All right, so I harp on this issue a lot and all due respect to Gary Bettman, I'm sure he is a decent family guy through and through, however, when it comes to Canada's national pastime, I think he's a real jerk. Yes, I said it! What Canada has known for almost twenty years; Gary Bettman is a bona fide Jerk.
His feeling that hockey would work in Phoenix is about as true as the Nunavut Trailblazers baseball team. Marketing 101 states that the entrepreneur knows his/her target market. People are brand loyal especially when it comes to sports. The Red Sox, the Yankees, the Canadiens and the Maple Leafs have had their die-hard fans for years. Go where people want the product.
Hamilton wants a hockey team. Phoenix does not.
You weren't quick to jump to Quebec and Winnipeg's rescue. Corporate boxes? Hey, stop trying for the corporate dollars and focus on the fans you know, the ones that got cheated out of almost two hockey seasons under your regime, I mean tenure.
These fans pay your salary. These fans are the ten year olds that get up at 5 am and drag Mom and Dad out to the rink. These fans collect thousands of hockey cards and memorize every statistic. These fans have worn Rocket Richard jerseys, played table hockey and pasted stickers into Panini albums bought at Mac's . These fans stay up late to watch the double header.
Listen, I want to know and I speak on behalf of our nation,"Why are you so adamant to keep the team in Phoenix?"
Hey, if you would like to play us in our APHL we'd be happy to play against you. Saturday mornings at Artillery Park in Kingston. Don't worry, it's floor hockey so you don't need to skate.
I challenge you next time you're in Ottawa to check out the arenas in Stittsville, Kanata, Nepean and Orleans. Check out an Atom game. You'll understand why Canada needs another hockey team.
Just one other thing; when you do, make sure it's in a snowstorm at 5am.
---Mark
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