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Albany & Devils negotiating renew

RFA

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Jan 17, 2010
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Reminds me of in college. I had a friend who was always arguing and complaining about this girl, but when the bar closer he'd leave with her.
 

Nightsquad

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Jan 25, 2014
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Always thought the same thing about the Devils and Albany relationship, but then again both come with bad reputations. Totally the perfect imperfect relationship. Nobody wants the Devils farm team, likewise other then college sports and a local short season low level minor league baseball team (which does very well) nobody wants to roll the dice with investing in a minor league sports team in that area. Both a very perfect for each other. The Devils seem very content with just having a place not too far from Newark to assemble a glorified reserve base with no priority in promoting the product let alone being relatively competetive. Likewise Albany appears to just be happy having an AHL in their building regardless whether the community supports the team or not.
 

Nightsquad

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Jan 25, 2014
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What are they thinking at Albany's arena, those renovation plans look awful inside. What is up with an indoor garden in a sports and entertainment venue????? If their arena is county owned, dont the taxpayers have any say???
 
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RFA

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Jan 17, 2010
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There were a bunch of county politicians and some downtown business owners as special guests at the game last night. If they all bought a couple of season tix there wouldn't even be an attendance problem. The politicians especially, bunch of cheap skates. No pun intended. In one sense I'd be happy to see the AHL team leave so the county has to scramble to keep the suite holders and advertisers happy upon losing 30-40 events a year.
 
Peter6625

Peter6625

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Feb 2, 2007
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Nashua, NH
www.lowellnoreaster.com
I was upset for about a week when the Devils pulled out of Lowell. Then I realized I had Manchester 15 minutes up the road and Worcester 25 minutes away. They're hands down the worst team to be affiliated with. I will never forget the radio announcer for the Lowell Devils said, the Devils should write a book on how not to run a franchise. I'm glad they're gone and they're Albany's problem.
 

CJNewman

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Feb 1, 2014
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The Devils had over 7,000 for their 2:00 game today. This game always draws good it could be because the Union-RPI after or that 2:00 is a good time for fans to come or both.
 

Nightsquad

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Jan 25, 2014
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CJNewman said:
The Devils had over 7,000 for their 2:00 game today. This game always draws good it could be because the Union-RPI after or that 2:00 is a good time for fans to come or both.
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The NCAA college game drew even better, almost 9000 for the college game I see. 2pm for every game would be too early. The late start time didnt discourage almost 9000 fans wanting to see the defending national champs from beating their nearby rivals. Albany should have played Adirondack or Utica. Not a bad showing though for Smallbany NY. Albany seems very doable, that city doesnt really get a fair shake considering the Devils organization hasnt exactly made a priority in putting real effort at the AHL level to build any good local connection at the minor league level. Albany seems to often showbright spots at times, like last years AHL leading average attendance for the playoffs. Good for Smallbany though, too bad lame duck Worcester beat them in front of big crowd.
 
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RFA

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Jan 17, 2010
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The announced crowd was accurate for the Devils (or at least reasonable). The bottom bowl was sold out (6,500 seats), the boxes are sold out for every games 16 seats x 25 (I believe) boxes, then there were a couple hundred upstairs. So it's close enough. GE paid for kids tickets as well, not sure how much, but the Devils did receive compensation for them. I'd like more 2-3:00 games as well.

The two games are not comparable. The college game was promoted by the arena. I was offered free tickets (no one ever paid a dime for them) from at least four separate people. I'm guessing the arena handed quite a few of these out, then took in more concessions dough.

In five years I've been offered free tickets to two Devils games. I've got tickets from friends who work for companies who have bought tickets, but only the two games for free tickets. There are a ton of other variables- two local rivals playing in an arena that isn't a dump (like Union's is) and the ability for a fan to enjoy a cold beer during the game are the first two......

Looking back over the 5 years the Devils have been here, I really don't have any complaints. Prices could be lower and the first couple of years the team stunk, but last year and this year they're competitive. All of my friends who are in private business say that they're great to do business with .
 
zetajerk

zetajerk

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Jan 1, 2015
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Apparently I'm going to a Devils game this weekend. How big is the TUC? Does the average ~3000 crowd look terrible in it? Is there any sort of atmosphere?
 

Nightsquad

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Jan 25, 2014
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zetastrike said:
Apparently I'm going to a Devils game this weekend. How big is the TUC? Does the average ~3000 crowd look terrible in it? Is there any sort of atmosphere?
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Probably same atmosphere as when I went to their game in Newark. Crowd of 3500 in the Prudential Center. Albany though curtains off the upper level leaving the seating capacity at 6500 seats which is what the lower level holds. Albany is not a hockey town, its a basketball town. The atmosphere wont be an in your face crowd. My relatives said the crowds in Albany cheer for fights first, giveaways, and goals lol. Fans in Albany generally dont follow the standings much, since the Devils rarely have made the playoffs in almost two decades fans generally go for something to do. My relatives said you can throw a Rangers ECHL team in Albany and their attendance average would probably go up by over 1000 fans per game in that area.
 
Disengage

Disengage

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Nov 11, 2007
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zetastrike said:
Apparently I'm going to a Devils game this weekend. How big is the TUC? Does the average ~3000 crowd look terrible in it? Is there any sort of atmosphere?
Click to expand...

I went to see the Amerks play a game in Albany with announced crowd of 2922 and the place looked empty. Absolutely no atmosphere. A couple of other guys who made the trip were louder than all the Devils fans combined. It sucks. I've seen AHL games in Hamilton, Rochester, Toronto, Syracuse, Utica, Albany, Glens Falls, and WBS and Albany is the worst. It's not even close.
 

RFA

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Jan 17, 2010
434
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Used to be pretty good place to see a game when the team was good (some of best in AHL history probably), sadly that was 20 years ago. Depends on the night, some nights are louder and some are quieter. If you're in a corner with the rest of the section empty, it will seem quiet. If you're on the end or the middle where there are people it will seem louder. Personally I like elbow room and don't care if it's quiet or loud or whatever. For the record, Bridgeport, Springfield and Hartford are all worse at this point if you're looking for a bunch of jerks yelling.

Most of the people who complain about Albany are people who used to get free handout tickets to the Rats and called themselves fans. The Devils came in, stopped the handouts- and offended many people.
 

Nightsquad

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Jan 25, 2014
834
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Disengage said:
I went to see the Amerks play a game in Albany with announced crowd of 2922 and the place looked empty. Absolutely no atmosphere. A couple of other guys who made the trip were louder than all the Devils fans combined. It sucks. I've seen AHL games in Hamilton, Rochester, Toronto, Syracuse, Utica, Albany, Glens Falls, and WBS and Albany is the worst. It's not even close.
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I am sure you are showing a little Rochester bias towards Albany lol. I am sure the place did look empty with just shy of 3000 fans in a 6500 (with curtain) seat arena. Maybe you should have picked a better night lol. In Albany's defense (although I acknowledge I have been to the area just not an AHL game) having travelled Upstate NY (Albany, Utica, Syracuse, Rochester, Binghamton, Elmira, and Lake George region) I know Albany is unique in that although much smaller then Rochester has so much more competition for the dollar. Why pay $20 to see a mediocre AHL product when you can pay half that to see two nearby competetive DI basketball teams, and two nearby DI college hockey teams, one being the defending national champions???? Last weekend over 7000 fans in Albany came out to watch the Devils play, then later that same night about 9000 fans watched the two college teams go head to head.

Recently when in Rochester for business I took in an AHL game. Got complimentary tickets from an event I attended at the convention center right accross the river (which smells bad) which runs between both the convention center and arena. That night attendance was listed at 4800 but seemed inflated. Another Rochester area trip I was fortunate enough to score tickets to the local college team playing a game in the dowtown arena and that atmosphere completely rocked! I thought the college game was louder, fans were decent, while the AHL game the fans were obnoxious and over the top. The college game drew well over 10,000 fans in a building that seats probably 12000, the AHL game wasnt even close. All the hype of the great Rochester Americans didnt live up to my expectations. The AHL "Buffalo" style hockey was very uninspired and they did not play to win. Rochester can claim they are historic yes but lets not class them along the likes of Hershey, Syracuse, Cleveland, Chicago, or Providence. Is Rochester a stronger and secure AHL market then Albany, absolutely..No doubt about it. Then again if I was an Albany fan I would revolt at what the Devils have done to the old River Rats style of hockey, and the development first philosiphy that EVERYONE in the AHL will have to get used to very soon. Hope traditional AHL cities like what they have done in Albany, because it may be coming to your town soon.

Lastly, I done a little research into Albany and the reviews dont looks as bad as what the Albany haters are saying lol. I think Albany should be home to the NY Rangers should the Devils leave. That might be the rebirth of good hockey, and good support in Albany. My bet is on Albany, somehow it will survive, seems like a tough town. Rochester, eah, after the games the City of Rochester closed up shop and all the bars were closed by 2am. In Albany folks the bars and clubs dont call last call until 4am . Albany has NYC style pizza, Rochester has a nasty plate of puke called the garbage plate dinner, yuck. At least Utica & Syracuse have Chicken Riggies, much better then a dirty plate of puke food lol. Albany seemed a much more vibrant city, close to NYC and Boston, and close to beautiful Saratoga. Rochester I am sure are proud of the Americans, I would be to. Then again the Rochester area doesnt have alot going for it as does the Albany-Schenectady-Troy areas. Albany is one of the oldest cities on the historic Hudson River and seat of government. Troy is seeing a huge rebirth with many downstate residents moving to that city buying properties. Schenectady is the birthplace of light, transporation, General Electric, Union College, and a brand new casino will be built along the also historic Mohawk River. AHL hockey in the Albany area has so much more to compete with for fan support, then does AHL hockey in Rochester with a much more longer established tradition of course but also benefits from a larger population yet has alot less to compete with for fan support then does the Albany area. Then again its all about perceptions, and opinion. I am sure if there are any Albany fans on this board (dont see many lol) they might agree with my assessment lol. If I get up that way to see my relatives near Saratoga I hope to take in a Smallbany Devils game lol..... Who knows, maybe by the time I get up there it might be the Albany or Tri-City Rangers lol. Below I have included links to reviews of both. Both reviews are unbiassed, partial, and offer fair perspectives as to what one might expect from the atmosphere at either Albany or Rochester.

http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/times-union-center-s1477/ Albany

http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/blue-cross-arena-at-the-war-memorial-s991 Rochester

http://www.roamingtherinks.com/timesunioncenter.htm Albany

http://www.roamingtherinks.com/bluecrossarena.htm Rochester

http://www.csarchpc.com/work/Times_Union_Center_Atrium_Renovations_231_work.htm (What Albany's arena may soon look like)
 
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UticaHockey

UticaHockey

Registered User
Feb 27, 2013
3,428
2,321
Utica, NY
Nightsquad said:
I am sure you are showing a little Rochester bias towards Albany lol. I am sure the place did look empty with just shy of 3000 fans in a 6500 (with curtain) seat arena. Maybe you should have picked a better night lol. In Albany's defense (although I acknowledge I have been to the area just not an AHL game) having travelled Upstate NY (Albany, Utica, Syracuse, Rochester, Binghamton, Elmira, and Lake George region) I know Albany is unique in that although much smaller then Rochester has so much more competition for the dollar. Why pay $20 to see a mediocre AHL product when you can pay half that to see two nearby competetive DI basketball teams, and two nearby DI college hockey teams, one being the defending national champions???? Last weekend over 7000 fans in Albany came out to watch the Devils play, then later that same night about 9000 fans watched the two college teams go head to head.

Recently when in Rochester for business I took in an AHL game. Got complimentary tickets from an event I attended at the convention center right accross the river (which smells bad) which runs between both the convention center and arena. That night attendance was listed at 4800 but seemed inflated. Another Rochester area trip I was fortunate enough to score tickets to the local college team playing a game in the dowtown arena and that atmosphere completely rocked! I thought the college game was louder, fans were decent, while the AHL game the fans were obnoxious and over the top. The college game drew well over 10,000 fans in a building that seats probably 12000, the AHL game wasnt even close. All the hype of the great Rochester Americans didnt live up to my expectations. The AHL "Buffalo" style hockey was very uninspired and they did not play to win. Rochester can claim they are historic yes but lets not class them along the likes of Hershey, Syracuse, Cleveland, Chicago, or Providence. Is Rochester a stronger and secure AHL market then Albany, absolutely..No doubt about it. Then again if I was an Albany fan I would revolt at what the Devils have done to the old River Rats style of hockey, and the development first philosiphy that EVERYONE in the AHL will have to get used to very soon. Hope traditional AHL cities like what they have done in Albany, because it may be coming to your town soon.

Lastly, I done a little research into Albany and the reviews dont looks as bad as what the Albany haters are saying lol. I think Albany should be home to the NY Rangers should the Devils leave. That might be the rebirth of good hockey, and good support in Albany. My bet is on Albany, somehow it will survive, seems like a tough town. Rochester, eah, after the games the City of Rochester closed up shop and all the bars were closed by 2am. In Albany folks the bars and clubs dont call last call until 4am . Albany has NYC style pizza, Rochester has a nasty plate of puke called the garbage plate dinner, yuck. At least Utica & Syracuse have Chicken Riggies, much better then a dirty plate of puke food lol. Albany seemed a much more vibrant city, close to NYC and Boston, and close to beautiful Saratoga. Rochester I am sure are proud of the Americans, I would be to. Then again the Rochester area doesnt have alot going for it as does the Albany-Schenectady-Troy areas. Albany is one of the oldest cities on the historic Hudson River and seat of government. Troy is seeing a huge rebirth with many downstate residents moving to that city buying properties. Schenectady is the birthplace of light, transporation, General Electric, Union College, and a brand new casino will be built along the also historic Mohawk River. AHL hockey in the Albany area has so much more to compete with for fan support, then does AHL hockey in Rochester with a much more longer established tradition of course but also benefits from a larger population yet has alot less to compete with for fan support then does the Albany area. Then again its all about perceptions, and opinion. I am sure if there are any Albany fans on this board (dont see many lol) they might agree with my assessment lol. If I get up that way to see my relatives near Saratoga I hope to take in a Smallbany Devils game lol..... Who knows, maybe by the time I get up there it might be the Albany or Tri-City Rangers lol. Below I have included links to reviews of both. Both reviews are unbiassed, partial, and offer fair perspectives as to what one might expect from the atmosphere at either Albany or Rochester.

http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/times-union-center-s1477/ Albany

http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/blue-cross-arena-at-the-war-memorial-s991 Rochester

http://www.roamingtherinks.com/timesunioncenter.htm Albany

http://www.roamingtherinks.com/bluecrossarena.htm Rochester

http://www.csarchpc.com/work/Times_Union_Center_Atrium_Renovations_231_work.htm (What Albany's arena may soon look like)
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Every time I read one of your posts I can bet on seeing two things. 1) How much better Albany would do if they were the Rangers affiliate and 2) some comparison to college hockey.

Would Albany draw better if they were the Rangers farm team? Probably but what makes you think that Albany will get that opportunity and in what way do they deserve it? There are other AHL cities in the Northeast that would also draw better with the Rangers with the exception that they support the team that they have now and are far more deserving than Albany. Support what you have now first before talking about the rebirth of hockey in Albany. Yes, they did just draw 7,000 to a game but that was with free tickets for kids and a "doubleheader" with RPI and Union. I've been to games in Albany and the place has always been empty with the atmosphere of a morgue. No need to ever buy tickets in advance because you can always buy at the door right behind the player's bench.

As for you comments about Rochester. You compare the crowd of an average Amerks game to that of a college game at the Blue Cross Arena. Somehow you forget that RIT only plays one game each year downtown and the rest are on campus in their small arena. That one game is Brick City Weekend (Homecoming) and the city is filled with parents, siblings and alumni and the hockey game is the main event for the entire weekend. You make it sound like RIT consistently out draws the Amerks without putting anything into proper context.
 

Nightsquad

Registered User
Jan 25, 2014
834
100
UticaHockey said:
Every time I read one of your posts I can bet on seeing two things. 1) How much better Albany would do if they were the Rangers affiliate and 2) some comparison to college hockey.

Would Albany draw better if they were the Rangers farm team? Probably but what makes you think that Albany will get that opportunity and in what way do they deserve it? There are other AHL cities in the Northeast that would also draw better with the Rangers with the exception that they support the team that they have now and are far more deserving than Albany. Support what you have now first before talking about the rebirth of hockey in Albany. Yes, they did just draw 7,000 to a game but that was with free tickets for kids and a "doubleheader" with RPI and Union. I've been to games in Albany and the place has always been empty with the atmosphere of a morgue. No need to ever buy tickets in advance because you can always buy at the door right behind the player's bench.

As for you comments about Rochester. You compare the crowd of an average Amerks game to that of a college game at the Blue Cross Arena. Somehow you forget that RIT only plays one game each year downtown and the rest are on campus in their small arena. That one game is Brick City Weekend (Homecoming) and the city is filled with parents, siblings and alumni and the hockey game is the main event for the entire weekend. You make it sound like RIT consistently out draws the Amerks without putting anything into proper context.
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I was just helping out the Albany faithful. For years I watched a gradual downward slope at the hands of the Devils organization. When other AHL cities would have written off AHL hockey Albany sees a loyal strong in what the sports entertainment business we call "the core" base. Albany has sustained the core base, dont forget, only a few hundred fans lay between support for Albany & Utica, thats it, not thousands. That revenue number can easily be made up tenfold by things like merchandise, food revenue sharing, or leasing details. As far as the Rangers go it would be a great fit, its already being looked into but Albany and The Devils organization have this relationship where odly they depend on one another and it always seems to work financially for both. Go into every drinking establishment in the great capital city area and you wont find Buffalo, Montreal, NJ Devils, on the wall signs, but you will find NY Rangers as the area is home to my fellow downstater transplants, many of them. Thousands of SUNY Albany students come from the NYC - Long Island area, in fact over 80%. A propsoal was presented whereby shuttle busses would run the Ranger hockey night in Albany "college line" service from SUNY to another college in mid-town Albany, then arriving downtown and it was very well recieved. I can assure you that the AHL Rangers in Albany would thrive well above and beyond what Utica, Binghamton, and Glens Falls already does, and would give the larger cities of Syracuse & Rochester a run for their money.... We may or may not get to see that. As for Rochester and college hockey or AHL, like I said it really doesnt matter, there is not a heck of alot going on in that city to compete with hockey. The Albany area can have AHL hockey downtown, NCAA DI hockey or basketball at two nearby schools going on, and a broadway touring stage show going on at the Palace Theater nearby or the grand Proctors Theater in Schenectady all on the same night, while Albany is less then half the size of Rochester and much smaller then Syarcuse. The Albany market is very unique for its size, but also happens to be the best logistically located and well poised to be what the NHL clubs desire for the league transition to the development first model. Folks, get used to the "Development First " model. I have some homework for you fine folks tonight lol, study the NBA-D model ;)
 
Sports Enthusiast

Sports Enthusiast

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I can't believe Albany still has AHL hockey. I don't think any other franchise would go back in there honestly. I guess the rangers if they were desperate. Long term its probably ECHL or nothing for them.
 
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