Caniacs To Take Center Stage At All Star Classic
by Bob Wage on Apr 13, 2010 2:34 PM EDT
60 comments
Last week, as I attended the "Caniac Cookout" and listened to Gary Bettman's announcement about the All Star Classic coming to Raleigh, I couldn't help but think of how far and how fast the Hurricanes franchise has come over the years. To think that the fans here have had an opportunity to be a part of three Conference Finals, two Stanley Cup Finals, and a Stanley Cup Championship, all in the last decade is remarkable.
Sure, there have been low points as well. But in comparison to the droughts that some storied franchises have had to endure, we have been very fortunate here in Carolina. The Toronto Maple Leafs have not won the Cup since 1967, a 43 year absence. The New York Rangers once suffered through a 53 year drought, (1939-40 to 1993-94).
Can you even imagine? It's almost a lifetime.
And some franchises have never won a Cup.
Now Caniacs have another chance to bask in glory and enjoy the fruits of living in a city with an NHL franchise. Hosting the All Star Classic means that "anyone who is anyone" in the NHL, will be in Raleigh that weekend.
The game itself is certainly not a "sit on the edge of your seat" type of contest. There will not be any hitting and very little defense played. But "The Classic" is much more than just the game itself. It's the complete event, or combination of events, that makes this so special.
The Skills Competition, The Youngstars Game, the Fan Fest, etc. etc. Not only are these events enjoyable for hockey fans, they are enjoyable for non-fans as well. And you know what happens to "non-fans" once they get a hook in them? They turn into "lifers".
Of course, along with the limelight will also come the criticism. The hockey elitists from up North will be out in full force continuing to spread their ignorant rhetoric about how hockey does not belong here and how Carolina did not deserve to be selected for the event.
Damien Cox is at it already.
Hockey writers around the globe will be adding in "clever" Hartford Whalers references whenever they can, thinking that they are being original and cute, but apparently not realizing that same boring cliches have been repeated, over and over and over again since 1997.
It's a shame that sportswriters rarely seem to listen to the folk who actually know what they are talking about regarding the NHL's success in Carolina, the players who live and work here.
Here is a recent Tom Kostopoulos quote:
I was really surprised and impressed with the fans. .... Going through that 14 game losing streak we did? I thought that the fans would give up on the team and we would be booed every night and people would stop coming and everyone would be negative. But I was talking to people around town and they were still positive.
Brian Pothier also had strong words of praise in his exit interview:
This fanbase here is really unique I think. Almost every city I have played in, it's a bandwagon city. If the team is winning, they support you, but if the team is losing, the rink is empty. ....... It's kind of a treat as a player, to know that if you lose a few games in a row, that the rink is not going to be empty. That's pretty unique. This is definitely the best city I have ever played in, where the fans own the team and are a part of the team, rather than just watching the team.
We could quote players all day long about what they think of hockey in this area and the fans who reside here, but some critics will never listen because they do not want to listen.
Regardless, each time the NHL spotlight is on Carolina, the area wins over more skeptics and this will be no different.
Caniacs also have an opportunity to take center stage in a different way. In 2009, Montreal fans were able to vote in four of the six starters for the Eastern Conference. Can Caniacs get organized enough to do something similar? Can they incur the wrath of a coach like Bruce Boudreau, who called the All Star voting process, "dumb" because his star pupil Alexander Ovechkin was left out of the starting lineup?
Or will Caniacs go in a different direction and concentrate their efforts on just one player, someone who would normally not make the squad? Fans tried to do exactly that for Rory Fitzpatrick three years ago and the cause became an over-sensationalized event with a life all of it's own.
Some even claimed that the NHL "fixed" the results, so that Fitzpatrick wouldn't make it.
Whatever Caniacs decide to do, they need to be organized and be united. It takes huge numbers to get results and since this is one of the smallest markets in the NHL, people will have to double and triple ordinary efforts to be effective.
Whatever happens, enjoy it Caniacs! This will be a once in a lifetime event for many of us.
_____
With the draft lottery tonight, we will be having an open thread for discussion starting at 7:30. The lotto show starts at 8 p.m. The Canes have a 4.7% chance of moving up. Do you feel lucky?
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Two points I will continue to beat into the ground relentlessly leading up to the event next year:
1) Music. These All-Star festivities always include some sort of musical aspect, and it is in nearly every case hilariously terrible. Carolina looks ready to continue that trend as they had that god awful band that does the “Hurricane Warning” song out playing before the announcement last week. I was in attendance and absolutely embarrassed hoping that no one from out of town heard them. The Raleigh area has some fantastic bands that may not be well known in pop culture, but are in the music world (hell, the lead singer of Superchunk is a HUGE Canes fan and was in the “Relive the Magic” episode of Game 7). Big fail if the team and city don’t take the opportunity to get some of the better local acts involved in the event.
2) The North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame. Since it is one of the main tourist attractions in the downtown area (NC History Museum), you can bet that many of the out of town guests and our friends from up north will get a kick out of this joke of a display, which involves every sport you could possibly think of except for hockey. If you are thinking it’s because they only have people born in North Carolina, think again. Mike Krzyzewski and a host of others (both recognizable and unrecognizable) who had no ties to this state until their job are featured, but you won’t find Ron Francis, Glen Wesley, or Rod Brind’Amour anywhere.
If the NC Sports Hall of Fame is such a “main tourist attraction” why the hell have I NEVER heard of it? Hell, the Tobacco Museum is better known.
Go Canes!
The Sports Hall of Fame itself isn’t, but the NC History Museum (which contains the sports exhibit) is. It is the 10th most visited attraction in the state of North Carolina (327,425 visitors in 2008), and the second most visited attraction in Raleigh, behind only the Museum of Natural Sciences across the street (760,188 visitors in 2008).
Man, I hope they land some great band like Superchunk to play. Though I doubt they could play Slack MotherF^%$er … lol. Just got my tix yesterday for their Cat’s Cradle performance May 21.
by Cory Lavalette on Apr 13, 2010 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Superchunk is going to be at the Cats Cradle May 21? I need to get back to checking their website more frequently.
I just wish JR would have given up Ray Whitney for Lent.
Guys like this damien cox idiot are nothing but tools. Only a self absorbed, non-American team hockey piece of crap would base his reasoning for not having an ASG in NC on an excuse like this:
“First of all, did anybody miss the fact that the league didn’t hold one this year? It would have been fine with them not doing it again next year. And Raleigh – how can Raleigh possibly go up to the standards that we last saw at the All-Star Game which was in Montreal and was fabulous. It was almost yesterday that we watched the Hurricanes give up a record three shorthanded goals in one powerplay. It was kind of like the hockey gods were saying “no, no, no, no”. Bad idea to take the All-Star Game to Raleigh."
I am sorry, but what in the hell is he drabbling about here?
This guy is POS typical canadian sportswriter. Has no respect for the fans here and no respect for the team and the organization as a whole. I certainly hope his ass isn’t at this game. I’d hate to see him crying as he types up his BS story fighting the urge to write:
“That was one of the loudest and most exciting games I have ever been to,”
damien cox: YOU ARE AN IDIOT.
Member of Canes Country and the Cat Scratch Reader
Damien who ??
he remindes me of Howard Stren…but as we all know guys like him can throw their “junk” just so far…but we caniacs can throw crap like him harder & farther that he can…why ? We’re Caniacs!!! need i sat more ?
" Chadness" is contagious ! Go Canes !!
I'll be voting in numbers
You can count on me to vote in numbers. Ha ha. I was at the Caniac Cookout and was also rolling my eyes at the Hurricane Warning band “Ariel Down” or something like that? They had a Rusted Root thing going and my bud loved them enough to keep shouting “More tunes” at them. I think he was drunk.
I don't know if you can but...
I say someone should either take the links those 2 interviews or post those quotes on the TSN comments to Cox’s article…especially TK’s since he has played and was well liked in the Canadian market….
RAKASTAN SUOMEN!!
Or will Caniacs go in a different direction and concentrate their efforts on just one player, someone who would normally not make the squad? Fans tried to do exactly that for Rory Fitzpatrick three years ago and the cause became an over-sensationalized event with a life all of it’s own.
I believe this could be categorized as “shenaniganizing”. And I suspect we’ll see some of it before the final votes are cast.
Phoblographer and Finn Aficionado
SISU
I’ve personally never been a fan of the whole Fan Vote on the people that go into things like All-Star games. Just too little control on something that can get way out of hand (re: Montreal’s 4 starters on that team). I don’t mind having fans vote on it, but make it so that it either equals a small percentage or a single vote in the bigger picture of things; that way, fans DO get their say in things, but it’s not completely out of hand.
Can someone please get Manny a new shirt? He DESERVES one.
Well at a minimum you should get reward points at the Canes Country store. Or something to that effect.
Phoblographer and Finn Aficionado
SISU
There’s a store?
Olympian Tim Gleason in Vancouver: "I don’t care what anybody says, to watch an exciting hockey game, there’s nothing like it."
by hockeymomof2 on Apr 13, 2010 7:29 PM EDT up reply actions
You didn’t know that? It’s on the second floor, down the hall from the executive washroom. They just got in a new shipment of “Vote for Jussi” t-shirts.
Phoblographer and Finn Aficionado
SISU
Wonder if I get an employee discount? Do they have those awesome “What happens in Helsinki….” shirts yet?
Olympian Tim Gleason in Vancouver: "I don’t care what anybody says, to watch an exciting hockey game, there’s nothing like it."
by hockeymomof2 on Apr 13, 2010 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Sorry to say WHIHSIH is already on backorder. But more will be on their way soon!
Phoblographer and Finn Aficionado
SISU
Only releasing 50 at a time?
Olympian Tim Gleason in Vancouver: "I don’t care what anybody says, to watch an exciting hockey game, there’s nothing like it."
by hockeymomof2 on Apr 13, 2010 7:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Yep. Create an artificial shortage to maximize profits.
And I know someone who needs one. His t-shirt supply must be running low because he wore the same dang shirt to the Cookout and for his exit interview.
Phoblographer and Finn Aficionado
SISU
Not the best t-shirt look for him……….
'AWARDS!' Nobody on this team deserves ANY awards.........well maybe JUSSI.
Aha. I stay clear of the hot tub. Too dangerous.
Olympian Tim Gleason in Vancouver: "I don’t care what anybody says, to watch an exciting hockey game, there’s nothing like it."
by hockeymomof2 on Apr 13, 2010 7:50 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m not saying we should or should not condone this type of grassroots movement, but last season some of us (who shall remain nameless) worked on a Wote Wallin (get it?) for All-Star campaign that received quite a bit of attention.
It was covered in Swedish newspapers, the N&O mentioned and so did John/Tripp during a telecast. If I were to have been involved in that campaign, I’d have a feeling that those same avenues would be open to us this year.
"What Carolina really has going for them is Brandon Sutter. When that kid first showed up, he looked like a skinny little thing that wouldn’t last two weeks. But he’s turned into a real star."
I’m not saying we should or should not condone this type of rogue behavior either.
That being said, I think if some folks (who shall remain nameless) were to work on a campaign, I think it could definitely get attention like you mention above.
Especially if said player was one thought by fans from all around the league (and not just in his home market) to have gotten screwed with the omission from his country’s Olympic roster.
/enabler
Phoblographer and Finn Aficionado
SISU
I’m not saying I would or wouldn’t be interested in being involved in said activities. But if one were to be interested in starting such a campaign, I may be inclined to suggest starting sooner rather than later. Sources have told me one of the things that held back the Wote Wallin thing was that it didn’t really get going until closer to the actual ASG voting.
Again, if this were to happen, I’d suggest hitting all media outlets. Get a website set up, work on t-shirts and buttons, bring some posters for warm-ups and in the stands, etc. Work up a catchy slogan like Just Juice or Join Jussi.
/serious enabler.
"What Carolina really has going for them is Brandon Sutter. When that kid first showed up, he looked like a skinny little thing that wouldn’t last two weeks. But he’s turned into a real star."
well I am not saying I would or wouldn’t be interested in being involved in said activities, but with all this enabling going on, I am sure my arm could be twisted in favor of said activity
"That’s what happens when you suck" - Tim Gleason
I’m not saying i do or do not know what the h – e – double hockey sticks y’all are talking about but if it involves lettin’ the Juice Loose at the All-Star game…my arm hair can be twisted into join this alleged campaign
RAKASTAN SUOMEN!!
I’m not saying we are or are not taking submissions for the campaign’s slogan. But if we were this one would definitely be the winner.
"What Carolina really has going for them is Brandon Sutter. When that kid first showed up, he looked like a skinny little thing that wouldn’t last two weeks. But he’s turned into a real star."
AH yes. I’ll fix it.
I’m not saying we are or are not taking submissions for this alleged campaign’s slogan. But if we were this one would definitely be the winner.
"What Carolina really has going for them is Brandon Sutter. When that kid first showed up, he looked like a skinny little thing that wouldn’t last two weeks. But he’s turned into a real star."
I’m not saying that a certain someone we know would or wouldn’t be able to register a domain name if such a website would be needed to help back a certain Finn receive ASG votes.
I’ve never been fond of the “Juice” reference. We could go with something (lame) like “Wait til you see Jussi!”
"The increase in pain is way beyond what you would expect a person to play with," said coach Paul Maurice. "Unfortunately it’s even beyond what Tim Gleason can play with, because he can play with just about anything."
Thanks Bob
another good article on what and how to be on the look out for the mini tsunami of crap & junk that surely will come and try to rear it’s ugly head…i personally feel that and after talking to others in other markets accross america via email & text, we here in Carolina as fans can & do control our own futre & fate..from the convention center staff down to those pesky & rude red jacketed glorified ushers who think they are better than US Border partol Agents… And to we the fans and the local businesses will have a direct impact of how those who are going to come, and in some cases return to Raleigh to see how well this all but a pesky weed which refuses to die, team can and will put on a great show for the ASG. many fans of the canes do need to remember to think outside the box …as in Hurricane Hockey is only from October to April type of thing…but many of us die hard fans know it is a 12 month 365 days a year sport ( with some breaks on occassion) that does affect the local economy, tourism and small little nit picky things we never ever would think of…So as Bob has said the caniac nation has a chance of a life time for all the hockey world to see that to some The carolinas maybe nothing more than Tobacco Road, Andy of Mayberry where all we are good for is Basketball college football and red neck dirt track racing & nascar ….We showed them once when the Canes won the Cup…lets make sure they never ever forget ever again…after they leave when the ASG & events end…The choice is ours to make folks…We of the caniac nation have been delt a great hand…so lets see how we should play it shall we ?
" Chadness" is contagious ! Go Canes !!
Back to "Caniacs are awesome hockey fans" quotes:
Did anyone catch Picard’s exit interview? He went on at length (as a Quebec native who came from playing in Ottawa) about how impressed he was with the Canes’ fan’s hockey knowledge. He was specific. Like that we cheer when they clear the puck during a penalty kill. He gave other examples. Maybe he just wants a new contract, but I’d like to think it was sincere.
Olympian Tim Gleason in Vancouver: "I don’t care what anybody says, to watch an exciting hockey game, there’s nothing like it."
I really think they all mean what they say. I know a lot of people dislike Mike M. from 99.9 the Fan, but he made a good point about how this franchise would have been booed off the ice had they been a canadian team, or a northern team. Here it is different. There is almost a blind love for this team that people have. Now whether that is just because people don’t care either way or they genuinely just want to see the team play with heart, I don’t know.
But I believe these guys understand what a special place this is. They see the unconditional support we place on this team and the players, and I think they realize that and respect that. It is unlike anything else they have experienced.
Then again, I may be wrong. But I do think they enjoy themselves here.
Member of Canes Country and the Cat Scratch Reader
I think most of the players “get” who we are as a fanbase, and I think that goes to the type of character guys that typically get chosen to play here. It’s a very symbiotic relationship.
I also think some of it is the accessibility that we have as a fanbase, something that is unique and shouldn’t be taken for granted, and that comes from the top of the organization.
One of my husband’s very good friends has been a Penguins season ticket holder for close to 25 years, and his son plays hockey in the area, and I’m not sure he’s ever met anyone on the current roster. On the other hand, with few exceptions, my entire family has meet almost every player/coach/staff member here.
Phoblographer and Finn Aficionado
SISU
I heard that and appreciated his comments. Picard was with Ruutu and Gleason signing about 1,000 autographs at the Canes Cookout. I like his attitude. I hope he will be re-signed. I think he will bring some needed grit to the team. Maybe Gleason can also teach Picard the “death stare.”
How about a photoshopped pic of Jussi, like the one “got milk” instead its “got juice” and he is holding an allstar cup,
You mean if there was (I’m not saying there is of course) a possible campaign to get a certain player who shall remain nameless to the ASG?
Yes then it could work. :)
"What Carolina really has going for them is Brandon Sutter. When that kid first showed up, he looked like a skinny little thing that wouldn’t last two weeks. But he’s turned into a real star."
I know you would never be involved in something like this ( of course). And did I say Jussi ( of course) I meant to say Mr.X. For the Caniac nation to undertake something of this nature (of course) would be completely wrong. We would be (of course) no better than those Montreal fans. I thought actually this was a means to vote in someone other than the ugly lovely Linda Crafts face on the scoreboard…
Luke DeCock published this editorial article in today’s N&O. I don’t think I necessarily agree with him.
Phoblographer and Finn Aficionado
SISU
Another one of Luke’s perennial axes that need periodic grinding.
Yes, Luke. Pete’s standing by, eagerly awaiting your business advice. Keep it coming.
Sheesh.
I’m not such a huge fan of PK when he’s here every blue moon, let alone permanently. Maybe a little distance is a good thing. It keeps us from having too many cooks in the kitchen so to speak.
"What Carolina really has going for them is Brandon Sutter. When that kid first showed up, he looked like a skinny little thing that wouldn’t last two weeks. But he’s turned into a real star."
these damien cox comments remind me of my relatives
they’re from new joisey (haha) and LOVE new jersey and used to make fun of us for living in the “deep south”. they actually asked if we had indoor plumbing when i was in middle school in the early 80’s. they thought most people used outhouses. no lie. of course three of my cousins ended up going to school at NCSU and one settled in wilmington and married a local man, one settled in roanoke rapids and lost her joisey accent and now sounds like scarlett o’hara and the third lives in sanford on a golf course and they love it and will never return to new jersey. classic.
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