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Post by wade on Mar 22, 2016 16:27:18 GMT -5
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Post by podivinsky on Mar 22, 2016 18:15:38 GMT -5
I think any tournament organizer would be thrilled at the chance to have Ryan Smyth in the tourney. Definitely would sell tickets. But looking like a long shot for that to happen.
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Post by wade on Mar 22, 2016 18:58:10 GMT -5
Can't disagree, podivinsky. I'm sure a decent chunk of 2009 tournament passes went out the door when Theo Fleury was added to Steinbach North Stars, too.
I was a bit disappointed to see the way it was laid out in the article though. The Tournament Chair sounds like he's banking on 2 former NHLers to be his headliners.
Yake is actually one helluva SR AAA player. I absolutely enjoy watching him and easily admit I've got a metric tonne of respect for what he's able to do in his mid-40's. It's handy for him he plays ONLY during the tournament and I would suggest he'd be much less impressive after a couple rounds of axe fighting like we're seeing in Alberta this spring. Beyond that...he's also been retired from pro hockey for a long time and I wonder how much drawing power his name carries with neophyte hockey fans? He might be a big deal around Winnipeg and area still, but, at the SR AAA level it's more about what he's done in the 2 tourneys he's been in and I WISH people promoting this brand would concentrate MUCH MORE on that. It's harder work than just throwing his NHL stats up...but...to me it's the purer way to sell this tournament. Unfortunately, that's all SEPT can sell is the week long event because beyond that...they don't play games.
That's not me complaining...that's me thinking from a sales/promotion angle.
And as for Ryan Smyth...his name is bigger than the Allan Cup. By far. And that's nobodies fault. He'd be a all time lucrative perk.
However, I am compelled to insist that some old school "douchebag" branches still believe in a qualifying process and while the Bentley Generals can't compete with Ryan Smyth in "name" they've already proven they can compete on the ice...where it matters. So, IF (and its 50-50, if your considering dropping some toonies at this point) Bentley advances...it shouldn't be the death of Steinbach 2016.
I'd like to see some throwback SR fans rustled up and a restoration on interest in SR AAA...not a once-in-blue-moon novelty mixed in.
It doesn't seem like enough has been done for that to happen in Manitoba this season.
That's not Marv's fault. Nope. A bunch of other people can own that one, I guess.
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Post by hometown boy on Mar 22, 2016 19:26:44 GMT -5
I know the chairman Personally. He did not mean it that way I am sure.Thats reporting, they too want to get people interested. He actually played against your Generals in 09 I believe, and I'm sure has a ton of respect for them, as he does for all teams, but his group is fighting a tough battle. The city has Piston fever, there local junior club, and the city has the Summer Games coming, its not the committee fault, they are busting there humps. The chairman has had little to no association with the Thunder since 2012 so I assume the committee interest revolves around the event. Hockey MB has left them to sink or swim by what I hear so to echo your points, yeah Manitoba didn't do enough, its embarrassing. wonder what you get out of ripping SEPT and there chairman for trying to get any and all excitement he can. Generals have easily better reputation, just not sure that fills the seats, and before you say it, our economy is hurting in MB. I sat on the 09 committee here, its a tough grind in this province but we play the cards we have, and I will tell you this much Theo did sell us seats and my advice to the new committee was to promote these types of players.
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Post by wade on Mar 22, 2016 20:04:28 GMT -5
Jared made it clear already, he's had calls from 2 different schools interested in having Captain Canada pay a visit as a sort of "Show and Tell" exhibit.
My response was...that's excellent! What does it do for the Allan Cup tournament?
I mean...Can SEPT sell a decent chunk of tickets w/o Ryan Smyth participating?
And by "decent chunk"...I mean...can they turn a profit or at least get close?
Marv has been quoted adamantly in the past, revealing that for SEPT..."it just doesn't make sense to play games" prior to tournament play.
To me...that's an awful thing to say...and if it's true...I am understanding of the share of blame not falling on him or SEPT collectively.
Thing is...for a lot of years...the Generals and quite a number of other teams in ACH & CHL continue on playing games despite little to no bottom line benefit; October through January...but...when March rolls around...all that work you do...year after year...day after day...empty rink after empty rink...might...JUST MIGHT pay dividends in the form of a hot playoff time axe fight.
I don't condemn SEPT. I disagree with the way they look at certain things. I'm not raking them over coals. I'm simply insisting there are better models to build a SR AAA circuit than whatever it is they're looking at.
The money? Ya. The Gens have been flat broke for a long time. Most teams have. The big $$$$ sponsors have taken care of SOME of the Gens travel expenses. Most of the bills are covered by internal fundraising events. They go year round. They're never enough. That's why Base Camp is being moved.
I feel I've made some fair points. Tried to be democratic about it.
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Post by jimc on Mar 23, 2016 11:38:28 GMT -5
I think any tournament organizer would be thrilled at the chance to have Ryan Smyth in the tourney. Definitely would sell tickets. But looking like a long shot for that to happen. dually? by you AND your alter ego?
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Post by wade on Mar 27, 2016 11:16:23 GMT -5
There will be no Captain Canada coming to Steinbach.
In fact, Ryan Smyth wasn't even in Lacombe for last nights OT2 banner clinching game.
Not sure why.
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