Could Seattle support an NHL team and what would be a good name for the team if so? (Tukwila: rated, metropolitan)

[Andy]

Originally Posted by Seatown1

I've lived in metro Seattle for 6-7 years now and have seen absolutely zero hockey knowledge/passion/acknowledgement of ice hockey from people here.

The combined support of the two major junior teams puts Seattle's minor league fan support near the top. It also has a good sized adult league. Seattle has big time NHL potential.

Seattle needs the NHL to give the sport a boost in the area. Once a team arrives, more rinks will be built allowing more ice time to folks of all ages.

The NHL will be an instant success in Seattle.

[Andy]

Originally Posted by Adrian71

Where did you ever hear that?

Ever go on a snipe hunt? Sasquatch is just bait for even bigger idiots. I know this because I grew up in the NW woods.

[Bimmerfanboy]

Originally Posted by Andy

The combined support of the two major junior teams puts Seattle's minor league fan support near the top. It also has a good sized adult league. Seattle has big time NHL potential.

Seattle needs the NHL to give the sport a boost in the area. Once a team arrives, more rinks will be built allowing more ice time to folks of all ages.

The NHL will be an instant success in Seattle.

I agree that Seattle has potential to embrace the NHL. If Phoenix, Dallas, and Miami got teams then Seattle should too. The only problem is that most NHL teams right now outside of traditional markets are struggling. I don't see Seattle being an "instant success" for the NHL but it could turn into a good market after a few years of having a team.

I stand by my remarks though about the lack of junior leagues, high school teams, collegiate teams, and over passion/knowledge in the region. Seattle definitely isn't a traditional hockey market, and the team would be competing with the Sounders and Seahawks since the NHL season runs from the Fall-June. It's not like the NHL has a price advantage over the other two.

[Andy]

Originally Posted by Seatown1

I agree that Seattle has potential to embrace the NHL. If Phoenix, Dallas, and Miami got teams then Seattle should too. The only problem is that most NHL teams right now outside of traditional markets are struggling.

Seattle is not a non-traditional market. It has tradition and is near Canada. What Seattle lacks with hockey is the big leagues. Until big league Seattle gets big league hockey, it will be a minor sport here. See the Sounders for proof of that. Pre-MLS Sounders attendance = significantly less than local WHL attendance.

I don't see Seattle being an "instant success" for the NHL but it could turn into a good market after a few years of having a team.

It will be an instant success, just as the other Seattle franchises were. The bigger key IMO is maintaining it.

I stand by my remarks though about the lack of junior leagues, high school teams, collegiate teams, and over passion/knowledge in the region.

And that changes the day Seattle gets the NHL. Seattle already has good junior hockey support and adult league participation.

Seattle definitely isn't a traditional hockey market, and the team would be competing with the Sounders and Seahawks since the NHL season runs from the Fall-June. It's not like the NHL has a price advantage over the other two.

Seattle is closer to a traditional market than most other non-Canadian cities. The Seahawks and Sounders won't be much competition. The Seahawks only play 8 home games and they sellout. The Sounders despite their success are a minor sport. Both the NBA and NHL are needed in Seattle for the awful/dark winters here. Both will be a smashing success just as the Sonics were. Seattle is a great sports city and will latch onto the NHL from the start. Seattle is such a slam dunk for the NHL that they have been trying since the 70's to put a team here. Now that there is finally a viable NHL arena plan, the NHL will probably be forced to add two more teams just to fulfill their decades long Seattle dream.

[trysometh]

Totems sound excellent, back to the basics. Stick with the tradition.

[trysometh]

Thunderbirds sounds even better actually

[green_mariner]

Originally Posted by trysometh

Thunderbirds sounds even better actually

Totems or Thunderbirds, either would sound good.

[trysometh]

Originally Posted by green_mariner

Totems or Thunderbirds, either would sound good.

True

[green_mariner]

Originally Posted by trysometh

True

Whomever suggested Steelheads made a good selection as well, and it would be kind of a tribute.


Other names:
Marmots(state animal of Washington)
Volcanoes(reference to Mt. Rainier)
Fighters(reference to air force base/fighter pilots)

[CanuckInPortland]

NHL in Seattle will only be a success over the long term if the team is good and a contender within 5-10 years. American hockey fans outside of Minnesota, Michigan and maybe the Northeast are incredibly warm-weather and fickle.

Even the Blackhawks were at the bottom of the league for attendance just a few years before they won a championship and became popular again. Expansion teams and relocated franchise that have done well like the Colorado Avalanche can have weak ticket sales once they start missing the playoffs. In Canada you can put the worst team in the league on the ice or not make the playoffs for years and people will show up. Hell, in Toronto you can suck for most of the decade and still be the most profitable team in the league. Fairly small isolated metros like Edmonton and Winnipeg can sell out every game(and Edmonton is horrible as well).

Seattle can probably support a team, but it's just like any other US market--I've been going to Seattle for years for work and pleasure since I've spent over half my life in the Pacific Northwest--and I've never had many conversations about hockey(and most of those were with transplants from more hockey-mad areas). Seattle could make it work though it's going to be similar to markets like San Jose or Denver.