Depending on your point of view, Ice and Blade fans got a bonus this morning when it was announced by the WHL that the Eastern Conference Semi-final will be broadcast on Shaw starting Friday in Saskatoon.
Here's the schedule:
#1 - Kootenay @ Saskatoon Fri. April 8 7:00pm
#2 - Kootenay @ Saskatoon Sat. April 9 7:00pm
#3 - Saskatoon @ Kootenay Tues. April 12 7:00pm
#4 - Saskatoon @ Kootenay Wed. April 13 7:00pm
#5 - Kootenay @ Saskatoon Sat. April 16 7:00pm**
#6 - Saskatoon @ Kootenay Mon. April 18 7:00pm**
#7 - Kootenay @ Saskatoon Wed. April 20 7:00pm**
** - If necessary
Now for Ice fans wanting to watch the game Friday and Saturday in Saskatoon it's pretty good news but for a club that will likely put 2500 in the Rec Plex for games three and four - because it's a weekday if regular season average holds up - having the series on TV doesn't make a lot of sense. The league almost didn't have a choice though, I imagine. Red Deer was shown in the first round and in the Western Conference only Kelowna is left to broadcast and they're playing Portland, which complicates things from the Shaw Broadcast perspective because it's a U.S.-based team. Spokane and Tri-City is the other series.
So we'll cue the renewed calls of where's the fans next week, I guess. In this fickle market, if the Ice get a split or better in S'toon on the weekend it'll spur the crowds. If they're down 2-0 coming back, well, I guess we'll see.
On the Chilliwack front some more stuff over at Gregg Drinnan's blog (on the right) and the revelation (tongue firmly in cheek) that a source has indicated the league has instituted a gag order on the situation to anyone within the league - or it's broadcasters I'm told too - will face heavy fines if it's discussed publicly. I await Dan Russell and Bill Wilms' comment - neither who have ever shied away from commenting on attendance and fan support in the WHL - during the broadcast when it shifts back to Cranbrook.
So the Bruins are moving to Victoria in what's amounting to more and more a public relations embarrassment for the league; one of their owners (Brian Burke) is stating through lawyers that the league promised an existing franchise for Victoria AND that the league is negotiating another franchise shift to Chilliwack - are you getting nervous yet fans in Prince George, Kootenay, Swift, PA, etc?; And yet no one has had the decency to at least communicate to the faithful of the Chilliwack Bruins on the situation.
Someone, anyone, needs to take the reigns of this situation and explain what in the hell is going on.
29 comments:
I think Shaw should black out the Ice home games for viewers in Cranbrook. I would have no problem with that. But I sure am excited to get to watch games on Friday and Saturday.
I agree, I dont think any home teams game should be shown live in the teams home town.
That is a blatant and total conflict of interest in my opinion.
For all those ICE fans that forget or didn't know, there is two ICE message boards still alive though dormant for lack of posts. Let it out guys lets cheer our team on.
There used to be alot of good stuff on these boards. You can even archive old posts from years ago.
COOL AS ICE:
http://www.network54.com/Forum/547764/
IcE LaNd:
http://www.network54.com/Forum/274007/
I just saw a WHL news release which I've added below. Not sure if I'm committing some kind of crime by posting this but it is online for everyone to see. I also saw a BC Local News article where the Cougars say that although things are not rosy there, they plan on staying in Prince George. I want to know where this leaves us. If the owners of the Cougars can come out and publically say that they aren't moving, I think the ICE owners should do the same rather than keep their fans on pins and needles. To be fair they aren't responsible for all the rumours but I think they should put them to rest. I'd also like to know why don't I have my season ticket renewal letter yet?
CHILLIWACK, B.C. — The Western Hockey League has conditionally approved the sale of the Chilliwack Bruins.
In a statement released Tuesday, the league said it has granted “a request from the ownership of the Chilliwack Bruins for the sale of their WHL franchise. Until such time all of the conditions related to the sale have been satisfied, the WHL is not in a position to make any further statement on this transaction.”
The statement is the first from the league’s head office in nearly a month. The WHL has declined requests for an interview with commissioner Ron Robison.
Now onto another issue. What are we planning to do about getting 'butts in the seats' for these televised games? This is probably the point where people will post that there isn't any marketing. Fine and dandy, but complaining about the same old, same old gets us nowhere. I remember I was personally embarrassed when the WHL opened the season here a couple years back with the Chiefs/ICE game being the only game that night to start the season and Shaw Cable was here, filming an empty Rec Plex on Ed's Night no less. I love my community and do many things to support it. It actually hurts when our community looks bad. I think this may be the point in time when the fans have to get aggressive and get more fans to these upcoming televised games. Don't we want to show all of Western Canada that indeed we do support this team and perhaps stop all this vicious talk about how unsupportive we to this team. Its time to turn the tide. Don't you agree? Maybe we need to start marketing our own team. What do you say?
I SAY LETS do this thing...I'm all for marketing our team ourselves and packing the plex anything i can do I WILL....We should all get together here and get this done!!
GO ICE GO
Okay. That's settled, so what should we do? Jeff, any ideas? How about an article for the Townsman promoting these televised games. You know Jeff C. How about an interview to set things straight once and for all and motivate the fans to get to the games. I already talk my head off and nag anyone I know to get them to the games. I've even got my church planning events and meetings around ICE games so people can go to the game. I wish we could get the ICE office to have some kind of family night playoff deal at least for the televised games. How do we get people steered away from staying at home to watch the games and geared towards going to the Plex instead? Any ideas, anybody?
I would have to assume that there would be some compensation to the Blades and the Ice for these televised games. After all,Shaw must sell some advertising to generate revenue for themselves. I want to kind of put this out gently, but I still do not see why the fans should do the work for the hockey club to get people in the seats. Jeff C has relied on this from day one. I did fund raising for the SC Broncos but that was a community owned team, and you had some interest in keeping the club and had a large emotional tie to the players and the coaches, etc. We must remember that every business experiences good times and bad times. What happened to all the cash the Ice banked over the good years. Some people in the know say it was in the high 6 figures - Most business owners use these reserves to get them through the tough times. But if you are greedy, do not particularly care for the community you are in, maybe you are not prepared to do that. Another point is that Jeff C's son will be playing in Everett next year. Now that is pretty convenient to be in Wack rather than Cranbrook. Much closer to watch your kid play in that division and live in Western B.C.
Let us remember where his son played his minor hockey. Was the talent pool that bad here that Jeff C thought his son wouldn't develop his skills playing locally?
Think of the pros who had their start in this city.
Maybe Mr Bromley will delete this comments, but I feel strongly that present ownership is here only for the money, and the hell with the rest of us.
Iceagogo: I understand your frustration, I really do. I've helped out with various programs for promoting the ICE and getting people to games. It felt like a slap in the face when Jeff C's comments about the fans came to light. A lot of really good people who love this team and understand what it means to our community to make sure it stays here have worked together to get people to the games, both business owners and individuals. What you say makes sense; however, are you willing to just sit by and watch this team disappear? That is a hard question that everyone needs to ask. I'm not prepared to do that. I want this team to stay, for many reasons, and I am sure I don't stand alone in that. In the end who gets hurt is the community and the young men on our ICE team who play so well for us, who support our community and our kids, who get involved in our community and really care and play hard for their fathful 2500 diehard fans who are always there. I think its time we treat this team like it belongs to us, because it does. I think its time we fight for this team because its good for our community. I think its time we put these bitter and hard feelings aside and look at the bigger picture. I don't know about anyone else but I don't want to be the next Chilliwack; do you? So, I say promote, promote, and promote some more. Talk to as many people as you can and get them to these televised games. We almost hit 3000 in the last playoff home game; we can do this. Its called community spirit and I know this commumity has plenty of spirit. Let's put it to good use. Let's show Western Canada that we mean business, that this is our team and we love them and they aren't going anywhere. Let's stop those nasty blog comments about our lack of support of this team once and for all. Always remember, this isn't my team or your team; this is OUR team. GO ICE GO!!
I really do appreciate having WHL hockey here, but in reality it was never a fit.
The WHL has simply outgrown us, and it was a stretch even 10 years ago before Vancouver/Kelowna/Calgary/Edmonton came back.
How can you expect more than 25% of the population to attend 36 home games a year! I think the fact that we do often reach 2800 is a testament to how passionate we are about the Ice and hockey! Good for Cranbrook to be able to achieve this!!! Jeff C and the WHL cannot expect more out of any community.
I have also found it a little insulting that it has never been the "Cranbrook Ice"... just to really let out my frustration! I understand the reason, but really...
I found it funny that this year prior to playoffs that instead of Jeff C beating the drums of "fans need to come out for playoffs" (which always grated people) , he had one of his players do it... a softer approach, but still a little insulting to our town.
I hate to say, that when the Ice are finally out of the playoffs, we will see an announcement. I just hope that the penalty for breaking the 15 year lease helps to pay down our debt on on the Rec Plex substantially.
I know that I will support a community owned BCJHL or AJHL team here, as we wouldn't have to put up with this "moving" year in and year out.
Go Ice Go???????
ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? You actually think breaking the lease will help pay down the debt on the plex seriously??? You actually think drawing 2-300 fans a game watching the bcjhl, ajhl if we could even get a team will pay the debt down...After watching the best JUNIOR league in the country I wouldn't go to the games and probably 3/4 of the rest of the fans would stay home too....If there not going now why would they go watch a watered down product...If you dont like the ICE go watch the Dynamite up the road in Kimberly, You just dont realize what we have here....Hockey in this town would never be the same PERIOD....Try explaining to the residents when there taxes double to pay off an EMPTY rec-plex that is booked 36 nites a year plus playoffs....I dont think the 1 or 2 special events a year if that even happens will pay off the EMPTY building....And to say the WHL has "Outgrown" us...What do i tell my kids and people who want to know about this city that we quit on OUR junior team...We want people to move here and grow with the ICE, other small markets are viable PA, SWIFT ETC, AS for the "Cranbrook" ICE this product is for the "KOOTENAYS" for the people in Kimberly etc etc etc... This is the problem.... it's the KOOTENAYS team and not just CRANBROOK"S Maybe thats why the attendance has dropped, everyone wants to feel apart of this not just Cranbrook....
GO ICE GO
I understand your passion Icefan16, I really do... but your anger at my comments is misplaced.
I don't know if there is a penalty if they break the lease, or even if they can get out of the lease. I'm just saying that if they do, I hope it hits Jeff C in the pocketbook, and gets the City some money.
You're quote:
"What do i tell my kids and people who want to know about this city that we quit on OUR junior team...We want people to move here and grow with the ICE, other small markets are viable PA, SWIFT ETC"
I think its unfair to say Cranbrook "quit" on this team. I think its WHL that has grown beyond their roots, and beyond Cranbrook.
Cranbrook does a stellar job of supporting this team - more than any other community - much like PA and Swift - but they are community owned teams, and they have different priorities... not just money.
You may see it is a Kootenay team, but they don't pay the taxes on that building... I do... and they certainly don't come here like they used to.
It also hasn't raised the profile of our city when people say that they are going to "Kootenay" to watch a game, and have no idea where Cranbrook is.
I would hope that you would support whatever hockey we have here... otherwise you are being just as fickle as those that don't come out now.
I have to admit I haven't been to a playoff game this year, but will this series. Are they still putting the pieces of paper on those seats that are available for season tickets for next year?
Haven't they done that in past years? Or did it look bad when there were too many seats with paper on them.
It concerns me that they aren't promoting or offering the tickets for next year, as that one commenter had said.
Is this a tell tale sign?
The Cranbrook-based Kootenay Ice is another team that has been rumoured as perhaps being interested in moving.
However, Jeff Chynoweth, the Ice’s president and GM, told The Daily News last night, via text, that the club is “definitely not going to Chilliwack.”
CASE CLOSED...............
To IceFan 16 - Word is that the lease is such a sweetheart deal that if the Ice pulled the pin it really wouldn't effect your taxes or mine. Word is that it is $ 36,000 per year ( or maybe $ 1,000 per home game ). Does anyone know if Shaw Cable has to pay rights to televise these games.???
Cranbrook First.....
The hippies screwed us over on the Cranbrook expansion. Now we don't need a WHL Franchise in our city? Whatever.... It sounds like a Citizens for a Livable Cranbrook program, fear progress and anything good.
Everything is going to pass this city if we dont wake the hell up! And you wonder Cranbrook first why people DONT want to move here and cant Wait to leave, I think you forget how much money this team makes for the city, people comming and buying groceries etc, going out for dinner, before a game going for a drink after etc, will be sweet to have a 4250 seat arena with 200 people in it watching junior B WHAT A JOKE, and oh ya if the lease is say only 36,000 dollars who is making up that difference....Wait the tax payer, The Kootenay ICE put this city on the MAP PERIOD, now its time for JC to get off his wallet and promote this club...Oh ya while i'm at it SHAW should BLACK the game out in CBK or at least tape delay it, you say the WHl has passed this city by, I guess you were not in the building then last Fri night with over 3000 people in the barn....The PLEX was absolutley rocking, restaurant full, but I sure cant wait to go watch that Colts game, now that will be one hell of an atmosphere...
GO ICE GO
I don't get the animosity Icefan16???
I love the Ice, and go to lots of games! I'm not saying Junior A or B is better... far from it... but thanks for making fun of the Colts who have a long history in this community... says a bit about your character and connection to the community.
I was at the game with 3000 people, and it was better, but still a barn only filled to 75% capacity.
I want the Ice to stay, but the reality is that the WHL doesn't care about small market teams, and it's tough to stay competitive against the larger market teams.
The costs are always rising for equipment and travel, and it is tough on a team like the Ice to see teams like Vancouver and Calgary rake in 10 times the profit.
That is why the Ice don't spend money on marketing and between period promotions... although it becomes a chicken or the egg thing...
All I'm saying is that IF they do leave, that:
1. I hope that there is a penalty for breaking the 15 year lease.
2. I hope that fans would support whatever hockey we have here... after all we like hockey, not just the WHL? (correct?)
Just for the record, I'm not a Liveable Cranbrook member... yeesh people... just trying to bring perspective here!
I never once said that I want the Ice to move, nor did I say I don't support the WHL being here....
ALL I HAVE EVER SAID is that the WHL is getting too big for its britches, and I don't think they care about our little town competing with the likes of Vancouver and Kelowna.
For the record I have lived here all my life been to many Colts and Royals games, so don't question character etc or my connection to the city, WASN"T making fun of the COLTS PERIOD....
WAS stating that the TAX payers voted to build the rec-plex to be the HOME of the WHL and NOT the Cranbrook COLTS.....
GO ICE GO
This blog was very civil for many moons. I know we are all very concerned about the situation, but lets not ruin this blog with name calling etc. Keep it civil and no accusations. It will be most unfortunate if Jeff B has to start monitoring every post on here.
I think we've gone a little off track from what we want to accomplish here. As we speak our boys are practicing hard in Saskatoon after a 10 hour bus ride overnight. You can check out some practice pictures over at Jeff Hollick's blog. Firstly, I think every person who loves hockey in this town is a fan of any hockey. I think the point that ICEFAN16 was trying to make is that like it or not, if the ICE did not play here, no matter what kind of hockey was at the Rex Plex its a given that you would not get the draw that WHL hockey does. However, I feel pretty sure in what I've heard and seen in the media the past 2 or 3 days that we can be pretty sure that the ICE are not leaving and we will continue to have the privilege to enjoy this high calibre of major junior hockey for many years to come. I posted on this blog because my community pride hinders me from blindly attending next weeks's home games without caring that our arena will be broadcast across Western Canada looking very empty. I always promote and market and nag everyone I know to please, please go to an ICE game especially when its a big one. I send a promotional email to all my local contacts advising of any upcoming big games and to please invite a friend or a neighbour to attend the game. I believe that I am not the only one that does this. We were so close to 3000 people in the last home game in the last round against the Warriors. I believe there was a push by fans to others to attend that game because it was such a pivitol game. This is about community pride. I won't go into the embarrasment felt by many on Ed's Night when Shaw Cable was here and the arena was empty. That is on one of my earlier posts here. I don't know how many more games we have this year. The attendance this past season was poor except for two games at least that I recall had more than 3000 people in attendance. We are short on time, and yes, I know, I, like everyone else, have not seen much out there advertising the upcoming televised games. Some will blame the usual marketing or lack of marketing, same old, same old. Maybe people are waiting to see what happens in Saskatoon before deciding whether to get tickets for games 3 and 4. I, personally, as a season ticket holder, already purchased my playoff tickets before the playoffs even started. Regardless of what happens in Saskatoon, I believe the usual 2500 or so fans will be at the Plex next week. I would like to hope, though, that the majority of those 2500 people will entice someone to come along. Can we here, at lest do that much. Can we each think of 2 or 3 people who might want to go to the games? Maybe those 2 or 3 people might think of someone else who might want to go. How about it. Can we please stop arguing about something that is not likely to happen and live in the present. These boys need our support. They have a tough round ahead of them but I believe they have all the tools to go past this round and continue the quest. Come on ICE fans, let's get it together and see what we can do to show Western Canada next week that we do care about our team and that all this talk online about not supporting them is nothing but talk. I know in my heart that there are at least 3000 in this town who love this team and for reasons unknown some of them have just stopped coming. Let's do this. Let's use it as a first step in ensuring that next season our boys won't be playing to an empty arena. Season tickets should go on sale this month. Those of you who do not have season tickets, please think about it for next year. Remember the power payment plan I have mentioned before. Remember the lower cost per game to you if you get season tickets. So please let's show our community spirt and get out there and support this team and have a good time while we are at it. This isn't my team or your team, its OUR team. I can't be any more candid than this.
Sorry to repost this Jeff but thought it would be better seen at the bottom.(thanks for undeleting it)
I agree, I dont think any home teams game should be shown live in the teams home town.
That is a blatant and total conflict of interest in my opinion.
For all those ICE fans that forget or didn't know, there is two ICE message boards still alive though dormant for lack of posts. Let it out guys lets cheer our team on.
There used to be alot of good stuff on these boards. You can even archive old posts from years ago.
COOL AS ICE:
http://www.network54.com/Forum/547764/
IcE LaNd:
http://www.network54.com/Forum/274007/
Go Ice Go!!
The challenge is out there. Awesome. I wonder, is the Booster Club still active???? Very quiet, if they are. If non-exsistent, should we start up again??? Cup Half full, you appear to be one ready to give her. Me Too. Let us go. We can communicate through here for now, but if we are willing, lets gets some giddy up and go. Lets market those season tickets and show the boss who really is the boss. Keep in touch on the blog. Jeff C may think we are suckers, but ?????
Iceagogo: I am so ready. I don't think the Booster Club is still operating. I was never a member but if you think it is worth resurrecting, I'm in. What we need is our own promotional plan to get people interested in season tickets for next season. We do the pushing and send them to the ICE office to get their tickets. One thing that has always been poorly promoted is the payment plan. I thought everyone knew about it and it turns out not many do. We just need to get this town to love this team again. I don't know if we can accomplish much for the remaining playoff games; I plan on pushing hard every which way I can. This past season was a bust attendance wise but I think we can go far for next season and for many seasons after that. I'm definitely in. We can continue communicating here for now as you suggest, but the time will come, I think, when we will have to maybe get a few of us together in person. Let's get it done! I have many ideas to share. GO ICE GO!!
Like I said and will always say, anything I can do i'm all in...
I have always loved this team and will continue to do so no matter what!!
GO ICE GO
I believe the fan club hosted a tail gate party, didn't they?
Yes, the Fan Club, of which I am a member, did host a tailgate party prior to Game 5 in Round 1. I believe that is part of the reason the crowd was bigger. And anyone who wants to join up with Icagogo and me, we'd love the help. Season tickets go on sale soon and we need a major push. Please let's start by keeping in touch on this blog. GO ICE GO!
I thought the tailgate party was prior to game 2. I believe that is when I enjoyed a hot dog and a pop outside.
ITC you are right. I apologize. It was whichever game fell on the Saturday and that was Game 2. My bad. Wasn't that a great win tonight for our boys! Kind of wish I had been there with those other ICE fans I saw. GO ICE GO!
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