Quote:
Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire
I've been hearing some Heat fans b*tch about the massive turnover in players from year to year. Basically, they hate the fact that they have to learn a whole new roster of players almost every season. My answer to them is, "get over it!" That's the very nature of AHL teams. Players leave and players come in.
I don't know if that's a legitimate excuse of why attendance is down because I don't know that the amount season ticket holders are fluctuating or decreasing.
All I know is there's a lot of excitement this year from the true Heat fans. We know there will be more offense thanks to Feaster.
I've said it before and I'll say it again. Towards the end of the season (last 10 games or so) the attendance rose by 800-1000 people. This is likely due to the amount of advertising they began to put out, bringing the team into the hospital and numerous elementary schools. Heat reps were at every community/city event. This was a huge change from almost none of that previous to March 2011.
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Yeah I think that is why MJH is pretty popular, although there is a turnover in players, there is still more continuity and the franchise has control over who is on the team.
When I was growing up we had the Canucks and New West Royals of the old pro WHL. Sure they had player agreements with NHL teams but they still had control of what players they wanted. A guy like Phil Maloney or Max McNabb (Royals) was good enough to play in the NHL but made as much in Vancouver, so why bother going east. These players came back year after year and gave the fans a chance to know the players.
The Winnipeg Moose also seemed to hang onto to vet players so the fans had more to relate to.
Good to hear that attendance improved and the fans are excited about the new season.