My thoughts are that the team will flop just like the stars did. Sadly, I think the only way Des Moines will ever have a profitable AHL team is if they are affiliated with either the MN Wild, or Chicago Blackhawks. Maybe if the management can somehow motivate fans to come to the games the team would stick, but they'd have to be really friggin good at selling tickets. For some reason it seems that the inhabitants of central Iowa are satisfied with the lack of anything fun to do.

Worst....name.....ever.......


I suggest renaming to the Dead Moines Zombies. The locals could at least relate to the team.

My opinion is that marketing of the team has to take many sides.
1) The hockey fan- I will go to the "Thunder" games for the same reason I went to the "Stars" game, becuase its a high level of very skilled hockey. It makes no difference to me who they are affiliated with. I enjoy the entertainment of seeing the "step away from the NHL" player. Although never a Dallas fan, I have enjoyed watching the Lundqvist, Erickson, Fistric, Grossman, Peterson, etc. play since I have seen them up close.

2) The casual fan - These fans need a "hook". Whether its cheap beer, ice girls, cheap ticket, fights, etc. Something needs to draw them. I believe once a casual fan learns the sport, they will realize and appreciate it and become "hockey fans"

3) The Bucs Fan - Don't know that anything can "convert" these fans. I had season tickets to both and attended each. The fan that is a dedicated and loyal Bucs fan may like that atmosphere or style of play. There is really nothing Wells Fargo can do for the atmosphere in regards to noise since the facility is much larger. The style of play is different as well. I've heard people say that Bucs hockey is more "active" or "aggressive" and that the players play "harder". I agree & disagree. The AHL level player was at some point a USHL player or equivalent. The game is different because the skill level is different. You cannot play the USHL style of play at an AHL or Pro level as talent doesn't allow it.

The only thing that really bothers me is when one group of fans (Bucs or Stars) talk negative about the other. In the end its hockey. Ask any Bucs player if they would like to play in the AHL and I a confident none of them would reply "That's garbage hockey. I'd never want to play that." In the end you can be "loyal" to one league, or one team, or one atmosphere, but its all still hockey. I've said before that I can watch a Mite House league game with 7 year olds and still appreciate the game and what the players are doing.

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#66 - Alien Joe
#1 in Your Heart

If the AHL is going to succeedhere, they need to either make it as more fun and/or less expensive for the non-afficionado. The average person in Des Moines (or Urbandale/Clive/Waukee is not going to spend more money for tickets, concessions and parking if they aren't going to have more fun than they would at a Bucs game.

I first started watching hockey about 15 years ago because the Arena was the place to be on a Saturday night when the Lancers were in town. You knew you would see people you knew, get drunk, and have a pretty good chance of getting laid afterwards. Now those people I saw at the games are still there, but they're there with their kids who play hockey, and some of us have started playing also.

I've gone to quite a few Stars game the last couple of years, but for different reasons. It's because I can bring my kids and not worry too much about having to explain new words to them. It's not because it's a lot of fun. If I was 21 and single again, there's no way I'd spend twice as much money to go to an empty arena to pay twice as much for beer and hang with a few people my age. Those people are going to the Bucs games, joining us in adult leagues, and someday having kids playong hockey.

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It's a short time livin' and a long time in the ground.

There is a press conference tomorrow at Hy-Vee Hall 2 pm...

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Hockey is love. Lacrosse is passion.