Fantastic insight. This is where the Yotes fortunes live and breathe, especially under a GM who values drafting to create his roster. Seems as though an edict was sent to shoot, shoot, shoot. Last few games both the Yotes and Meeps have high SOG numbers.
Hayton was stuck in limbo with his age. Think they'll ever change that rule? Kinda screwed his development for a year.
Might be the bet thing IA did in their time. I do hope they get the GM / coaching situation corrected though, the staff there now is probably stretched pretty thin. Given how thin the upcoming drafts are, it is critical that there be decent development on the players in Tucson now, to state the obvious.
My wife and I went to Tucson quite a few times the first few seasons for long weekends. It is a fun place to watch a game: easy parking, cheap tickets, every seat close to the ice. Nice places to hang out and eat and drink a beer. Can say I like the small hall environment more than the big arena at times.
Great article. More coverage of the Roadrunners would be terrific. Lots of story lines in minor league hockey of different types of players - veteran AHL guys who are there to teach and provide leadership vs. mid-term guys who still have a chance to make it vs. top prospect rookies.
Great article! Can't tell you how awesome it is to have the team here!
Watching these players up close, getting to talk to them in the tunnel at TCC after games (in normal times), it's an entirely different experience from an NHL game.
And it's funny, the ones who are really good with the kids are the ones you want to make it the most. Garland, Bunting, Fischer, Miska when he was here, Smerek, who probably will stay here.
Of all the places to eat in a UNESCO city of gastronomy it's funny to me that they hang out at Illegal Pete's so mich. I'm sure it has more to do with the scenery than the food wink wink.
Great stuff, Craig. The IA guys still get heat on various missteps in working with COG, Tempe, etc....but credit to them for creating the AHL team in Tucson.
Building a strong foundation is critical for small market/budget teams and great to see guys like Garland, Bunting and Hill make the best of their NHL chances.
Thank you Craig. It’s great to hear that these stories about cale and health stuff from one of those niche eateries I’ve read from interviews with Keller and Chykrun are the exception not the rule ha!
When your training like an animal you shovel it in! ( I once killed 4 cans of Pepsi after a 20 mile run ha)
Seriously though, it’s great to read the Roadrunners are popular in Tucson. Do they draw well?
Why is Potvin taking on Steve's former duties? Didn't they bring in Hunter Cherni for that? Or is it because the latter isn't technically a "coach?" Is it normal for NHL teams not to have a dedicated video coach?
I don't think anyone in the entire city knew that the city of Tucson was primed to he a Hockeytown, including me, and I come from Hockeytown.
The Yotes management really launched things right. It all happened really fast once the sale went down, and, it was pretty clear that both Rio Nuevo and the Yotes took this very seriously and handled this partnership in a very professional manner.
I don't know if there is a playbook for how you introduce an AHL affiliate into a desert town and become part of the community. It sure does look like they had a good plan or blueprint.
The partnerships for Spring training and MLB just never worked out with Rio Nuevo. Honestly, we didn't see much dedication to the community from MLB. Not like with the AHL.
It will be interesting to see what happens over at Kino.
Historically, it looks like a perfect location..... and nobody wants to go there. It seems like it should draw people from 3 major areas of the city because of access to the highway.
And nobody wants to go there for recreation. They keep trying by putting up sports fields and baseball diamonds.
I am going to start reading up on the strategic partnerships. I think that's what's going to be the difference this time in trying to develop Kino as a sports complex.
have they done any analysis on if viewership of Coyotes game has increased in the Tuscon market since now they have more of a connection, and players they liked like Garland they can see? I'm sure its a bit difficult to track since you probably have overall higher watch numbers just do to general team investment in comparison to before.
Fantastic insight. This is where the Yotes fortunes live and breathe, especially under a GM who values drafting to create his roster. Seems as though an edict was sent to shoot, shoot, shoot. Last few games both the Yotes and Meeps have high SOG numbers.
Hayton was stuck in limbo with his age. Think they'll ever change that rule? Kinda screwed his development for a year.
Might be the bet thing IA did in their time. I do hope they get the GM / coaching situation corrected though, the staff there now is probably stretched pretty thin. Given how thin the upcoming drafts are, it is critical that there be decent development on the players in Tucson now, to state the obvious.
My wife and I went to Tucson quite a few times the first few seasons for long weekends. It is a fun place to watch a game: easy parking, cheap tickets, every seat close to the ice. Nice places to hang out and eat and drink a beer. Can say I like the small hall environment more than the big arena at times.
Great article. More coverage of the Roadrunners would be terrific. Lots of story lines in minor league hockey of different types of players - veteran AHL guys who are there to teach and provide leadership vs. mid-term guys who still have a chance to make it vs. top prospect rookies.
Great article! Can't tell you how awesome it is to have the team here!
Watching these players up close, getting to talk to them in the tunnel at TCC after games (in normal times), it's an entirely different experience from an NHL game.
And it's funny, the ones who are really good with the kids are the ones you want to make it the most. Garland, Bunting, Fischer, Miska when he was here, Smerek, who probably will stay here.
Very happy this team came to Tucson.
Five year STH.
Steve
Great Article & frankly I miss the rough and tumble of the Phoenix Roadrunners at the MADHOUSE!!
Of all the places to eat in a UNESCO city of gastronomy it's funny to me that they hang out at Illegal Pete's so mich. I'm sure it has more to do with the scenery than the food wink wink.
We're actually in Tucson today to go to our first Roadrunners game. Great timing for the article; I really enjoyed it. :)
Great stuff, Craig. The IA guys still get heat on various missteps in working with COG, Tempe, etc....but credit to them for creating the AHL team in Tucson.
Building a strong foundation is critical for small market/budget teams and great to see guys like Garland, Bunting and Hill make the best of their NHL chances.
Thank you Craig. It’s great to hear that these stories about cale and health stuff from one of those niche eateries I’ve read from interviews with Keller and Chykrun are the exception not the rule ha!
When your training like an animal you shovel it in! ( I once killed 4 cans of Pepsi after a 20 mile run ha)
Seriously though, it’s great to read the Roadrunners are popular in Tucson. Do they draw well?
Why is Potvin taking on Steve's former duties? Didn't they bring in Hunter Cherni for that? Or is it because the latter isn't technically a "coach?" Is it normal for NHL teams not to have a dedicated video coach?
Thanks Craig! Excellent info and insight. Why we are lucky to have you as our beat writer!
Thank you so much Craig!!!
I don't think anyone in the entire city knew that the city of Tucson was primed to he a Hockeytown, including me, and I come from Hockeytown.
The Yotes management really launched things right. It all happened really fast once the sale went down, and, it was pretty clear that both Rio Nuevo and the Yotes took this very seriously and handled this partnership in a very professional manner.
I don't know if there is a playbook for how you introduce an AHL affiliate into a desert town and become part of the community. It sure does look like they had a good plan or blueprint.
The partnerships for Spring training and MLB just never worked out with Rio Nuevo. Honestly, we didn't see much dedication to the community from MLB. Not like with the AHL.
It will be interesting to see what happens over at Kino.
Historically, it looks like a perfect location..... and nobody wants to go there. It seems like it should draw people from 3 major areas of the city because of access to the highway.
And nobody wants to go there for recreation. They keep trying by putting up sports fields and baseball diamonds.
I am going to start reading up on the strategic partnerships. I think that's what's going to be the difference this time in trying to develop Kino as a sports complex.
have they done any analysis on if viewership of Coyotes game has increased in the Tuscon market since now they have more of a connection, and players they liked like Garland they can see? I'm sure its a bit difficult to track since you probably have overall higher watch numbers just do to general team investment in comparison to before.
Great article. I spent many years in Tucson. So nice to hear those comments.
"...taking in the sun-baked sights that the University of Arizona had to offer."
Let’s also not forget the Hanson brothers, Yotes could use a lot more toughness, ya think??