why no Alaska teams?

[OregonDucks]

With all this talk of relocating teams and what not, why no word on Alaska getting a team? Couldn't Anchorage support an NHL team? I would imagine hockey is big in Alaska, and it will keep a team in the States.

 

[Eddie_Shack]

Not enough population, although I suppose the argument could be made that there is absolutely nothing else to do in Alaska so the games would be an automatic sellout.

 

[puckhead]

have you seen a map?

 

[ritari330]

have you seen a map?

Yep, the travel would be shitty at best

 

[Eddie_Shack]

have you seen a map?

What's the problem? Put them in the Pacific Division, they are a natural rival to the Dallas Stars.

 

[dash]

What's the problem? Put them in the Pacific Division, they are a natural rival to the Dallas Stars.

Sarah Palin can see Jerry Jones from her front door...

 

[OregonDucks]

Anchorage is a pretty big city. 291,000 population and you could easily put them in the NW division. And like Eddie said, there is absolutely nothing else to do there so the games would be the biggest thing in the state.

 

[IPostedWhat]

Now that is what you would call.......a Mystery.

 

[BostonAJ]

They have a team. They're playing the New York Rangers. And Hank Azaria is there for some reason.

 

[Vadered]

Anchorage is a pretty big city. 291,000 population and you could easily put them in the NW division. And like Eddie said, there is absolutely nothing else to do there so the games would be the biggest thing in the state.

While I'm sure the Alaskan folks would love a hockey team, there are some pretty compelling arguments against moving an NHL team there.

It's not the size of the city, it's the size of the metro area. Anchorage has 291,000 people, but including the metropolitan area, it rises to only 375,000 (quoth wikipedia). That means in a 41 home game schedule, assuming an 18,000 seat arena, everyone in the metro area needs to attend 2 hockey games to sell out. No way they can support that. For comparison, they had trouble getting hockey back in Winnipeg, a city by itself almost twice as large as Anchorage's entire metro.

In addition to (and partly because of) the population issues they would have trouble with sponsors. Alaska isn't a big state, and neither is their economy (46th in the country in 2010). A very large portion of Alaska's businesses are related to tourism, natural resources, or cargo transit, and none of those businesses need to advertise at hockey arenas or on local television. Furthermore the low population density of the state means the local businesses don't need to advertise as much either, because they don't have as much competition as a denser area would.

And honestly, what player wants to play in Alaska? Terrible travel times for ANY road games, and like you said - there's nothing else to do there. It'd be hard to sign guys; they'd have to overpay, and once they overpaid nobody will trade for them, so anyone that busts is an automatic shackle around your neck. So now you have an isolated, economically unsound, bad hockey team.

All in all, while folks in Alaska probably would like a team and it would be very well received, it's just not a good idea in terms of population or economics, and the players themselves probably wouldn't want to play there.

 

[anythingispossible]

You have to drive through Canada to get there.

 

[BlueandWhiteForever]

Even Bettman isn't that stupid

 

[PhillyPhaithful48]

Now that is what you would call.......a Mystery.

As long as Russel Crowe is captain, I am all for it.

I heard that Stevie Weeks prospect can fly.

 

[OregonDucks]

While I'm sure the Alaskan folks would love a hockey team, there are some pretty compelling arguments against moving an NHL team there.

It's not the size of the city, it's the size of the metro area. Anchorage has 291,000 people, but including the metropolitan area, it rises to only 375,000 (quoth wikipedia). That means in a 41 home game schedule, assuming an 18,000 seat arena, everyone in the metro area needs to attend 2 hockey games to sell out. No way they can support that. For comparison, they had trouble getting hockey back in Winnipeg, a city by itself almost twice as large as Anchorage's entire metro.

In addition to (and partly because of) the population issues they would have trouble with sponsors. Alaska isn't a big state, and neither is their economy (46th in the country in 2010). A very large portion of Alaska's businesses are related to tourism, natural resources, or cargo transit, and none of those businesses need to advertise at hockey arenas or on local television. Furthermore the low population density of the state means the local businesses don't need to advertise as much either, because they don't have as much competition as a denser area would.

And honestly, what player wants to play in Alaska? Terrible travel times for ANY road games, and like you said - there's nothing else to do there. It'd be hard to sign guys; they'd have to overpay, and once they overpaid nobody will trade for them, so anyone that busts is an automatic shackle around your neck. So now you have an isolated, economically unsound, bad hockey team.

All in all, while folks in Alaska probably would like a team and it would be very well received, it's just not a good idea in terms of population or economics, and the players themselves probably wouldn't want to play there.

Great points. I guess Alaska would be a bad idea. And therefore I guess the Dakotas would be a terrible idea also, because they were going to be my second location to argue the traveling issues.

 

[whyoh]

You have to drive through Canada to get there.

i heard that the wright brothers are working on an invention that could eliminate driving long distances

 

[Ho_Brah]

While I'm sure the Alaskan folks would love a hockey team, there are some pretty compelling arguments against moving an NHL team there.

It's not the size of the city, it's the size of the metro area. Anchorage has 291,000 people, but including the metropolitan area, it rises to only 375,000 (quoth wikipedia). That means in a 41 home game schedule, assuming an 18,000 seat arena, everyone in the metro area needs to attend 2 hockey games to sell out. No way they can support that. For comparison, they had trouble getting hockey back in Winnipeg, a city by itself almost twice as large as Anchorage's entire metro.

In addition to (and partly because of) the population issues they would have trouble with sponsors. Alaska isn't a big state, and neither is their economy (46th in the country in 2010). A very large portion of Alaska's businesses are related to tourism, natural resources, or cargo transit, and none of those businesses need to advertise at hockey arenas or on local television. Furthermore the low population density of the state means the local businesses don't need to advertise as much either, because they don't have as much competition as a denser area would.

And honestly, what player wants to play in Alaska? Terrible travel times for ANY road games, and like you said - there's nothing else to do there. It'd be hard to sign guys; they'd have to overpay, and once they overpaid nobody will trade for them, so anyone that busts is an automatic shackle around your neck. So now you have an isolated, economically unsound, bad hockey team.

All in all, while folks in Alaska probably would like a team and it would be very well received, it's just not a good idea in terms of population or economics, and the players themselves probably wouldn't want to play there.

good one! I lived in Anchorage for 3 years and I agree, it wouldn't be a good thing. Aside from the beautiful summers, winter absolutely sucks ass and there really isn't shit to do there aside from snowboarding and skiing. 5-6 hours of daylight during the winter months in Anchorage will get to a person over time. That's why a lot of them are alcoholics! especially the native population! so sad!

 

[loki604]

good one! I lived in Anchorage for 3 years and I agree, it wouldn't be a good thing. Aside from the beautiful summers, winter absolutely sucks ass and there really isn't shit to do there aside from snowboarding and skiing. 5-6 hours of daylight during the winter months in Anchorage will get to a person over time. That's why a lot of them are alcoholics! especially the native population! so sad!

So if I move there, I will be accepted?

 

[Eddie_Shack]

So if I move there, I will be accepted?

There's like ten dudes to every chick in Alaska. You won't just be accepted, you'll be their god.

 

[loki604]

There's like ten dudes to every chick in Alaska. You won't just be accepted, you'll be their god.

Eh. I'm out then.