Living in Abbotsford, I thought I could add my thoughts to this thread. I am a huge Canucks fan and have a season's ticket package (only 11 games right now as I just got off the waitlist.) I view the Flames as our biggest rival by a long shot and really have a hate on for them. When the Heat came to Abbotsford, I didn't think they would have any support from the community. I could never see myself cheering for them. I bought tickets to a Moose game, but didn't think I'd go to any other games.
My son's school band played the anthem at a game (good marketing idea by the Heat), so we went to a game in November. I was the only one of my family and friends (who are all Canucks fans) who was cheering for the other team (The Islanders affilliate). Everybody said I was crazy because the team wasn't the Flames, and was an Abbotsford team and I should support them. I got 4 free tickets to a game in December and we went but my kids said I had to cheer for Abbotsford, so I did (although I felt kinda dirty.) The other night at the Moose game, the kids and I cheered for Manitoba, and my hubby cheered for Abbotsford. Lots of Canucks fans I know still cheered for Abby. So I don't think it's going to be as hard a sell as you think. The product was excellent the other night and it looked like people were having a blast. I think that the Heat will garner more community support with a little more time in the community. Almost everyone I know likes having them in town. For me though, they will always be the baby flames.
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