Hockey in Chicago and Chicago suburbs

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by aragx6

I agree with Steve-o - to me this has seemed like the first year I've seen people really get back into Hockey since the shut out. I read also that attendance is way way up.

Youre correct. Many events have brightened up the Blackhawks Camp and things are looking up!!! There IS light at the end of the tunnel.

[Naperville77]

It helps a LOT that Bill Wirtz is no longer running the team (RIP Dollar Bill) and that they are finally going to televise home games (they're back on WGN...how weird will that be?) A lot of Hawk diehards will talk about how much they loved the Stadium and that they still regard the team from the late 80's/early 90's as the last real Chicago Blackhawks "team."

You will find a lot of St. Louis Blues and Detroit Red Wings fans in the area as well.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by Naperville77

You will find a lot of St. Louis Blues and Detroit Red Wings fans in the area as well.

Yeah, it blows.

Regarding home games, there were a dozen or so home games on TV for the 07/08 season, aptly called "Game On", which aired on Versus. The 08/09 season will have the entire season broadcast. WOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!

[HockeyFan]

Sounds like a mixed bag. For example, when you walk into a bar, will you find a hockey game on TV, or is it like SoCal -- you have to know someone and find an empty bar to watch hockey?

[paramour]

I've been in a few bars that will have a hockey game on, but they're usually ones with a multitude of televisions, so they can easily sacrifice a TV or two for hockey and still show whatever silly sports the other patrons wish to view.

I can't say much about IN Chicago, but I'm northwest of Chicago and I was a bit surprised at the lack of hockey enthusiasts in my area. It's typically football & baseball talk here. There's another minor league team nearby (Rockford) but I don't know too many people who head there either.

Buuut, I don't complain too much as it's better than where I previously resided (south US) where there was a complete & utter lack of hockey at all.

[HockeyFan]

Thanks for the comments! I'll admit... I'm not too encouraged from what I hear, but I definitely appreciate the honesty!