Speculation: The Atlantic City experiment

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GhostofKenKlee

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As a Devils fan, I know all too well that you're right, as the Giontas and the captain of the Rags all hail from Rochester... and that's just one of many cities up there.


Which means it still has untapped potential for new fans, whereas the Upstate market is over-saturated. James Van Riemsdyk should be a Devils fan. Bobby Ryan should be a Devils fan. Neither of them are. Ryan's a Flyer fan. JVR is a Rangers fan. The Devils need to do a lot more work to take over this state.

Bobby Ryan's dad worked for the Flyers in some capacity and at Bobby Clarke's Gym in Cherry Hill.

JVR has said he has attended many Devils games including the 03 run of the devils.

Stolarz (flyers pick) from Edison/Jackson is a Devils fan as is John Carlson growing up.

Bobby Sagnuetti, Lumberton is a Rangers fan because his folks are transplanted NYers.
 

GhostofKenKlee

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In terms of mass transit, the best place for a team solely based on logistics is somewhere in Middlesex county, New Brunswick or Metropark. However Points north of Middlesex would disagree in terms of mass transits, but all roads cross through Edison at some point.

There were fans who didn't like the move from Bergen County and I'm sure/know they lost of those fans from the STH base. However, Newark is a bit closer from the south to a lot of points. In terms of mass transit, how funny is it that the meadowlands finally gets it right after the Devils and Nets leave.
 

Colin226

NJ Devils STH
Jan 14, 2011
6,933
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Central NJ
Plus JVR came from a hockey family, meaning that his Dad was a hockey player and fan long before the Devils.. This is so common amongst kids who come from families where the parents grew up hockey fans before the Devils.. A lot of prep school hockey players are Rangers fans for this reason.. Give the Devils a chance for the generation that grew up during the Cup years to have kids, and you'll see the real growth across NJ begin
 

leftwing

Registered User
May 26, 2007
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As a Devils fan, I know all too well that you're right, as the Giontas and the captain of the Rags all hail from Rochester... and that's just one of many cities up there.


Buffalo/Rochester is strong. In addition to Callahan and Gios, Orpik and Kane are from there as well.

Don't forget the fourth upstate Olympian, Brown.

For those a little older Erik Cole, Craig Conroy, Todd Marchant, Tim Connolly off the top of my head.

Devils have the brothers Gio. There was also the support cast of Sestito and Palmieri, which IIRC were on the same NHL ice together at the Pru with Sestito's brother (Flyers) once for a cup of coffee. Add Esche to that group and there are four players that hit NHL ice in the span of five years from a small metro area anchored by two undersized cities that combined are the size of Bayonne and Hoboken. Trying to imagine Hoboken/Bayone putting four players in the NHL at the same time, regardless of quality.
 

GhostofKenKlee

Guest
Upstate NY should be able to produce hockey talent since it is more entrenched in the culture than say, New Jersey where it has taken off in the last 30 years or so.

Guys in the NHL that have Jersey roots.

JVR
Carlson
Ryan
Palmieri
Parros


Ryan, did grow up in Southern California and has an interesting bio. Google it...

Then guys like Brennan, Sagnuetti as well as NHL draft picks like Gaudreau, Dagostini, Velicheck and a few other late rounders in Stolarz, Brodeur as well as Ebert.

There is a kid from Gloucester County that is supposed to be a top ten pick this year.

What's more impressive is the amount of players in NCAA system getting scholarships to play hockey from all over Jersey.
 

Devils Dominion

Now we Plummet
Feb 16, 2007
48,509
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NJ
All roads lead to Newark.
END OF STORY:D

Butttttttt, back on topic, I do not think moving our AHL franchise from Albany to Atlantic City is a good idea.

I'd be fine with Trenton if they re-brand the name of the team from Devils to something else-to try to capture the local Mercer/Burlington/Bucks families/hockey fans that are Rags/Flyers/other supporters.

The last thing I want to see is another failed attempt at Trenton Devils with waves of empty seats/morgue atmosphere and average attendance around 2k per night.

If not "Titans", go with a new name, do a fan vote like they did when the Devils moved to Jersey in 1982.

Or, try to make it work in Albany and switch back to the popular River Rats name.
 

Devils Dominion

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Feb 16, 2007
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In terms of mass transit, the best place for a team solely based on logistics is somewhere in Middlesex county, New Brunswick or Metropark. However Points north of Middlesex would disagree in terms of mass transits, but all roads cross through Edison at some point.

There were fans who didn't like the move from Bergen County and I'm sure/know they lost of those fans from the STH base. However, Newark is a bit closer from the south to a lot of points. In terms of mass transit, how funny is it that the meadowlands finally gets it right after the Devils and Nets leave.

Based soley on geography you are correct, somewhere around NB would be ideal since it's in the middle of the state.

But based on an already established public transportation hub and highway infrastructure and proximity to an established fanbase and "wealthbelt" of the state, Newark was and still is the best possible location for our home.
 

BadFella

"$8 Million Goalie My Ass!"
Jan 9, 2013
1,649
10
Exit 105
Bobby Ryan's dad worked for the Flyers in some capacity and at Bobby Clarke's Gym in Cherry Hill.

JVR has said he has attended many Devils games including the 03 run of the devils.

Stolarz (flyers pick) from Edison/Jackson is a Devils fan as is John Carlson growing up.

Bobby Sagnuetti, Lumberton is a Rangers fan because his folks are transplanted NYers.

Aren't John Carlson's family transplanted from MA? :D
 

Lou's Koolaid

I live here
Jan 12, 2007
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You need corporate support even for minor league sports. It's not in A.C and it dried up in Trenton. Casinos won't sponsor and buy tickets cause they don't people to leave their casino. I like the venue for exhibition games but, it won't fly full time.
 

Mory Schneideur*

Guest
Based soley on geography you are correct, somewhere around NB would be ideal since it's in the middle of the state.

But based on an already established public transportation hub and highway infrastructure and proximity to an established fanbase and "wealthbelt" of the state, Newark was and still is the best possible location for our home.

Actually, Hoboken which was supposed to be the original location, probably is even better.
 

Mory Schneideur*

Guest
You need corporate support even for minor league sports. It's not in A.C and it dried up in Trenton. Casinos won't sponsor and buy tickets cause they don't people to leave their casino. I like the venue for exhibition games but, it won't fly full time.

Put slots and stuff in the convention center. Boom & stuff.
 

Cowbell232

Registered User
Jun 20, 2008
19,547
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New Jersey
You need corporate support even for minor league sports. It's not in A.C and it dried up in Trenton. Casinos won't sponsor and buy tickets cause they don't people to leave their casino. I like the venue for exhibition games but, it won't fly full time.

Bingo, hit the nail on the head with this one. Right now the Devils are basically footing the bill for the A-Devils completely. That's how it is for most AHL teams really.

Actually, Hoboken which was supposed to be the original location, probably is even better.

I disagree, and I love Hoboken so much I moved there. It would be a NIGHTMARE to get there for games.
 

GhostofKenKlee

Guest
Aren't John Carlson's family transplanted from MA? :D

He was born there, but raised in Colonia. Much like Drew Miller and Brian Lawton, born here but don't claim the place of birth as their hometowns.
 
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GhostofKenKlee

Guest
The Hoboken (Devils), Newark (Nets) and Camden (Flyers and Sixers) was the stuff of dreams man. Everybody walked away upset, except the Philly teams they got what they wanted with a new arena next to the Spectrum.
 

BadFella

"$8 Million Goalie My Ass!"
Jan 9, 2013
1,649
10
Exit 105
You need corporate support even for minor league sports. It's not in A.C and it dried up in Trenton. Casinos won't sponsor and buy tickets cause they don't people to leave their casino. I like the venue for exhibition games but, it won't fly full time.

50f35f631bff3.image.jpg


That's a lot of Casino sponsoring.

948935.png


And a lot of fan support.

Not bad for winter in a summer beach resort.
 

Wingman77

Registered User
Mar 16, 2010
20,251
765
Actually, Hoboken which was supposed to be the original location, probably is even better.

I don't think you understand Hoboken's set up and traffic situation as is currently very well

Thank God they never did Hoboken
 

devilsblood

Registered User
Mar 10, 2010
29,457
11,711
Plus JVR came from a hockey family, meaning that his Dad was a hockey player and fan long before the Devils.. This is so common amongst kids who come from families where the parents grew up hockey fans before the Devils.. A lot of prep school hockey players are Rangers fans for this reason.. Give the Devils a chance for the generation that grew up during the Cup years to have kids, and you'll see the real growth across NJ begin

Man whenever I play rec or pond, I get so dissapointed at the # of Ranger,Flyer, even Islander and various other random teams jerseys out there.

So I don't know if we are winning over a higher % of hockey fans in state. But the sport is obviously growing in state. So hopefully just increasing the overall # of hockey fans will help build the Devils base.
 

Devils Dominion

Now we Plummet
Feb 16, 2007
48,509
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Man whenever I play rec or pond, I get so dissapointed at the # of Ranger,Flyer, even Islander and various other random teams jerseys out there.

So I don't know if we are winning over a higher % of hockey fans in state. But the sport is obviously growing in state. So hopefully just increasing the overall # of hockey fans will help build the Devils base.

I saw Devils fans all over the state during the 2012 run.
All it takes is for the team to get back to winning hockey and boom, you'll see red & black everywhere.

All you can do is to wear Devils gear, can't control others.
 

devilsblood

Registered User
Mar 10, 2010
29,457
11,711

Is there any 3k arena's around where the team can play? Do the really need to play in a big arena that they will never fill?

If I had to choose a spot for the AHL Devils to play it would be New Brunswick. Middle of Devils country, college kids, trains, etc.

Too close to Newark? I dunno. But if you want to find people who are interested in Devils hockey while also trying to build a future fan base of people who will eventually go to games in Newark, it seems like a good spot.
 

Devils Dominion

Now we Plummet
Feb 16, 2007
48,509
3,716
NJ
Is there any 3k arena's around where the team can play? Do the really need to play in a big arena that they will never fill?

If I had to choose a spot for the AHL Devils to play it would be New Brunswick. Middle of Devils country, college kids, trains, etc.

Too close to Newark? I dunno. But if you want to find people who are interested in Devils hockey while also trying to build a future fan base of people who will eventually go to games in Newark, it seems like a good spot.

South Mountain Arena in West Orange.
But its too close to Newark.

What capacity is Princetons rink?

Does Monmouth have a rink?
 
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