I still cannot believe there is still a possibility that NHL hockey could soon be played in Hamilton, Ontario.
To get to the point, any possible move by the Coyotes should not affect AHL hockey in Texas next year. All three teams should still be playing down here, but the Hamilton Bulldogs would surely go away.
My lasting memory of Hamilton, other than watching the Aeros lose Game 6 in the '03 Finals, will be giving my last bit of french fries to one of the scores of homeless folks that line your walk from just about anywhere in that city to Copps Coliseum. I had to go back to work after the Aeros lost Game 6. I am sure Mr. Fred, who was there for Game 7, has better memories.
The arena is a sad reminder of where people used to think would make a great place to watch professional sports, and now there is a possibility that hockey will move from Glendale, AZ, to steeltown, Ontario.
I still don't think this will happen, but Hamilton is no NHL town.
But, obviously, neither is Phoenix.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
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I remember Hamilton well. We were there for games 6 and 7. We drove from Texas to Massachusetts for a memorial and graveside services for my grandmother. Then it was off to Hamilton after missing game 5 in Houston.
I believe we were staying at the Sheraton. It is connected to the Copps Coliseum through a mall type area. The trip started off with disaster as my wife was backing up in the underground parking to get a spot in the area reserved for the hotel and hit a low hanging area that completely blew out the back window of a brand new Suburban. So her ewe are in another country (yes Canada qualifies) with a blown out window, a freaked out wife and kids, glass everywhere etc. We had to haul everything to the room and take the car to a dealer hoping to get the insurance and repair straightened out before we needed to return to the US. This also left us without transportation for our stay.
The hotel was great. The people were great. The dealership was great.
Game 6 was great but the Aeros lost 2-1 forcing game 7. The crowd was awesome the Hamilton fans were VERY gracious hosts. We (as well as several others) we interviewed for the local papers and TV. In fact the Hamilton newspaper even gave us jackets. We could not have been treated better. There were pregame parties put on by the Bulldogs with free food and bands etc. A huge party atmosphere.
We got to take a trip to the HOF in Toronto. As luck would have it the Aeros were there too on their off day. We got to see things like Chuck Watson playing in net versus several hockey greats as video shooters. It was a blast.
Game 7 was on June 12th, my 21st wedding anniversary and it was insane as 17,428 fans crowded Copps and we got to see the Aeros and Johan Holmqvist shut out the Bulldogs 3-0 and win the Cup. The crowd was very gracious. We were congratulated on the play of the Aeros and treated so well by the fans.
I've got a ton of stories. Many Houston fans made that trip. Some even flew in for game 7 after we lost game 6.
The entire experience was off the charts. If we ever have a game 7 here in Houston I hope the road fans are treated as well as we were in Hamilton.
As far as the city goes, we've not been back there since but at that time they were going through some rough times as I recall. It was an old city and more of a blue collar, working mans type of city. Full of good hard working people but it looked like many of the cities in the NE that were formerly full of life but were now going to seed as industry left and times got tough. I can't say enough good things about the people and the way we were treated though.
I honestly think a NHL team in Hamilton would be a mistake for hockey as it would hurt so many lower leagues and teams but it would probably sell enough tickets to be profitable from the surrounding area.
Wow, what a story....it is hoped that the crowds here would treat visitors as graciously as you describe, BUT...
And the media treating out of town fans as celebrities...
That is wishful thinking, when one has been looking for detailed reports on our team in the local papers and TV, Chron.com and blogs excepted.
Well, some Channels scroll the results on the bottom...while covering other teams in minute details.
We have written letters, sent emails..no responses from any of the main media, ALAS.
Remember the following equations :
Balsillie = $(Ca) x 1,000,000,000s
Coyotes = $0
Money talks, something else walks.
(Yes, I walk a lot these days...)
ha ... one phoenix fan or a person from Hamilton checked "I'm Cranky"
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