I moved from the east coast, where hockey is very popular, to the west coast of the United States. I brought my love of the sport with me, but so many people out here are unwilling to "share in that love". Why? What is so different with this side of the country?
2007-02-28 13:28:06 · 14 answers · asked by Pens4Ever 3 in Sports ➔ Hockey
It is big on the west coast in Canada. NHL hockey was introduced to eastern and mid U.S. longer ago with Boston, Detroit, Chicago, New York-Philly gaining popularity with the Bullies being the 1st expansion team to win. Buffalo is just an extension of Canada really. More hockey players. More college hockey.
Lots of other contributers like that more Europeans settle to the east (makes sense geographically) while more Asians immigrate West. Looks at all of them in Seattle and Vancouver. In the East Coast, we have a small Asian population compared to the West Coast. Plus, the East Coast Rules.
2007-02-28 13:45:42 · answer #1 · answered by Bob Loblaw 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
First of all, I'm assuming that you're referring to America, since the Vancouver Canucks has a huge fan base.
The primary reason is because hockey does not have a strong root on the west coast. Originally developed in the East (original six: Montreal, Toronto, Boston, New York, and Detroit), so it is natural that there is more support in these states/provinces. The demographics of western states also promotes sports such as basketball and baseball, since hockey is quite foreign in environments that never snow.
Another good reason is that there is no long-term dominant team on the West coast that will attract fair-weather fans, who support a team only if they are winning a lot.
2007-02-28 14:06:00 · answer #2 · answered by fortwc 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hockey has plenty of fans on the west coast-just not as much as the east. The Kings and Sharks sell out games every season no matter how well the teams are doing. The ducks on the other hand cant sell out games-even playoff games. But its not fair to say that because one of three NHL teams has way less fans and attendance that the sport is unpopular in the west.
2007-02-28 20:04:17 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The west is home to most of the expansion teams and therefore are non-traditional hockey markets.
But honestly, it's not just a "west coast" versus "east coast" thing. There are a core of really dedicated hockey fans who follow not only their team but the league as a whole and will attend hockey games at levels besides the professional, like AHL, collegiate, or even high school levels.
Hockey, though counted among the four "major" sports in the U.S., the NFL, NBA, and MLB are all billed before it. ESPN and other media outlets constantly poke fun at hockey's lack of main-stream draw, and rightfully so.
As one of those die-hard fans, I count this as a blessing and a burden. I find myself having to tell people, when asked why I love hockey so much, "If you don't love it, you don't get it." On one hand I love it because it's "my thing," but at the same time I would for it to command respect in the national market.
Phew. Sorry for the rant.
But yeah, non-traditional hockey markets.
2007-02-28 13:46:58 · answer #4 · answered by jennieryan88 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hockey is a niche sport. Like other things our likes and dislikes are supported largely by our culture and experiences. Hockey has had a place back east for a long time. People now have so many options on TV and elsewhere. It will take a long time for hockey to catch on out west but it just may some day. It is a great game for sure.
2007-03-01 07:10:59 · answer #5 · answered by redflite 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You must live in SoCal...
The Sharks sell out every game and the tank is one of the best buildings in the NHL to watch a game in. Portland and Seattle only have junior hockey, but both the Winter Hawks and T'Birds have a strong following.
The Ducks, on the other hand, are a family ticket and only draw heavy crowds when the going's good. As for the Kings, nobody in LA cares about pro sports outside of the Lakers since Gretzky left.
Keep the faith!
2007-02-28 16:18:30 · answer #6 · answered by zapcity29 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've noticed that hockey does not receive a lot of love, outside of the north and east part of the United States. Even here, in Minnesota, it's not easy to find people who really love hockey. My school is very hockey oriented (St. Cloud State), but the hockey love is not all that common.
It doesn't get to me, things that become 'mainstream' are often ruined by the influx of greater numbers of fans. They try to accommodate their new market, and thus change rudimentary things the original fans enjoyed.
2007-02-28 18:37:48 · answer #7 · answered by Deutscher Eishockey Bund 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i live about 20 miles from san jose here in the east bay. Hockey is very popular here where I live, but thats because the sharks rule and have the greatest fans ever!!!!!!!
2007-02-28 15:33:29 · answer #8 · answered by Sterling 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
time change most games are over by rush hour on the west coast. so sorry you had to move to "that" side of the country.
2007-03-01 01:36:42 · answer #9 · answered by jen 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well,
their are lots of reasons!
one reason is, Hockey was made more tords the east!
and west more into football!!! Theres more reasons though!
2007-03-01 11:30:47 · answer #10 · answered by Alyssa S 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋