Seattle investor has plans to build downtown arena

[getbak]

The Seattle Call Us When You've Actually Built an Arenas

[doctajones428]

Seattle Nordiques!

[Red Slinger]

Despite the large population, advantageous geographic location and the proposed new arena I just don't see the NHL being successful in Seattle. It has never been a particularly strong hockey market. In fact, it's not a very strong sports market, in general, with the exception of the Seahawks. But the NFL is much more than sport in the US.

Don't see it happening. I think Kansas City, Oklahoma City and even Houston are more likely NHL destinations.

[Joborule]

Originally Posted by Red Slinger

Despite the large population, advantageous geographic location and the proposed new arena I just don't see the NHL being successful in Seattle. It has never been a particularly strong hockey market. In fact, it's not a very strong sports market, in general, with the exception of the Seahawks. But the NFL is much more than sport in the US.

Is that really the case? NBA left because they didn't get a new arena. I think the fan support was/is there. MLB is doing well enough it appears, and they haven't made the playoffs since 2001.

[Red Slinger]

Originally Posted by Joborule

Is that really the case? NBA left because they didn't get a new arena. I think the fan support was/is there. MLB is doing well enough it appears, and they haven't made the playoffs since 2001.

That's true.

Seattle has been rumoured to be a NHL destination ever since Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton came into the league. There simply hasn't been the grass-roots, ground-level support for a NHL team in Seattle. Despite a new arena and possibly some money behind a team, without some real local interest for a team in Seattle it will likely turn out no better than the Phoenix, Atlanta, Florida, etc. expansion.

[dissentowner]

Would rather see the Nordique return.

[Joborule]

Originally Posted by Red Slinger

That's true.

Seattle has been rumoured to be a NHL destination ever since Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton came into the league. There simply hasn't been the grass-roots, ground-level support for a NHL team in Seattle. Despite a new arena and possibly some money behind a team, without some real local interest for a team in Seattle it will likely turn out no better than the Phoenix, Atlanta, Florida, etc. expansion.

True that there hasn't been much basis in previous groundwork, but I think with it's proximity to Canada/Vancouver and the NW region of US having no NHL teams at all (Denver and San Jose being the closest), I think it would have a fair shot of being successful. (As long management puts out a decent team in due time)

[Blaster86]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Would rather see the Nordique return.

Seattle Nordiques?

[Canada 02]

Seattle Microsofts

Oilers relocate

[pylon]

Seattle Cobains.

They'll blow your mind.

[SportsJunky]

Seattle Battalion.

I spent a number of years down there and hockey was always looked upon as a novelty. I've always seen Seattle and even Portland as poor NHL cities.

[Dion]

Seattle Superdawgs.

[Vulcan]

Seattle was once given a provisional NHL franchise. I guess they couldn't get all their provisions together though Seattle has a long hockey history stretching back 100 years. I think it would be great for them to get a NHL team.

Name them the Totems like their old WHL team. They can also play temporarily in the Tacoma Dome. It all hinges on getting a new arena though.

[Poe969]

the Seattle moving in 3-5 years

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by Red Slinger

Despite the large population, advantageous geographic location and the proposed new arena I just don't see the NHL being successful in Seattle. It has never been a particularly strong hockey market. In fact, it's not a very strong sports market, in general, with the exception of the Seahawks. But the NFL is much more than sport in the US.

Don't see it happening. I think Kansas City, Oklahoma City and even Houston are more likely NHL destinations.

Even the sounders get amazingly large crowds.
Not sure where the notion Seattle isn't a strong sports market comes from.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

Even the sounders get amazingly large crowds.
Not sure where the notion Seattle isn't a strong sports market comes from.

Yeah it's actually one of the better US sports markets. They actually support their teams win or lose. I think it's a great location and would make road swing for eastern teams to Vancouver much easier as they could spend 2-3 days between Seattle and Vancouver much like teams going through California rather than take a long flight in then out right after. Also another fan base to strongly loathe the Canucks.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

Even the sounders get amazingly large crowds.
Not sure where the notion Seattle isn't a strong sports market comes from.

Or a strong hockey market. Like has been mentioned earlier in the thread, Seattle has a great interest in minor league hockey, which is basically your grassroots effort that you need.

I lived there 15 years ago, and there wasn't much interest in hockey, but I would say that has changed a lot. The interest in the Winterhawks, Thunderbirds, Chiefs and Tri-City Americans has greatly increased, and even at a local level I would say that a lot of the kids I knew that wanted nothing to do with hockey are now all involved with some sort of league or recreational hockey.

Also, I would say that a team in Seattle would do much better than a team in Florida. The NHL is growing, and I think a team in Seattle would do well.

[604flames]

Watching a Thunderbirds game at KeyArena was a pretty unique hockey experience...

[Trailer Fire]

Originally Posted by 604flames

Watching a Thunderbirds game at KeyArena was a pretty unique hockey experience...

Off topic, but awesome avatar.

[afc wimbledon]

Seattle won't pay for an arena for anything so unless Richie Rich is going to fork out for the arena it ain't happening regardless of what kind of a market it might be.