Not to mention they have a bajillion more people to draw from.
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Originally Posted by flameswin
I guess I'm not really saying they couldn't do it, just that it would be nealry impossible on different levels.
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So overall, it seems like it could work on paper, but the reality is when you combine the logistical issues of a city with one aging hockey arena suitable for junior/pro teams, with the fact that you'd be putting a junior team and a minor league affiliate against eachother for a small portion of city residents that will pay money to see non NHL hockey, and you've got a recipe for disaster.
Which is why I said theoretically, since I wasn't speaking from an economic feasibility standpoint. Just that if the Flames wanted to operate three hockey teams, while doing concerts, they can do that if they wanted too. Technically it already occurs since the Flames, Hitman, AND Roughnecks are active tenants.
Which is why I said theoretically, since I wasn't speaking from an economic feasibility standpoint. Just that if the Flames wanted to operate three hockey teams, while doing concerts, they can do that if they wanted too. Technically it already occurs since the Flames, Hitman, AND Roughnecks are active tenants.
But again, it wouldn't actually work, because we'd lose out on many of the few major acts we do get if we had three hockey tenants, because we don't have other large venues that LA has, and major acts won't be flexible for Calgary like they are for LA.
Also, the Roughnecks play eight games a season at Dome, so that's not comparable to having three teams that play 40+ games each, not including playoffs in one building. But it does add one more roadblock; The roughnecks and their eight games wouldn't be going away if the Heat played in the Dome, and they draw too many fans to play anywhere else in the city.
The last two games Abbottsford played in the 'Dome pretty much had attendance that would fill the entire lower bowl.
Yes, but these were one offs. You wouldn't see attendance anywhere close to that 41 times a year.
Don't forget - the Flames are building a new arena, and the Saddledome isn't going away - it just wouldn't be the Flames home arena anymore.
Accoriding to every report I've seen, the Saddledome will cease to operate the second the Flames leave it. There's no way they could be profitable by operating the caverness Dome for a minor league team.
I'm pretty sure there is enough fans in a metro area of over 1 million to draw a respectable 5-10k fans per game. This is a city with a insane lust for hockey and alot of money. I believe the Flames season ticket wait list is a good indication of this.
The Flames season ticket wait list is a good indication tha there are lots of fans that want to own season tickets for an NHL team.
And as for the "cannibalization" of the Hitmen, I don't think it would happen. Different brand of hockey, and fans stay loyal to their teams. Plus, the ticket pricing for Hitmen games allows it to separate from NHL caliber home games. The Hitmen have been around long enough for people to recognize that.
I disagree that there are thousands of hockey fans in this city who don't buy tickets to see the Hitmen, but would buy season tickets for the Heat.
Even in Abbottsford, before they moved to Victoria and after the Heat had already rolled into town, the Chilliwack Bruins were averaging 3400 per game.
I would be optimistic of the Heat succeeding in Calgary, although that doesn't necessarily imply the Flames would be the best owner for both the Hitmen and the Heat. I think the market is here though.
Sven is the hero the Flames deserve, but not the one they need right now and so he'll play in the AHL...because he can take it...because he's not a hero...he's a smiling sniper...a powerplay specialist...a Swiss Knight.
"Lame"
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