Attending the NHL Draft...has anyone gone?

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Maybe it's just me, but I get really crappy data reception inside of the Dome during a hockey game, with everyone trying to access it at the same time in such close proximity. I would think you'd run into similar issues at most stadiums. You're probably better off bringing an old school AM portable radio.

Probably won't be a huge issue in Newark. I've never noticed an issue at games (not trying to stream audio though) and there are a lot more people at those than you'd expect at the draft.

[Robbob]

Looked around and the general consensus looks like the tickets are free. Just a matter of how many people show day of.

I do worry it would be a bunch of sitting around but on the other hand if there is ever a Flames draft to attend this might be the one. The other saving grace is that with the Flames picking #6 you wouldn't have to wait that long and could pull the chute after that pick if things start to drag.

[FBI]

I was going to post this exact topic. The draft is only an hour away from me. But it seems like everyone is saying boring. Cp is actually highly entertaining on draft day but I guess I could attend and do cp on my phone or something.

[Loyal and True]

Why do teams want to hold the draft if they are giving away the tickets?

I heard that the Draft event is a kind of plum that the NHL hands out.

It would be interesting to know if anyone here has an educated understanding of how revenue is generated and expenses are handled for this event.

Revenue:
1. Ticket sales (minimal?) - maybe STH's are charged something as part of their season package?
2. TV Revenue (does the host team get this?)
3. Concessions and parking revenue.
4. Building rent - does the NHL rent the facility from the team/mgmt company?
5. Sponsorship revenue?

Expenses:
1. Building op costs
2. Event Staff
3. Security
4. ??

How it would be a financial windfall?

[Red John]

Go the day before. Incredible chance to network with a bunch of scouts. Most are pretty willing to sit down and have a chat about the work they do and stuff.

Hockey circles are small and tough to get into. This is one of the best chances you'll get.

[cai]

Tickets are free, availability is another matter though. Since this one is in NJ it probably won't matter. I went to the past two drafts; getting tickets for Minnesota was no problem but Pittsburgh was an absolute nightmare.

I might go to this year's too (just have to find out if it's a possibility); a group of friends and I have ended up making it a thing. I've found it to be really fun both years - it does drag a little, especially once you get to the final picks in the first round, and all the subsequent rounds - but really as long as you're in good company it should still be fun. Like getting to boo the Canucks into the 7th round in Minnesota, or being in that Pittsburgh crowd when Staal got traded.

Plus it can be fun to mingle with fans of other teams - in Minnesota some random Hawks fan came up to me and immediately started ####talking the Canucks. I wore my retro jersey to Pittsburgh and got a ton of compliments on it from various people. Sometimes you run into draft picks too and most of the time they're really happy to interact with fans; I met Jankowski and Gillies last year. You can end up meeting other guys, too; I managed to find Connie right at the end in Minnesota, and in Pittsburgh Todd McLellan came into the bar my group had gone to post-draft (some media people were there as well, and I think an assistant coach for the Bruins). I've made a lot of new friends by going.

It really is just a lot of sitting around but I've had a lot of fun the last two years I went.

[Iggy3x]

Yeah, was at the 2000 Calgary draft with a few buddies as well. Distinctly remember the crowd in the upper level chanting Simmons or Simchuck or Sim-something before every announcement. We assumed it was from that player's entourage trying to get him drafted higher? I don't think he was ever drafted though. Fun time.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Robbob

Looked around and the general consensus looks like the tickets are free. Just a matter of how many people show day of.

I do worry it would be a bunch of sitting around but on the other hand if there is ever a Flames draft to attend this might be the one. The other saving grace is that with the Flames picking #6 you wouldn't have to wait that long and could pull the chute after that pick if things start to drag.

And enjoy the sights of Newark!!!

Seriously though, any idea what time it starts? I can't find that info anywhere. If it's noon you could probably hang out and watch the Flames pick and then head over to Red Bull Arena for the Red Bulls MLS game at 2.

[playmaker]

Originally Posted by Tyler

Was there in 2000 as well.

Super boring after the novelty of the first few selections and your teams' pick.

Still can't believe we drafted Krahn..

On the other hand, that was a pretty weak draft... 2000 and 2007 were IMHO the weakest drafts in the past 20 years. The list of players drafted right after Krahn says it all...

10 Mikhail Yakubov (Centre)
11 Pavel Vorobiev (Right Wing)
12 Alexei Smirnov (Left Wing)
13 Ron Hainsey (Defence)
14 Vaclav Nedorost (Centre)
15 Artem Kryukov (Forward)
16 Marcel Hossa (Centre)
17 Alexei Mikhnov (Forward)
18 Brooks Orpik (Defence)
19 Krystofer Kolanos (Centre)

The only positive thing about that is we didn't have three 1st round picks at 10-12. I'm pretty sure Flames would draft Yakubov, Vorobjev and Smirnov.

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by valo403

And enjoy the sights of Newark!!!

Seriously though, any idea what time it starts? I can't find that info anywhere. If it's noon you could probably hang out and watch the Flames pick and then head over to Red Bull Arena for the Red Bulls MLS game at 2.

according to TSN website:

2013 NHL Draft (TSN)
Sunday, June 30 at 3pm et/Noon pt

[Robbob]

Anyone been to the prudential centre? Wondering if it has free wifi as that would make things a lot easier to deal with any lulls.

[Freeway]

Everything's on the Sunday this year. First pick at 1pm MT (3pm local) and going through every single round.

[Robbob]

With them holding the entire draft in one day, I wonder if they shorten the time teams are on the clock.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Robbob

Anyone been to the prudential centre? Wondering if it has free wifi as that would make things a lot easier to deal with any lulls.

I'm not aware of any wifi, but haven't actively looked for it in the past.

[loob job]

I was in Ottawa for Stamkos draft and it is extremely boring to be there live, we left after about six or seven picks.