[Rumour] Flames may play games in China for 2018/19

[1qqaaz]

I could definitely see a city like Harbin embracing hockey.
It's a cold northerly city with over 10 million people.

Even if only 9% of China got into hockey, that would still be more than the entire population of the UK.
The UK is already dense with sports, whereas the Chinese market may be more open.

Hockey is trending towards being a more skill based sport. I could see different Asian markets embracing the sick dekes and fancy moves. More young talents, such as Aito Iguchi of Japan, could emerge.
Sports like Football and Basketball are largely dependent on factors such as weight and height respectively.

I think it would be cool to see a Canadian sport like hockey become relevant in China.
But I don't think the Calgary Flames will ever be popular anywhere but here. Not unless the Flames form a dynasty.

[JohnnyB]

Harbin already has hockey. I spent loads of time on hockey rink when I lived in the NE. Beijing already has a KHL team and Shanghai has a team as well. The sport will continue to grow here just as the consumer economy grows.

[skcli]

I would not mind going to China to watch a preseason game. Their beers are dirt cheap and you can get a foot massage when you sit down to drink

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

I always wonder what the end game is with these overseas game is? How could you realistically run a league with teams on multiple continents?

You don't need an intercontinental league to have a global brand that sells merchandise and broadcasts.

[Northendzone]

^ fair point. It would be interesting to know how much merchandise or broadcast/ppv dollars we are talking about though, given you would be selling branded stuff right in the heart of knockoff central. I recognize that we are talking about a lot of potential customers.

While I have never been over to Asia, I find it hard to imagine that asians would want to pay top dollar for merchandise for a team they have no real connection to.

[SebC]

I think the best example of a global sporting brand is Manchester United - $3.35B market cap.

[Northendzone]

I don’t think any hockey team will come close to that as in many parts of the world hockey is not accessible to the masses like soccer is

I am thinking that the flames might be lucky to see a million from this - but I am taking a WAG

[midniteowl]

When they start to have some Chinese descent players in the league, the interest will perks. The Islanders drafted a player who was born in China and later move to Windsor Ontario to train for hockey.

Song is notable for being the first China-born hockey player to be draftedin the National Hockey League (NHL). Song was drafted in the sixth round, 172nd overall in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft by the New York Islanders.

https://www.nhl.com/news/first-chine...nders/c-772672

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

I don’t think any hockey team will come close to that

Not any time soon, at least, but it illustrates the idea.

[mrdonkey]

Any chance the team could forget to purchase a return ticket for Brouwer?

[brzeisk13]

Pretty sure if they make the announcement for a exhibition game, Foo will definitely be in the lineup

[midniteowl]

Trade Brouwer to the Islanders for Song ( the China-born player) and dress him in that game, the Flames will instantly become the favorite team in China.

[Hockey Fan #751]

Originally Posted by midniteowl

Trade Brouwer to the Islanders for Song ( the China-born player) and dress him in that game, the Flames will instantly become the favorite team in China.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Flames ended up playing the Islanders. They usually try to avoid home games in the pre-season anyway because their attendance is non-existent.

[Willi Plett]

Originally Posted by midniteowl

Fixed your post

Best Jersey ever. Where can I order?