Summer Soapbox #1

So we’ve sadly hit that time of the year where in hockey, not a whole lot is going on.  Sure there are a few newsworthy notes to discuss but in essence, free agency has slowed down and we’re still two months away from everything picking up a little more.

So with that said I figured I’d just write a Soapbox blog full of a few thoughts here and there about things, be it hockey related or not.  My guess is I’ll probably do a few more of these over the course of the summer and I’d love to take questions, be it hockey related or not.  Have a question?  Shoot it to bkisker@stocktonheat.com with the Subject “Summer Soapbox” and I’ll try to answer them.

So let’s get to some random thoughts:

• LAS VEGAS – APRIL 06: NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman speaks during a news conference discussing the 2009 NHL Awards at the Ghostbar at the Palms Casino Resort April 6, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

  I’m really surprised that there were only two bids for the two potential expansion markets.  I fully expected at least three with Seattle joining the confirmed bids from Quebec City and Las Vegas, but from the sounds of it, an arena deal or as the NHL calls it “a reasonable expectation for an arena deal”.  Quebec City has the Videotron Centre that is currently under construction in the city proper while Las Vegas has Las Vegas Arena that is set to open in…well…click that link and see their countdown timer.  Vegas has been the one to make the most headlines of the two accepted bids as they’ve already accomplished a season ticket drive to establish interest and it’s Vegas so it naturally makes headlines.

  • Back to what I’m most shocked about is Seattle.  From what I’ve seen, it appears that the problem is an arena thing.  The idea proposed is an arena 11 miles away from downtown, the NHL however prefers venue’s located in downtown metropolitan area’s (see Florida Panthers for why they’re so big on this).  As for this particular reason, I too agree with the NHL that an arena in a metropolitan area works better.  I’ve been to NHL games in Buffalo, Columbus, Tampa, San Jose and Denver….all downtown.  I’ve been to other sports games in Toronto, Cincinnati, Sacramento and Orlando…again all downtown.  It just works better.  Here’s where it gets interesting as the old Seattle Supersonics arena just won’t do.  So any proposed arena downtown is contingent upon a NBA franchise coming to town.  I’ve never been to Seattle except for the airport and I really don’t know what that area will support better, but judging by the way they’ve taken to the Seattle Sounders of the MLS, I have to think that a hockey team would be really well supported.
    • Lastly, this doesn’t mean the NHL has awarded anyone a franchise.  It just means that they will now focus their research solely on Las Vegas and Quebec City.  It’ll be an interesting question about Quebec City because of the unbalanced conferences and the fact that there was a team there for a long time and they moved.  Will it be a situation similar to that of the Jets in Winnipeg? To me, Las Vegas is a near shoe in.  If the NHL can make the numbers work it’s in the west and pro sports has been dying for a Vegas team.  I can see the NHL doing it.  I only hope that the team is not named the Las Vegas Black Knights.  I want a Vegas-y name!
    • Ok lastly, lastly…. I don’t think this is the end for Seattle.  In my opinion, I think Seattle would be the best available market, even over Vegas and Quebec.  If they aren’t awarded an expansion team I do think relocation will award Seattle a team sooner then later.

• The University of North Dakota dropped the “Fighting Sioux” moniker in 2012.

  The University of North Dakota has been just that…the University of North Dakota since 2012 when the name and logo of the Fighting Sioux was retired (by the way, one of my all-time favorite logos).  Well they have now narrowed down their choice of a new nickname (through a committee of course) and have five names, Fighting Hawks, Nodaks, North Stars, Roughriders and Sundogs.  The public and alums are all up in arms now because it sounds like the majority would prefer to stay as UND/University of North Dakota.  I for one am not a fan of that because every other university has a nickname.  We aren’t like European soccer clubs.  We brand in America as a city and nickname and I think North Dakota should find a replacement.  Look nothing will be as cool as the Fighting Sioux, both the name is cool and the logos are cool.  I understand retiring it and I understand that all of those five names proposed fail to compare to that name, however they went from having one of the best jerseys to one of the worst.  If I had a vote I’d cast it for the North Stars myself.  The Nodaks (slang for person from North Dakota) is kind of cool too.  Reminds me of the Ak-Sar-Ben craze in Nebraska!

• Braden Holtby is a good goalie bordering on “elite”.  He’s only been around for a few seasons and is already trying to cash in on his terrific start to his career.  Is he worth the $8 million he’s asking? Potentially.  However if I were a Caps fan I’d want to see him do it for another year.
• Construction is set to start here at Stockton Arena very soon.  We moved our offices from downstairs to upstairs as Scott Linesburgh with the Stockton Record mentioned last week.  I now share an office with our Manager of Community Relations Katie Billiet and we have a beautiful view of some greenery, blue sky, and the city.  The space up here is currently in organized chaos so we’ll be balancing real work with organization for the next little bit.
• Speaking of our new offices, we’re located right behind the Stockton Athletic Hall of Fame.  I see that former Thunder president Dan Chapman has been named a hall of famer.  Now I don’t know what the criteria is exactly (if you have to be born in Stockton) but since we have pro teams here you’d think that we’d have a part dedicated to great pros that played here.  Here’s my inaugural five Thunder people who should get consideration:  Garet Hunt, Ryan Constant, Kevin Anderson, Mike Benton and Devan Dubnyk.
• On a personal note, I’m getting married in July 2016!  That’s pretty exciting but planning a wedding is already exhausting work especially when that wedding occurs thousands of miles away.  By the way, anyone know where I can get some killer lederhosen in California?
• UPDATED: Adirondack just announced that they will announce their head coach tomorrow.  Also, they put out this good story on Garrett Ladd.

I’m closing out all of my blog posts with a jersey or logo in the sports world. I love sports jerseys (I collect them) and I love logos and what goes into making a brand.

There was a great story I saw today when looking for my next logo involving the Fresno Grizzlies baseball team playing as the Fresno Tacos for one game only because of a Taco Truck Throwdown event they have.  Actually cool, read it here.   However I must share my excitement that my jersey collection got a plus-one last weekend.

There are three 90’s jerseys that are a must for a man who grew up in the era of crazy jerseys with sublimated designs.  My all-time favorite is this one, which I own already.  The other two is the fabled LA Kings “Burger King” jersey and this beauty to your right.  The great Wild Wing jersey out of Anaheim.

Couple reasons why this is one of the greatest jerseys known to the world of hockey.  It’s a fully sublimated jersey (with only shoulder crests” of a cartoon duck leaping through ice with a goalie stick in hand.  If that alone doesn’t sell you I’m not sure what will.

Want to seal the fate as to why this jersey is amazing?  Just look at this beauty.

So yes, it was ridiculous and yes it’s not the most artsy or accepted jersey ever, but when you collect such amazing entities like this, this and this (to name a few), a collection isn’t complete without this one.

I know some of you Sharks and Flames fans may not like me buying a Mighty Ducks jersey, but…come on.

Brandon Kisker is the Heat’s Director of Broadcast & Media Relations and is entering his third season as a broadcaster in Stockton.  Follow him on Twitter @kiskerbc or email him at bkisker@stocktonheat.com with comments or questions.