Touched on an important point that probably is often overlooked when considering college hockey - factors in recruiting, and the singular importance the facility plays in that. I think because hockey is a simple game, really... we assume players, and young players especially are simple in their wants and needs - and maybe they are - but if a school that is being aggressive in it's ability to compete which we have seen from ASU, it has to have the ice to back it up. That they're spending this money at all is a big vote of confidence in where the program is going to go.
I have had so many folks in NHL circles tell me that they can't think of a single reason why a recruit wouldn't want to come here other than the arena. It is literally the only warm-weather DI program in the nation unless you count Huntsville, Alabama, which I do not believe holds much allure for players and really isn't that warm in the winter. The arena really was the critical piece. Sound familiar?
Once this arena is constructed and recruits can walk through it, it should catapult the program. The Coyotes better step it up on the arena and performance fronts because ASU could pull fans from the Coyotes with lower ticket prices, full building, and a winning program! Looking forward to playing and coaching on the community sheet. . . . . which helps fill the need for more ice around town!
I think the Coyotes have it a lot tougher and it doesn’t suprise me that the university can confidently build an arena and fill it with fans wearing ASU colors.
It’s not like a student hockey fan living in the dorm is going to put on a Notre Dame jersey, walk to the arena, cheer against his schools team because he/she grew up in South Bend, and then return to the dorm.
At this level, fans will support the team of the schools they attend.
The YOTES are plagued by the fact that too many fans live here are luke warm to the YOTES and attend 2 or 3 games a year.
I'm not saying Coyotes fans will give up and switch to ASU. What I am saying is the Coyotes will lose some attendance because of the reasons I mentioned. No real playoff runs since 2012, long commute to Glendale for us east-siders, and another year fighting to make the playoffs (my expectation) makes ASU games attractive. If the Coyotes win consistently and are a definite playoff team, it's a whole different story (post Covid of course).
Even in Oceanside, ASU draws a crowd and provides quite the atmosphere. The new facility will be electric and the added ice sheets will be a boon to youth hockey in the valley. I imagine that season tix will be a hot item and that although for a school of ASU's size 5000 seats seems low, they'll fill the barn every game and it will be a hostile environment for the opponent!
My hockey journalism roots are in college hockey. I covered Wisconsin while I was in school there, and then covered several WCHA teams (Colorado College, Denver, North Dakota, Michigan Tech and Northern Michigan) for a magazine right out of school. Love the college hockey atmosphere.
Can’t wait until 2025 and I make the road trip to see ASU in a new arena and the Auston Mathews led Coyotes in their brand new new digs next to the new Sahara Casino off the 202. (A guy can dream, can’t he?!?)
Touched on an important point that probably is often overlooked when considering college hockey - factors in recruiting, and the singular importance the facility plays in that. I think because hockey is a simple game, really... we assume players, and young players especially are simple in their wants and needs - and maybe they are - but if a school that is being aggressive in it's ability to compete which we have seen from ASU, it has to have the ice to back it up. That they're spending this money at all is a big vote of confidence in where the program is going to go.
I have had so many folks in NHL circles tell me that they can't think of a single reason why a recruit wouldn't want to come here other than the arena. It is literally the only warm-weather DI program in the nation unless you count Huntsville, Alabama, which I do not believe holds much allure for players and really isn't that warm in the winter. The arena really was the critical piece. Sound familiar?
Gee, let me think.....
Once this arena is constructed and recruits can walk through it, it should catapult the program. The Coyotes better step it up on the arena and performance fronts because ASU could pull fans from the Coyotes with lower ticket prices, full building, and a winning program! Looking forward to playing and coaching on the community sheet. . . . . which helps fill the need for more ice around town!
I think the Coyotes have it a lot tougher and it doesn’t suprise me that the university can confidently build an arena and fill it with fans wearing ASU colors.
It’s not like a student hockey fan living in the dorm is going to put on a Notre Dame jersey, walk to the arena, cheer against his schools team because he/she grew up in South Bend, and then return to the dorm.
At this level, fans will support the team of the schools they attend.
The YOTES are plagued by the fact that too many fans live here are luke warm to the YOTES and attend 2 or 3 games a year.
ASU students hopefully will be ASU fans.
Winning helps creates fans. The Coyotes haven't done much of it.
I think you are exactly right about the ASU fans/students and the lukewarm Yotes fans!!!
I don't know if that's actually true about the ASU-Coyotes angle, but this will absolutely help the program.
I'm not saying Coyotes fans will give up and switch to ASU. What I am saying is the Coyotes will lose some attendance because of the reasons I mentioned. No real playoff runs since 2012, long commute to Glendale for us east-siders, and another year fighting to make the playoffs (my expectation) makes ASU games attractive. If the Coyotes win consistently and are a definite playoff team, it's a whole different story (post Covid of course).
Even in Oceanside, ASU draws a crowd and provides quite the atmosphere. The new facility will be electric and the added ice sheets will be a boon to youth hockey in the valley. I imagine that season tix will be a hot item and that although for a school of ASU's size 5000 seats seems low, they'll fill the barn every game and it will be a hostile environment for the opponent!
My hockey journalism roots are in college hockey. I covered Wisconsin while I was in school there, and then covered several WCHA teams (Colorado College, Denver, North Dakota, Michigan Tech and Northern Michigan) for a magazine right out of school. Love the college hockey atmosphere.
Can’t wait until 2025 and I make the road trip to see ASU in a new arena and the Auston Mathews led Coyotes in their brand new new digs next to the new Sahara Casino off the 202. (A guy can dream, can’t he?!?)
Ha! I support this dream.
Can’t wait to go watch them!! Would be interested in pre-buying season tickets if they have a program like that?
I'm sure they will roll out plans at the appropriate time.
I'm confused by the map. Where is the arena? Is it the "future ASU facility?"
Bingo.
Ahh nice. Has there been any discussion about the future development to the north of the arena site?
Yes, but I can't remember what's on the plan. I haven't been in Ray Anderson's office in about a year and memory fails.
great in-depth read, this is going to be a great venue on so many levels when its done