Sotnos
Registered User
It depends on what you are calling "Tampa area", I suppose. There are 4 ice rinks in the area that I know of (Ellenton, Brandon, Oldsmar & Clearwater-Countryside). Can't speak to how the youth programs are doing, the only info on them I could find was from a few years ago and all said registrations were up.I think Tampa is an exception considering hockey has found a good following in the area thanks to the Lightning. And as this article proves, it's the same in South Florida thanks to the Panthers. (Though I'm pretty well connected with youth hockey in Tampa too, and it didn't seem very much more promising there. They only have 2 arenas over there to my knowledge. And the youth programs aren't any better than in my area.)
That doesn't surprise me. The only "pro" team around there plays out of Kissimmee, right? I don't think there's been hockey at the arena in Orlando (whatever it's called now) for a few years.And I live in Florida now. North of Orlando. And the Orlando/Daytona/Jacksonville areas are definately growing areas. Yet hockey is on the decline in these parts of Florida.
Anyway, according to the USA Hockey site, registrations are up in most places, including Florida. Link to pdf file.
I don't think the key to making new fans is participation in youth sports anyway, but there are some stats for you.