and hope the Savards will someday....and soon begin to understand the normal, island hockey fan......
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Post by countsheep on Dec 30, 2007 20:01:29 GMT -4
the team is playing much better then early on in the season but we continue to go to the rink and see losing home games. While they may win on the road quite often its the games at home that will get more ppl to attend the games. i think that we have some really great hockey fans here and i also agree with wingman and think his post was well thought out and bang on in many respects. Someone I knew was going through old papers last week after Christmas and came across a stack of old Rocket programs from year one, wow they have changed considerably and have become cheaper each year. Taking away the signed hats/sticks for the kids when the stars are announced was a cheap tactic by the rocket and i know it wasn't a booster club decision and that even they thought it was a terrible idea. The kids loved getting those items, nothing better then getting picked to get a stick/hat by a "game star" and have it been your favorite rocket player, now that was a way to foster a connection of a young fan to the team. Make it a part of the game day experience again. An increase in game day promotion, events with the public may help to foster a connection of island fans to the team itself. Many of us on these boards have stayed season ticket holders through the terrible years, we still go to all the home games, that is why we are on these boards, we are fans of the hockey, and the team. Try to connect with the fans they have lost, the ones that don't go, they have a lot of work to do and maybe an inside change will help that who knows. I will continue to go to the games, cheer on the team and hope the Savards will someday....and soon begin to understand the normal, island hockey fan...... I agree with everything you're saying, Angela, 100%.......well, maybe 90%, since the home record, at 10-7, is not bad by any stretch of the imagination. The Rocket has to connect with the fans more, especially with the fans they've lost - people who have SHOWN that they'll come to the rink if things are done right. There has to be a re-thinking at the public relations level - or maybe a complete overhaul. As others have said, I think an Island hockey presence in the front office is essential - and soon! |
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Post by juniorcormier16 on Dec 30, 2007 23:45:45 GMT -4
I think the hockey is great, i also think the team is great i mean the Rocket really haven't produced a dreadful team Since they came here they only missed the playoffs once and it was by 1-2 points like i mean at least they are consistent . Sure there have been a lot of ups and downs but thats how hockey goes can't win them all and can't always do good if u make it to the play offs i mean its almost the next best thing to the nhl cause these kids are playing trying to make it to the big leagues and some players are turning some heads doing it. Its great caliper of hockey and it will be a sad day if the team folds. Support the team no matter what the case may be its good hockey. Interesting at that. GO ROCKET GO..
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Post by rocketfan44 on Dec 30, 2007 23:59:39 GMT -4
I've heard some players say that one thing that discourages them from playing here is the atmosphere at the Civic Centre, these guys want to here their fans. We know some of the rinks that are played in are much bigger and designed different and are quite noisey, I've seen it in Halifax and Moncton, great atmosphere to watch a game, and the fans are always making noise.
I honestly think there are too many old cranks that watch hockey here and hate the noise and complain when someone around them makes a sound, I've had a couple in my section over the years. Makes me wonder what some of these players might do if their fans got a bit more into the game, we can all seem to make a fool of ourselves and cheer loud when we leave here, so perhaps it's time to start doing it at home.
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Post by rockon on Dec 31, 2007 9:17:43 GMT -4
I think that people do appreciate the caliber of hockey, but I think they would also appreciate having a competitive team during at least one point in the five years they have been here. The novelty of having a team in a "prestigious" league (as the Guardian's editorial put it) wears off after a couple of years, that is found in any city/market, not just PEI. The Rocket needs to learn that using that approach to garner interest in fans isn't enough and perhaps that is one reason why they couldn't make a go of it in Montreal too. Don't forget, the Savard's had this team in another market and couldn't make it work there either, so it's not just PEI fans. Perhaps another question that should be asked is if the Rocket appreciate the fans they do/did have. It seems like every year there are less game promotions/giveaways and taking away things like the video screens doesn't come across as showing that appreciation. Another way to show that appreciation is to give the fans a winning team, a team that has the hopes of making a serious playoff run. The editorial last week mentioned how the corporate backers should stop asking "what's in it for me?". Well the fans have been attending the games, buying merchandise for 5 years now, perhaps the Rocket shouldn't be saying "the people of PEI need to be doing more for the Rocket" and instead be thinking "what can we do for the fans that have been with us and bring back old and potentially new fans". Icing a top caliber, contending team instead of teams that have the potential to only win a round or two in the playoffs would go a long way to show that appreciation. People want to see good caliber of hockey which the QMJHL provides but they also want to cheer on a team that they know will go far come playoff time. As much as people want to blame Islanders and don't want to point a finger at the Rocket, we have never had that in the five years since the Savard's brought this team to the Island. Right on the money.....but how do we get this message through to the Rocket organization?  |
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Post by bois on Dec 31, 2007 9:21:23 GMT -4
I've heard some players say that one thing that discourages them from playing here is the atmosphere at the Civic Centre, these guys want to here their fans. We know some of the rinks that are played in are much bigger and designed different and are quite noisey, I've seen it in Halifax and Moncton, great atmosphere to watch a game, and the fans are always making noise. I honestly think there are too many old cranks that watch hockey here and hate the noise and complain when someone around them makes a sound, I've had a couple in my section over the years. Makes me wonder what some of these players might do if their fans got a bit more into the game, we can all seem to make a fool of ourselves and cheer loud when we leave here, so perhaps it's time to start doing it at home. I hear this excuse all the time.... it simply isn't true.. or at least no more so than in other areas .... I've been to many games in the other rinks and the atmosphere is not much different at all... I don't know why people seem to think they need to go a rink and have the place be loud and obnoxious for 3 hours.. the crowd around me are definitely into the games.. they clap and cheer.. they yell at the refs and taunt the opposing players heading to the penalty box.... they may not stand up and dance (tho we have several dancing ppl in our rink) or applaud when the team hits the ice (I do but in all honesty with our horn blaring the players aren't gonna hear the clapping anyhow) but they do support the boys when the effort is there. I am not saying the atmosphere couldn't be better, it certainly could, I am just saying I don't see it as the huge problem so many people continously post about..... I don't think it's costing us any games.... |
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Post by countsheep on Dec 31, 2007 10:33:04 GMT -4
I've heard some players say that one thing that discourages them from playing here is the atmosphere at the Civic Centre, these guys want to here their fans. We know some of the rinks that are played in are much bigger and designed different and are quite noisey, I've seen it in Halifax and Moncton, great atmosphere to watch a game, and the fans are always making noise. I honestly think there are too many old cranks that watch hockey here and hate the noise and complain when someone around them makes a sound, I've had a couple in my section over the years. Makes me wonder what some of these players might do if their fans got a bit more into the game, we can all seem to make a fool of ourselves and cheer loud when we leave here, so perhaps it's time to start doing it at home. I hear this excuse all the time.... it simply isn't true.. or at least no more so than in other areas .... I've been to many games in the other rinks and the atmosphere is not much different at all... I don't know why people seem to think they need to go a rink and have the place be loud and obnoxious for 3 hours.. the crowd around me are definitely into the games.. they clap and cheer.. they yell at the refs and taunt the opposing players heading to the penalty box.... they may not stand up and dance (tho we have several dancing ppl in our rink) or applaud when the team hits the ice (I do but in all honesty with our horn blaring the players aren't gonna hear the clapping anyhow) but they do support the boys when the effort is there. I am not saying the atmosphere couldn't be better, it certainly could, I am just saying I don't see it as the huge problem so many people continously post about..... I don't think it's costing us any games.... That's all true, agree 100%. It could be better, but it's what we have. Serge McDuck and Attila the Rocket are what we have also, so we have to make the best of the situation, go to the frigging games, have fun and enjoy the hockey. Looking for a HUGE second half of the season from this Rocket team, and getting into the second, and perhaps third round of the playoffs, now that we have the goaltending. |
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Post by wingman on Jan 1, 2008 14:13:27 GMT -4
Serge McDuck and Attila the Rocket are what we have also, so we have to make the best of the situation, go to the frigging games, have fun and enjoy the hockey. I think that's what part of the problem is. When people are paying $450-500/year on season tickets, a family of four spending almost $50 on tickets alone per game, they shouldn't have to make the best of it just because Savard and Connolley are not doing a good job. If there are 3 home games in two weeks, that family of 4 is spending $150 just on tickets and everyone knows that when they get to the games the kids are going to want fries, pop, cotton candy, etc, it adds up. When people are spending that kind of money on something year after year, they want to be entertained and get their money's worth. They aren't going to put up with making the best of it because a couple of people are doing poor jobs, they are going to respond by simply staying home or spend their money elsewhere. The last few years there have been games that where not entertaining at all, and after seeing a couple of brutal games (and there have been over the years) they are not going to continue to spending their money on them. If these people have stopped going to the games because of this, how are they going to know if the games or the team has gotten better unless they fork over another $50 and take the chance it will be another brutal game. This same family opens the paper in the mornings and see the Rocket are in last place or at the bottom of the standings, that's not going to entice them to go see a game. That's why I say that the Rocket need a good playoff run or be a top caliber team for at least one season to show the people that they have turned off over the years, that they are worth spending their money on again. The Rocket don't seem to understand this. |
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