Why are the IceDogs ranked 15th & 17th in the league in support?

[AlphaDog]

Out of 20 OHL teams, the Niagara IceDogs are ranked 15th in the Hockey Town Index (percent of population that comes to the games) and 17th in average attendance.

Many people have said that St. Catharines is a great hockey town. If this is true, why isn't it reflected in the attendance at the rink?

Since these rankings are against the other OHL towns, there is no excuses such as "it's the beginning of the year, things will pick up" or "it's warm out, more people will come in the winter" - because all other towns rankings have had the same factors as us.

THanks for voting!

ps: if choice #3 is overwhelming, we'll re-do this poll in December when lack of knowledge can't be used as an excuse :)

[Chooch]

I voted for #1 but I feel it's probably a combination of 1 and 3. People I'm sure know about the team but have no idea how good the hockey is at this level and don't feel it's worth the price for a ticket. They are too used to being a Jr.B town.

[AlphaDog]

I voted for #1 but I feel it's probably a combination of 1 and 3. People I'm sure know about the team but have no idea how good the hockey is at this level and don't feel it's worth the price for a ticket. They are too used to being a Jr.B town.

I'll see if I can change the poll so you can select more than one option... Nope, that's one thing you can't edit after the msg has been submitted.

[trooper]

St. Catharines IS a hockey town - our arena & parking keep people from coming out regularly

[GoDogsGo]

St. Catharines IS a hockey town - our arena & parking keep people from coming out regularly
good point...

[DogMember77]

The parking is horrendous, but i dont think parking stops ppl from coming to good quality hockey games even if it is that bad. It hasnt completely caught on yet & some nights/days its just a bad time for ppl so they cant come(as it is with almost any team). Plus factoring how many ppl show up is hard since its the smallest rink for attendance(i believe, if it isnt id be very surprised)

[tml]

I hate to say it but maybe we really are not a great hockey town. The arena is n't what it needs to be but when the game is exciting the atmosphere is great. I was at the two Barrie games in Barrie. They have a nice arena but you could hear a pin drop in there. Parking is not that horrendous in fact if you know where to go you can park for free within a block or two. There is a little Anglican Church on Queenston Rd I park at right around the corner. Once or twice the priest has been out there collecting $3 but that has been rare and fare. I think that we have an aging population and perhaps they think it is too much money. I also think that a lot of people would rather stay at home and watch "Dancing with the Stars" or some crap like that. If we were a true hockey town we would fill that little arena every game. I am a Leaf fan and if the Leafs and the dogs are playing at the same time and I have the choice between watching the leafs on tv or seeing the dogs live I will pick the dogs every time!

[Quizzer83]

Considering the skill level of the Leafs this season, I'd be making that choice too if I was a Leafs fan! :)

[Chooch]

Two things.....the parking. It is not that bad if you have two feet. I use the lower lot which is about a 7 minute walk, not bad at all for a sporting event. I've also parked at the bingo lot, about 8 minutes, and tons of room. Both of those are free BTW. Why is it that people don't want to walk anymore? God forbid that some folks might lose a pound or two.

Attendance.....just over 2100 tonight. I think it's time to start telling the rest of the region that there is a hockey team here. So far marketing is limited to St. Kitts, it's not working that great. Hello Mr. Burke, Niagara Falls here. Not all of us buy the newspaper or have Cogeco, how about something besides the ads in the Review to tell the citizens of this city that the OHL is back, and some incentive to get them there? I'm a big fan and always will be, but the marketing has to expand to fill that rink.

[WellandDogsFan]

I wouldnt say that the marketing isnt working great just yet. Tonights crowd was by far the smallest of the season. I would attribute that to the visiting team. Erie is the worse team in the league. I think that you will find the attendance much higher for Sundays game.

[Chooch]

Almost halfway through the season and so far only two sellouts in a small rink? I blame the marketing. The region has over 400,000 people, go after them.

[WellandDogsFan]

Why does blame have to be given? Its the first year of the franchise. They got it up and running in 4 months time, most new franchises have at least a year to get ready for the upcoming season. We out draw Mississauga and they have a much larger fan base to pull from. I havent seen the figures lately but I would say we are close to if not out drawing Brampton as well. I think we should be thankful that we have an OHL team to watch, be thankful that we have comitted ownership. So tonights attendance was low? Who cares?? Not I. I expected the attendance to be lower than average with the team that was visiting. Now if we draw only 2,100 Sunday, then yes, I might have some concerns. But this isnt a sprint, this is a marathon. Lets see where we are at the end of the year.... Come playoff time, the Jack will be sold out every night.

[Chooch]

Am I thankful we have a team? You bet I am. Who cares about the attendance tonight? The owners wallet I'm sure, 2100 is a big loss to them. Yes it's the teams first year here and they only had 4 months to get up and running, but that argument is starting to get old.
My whole point is, when I heard that we were getting a new team, then I hear that the owners will call it a regional team and market it as such, which I believe is the only way of success, I was excited and very optimistic that someone finally gets it. The marketing hasn't been anything close to what anyone expected for a true regional team and in my opinion has been very disappointing.
Why does blame have to be given? Because I want this team to stick around for a long time and that means having a business that can support itself financially, and if something isn't done to fill the rink a bit more then they will eventually be added to the list of Niagara teams that used to be here. I guess I've just seen it happen once too often around here.

[WellandDogsFan]

You make some very valid points.

Yes I am fairly new to the region so I havent been burned like many die hard hockey fans here have been in the past. But I am an optimist and take people at their word til they prove they cant be trusted. I guess I am looking at it has a glass half full, not a glass half empty.

[ItsGameTime]

I guess I am looking at it has a glass half full, not a glass half empty.
As you should, this isn't the Leafs after all....

[Chooch]

I am an optimist and take people at their word til they prove they cant be trusted. I guess I am looking at it has a glass half full, not a glass half empty.
And I give you full credit for your optimism. Myself I'm always looking at the bigger picture instead of just relaxing and being a fan, :D I've always had my own ideas of what would fly here for a hockey team and I get a little ticked when I see the same thing owner after owner, team after team. I think the Burkes will do just fine at the Jack as their attitude is just amazing, but I personally would just accelerate the regional marketing a bit quicker.