Why isn't the OHL more popular?
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OMG67
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- Sep 1, 2013
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The reality is the tickets have priced themselves out of the market.
When Jeff Hunt took over the Ottawa 67’s, their attendance was in the toilet. He was asked if that was because of the NHL’s Senators. His response was:
“I don’t believe that is the case. The NHL product is different. It is priced differently. They attract a different target market. Our competition is Cineplex. That is the same price point and it offers the same family entertainment experience.”
That was in 1998. Since then the Movie prices have gone up $1-$2 and the OHL tickets have pretty much doubled and in fact the ticket surcharges has made those price rise much more than double.
In Ottawa, you can buy an NHL ticket in their promotional zones for about $25. You can buy them on the secondary market as a resale for about 25-50% off regular ticket prices. You can get a 67’s ticket for $15 but after you pay the ticket service charges etc, it is $20. Concession prices are the same as the NHL rink. Parking is $8 if you can get a spot which normally you can’t.
So, really, why would anyone go to a junior game when they can go to an NHL game when the difference in price is pocket change?
When Jeff Hunt took over the Ottawa 67’s, their attendance was in the toilet. He was asked if that was because of the NHL’s Senators. His response was:
“I don’t believe that is the case. The NHL product is different. It is priced differently. They attract a different target market. Our competition is Cineplex. That is the same price point and it offers the same family entertainment experience.”
That was in 1998. Since then the Movie prices have gone up $1-$2 and the OHL tickets have pretty much doubled and in fact the ticket surcharges has made those price rise much more than double.
In Ottawa, you can buy an NHL ticket in their promotional zones for about $25. You can buy them on the secondary market as a resale for about 25-50% off regular ticket prices. You can get a 67’s ticket for $15 but after you pay the ticket service charges etc, it is $20. Concession prices are the same as the NHL rink. Parking is $8 if you can get a spot which normally you can’t.
So, really, why would anyone go to a junior game when they can go to an NHL game when the difference in price is pocket change?
Whalers Fan
Go Habs!
I do not think you can blame this solely on ticket prices -- that is very market-dependent. Here in Plymouth, the Whalers had the cheapest ticket prices in the OHL. The most expensive walk-up price was $16, and you could get a seat for as little as $5, and parking was only $5 (or free for season ticket holders). Yet the team still struggled to fill the arena the last few years.
In larger markets, the OHL is competing with major sports leagues and a lot of other entertainment options. In this area, there are four major professional sports teams plus two major universities, along with casinos and other forms of entertainment. Also, with people now owning larger high definition TV's, it becomes a lot more attractive to stay home and watch a game versus attending one in person. For example, the Red Wings new arena has the most uncomfortable seats I've ever sat in for their upper bowl seating, and they are priced at $75. Why would I spend that much money, plus up to $45 for parking and over $10 per beer, when I can watch the game more comfortably on a 70-inch screen, sitting in a recliner with a premium craft beer, no parking fee and no line for the bathroom?
In larger markets, the OHL is competing with major sports leagues and a lot of other entertainment options. In this area, there are four major professional sports teams plus two major universities, along with casinos and other forms of entertainment. Also, with people now owning larger high definition TV's, it becomes a lot more attractive to stay home and watch a game versus attending one in person. For example, the Red Wings new arena has the most uncomfortable seats I've ever sat in for their upper bowl seating, and they are priced at $75. Why would I spend that much money, plus up to $45 for parking and over $10 per beer, when I can watch the game more comfortably on a 70-inch screen, sitting in a recliner with a premium craft beer, no parking fee and no line for the bathroom?
bobber
Registered User
One other issue that causes a lack of interest is the schedule. It is set up to cut down on the amount of travel the players have to bare and the cost associated with it. This is a good thing for the franchises and players but fans can get bored seeing the same teams come into there barns. As an example the Rangers played the Soo on Friday. I recognized a few players mostly by name. The rest unless I look at rosters on the OHL site I have no idea of who plays on some teams we seldom see or how talented the players are. It's the same for the NHL. As an example. We see the Leafs and read about them so they are more recognizable. My point in this is we just never see enough of franchises outside the division and miss out on seeing some talented kids.
General Zodd
Registered User
I'll tell you what it is. For me personally I've out grown it. It used to the king shit for me but now it's the NHL or nothing. I mean I'll still watch the World Juniors this year but the 30-year novelty has worn off lol. Really this league should be for small cities and leave the big cities for the NHL. Plus I don't find the product as exciting as it was in the 80's and 90's. I love the rough stuff, the fights, the hitting etc.. these seem to be all gone! Another thing is that the tickets aren't cheap -it's amateur hockey league for f***s sakes. Rather spend a few more dollars and watch the pros play... sorry!
OMG67
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- Sep 1, 2013
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You hit the nail squarely on the head.
If you were to dissect the issues, there are two big ones that seem to stand out the most:
1> The game has changed. Fighting and rough stuff is virtually eliminated. When it gets chippy on the ice, people’s adrenaline starts to rise and excitement grows. Rivalries are more high octane. There is a euphoria associated to such activity in spectator sport. I’m not saying no fighting is bad because clearly that sort of activity is causing a plethora of problems off ice. But, the reality is it has diminished the excitement level.
2> Cost. When the tickets were around the same price as a movie ticket, it was viable for people to go on a more regular basis. 20 years ago my Ottawa 67’s season ticket was $199, less than $8 per game. Ticket prices have over doubled and even maybe tripled when you tack on the service charges that didn’t exist back then. When people have to start spending real money to go to a Junior game, combined with the lack of entertainment value now compared to 10 -20 years ago, it is a tough sell.
General Zodd
Registered User
Lol - in the early nineties I pretty well much had to start buying my own stubs. No more freebies from Dad so became a STH in Section 27, lower bowl. Did so up until 2004/2005. Tickets were $199 as you said and Earl and Howard (well mostly Earl as Howard may have been in London at that time?) were always on hand way back then at the box office when we used to pick them up in September. Then ***hole bought the team and the rest is history. I haven't had time to get down to St. Kitts for an Ice Dogs game this year as I'm too busy and traffic is a bloody nightmare here anyway. But I may go down to a few of playoffs game but that's it ! Sure wish we had the Major back at St. Mikes!
With the WJHC fast approaching, Part one of two in my WJHC series is focused on Oshawa Generals who have represented their countries at the tournament in the past 10 years. Read it here:
Oshawa Generals at the WJHC: Part One
Oshawa Generals at the WJHC: Part One
I think we are seeing some of the spill over as to why the OHL isn't more popular to the attendance at the WJC thus far. Too many empty seats not to make the correlation between the two.
EvenSteven
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- Sep 3, 2009
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The world Junior championships has a bogus tournament as far as I'm concerned. Too many meaningless games played early. Canada could lose against Americans and lose against Finland, win the other two games in the opening round Robin, and still win a gold medal? Doesn't make any sense to me. I'll Watch the Canada/US game because it should be a good game. Otherwise, there's no point in watching any other preliminary round game.No games matter until the elimination rounds anyway.
Winning gold meant a lot more years ago under the old format.
Winning gold meant a lot more years ago under the old format.
Right but you can make that same case for a game in November between Saginaw-Hamilton. Yes there are many meaningless games in the WJC. Unfortunately you get that in the OHL and every league for that matter. I think in general junior hockey needs to be re-branded.
bobber
Registered User
It is Junior Hockey. Not exactly the most popular sport in the world. The majority of sports fans could care less or have never heard of the CHL or any other Junior League. It's really a hard sell to fill up an arena if you are just expecting Canadians fans to do it. Some OHL rinks are empty and we are suppose to be the greatest hockey fans in the world.
General Zodd
Registered User
Again prices!! The closest rink to my house in Toronto is a 45-minute drive to Missy. That for a team that have I have no connection to. Why am I gonna pay $20 for a 2 hour subpar hockey game? Even the hockey at the WJC wasn't great except for the Gold medal game. Even with that I've seen better.
bobber
Registered User
Cams
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For me, the interest dwindled to the point where I really didn't care to go the games anymore. My step-dad had season tickets (from a friend of his) for the Spitfires from the mid 1980's until the mid-90s, when he got switched to afternoons, so I got a pair of tickets with a buddy, which transfer to getting season tickets with my father and his wife, as well as my wife and daughter. We kept our seats until 2010-2011 season finished (and sold half of those from that final season). The prices were getting too high, Thursday nights where a rush home, eat, rush to arena (5-10 min drive), spend money on drinks/snacks/etc. I think after the back to back Mem Cup seasons for the Spitfires, I had WFCU overload. My kid played hockey there, and I coached her (every Sat/Sun), Spits on Thurs (plus whenever else they had a home game), plus I played there weekly - so that is minimum 4 of out 7 days at the same arena, plus with the long playoff runs. It became a chore almost. Wife started working afternoon, kid got older and didn't care, so then it was just me (and my Dad and his wife), and I just had enough. Surprisingly, I didn't/don't miss it. I have been to 3 games since I gave up my tickets (all for free for whatever reasons).
I think I agree with a lot of what is said on here already - the rivalry thing was huge - what topped a Windsor - Plymouth or Windsor - London game!!!!! I am fine with the game evolving (less fighting, less big hits), and fans have to expect that. These game sure aren't the same, but neither are they at the NHL level. Mind you.....I was never a go to a hockey game for the fights type of fan. It was more about a great product at a great price.
For Windsor - is it that fans expecting a winner every year (I hope not - Windsor fans should know better)? Cost is a big factor. So it parking at the WFCU Centre - not nearly enough parking for a 6600 seat arena, and 3 community rinks.
For other cities - I am sure the same factors apply everywhere. Population size too. Also demographics have to play a part - thus the lack of success in places like Brampton, Mississauga? Population/demographics tie in with each other - some places have lots of better entertainment options, and not everyone is a fan of hockey.
Heck...around the 2000-2001-2002 seasons, I was doing fan bus trips, etc. Do teams even really do this much now? That was some great fun times! Nothing like being on a coach bus on the way to watch the Spitfires on a highway from Brampton to Owen Sound and getting turned around because of a blizzard!
I think I agree with a lot of what is said on here already - the rivalry thing was huge - what topped a Windsor - Plymouth or Windsor - London game!!!!! I am fine with the game evolving (less fighting, less big hits), and fans have to expect that. These game sure aren't the same, but neither are they at the NHL level. Mind you.....I was never a go to a hockey game for the fights type of fan. It was more about a great product at a great price.
For Windsor - is it that fans expecting a winner every year (I hope not - Windsor fans should know better)? Cost is a big factor. So it parking at the WFCU Centre - not nearly enough parking for a 6600 seat arena, and 3 community rinks.
For other cities - I am sure the same factors apply everywhere. Population size too. Also demographics have to play a part - thus the lack of success in places like Brampton, Mississauga? Population/demographics tie in with each other - some places have lots of better entertainment options, and not everyone is a fan of hockey.
Heck...around the 2000-2001-2002 seasons, I was doing fan bus trips, etc. Do teams even really do this much now? That was some great fun times! Nothing like being on a coach bus on the way to watch the Spitfires on a highway from Brampton to Owen Sound and getting turned around because of a blizzard!
I agree there are to many meaningless games both in the WJC and the regular season. When teams are allowed to trade and load up at the trade deadline it makes for a few elite teams and the rest have given up on the season. When the competition starts after the trade deadline why would you buy a season ticket to see a very limited number of competitive games. Then when your team is not one of the elite why buy a ticket at all. This year it is 4 maybe five teams next year it is maybe three or four teams loaded the next year maybe 2 or 3 teams. This trading of draft picks allows for teams to be loaded down the road with the draft picks. The winner of the season can be picked at the beginning of the season so teams can give up at the beginning of the season rather than waiting to the trade deadline. The draft should be in place to keep teams competitive from year to year so your league remains competitive from year to year. If league wide competition and elite players spread out amongst the teams are part of the league's priorities why have a regular season and why have 16 teams in the playoffs. This is why I don't have a season ticket and why there is little interest in the first round of the playoffs.
cupcrazyman
Stupid Sexy Flanders
robertmac43
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I think a lot of it comes down to the over saturation of hockey in Ontario. Its so easy to simply stay in and watch an NHL game or even an OHL game. The sport is just so easy to access on TV, why bother giving up money and a night to watch live?
There's really no comparison between live hockey and television. I think we can mostly agree that hockey is the best sport in the world to watch live, but I find it boring on television.
robertmac43
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Oh I 100% agree. I would far rather watch hockey live, which is why I have season tickets to the Rangers. But I understand why people would rather stay in, save money and not commit an entire night to watch live when they could just watch on TV
bobber
Registered User
Your correct Fisch. Live hockey has an atmosphere that you don't get on TV. As an example if I am home watching a game and beeatch about the way the team is a playing I get the evil eye.
At the game I hear all the fans around me complain if the team is playing badly and we all sound like a choir. I feel like I am out with my homies.
MisterDB
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- Apr 5, 2012
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Well being at the arena does force you to watch the game most of the time besides the time for socializing (yapping) and for some phone use. Being home there are far to many distractions and a handy channel changer to totally take one out of the game.
I will say the old arenas were the best for atmosphere no fake canned noise, they had character, I miss our old barn but the amenities in the new arena(s) cannot be denied.
I will say the old arenas were the best for atmosphere no fake canned noise, they had character, I miss our old barn but the amenities in the new arena(s) cannot be denied.
EvenSteven
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- Sep 3, 2009
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Being in the building is far better than watching the game on TV. You get to see what you want to watch in the building. When you're sitting at home watching on TV, it's the cameraman and the guys in the "truck" who decide what you will see. And at this level, with limited camera angles and sub par camera crews, we are left wanting quite often when we're watching at home.
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