What could brutally good owners do for Thrashers fans?
In the almost four full seasons that I have had the pleasure of hosting this little blog-thingy, we’ve discussed numerous varying topics here. We’ve debated the skills and value of countless players as well as certain coaching strategies, and we’ve shared thoughts on draft picks and trades possibilities. While we’ve many times found ourselves having to simply agree to disagree on whatever the issue of the day was, there is one subject that most of us have always found common ground on.
That common ground being… our general distain for the current Thrashers ownership group.
However, as Chris Vivlamore has reported recently reported, there are as many as five entities that have express interest in purchasing the team and ridding Thrasherville of the Atlanta Spirit, LLC, (Lies, Lawsuits and Contempt) once and for all. That day cannot come soon enough…but I do believe it is indeed coming.
Young Jack deserves brutally good owners for a change. If so, his mom and dad would probably have him at more games (Photo by Keith Woldrop and used with the permission of Heather and Ryan Anderson)
But once that day does arrive…and then eventually passes…there will be quite a lot of work required to undo what the AS. LLC have done to this organization and it’s fan base. The damage is extensive, but not beyond repair.
With that in mind, the question I would pose to you this morning is this: If you had the ear of [insert name of possible new owner(s) here], what changes would you suggest they take under consideration? Such an opportunity could come during a town hall meeting…something Don Waddell and the Spiriteers have denied us the pleasure of this year for some odd reason.
What’s that you say out there? “Ice a winning team and the fans will come”.
Yes, yes, yes…winning more games will do wonders to eliminate empty seats in Philips Arena. But until a history of success is established here, there is going to have to be certain changes made in order to address the very serious issue of attendance.
Increasing the payroll would probably be the first thing many of you would offer up to any new owner. We’ve been at or near the bottom of the league minimum for the last several seasons, and we’ve seen what’s come from operating a franchise on a bargain-basement budget.
It gets you a one-way ticket to the bottom of the standings, an early spring tee-time and many times another trip to Lotterypickville.
So payroll is a good place to start for owners, I’m sure we call all agree. But for the sake of this exercise, what I’m looking from you are no-cost, common sense ideas that will increase attendance and better the overall experience at Thrashers games in the here-and-now.
For example, here are three things I would toss out there that don’t come with a price tag and could very possibly have positive results:
First off, I would remove that hideous black curtain that blocks off the 400 sections atop Philips Arena…the Curtain of Shame, as I refer to it. It was placed there at the beginning of the season in order to move the paying customers closer to the ice as to make the place looking less empty.
Let’s just say…mission not accomplished.
Instead I think it would be a good idea to open it up, even if it’s just for $5 general admission seating. Something is always better than nothing when it comes to selling tickets and bringing in possible new fans. It would make for a great place for the many college students in our area to meet to enjoy the game, or even just for those who are otherwise on a tight budget these days.
Ian, (also known as Badger Bob on this blog), joins his wife, son and friend celebrating an Eric Boulton goal earlier this season. I'm sure they will celebrate new ownership as well (AJC photo)
If you get even 1,000 fans to part ways with an Abe Lincoln to see NHL hockey, then you’ve made five grand that night. Plus, once in the building, those people will add to concession sales.
On top of that, you’ve allowed your product to be viewed by those who might otherwise not pony up the money for more expensive seats…and maybe they’ll like what they see enough to return. If they do, maybe…just maybe… they’ll pay a few more bucks to sit a little closer.
Either way…I would say, “Mr. New Owner, tear down this curtain”!
One other no-cost suggestion I’d make is to start all weeknight home games at 7:30. I’ve been on the fence on this subject in years past, but now I’m convinced the puck drop needs to be backed up 30 minutes.
The logic of starting games at 7:00, so I’ve been told, is to allow families enough time to get the kiddies back home after games in time to tuck them in bed at a decent time. Nice thought, but the thousands of empty seats that greet us every Monday through Thursday night scream that the strategy is not working.
Traffic in Atlanta is a nightmare. And for many, public transit is not a viable option. Cars are our freedom and most of us use them to get to work every day. Trying to get back home afterwards, gather the spouse and tax-exemptions, then get down to the arena for at start time just after 7 pm creates a serious logistical challenge. Especially if your looking to grab dinner before the game.
If fans aren’t bringing the family, 7:30 start times would allow enough time to enjoy a nice sit down meal with friends after work…maybe an adult beverage or two…before they head to the arena in time for the start of the game.
7:00 Saturday starts are fine…and I like Sunday matinees.
There has always been a special connection with the Thrashers players and their fans. With the right ownership leading the organization, that connection can be made even stronger for generations to come (Photo Michelle Rivers)
Lastly, I would like to see any new owner insist that whomever owns the television rights to Thrashers games air all 41 away games. Even if it means they cut back on a few home games on TV, there is no reason that Thrashers fans cannot watch their team play every out-of-town games without having to drop major coin on the NHL Center Ice package.
At the beginning of this season, just after the home opening win against the Washington Capitals and trip to Tampa the following night, the Thrashers embarked on a three game swing out on the left coast. Those three battles in L.A., Anaheim and San Jose were not televised locally, and because of it most Thrashers fans were unable to see two very exciting wins and Anthony Stewart’s hat trick.
That’s really not the way you want too follow up on the excitement that comes with opening the season with a thrilling win over the defending division champs and the anticipation that comes with a brand new NHL campaign.
Again, the best thing any possible new owner can do is to do whatever is necessary to help bring in a winning team. Ws in the standings have a way of curing just about everything that ails a franchise. But there are still things that they could do to mend a lot of wounds that the current ownership cluster have inflicted upon the good people of Thrasherville.
I’ve listed just a few…I’m sure you have some of your own to offer up.
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221 comments Add your comment
Red Light
March 22nd, 2011
11:22 am
Most recent playoff appearance/# of appearances/Current attendance rank
Anaheim 2008-09 • 5 since 1999-00 • 25th
Atlanta 2006-07 • 1 since 1999-00 • 28th
Boston 2009-10 • 6 since 1999-00 • 16th
Buffalo 2009-10 • 5 since 1999-00 • 10th
Calgary 2008-09 • 5 since 1999-00 • 3rd
Carolina 2008-09 • 4 since 1999-00 • 20th
Chicago 2009-10 • 3 since 1999-00 • 1st
Colorado 2009-10 • 8 since 1999-00 • 24th
Columbus 2008-09 • 1 since 2000-01 • 27th
Dallas 2007-08 • 7 since 1999-00 • 23rd
Detroit 2009-10 • every season since 1990-91 • 5th
Edmonton 2005-06 • 4 since 1999-00 • 19th
Florida 1999-00 • None since that season • 22nd
Los Angeles 2009-10 • 4 since 1999-00 • 14th
Minnesota 2007-08 • 3 since 2000-01 • 15th
Montreal 2009-10 • 6 since 1999-00 • 2nd
Nashville 2009-10 • 5 since 1999-00 • 21st
New Jersey 2009-10 • every season since 1995-96 • 26th
NY Islanders 2006-07 • 4 since 1999-00 • 30th
NY Rangers 2008-09 • 4 since 1999-00 • 13th
Ottawa 2009-10 • 9 since 1999-00 • 12th
Philadelphia 2009-10 • 9 since 1999-00 • 4th
Phoenix 2009-10 • 3 since 1999-00 • 29th
Pittsburgh 2009-10 • 6 since 1999-00 • 6th
San Jose 2009-10 • 9 since 1999-00 • 17th
St. Louis 2008-09 • 6 since 1999-00 • 8th
Tampa Bay 2006-07 • 4 since 1999-00 • 18th
Toronto 2003-04 • 5 since 1999-00 • 7th
Vancouver 2009-10 • 7 since 1999-00 • 9th
Washington 2009-10 • 6 since 1999-00 • 11th
Pervert
March 22nd, 2011
11:24 am
Keep the girls in bikini’s……That’s it.
World Be Free
March 22nd, 2011
12:12 pm
MASHA-you would be surprised how many NHL players have no issue going to Buffalo, for a variety of reasons. 1) Great hockey town 2) close to Canada, home to many players 3) alot cheaper than livings across the border in Southern Ontario. Alotta ex Sabres and ex-NHLer’s live in Western New York. The biggest negative for players going to Buffalo has been the lack of commitment to win. Pegula, supposedly has solved this issue. We will see.
Now Buffalo being Buffalo is an issue for the Bills!
KLS1
March 22nd, 2011
12:14 pm
Get a color commentator with Kamal, liked Odgers…need an ex-player to hold down that spot.
World Be Free
March 22nd, 2011
12:19 pm
Red Light, some interesting observations about your latest set of numbers-
New Jersey– 2 spots ahead of us in attendance with 3 Stanley Cups, yet Kovy calls them a first class organization.
Columbus—Portzline ragging on Atlanta the last 2 seasons, yet the Blo Jackets are one spot ahead of ATL in attendance.
Edmonton in 19th-I thought all Canadian cities were great hockey towns?
Boston in 16th-despite some good teams in a hockey hotbed.
Minnesota-15th the State of Hockey is a little tarnished.
Colorado-24th, another supposed hockey city with mediocre numbers.
Anaheim-25th, 4 years removed from winning the Stanley Cup
Now can we wonder how Atlanta would fair with consecutive winning seasons?
Mitch4404
March 22nd, 2011
12:22 pm
1) repair the trust by being open and honest with all fans and be vocal that the team is not leaving. If I was owner I would kick things off with The Thrashers open house being the last preaseason game make it free for everyone ( I think Florida did a free game ) Great oppurtunity to fill the building and have a captive audience to market too
2) On ICE product sign Free agents and give some team atability – many former season ticket holder like myself lost faith they wanted to win with the revolving door of Free agency and low payroll . Would love to see them go after a big name Free agent to send a message were serious about winning
3)Spend money on marketing – many average Atlantans may have been to a Thrashers game but short of a few billboards there is no active Tv or radio marketing outside of the networks that carry the games to keep them connected. It’s sad that more of my Friends go to GLADS games than Thrashers games if your not marketed too You will always choose the cheaper option
Badger Bob
March 22nd, 2011
12:36 pm
Yes, Badger Bob and his family will celebrate new ownership, and we’ll go completely nuts if that ownership is actually committed to developing a successful, lasting NHL organization.
Since we’re down to the real fine points, nuke the organ. Phoenix plays infectious electric dance music at every whistle that keeps what crowd they have pumped up. We do it now and then. But just as often we get some weird elevator music jingle from the organ. Fix everything listed above, then fix the music.
DWTOO
March 22nd, 2011
12:48 pm
Sorry BB, but, I like the organ and would incorporate it more – organ music is a hcokey tradition. Better than some head banging crap (guess I’m showing some age here). But – NEVER PLAY LADY OF SPAIN AGAIN!
Stop Yelling Knights
March 22nd, 2011
12:55 pm
Serious question here. To all of you that yell ‘Knights!’ during the anthem, would you agree to stop if we get new committed ownership here? I know you guys think it’s harmless but imagine if your wife yelled out her ex-husband’s name in bed every night. Think you might think about leaving? Yeah…
Never Been Wright
March 22nd, 2011
12:56 pm
We don’t need a homer like the one referenced above on this blog.
kracker
March 22nd, 2011
12:59 pm
All we need is a hockey loving owner. Well, he has to be rich also. Most of us have the first qualification but not the second.
A committed owner that intends to grow the franchise as a competitor and also grow the game in general in this area will eventually succeed.
Red Light
March 22nd, 2011
1:00 pm
Gosh DWTOO, we’re going to send a guy with a jackhammer to free you from your concrete shoes. Pretty soon you’re going to ask for bubbles and have Lawrence Welk’s favorites playing during intermission.
Red Light
March 22nd, 2011
1:03 pm
kracker: I totally disagree. The new owner doesn’t have to love hockey, he has to love winning, engaging fans and has to try to break even financially. That’s all it will take.
Red Light
March 22nd, 2011
1:05 pm
World Be Free: Edmonton’s capacity is 100 percent. The size of the rink prohibits a higher ranking. Same with Minny, which is at 98.5% capacity this season.
HonkyTonkHero
March 22nd, 2011
1:20 pm
Love the idea of having a double header with college, youth or upper adult leagues. There are plenty in the area. If you have watched any of the local youth teams like the Knights or the Flames you know you are in for some fun competitive hockey. Those kids are fun to watch and tough. How hard can it be to bill a double header with the regional colleges club teams. I would think advertising the UGS v Tech games would put alot of butts in the seats. I know they do these games periodically but they are not advertised by the Thrashers or those clubs for that matter…they just kind of happen.
They do currently offer a ticket discount to local leagues…could it be better? Yes. Why do I say that? Because I think the discount price my league gets is about what the going rate should be for the general public (at least until we create more of a demand).
jimbo
March 22nd, 2011
1:23 pm
Lot of good ideas in these blogs that new ownership should take a look at. Pretty simple.
1. Put a far better product on the ice (better players)
2. Add some real leadership behind the bench- not a passive old timer.
3. Promote it- special ticket deals, jerseys with chips, PR (remind the AJC that you advertise with them and have over 10,000 readers who can be turned off to their rag).
4. Create a “not in our house” mentality.
There are more than enough good hockey fans in the metro area who would come back over time with a far better product run by an organization that is committed to fans. Bring back old Flames players? Gimme a break!
World Be Free
March 22nd, 2011
1:39 pm
Red Light-thanks for the clarification, which is why the owners in Edmonton are clammoring for a new arena. Isn’t Minnesota’s barn relatively new?
Looks like everyone has new idea (or old ones not tried).
Jimbo-old timer, seems like a lot of the teams doing better 2nd half of the season have young coaches.
jeff97
March 22nd, 2011
1:39 pm
—> Smoothie. Saw your comment on driving down from Albany NY to Hartford. I take it that made you a Whalers fan growing up? Me and my dad used to go to games at the Civic Center all the time. Brings back a lot of memories…..too bad the play here reminds me too much of those same Whalers teams.
SomaAtl95
March 22nd, 2011
1:41 pm
Once new ownership comes along they should call a priest and perform an exorcism of DW’s vacated office and over the arena as a whole.
And its not a bad idea to have a former Thrasher/Knight/Flame doing color commentary, even Bill Clement on EA’s NHL games talks about being a Flame when he was in Atlanta. As much as people gripe about bringing faces from the past in its still a good idea to show that there has been Hockey History going on four decades (not counting the 80’s).
And a “complete from left field” idea: Have toilet paper with the likenesses of the A$G and Cousins property group printed up. Would be the best way to show them what we think of them for making NHL hockey in Atlanta a joke.
Tom
March 22nd, 2011
1:45 pm
Interesting seeing mar1jdh comment at 9:28 am about the Knights cheer.
I wonder if it is a subconscious reaction by the fans to the failure of the organization to properly recognize the past and the fans passion for it?
LAC
March 22nd, 2011
1:53 pm
I for one would return, Like Bill so aptly put it, Lies, Lawsuits,Contempt. Perfect description of these lying IDIOTS. They deserve to be Tarred & Feathered and put on a bus to Death Valley and never allowed in Georgia ever again… Wishful thinking.
But the mystery is what type owner will we have next ? The same kind as we have now, a group ? Or someone who really is not into hockey and it is just a sideline item to them and we continue to flounder ? Or will we get an owner like they got in Tampa & Buffalo, who have publicly stated their desire to WIN ?
I hope for the latter not the former, but in any case It will be a VERY HAPPY day when the Atlanta STUPID Group is gone from owning any professional sports team, simply put THEY LIE & SUCK all at the same time, hard to do, but with these liars, anything is possible !
Tom
March 22nd, 2011
1:54 pm
After reading the comments I realized something —
Today we are all Brendan…
SomaAtl95
March 22nd, 2011
2:06 pm
@ Tom, Being Brendan is a good thing
LAC
March 22nd, 2011
2:09 pm
Forgot to say a BIG YES to acknowledging The Atlanta FLAMES, That is a NO Brainer for sure, and I would like to see the next time Calagry plays here, it be Retro game, They play with White Atlanta uni’s and we have the Red ones, I know back in the 70’s red was road, maybe we could swap. Have The Painted Lady attend, see was Great and HOT as HELL ! Neil Boortz to
be the announcer and maybe Dave Schultz to go after him like he did years ago at The OMNI !
Yes a tribute to Anything FLAMES, Atlanta that is would be fantastic.
Maybe a Knights Championship banner, at least they didi win !
And don waddell can not be Fired fast enough !
Two others, Randy Manery and Bobby Simpson live here too.
SomaAtl95
March 22nd, 2011
2:20 pm
I actually wanted to custom make a Thrashers jersey with a reference to the Flames (and Atlanta’s unofficial motto of “Being the City of the Phoenix”), even it it is for one game a year – http://twitpic.com/4c6l3i
Not the best design but I found a website that sells blank jerseys and can screen print a 3 color design (for the flames) and then sew or iron on a Thrashers chest crest and shoulder patch.
SportsFan
March 22nd, 2011
2:20 pm
I would be worried if the Coyotes somehow stay in AZ…one of these two franchises is destined for Canada. I am from MN and am a Wild STH…who knows a couple Canadian cities have the ownership lines in place.
glovesave29
March 22nd, 2011
2:25 pm
The IHL has folded (twice) since the Knights left…purchase the Turner Cup and keep it here. Put it next to a blank stand that says “Reserved for the Stanley Cup”…anyone else remember that at the old Omni? Raise banners for both teams.
Have a Flames vs. Knights alumni game ANNUALLY. Hell – do a round robin tourney with former Thrashers too.
Sponsor the HS and college teams with a Thrashers Cup tournament.
Love to see the old red jerseys out there – and LAC…I mention the Schultz / Boortz fight to newbies to Atlanta and they think I am making it up.
Fire Waddell (that should be first, of course)
SomaAtl95
March 22nd, 2011
2:25 pm
Atlanta would support another team in Canada – by expansion. Stealing teams doesn’t fly with people in Canada yet they have no qualms trying to steal an American team? Hypocritical nature at its finest.
SportsFan
March 22nd, 2011
2:30 pm
It is not stealing a team, if a team has no local buyer, then it is the last resort. Look at the NFL, it has happened and may still happen (Jax, Oak to name a couple). It happened with the MN North Stars…no local owner at the time, so Dallas bought it out from under us. It is unfortunate, but reality.
Smoothie
March 22nd, 2011
2:30 pm
“Smoothie. Saw your comment on driving down from Albany NY to Hartford. I take it that made you a Whalers fan growing up?”
jeff97 – awesome man, I was a fan of the Whale, but Plucky was not my #1. My dad is from Buffalo/Rochester area and I grew up a Bills and Sabres fan. Now I pretty much hate them both. But I always pulled for the Whalers and took great delight when they finally made it to the playoffs in ‘86 and swept the ‘Diques in 3. They pushed the eventual Cup champs to 7 games and I could not have been happier at their tasting of success. Little did I know at the time that I was seeing so many great players, including Francis, Dineen, Holik etc. Okay, Holik is a stretch, but I liked him back then. I missed Howe and Hull by a couple of years, but saw the Sabres and Whale play some very good games at the Civic Center. What a treat watching Gilbert Perreault skate! Funny thing is now I have good friends from college who are now huge Canes fans and we’re always giving each other grief, although I usually come out on the short-end of that back and forth! Good times!
SomaAtl95
March 22nd, 2011
2:40 pm
@SportsFan – yet when you ask a Jets fan they will act as if Phoenix “Stole” the Jets and say that they “deserve” a team more than anyone else would. May be unfortunate, may be a reality, but after 15 years they still berate the good people of Phoenix as if they held up signs in the 90’s saying “Screw Winnipeg!” when they didn’t.
jeff97
March 22nd, 2011
2:47 pm
Smoothie – Sounds like you started going to the games around the same time I did. My dad and I used to go to the Springfield Civic Center while they were repairing the Hartford Civic Center roof. Wow, those days seem so so long ago. I was there for Game 3 vs the ‘Diques. One of the best game experiences I have ever had. Whale was a goal away in my opinion from the Cup finals as I think they would have beaten the Rangers that season. And your right, who would ever have thought we would have been looking at so many future great players at that time. Dont forget about Ray Ferraro, Ulf Samuelson, Pat Verbeek. Heck, Ferraro even played here a few seasons. I moved here a month after the Thrashers inagural season started, so it was real easy to root for this team after the Whale left Hartford, I could never get into being a ‘Canes fan..to much resentment to that ownership.
drajax
March 22nd, 2011
2:47 pm
drop the name Thrashers. Its been nothing but bad… Come up with a different name and put it to a vote. Do everything you can realistically do to put fans in the seats. Get better players. Purge the old out of the system.
Cliff Fletcher
March 22nd, 2011
2:49 pm
sports fan///
it would be interesting to see how any city would support this team with the track record we have had to deal with for 11 years, minnesota included. there are potential owners here – we have to assume that the next group of check-signers will actually want to win instead of treating the hockey team and fans like they are diseased. the canadian dorks keep telling us we don’t deserve a team; they have to fuigure out the nhl does not want to go to winnipeg or quebec city; if they did the 2 teams would have never left those cities to begin with. stop treating the fans like garbage and they will come back, as we did the first 4 seasons with the thrashers for horrible teams.
Cliff Fletcher
March 22nd, 2011
2:51 pm
drajax///
the atlanta fire
the atlanta knights!
the atlanta krackers!
Smoothie
March 22nd, 2011
2:58 pm
Nothing wrong with the name as it’s a nice way to honor our past as the original settlement was called Thrasherville. Going forward, the Blueland concept, although I don’t hate it, needs to be scrapped and the Thrashervillage or something along those lines needs to be developed. The Hawks already have their nest, but I’m sure Thrash won’t mind nesting his tail feathers down at the family-friendly Thrashervillage or Thrasherville. In fact, it can be Thrashervillage on family weekend days and Thrasherville at night to connote a rink of horrors and thrashing for the other team paying us a visit. A new concept for the 3rd jersey featuring the old T-bird / Ultimate Warrior crest needs to be conjured up…perhaps with some radiating flames as the bird rises like a phoenix out of the ashes of despair and mismanagement that is Atlanta Stupid group.
jeff97 – damn son, we must be close to the same age, we should definitely meet up for a brew before a game soon and talk puck at Gorin’s. So many great memories from the old Civic Center and the Mall next to it. I probably only made it over to 5 or 6 games total (my dad was on a limited budget) but we always had a great time with the folks from Hartford. It was a great little hockey town for awhile. Good people there in that part of CT. Would love to see the Whale make a come back. Perhaps move Blue Jackets to Seattle and bring back the Whale crest and green and blue colors since the city is right on the water and there are most certainly lots of whales in the Pacific.
SomaAtl95
March 22nd, 2011
2:59 pm
drajax: Thrashers fits. State bird and one of the original names of Atlanta (known as Thrasherville, Terminus and Marthasville) and since the name FLAMES was already taken…
drajax
March 22nd, 2011
3:11 pm
soma: the terminators, not bad…my objection to the name is not that it was originally bad, its become bad, the image of the team is now tied to a bird that comes to one’s mind. Its a tarnished logo filled with bad luck.
Smoothie
March 22nd, 2011
3:17 pm
And now it’s time to welcome to the ice….YOUR MARTHASVILLE MARAUDERS!!
Now that’s intimidation at its finest!!
Badger Bob – by the way bud, thanks again for taking the time to post a comment over at my Hockey Independent blog. I would have responded sooner but I was on vacay for about 5 days and I took a break from posting while I was golfing, drinking and eating lots of delicious food. Even watched a couple of dumb movies which I haven’t done in several months. Gotta prepare myself for life without Thrashers hockey this spring. Booooo!
LittleThrash
March 22nd, 2011
3:17 pm
I liked the idea of trading in your sweater, but I think it would be cool if you could trade your old one in for the new one. The deal at the last home game was 40% off 3rd Jersey which means they might be getting a new design. When they do that, it would be cool if you could trade in your old sweater for a new one for a lesser price.
They also need to do things for people who love the team but don’t have the means to have season tickets. I understand season ticket holders deserve more deals, but there are other faithful fans that either can’t afford season tickets or who are in school. College student deals would be great, and having a student discount on tickets could help out too.
alex
March 22nd, 2011
3:17 pm
sorry for not be very optimistic, but story of this franchise teach us to be very cautious with every move. fool me once shame on you, fool me twice… we been fooled a lot for last 11 years. first i have no trust in waddel for negotiation on sale. everything dw touched concerning thrashers been cursed. so why he going to negotiate in good faith knowing that after that he going to get sacked. how many owners changed in last years in tampa, buffalo. we don’t get same time in atlanta. if something get wrong with dw new owners, next new owners for thrashers going to be in winnipeg. i will celebrate only after they convince me they no new weasels like asg. so i put my vodka in deep freeze for now.
glovesave29
March 22nd, 2011
3:24 pm
It’s already been confirmed the horrible maroon 3rd jersey is going away.
Smoothie
March 22nd, 2011
3:35 pm
glove – is there a link to the leaked new design or just confirmation that the current one is going away? Does the new one have a Jet on it?
Hahaha j/k
MXK
March 22nd, 2011
3:38 pm
1-Make a connection to the region!
2-Every youth and men’s league team within 100 miles should be playing with Thrashers logo pucks and drinking from Thrashers logo water bottles.
3-Have the players make a presence at local events (Peachtree Road Race, 4th of July, Festivals in Kennesaw, Marietta, Gwinette, Roswell, etc.). Just walk around with their jerseys on!
4-Promote youth ice hockey and roller hockey. If building new roller hockey rinks is too much of an investment, donate a bucket of blue, orange and yellow paint to the few rinks we already have.
5-Anything in this region that is even remotely related to hockey should have a Thrashers influence.
6-Keep the kids on the ice for the player intro / anthem. That’s at least one fan-for-life.
SomaAtl95
March 22nd, 2011
3:40 pm
drajax: The same argument could be used for pre 1990’s Braves. We should keep the name and make it something that brings pride to Atlanta and fear to other teams (and not the current opposite), unless Coca-Cola steps up “The Atlanta Cokes go great on Ice!”
SomaAtl95
March 22nd, 2011
3:48 pm
We’d all be referred to as “Coke-heads”!
Zombie Steve
March 22nd, 2011
3:53 pm
Am I the only one here that likes the 3rd sweater? (not afraid to admit it)
kracker
March 22nd, 2011
4:06 pm
the atlanta krackers!……hehe
Joe McGrath
March 22nd, 2011
4:12 pm
I see Cousins Prperties Inc. has won the right to bid on a project that would turn the “Gulch” into a transit hub. Very interesting.
ZAvalanche
March 22nd, 2011
4:16 pm
Many good comments on this issue. Here is another one; open pre-season to anybody who wants attend and make it free. When people experience this game they will be avid fans and will build the fan base.