Hartford Hockey pt 2: The Husky Paradox

Hartford Hockey pt 2:

The Husky Paradox

In 2012, it was announced that the University of Connecticut Mens Hockey Team would begin play in the Hockey East Conference in 2014.  This is a big step for an otherwise unknown and uncovered program in not only the College Hockey world but also in the state of Connecticut.  Until this announcement, this program went otherwise unnoticed in its home state and had no impact on the Connecticut sports landscape, now it will play in the same Conference as UMass-Lowell, University of Massachusetts, Northeastern, Providence, and the University of New Hampshire.  This will also pit the UConn Mens Hockey Team against national powerhouses: Boston College and Boston University.  This is a very exciting time for UConn Hockey and for its fans and players.  It was also announced that the program would begin play in Downtown Hartford at the XL Center and this venue would be the home ice for the University of Connecticut starting in 2014 as it enters this prestigious Conference.  VERY EXCITING STUFF!  

Now for my question:

IS THIS THE FUTURE OF HARTFORD HOCKEY?

I have spoken with many hockey fans over the past few months and the idea is that the UConn Hockey Program cannot only save Hockey in Hartford but also turn around and heal the damaged reputation of the Hartford market in the hockey world.  Maybe it will, I don’t think so but...

Did the “powers that be” whom run our state get wind of the Rangers moving their Affiliation to Bridgeport?  Did they panic and contact the UConn Athletic Department and strike a deal that would bring the Huskies to Hartford to keep the sport alive in the Capital City?  Well, lets look at a different sport for a minute, College Basketball.  Since the UConn Mens Basketball Team began playing more games in the XL Center, they have outdrawn the Wolf Pack (AHL Hockey), does this mean that the UConn Mens Hockey Team will draw better than the American Hockey League?  Maybe, if they start winning games and contending for Conference Championships, I’m sure teams like Maine will have something to say about that, but you never know.  How about football?

The University of Connecticut Football team averaged 34,672 fans at Retschler Field in 2012, this is a DECREASE of 5% from 2011.  After getting stomped by Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl, UConn Football then went out and got crushed by Michigan in their season opener in Michigan.  Now, some are arguing that UConn Football attendance is down not because of the lack luster effort on the field but that the team plays too far away from the Storrs campus.  So does that mean that if the UConn Mens Hockey team does not do well, in a few years the XL Center will be to blame? Probably, its what we “Nutmegers” are good at, passing the buck.  UConn Football was going to be Connecticut's way of showing Robert Kraft and the New England Patriots that we are passionate about football and they made a mistake not coming to Hartford, that didn’t happen.  Now, the UConn Hockey Team joining Hockey East and playing some of the biggest names in College Hockey is our way of showing the Rangers, NHL and AHL that they made a mistake and we are truly a hockey market that deserves respect!

  I hope UConn Hockey flourishes in Hartford, I just don’t think WE have the patience to let that happen and I don’t think WE should lean on them as Hartford's saving grace.

Patience is a Virtue....it just doesn’t exist in Connecticut

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