Wings to lower ticket prices?
I was going through old newspaper articles as I update BTJ: No. 19 and I came across this snippet from a Chris Chelios interview on December 17th.
There are still empty seats, do you guys notice this?
I wish I had the answer. I guess that’s why they hired that new marketing guy. In the past they had [Steve] Yzerman, [Brendan] Shanahan, [Brett] Hull and guys to fill the Stadium. I don’t think we’ve lost fans; we’ve just lost them in the building. I don’t know if it’s the economy, I think that’s part of it. I know they are going to lower ticket sales in January and try and make it affordable for families. I think that is going across the board for the team. And you notice. I mean we like playing at home but you can certainly tell the noise level and intensity level and we hope to get more people back in there.
I have no idea if that statement in bold is true or not, but I think that would do wonders for ticket sales if it’s true. According to ESPN, the Wings are averaging around 18,300 fans so we’re under 2,000 fans short of a sellout. If they dropped the ticket prices for those $44/$54 seats, I think we’d get consistent sell-outs because I believe the fans are there, it’s just the money that’s not.
And this is why I like Ovechkin…
Ever since the beginning, I’ve been a bigger Ovechkin fan than a Sid the Kid fan. Don’t get me wrong, I think Crosby is the better player and he’s a joy to watch (he even reminds me a bit of Yzerman), but Alexander Ovechkin’s goofy personality wins me over everytime. You can see it when the team took a Segway tour of DC in the clip below followed by my favorite Ovechkin quote from the trip.
Dan Steinberg at DC Sports Blog wrote about what went on during the tour including this fun tidbit of information:
I asked why he was riding a Segway around D.C.
“Have fun,” he said. “Why do I have to stay home? No. It’s good. Watch beautiful city, watch girls….”
“Have you seen any girls?” Backstrom asked.
“No,” Ovechkin replied. “Girls, where are you? I can’t find you.”
And I’m not the only one who thinks Ovie is the more fun alternative…
From all accounts, Ovechkin was the life of the party, yelling out to pedestrians, joking with a protestor at the White House, and off-roading before receiving a warning from police.
It wasn’t a planned PR stunt - it just fell into place. This is the sort of thing that happens when Ovechkin is around.
He’s a star blessed with talent and loads of personality.
He gives a great sound bite, in direct contrast to the polished media-savvy truisms that come from current favorite son Sidney Crosby.
Ovechkin just tells it as he sees it, and has great fun doing so.
He is, my friends, a marketing dream.
Part of the charm is his quirky Russian accent and not-yet-fully-mastered command of the English language, but you can tell he’s trying awfully hard to fit in.
Pistons 94, Grizzlies 67
As I mentioned in an earlier post, I attended tonight’s Pistons game against the Memphis Grizzlies and as the score indicates, it was an easy Detroit win, 94-67. My last game at the Palace was a 2OT victory in the ECF against the hated Cleveland Cavaliers so this game seemed not so exciting. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the game but it only reaffirms how much I love hockey more.
A couple notes about the game:
- Darko Milicic (a former center drafted by the Pistons) had four turnovers in the first half. The entire Detroit team had just four turnovers in the same timespan. Darko was booed pretty much every time he touched the ball, unless he made a mistake and then he was cheered.
- Tigers pitcher Dontrelle Willis attended the game and was nicely applauded by the fans in attendance. He recently signed a three year extension and hopes to reach out to the African American community in the metro Detroit area.
Attendance problems too?
The Detroit Red Wings aren’t the only Detroit team with empty seats. While NBA.com is reporting a sold out arena with 22,076 in attendance, you can see that definitely is not the case in the following cases. These photos were taken right before the start of the game, around the midpoint of the game, and then with three minutes left.
Yes, it was a game against the Grizzlies who have a poor 8-18 record, but it was a Friday evening game over the holidays when you’d think people would have more time to go to the games. The crowd reminded me of the Joe last year when it was officially sold out, but looking at the arena it was anything but sold out.
Holmstrom injures knee
The Wings not only lost last night’s game against the St. Louis Blues, 3-2, but they also lost forward Tomas Holmstrom who suffered a knee injury. He recently returned to action from a sore left knee, but this is an injury to his right knee. He will not play Saturday in Minnesota as he flew back to Detroit today to get an MRI. Hopefully, it won’t be anything serious. We’ll hear about the MRI results on Saturday.
Holmstrom’s knee was swollen, Friday, and he felt discomfort. “We don’t think it’s significant,” said general manager Ken Holland.
Aaron Downey, another BTJ favorite, should see some playing time on Saturday unless the team calls someone up from Grand Rapids.
Pistons vs. Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies come into town tonight to take on the Detroit Pistons at 8pm. I will be taking my brother to the game since we found cheap $18 seats (that were $40 face value) center court in the upper bowl and I couldn’t turn them down. As always, Detroit Bad Boys and Need4Sheed have got you covered with the latest Pistons’ news.
On Sunday, I will watch the Lions take on the Kansas City Chiefs at Ford Field. If they lose Sunday, they will end the season with eight straight losses (because there’s no way they’ll win in Green Bay in their last game). If that happens, they will be the first team to start a season 6-2 and lose the next eight games. That’s the Lions for you. Fortunately, they will be honoring Barry Sanders on Sunday so it won’t be a complete loss for those in attendance.
I spent three hours last night working on the re-design and I finally found a template I liked and modified it to fit BTJ’s style and needs. It’s still not ready to go yet, but I wanted to keep you all posted.
What do you want to see?
Aside from a return to frequent yet quality posting, what would you the readers like to see in the new and improved BTJ?
I have yet to find a WordPress theme that makes me happy, but hopefully I will pick one out within the next few days and then I will be able to add and mold the theme to make it more personal for BTJ.
Are there any features or even blog design elements that you would like to see? Don’t be afraid to suggest anything either in a comment or via email!
I wanted to live blog tonight’s game, but unfortunately the TV in my room at home is broke and the main one is recording a show on Tivo downstairs preventing anyone else from watching live TV.
Kronner notches four assists in win
I’ll have more on the game tomorrow afternoon at Winging It In Motown, but I wanted to say that BTJ favorite Niklas Kronwall notched four assists in the Wings’ 6-2 victory over LA on Wednesday evening in Detroit.
Since December 9th (a Saturday), I have worked 70 hours, taken 3 exams, completed one project, and one paper. To say that it was a busy stretch would be an understatement, but I am free as of Thursday afternoon so updates will resume then. I have already started working on the re-design process, but don’t expect a new look in the next few days as I have to tinker with the different WordPress themes until I find one that satisfies what I’m looking for. I can tell you that when the new BTJ look is complete, I will be giving out numerous prizes as a thank you to BTJ readers for sticking by me even when my posting started to slack off.
I am also looking for someone to help me out at Winging It In Motown so if you’re interested in blogging about the Red Wings for the biggest sports blogging network online, drop me an email!
Hockey doubleheader at Ford Field?
The Detroit News has an article today that reports there has been discussion, albeit brief, regarding Ford Field hosting a hockey doubleheader next winter. The doubleheader would feature a UM-MSU hockey game (Cold War II) and a Toronto Maple Leafs-Red Wings game. Anyone who likes hockey in the Detroit area has to think this is a fantastic idea. While the game wouldn’t be outside like the first Cold War between UM and MSU, this would be a great day of hockey and help Ford Field prepare for the Frozen Four tournament when it comes in 2010.
I think an outdoor Wings-Leafs game would be great at the Big House, but that’s just my personal bias talking here.
Michigan hockey coach Red Berenson and Michigan State coach Rick Comley confirmed a game was in the works for next December at Ford Field.
And, Comley said, it could be part of a doubleheader with a Maple Leafs-Red Wings game.
“We’ve had preliminary, and I have to emphasize extremely preliminary, discussions regarding the possibility of holding a game at Ford Field in the future,” said Jimmy Devellano, senior vice president and alternate governor for the Red Wings. “It’s been very, very light discussions.”
Two words for you: Do It.
Wings’ morale doing well
The Wings seem to be enjoying their recent success and it’s reflective in their carefree attitudes after practice.
Forward Henrik Zetterberg was explaining his thoughts on how the Red Wings have built a second seven-game winning streak this season when he spotted teammate Niklas Kronwall kneeling by his locker.
Zetterberg burst out laughing and quipped, “Question, Kronner?”
Kronwall didn’t have one; he was merely making a point about Zetterberg’s ability to draw a crowd.
Zetterberg had a question of his own: Where was linemate Tomas Holmstrom, who didn’t practice Wednesday? “I miss him out there,” Zetterberg said.
An article in the Windsor Star adds a bit more to the story:
Henrik Zetterberg was shooting a promo for the NHL before Wednesday’s practice and he reduced the TV crew to the same tangled mess he’s turned defences in to this season.
On his final take, Zetterberg zigzagged up the Joe Louis Arena ice until the sled carrying the cameraman slid into the skater pulling it creating a heap of humanity and camera equipment.
“That was pretty funny,” Zetterberg said. “It’ll be interesting to see how it turns out.”
Zetterberg’s teammates also gave him the star treatment after practice.
Nearby locker-room neighbour Niklas Kronwall pretended to join the scrum of reporters quizzing Zetterberg. When asked if he’d like to ask a question by Zetterberg, Kronwall got down on his knees and bowed at the feet of Zetterberg repeatedly uttering ‘We’re not worthy.”
Yesterday, there was a signing for the Community Relations department after practice and I can say that the smoke and smell was everywhere from Al’s barbecue while the players were still out on the ice.
Zamboni driver Al Sobotka held one of his famed barbecues; the smoke (and smell) wafted onto the ice as practice wore on, especially affecting goaltender Chris Osgood. “Ozzie said he was in his element,” Draper said. “I don’t know what he meant by that — we’ll leave that one open-ended. But hey, that’s the price we pay for Al’s burgers and ribs.”
From personal experience, Al grills some mean burgers.
Wings hire Steve Violetta
The Detroit Red Wings announced yesterday the hiring of Steve Violetta as senior vice president of business affairs. Violetta had been working since July of 2005 with the Nashville Predators in the same position. He is from Detroit and actually got his degree from Central Michigan so I’m sure he’s pleased to be back in his hometown area.
“We’re excited to have Steve and his vast experience as part of the team,†Ilitch said. “This new organizational structure is similar to what we’ve done with the Detroit Tigers and we certainly expect to see similar, successful results as Violetta focuses on making the fans’ hockey experience all it can be.â€
In addition to this hiring, Mike Ilitch also promoted GM Ken Holland to executive vice president and Assistant GM Jim Nill to vice president. The two will still maintain their respective management positions.
“I believe these personnel moves will greatly enhance our ability to meet the ever-growing needs and challenges of operating a professional sports team in a highly competitive market,†team owner Mike Ilitch said. “Ken and Jim have been instrumental in our success over the years. The promotions are well-deserved and, combined with the addition of Steve’s position, will enable us to put the best product forward both on and off the ice and will lead to an even more successful franchise.â€
I don’t really have any opinion about the hiring of Violetta because I don’t know him or really know what he’s down while in Nashville. However, I think Holland and Nill’s promotions are certainly worthy, but I don’t think it will really give them added responsibility (but then what do I know).