LCS Hockey - Here We Go Again... Hockey in the South

Here We Go Again... Hockey in the South
by Steve Lamb, Atlanta Correspondent

With the Predators inaugural season underway and the Atlanta Thrashers preparing for the second coming of the NHL in eleven months, sports radio hosts and other pundits are beating that old horse regarding hockey's survival in the South. "Can a northern sport make it in Dixie?" "Will football, baseball, and NASCAR fans support a Canadian game?"

What nonsense.

When the Flames left in 1980 they had the 2nd highest per game attendance average of Atlanta's four professional teams, following only the Falcons. For three of their four seasons, the IHL's Atlanta Knights attracted more fans than their Omni roommates, the Hawks.

Georgia is already supporting three other professional hockey teams. The Central, or "Learn English" League has representation in the Columbus Cottonmouths (great jerseys) and the Macon Whoopee (even greater name). The East Coast Hockey League, which has flourished south of the Mason-Dixon, has a team in Augusta, the Linx. I can only imagine this in homage of the city's ties to the golfing world.

Now I'll be the first to admit there's not a whole lot to do on a Friday or Saturday night in any of these nice towns. It's no wonder all three teams are doing well at the turnstiles. It's also no secret that a family of four can go to one of these games for less money than you could spend on a good meal here in Atlanta.

This brings me to my next point. We all know the NHL is the only major, professional sport that lives or dies by the gate. If nobody went to an NFL game it wouldn't affect the day-to-day operation of the team. Their recent success notwithstanding, the Atlanta Falcons are living proof of that. The lack of a multi- million dollar television deal and this recent trend to turn hockey players into instant millionaires has been more than a little tough on the average fan at the ticket window. New teams coming into the league don't have the luxury of a five-year plan to build on their fan base. They are going to have to hit the ground running.

This is just the message Thrashers GM Don Waddell is delivering to the local media. He has publicly stated that the team is prepared to go after one of the many top shelf goalies available as free agents next spring. It's downright impossible to imagine Patrick Roy signing with an expansion team, but as everyone knows, Ted Turner has a lot of money. It's not only a buyer's market in regard to players; there are more than a few good coaches looking for work. There is quite a lot to be excited about here in Atlanta these days.

On October 9th, the Thrashers launched their one year out marketing campaign. "Game ONe Countdown" which will include advertising, education, and promotions such as the Nike/NHL Street Program, Youth Hockey Clinics, and Educational Outreach Initiative.

Of the three, the Educational Initiative is the most intriguing. Beginning in January, the Thrashers will provide area schools with an "exciting program" that will educate students about hockey and invite their participation in the game. Right On! Instead of some boring film about plant cell reproduction, the kids will get to see slap shots, breakaways, and glove saves. Where were these folks when I was in school?

One final thought: as a happy recipient of the league's largesse, my joy is somewhat tempered by the shared belief that expansion has had an overall negative impact on the quality of play. This topic has been discussed too many times for me to rehash it all over again. Having said that, I believe that for the long term future of the game we all love so much, it's the only inevitable choice. Gary Bettman obviously believes this is the straightest path to the TV network's bottomless pit of cash.

The biggest rub against expansion is that it requires teams to keep players on their roster who may be past their prime and bring up young players too soon before they're ready. With the latter who knows, we just might uncover a diamond in the rough. As for the former, let me just say this. I attended my first NHL game in 1975. Mike Bossy, Bobby Clarke, Guy Lafleur, and Rogie Vachon were all in their prime. I also got to see Gordie Howe, Bobby Hull, Bobby Orr, and Stan Mikita. These guys, with the exception of Howe, were pretty much on their last laps. I'm just grateful I got the chance to see them. I'm now grateful my daughter will get a chance to see Gretzky, Gilmour, Kariya, Jagr, and Hull.

Thanks, Ted.

Thrasher Notes

Of the top ten prospects in next June's amateur draft, six are from somewhere other than North America. To that end, the Thrashers have assigned three scouts to cover the European market. Sweden and the Czech Republic seem to be the best place to look for hockey players these days.

Having worked with both the San Diego and Orlando franchises of the International League, general manager Don Waddell is expected to choose the IHL as the primary minor league affiliate. For proximity purposes, the leading candidates are Orlando, Cincinnati, and Chicago. This would make Atlanta only the fifth team with an IHL affiliation joining Los Angeles, Tampa Bay, Dallas, and Phoenix.

In keeping with late 20th century communications technology, the Thrashers have a website. Much like the team itself, it is an evolving, work in progress. It will offer some nice views of the new arena as well as the much coveted Thrasher merchandise catalog. The site can be found at www.atlantathrashers.com