Growing the Game - AZCentral Article

By Hip Shot Blog, May 21st, 2008 7:47 AM

We asked Coyotes executives Don Maloney (general manager) and Doug Moss (president) what they thought the NHL could do to appeal to even more fans.

Maloney: “I wish I had an answer. . . . The speed of the game is just phenomenal. How we can get more people watching - I think attendance around he league is pretty strong, and we hope to be better next year in Phoenix, but the television audience . . . the people at the NHL office are trying to get more people engaged in watching the sport.

“I heard some talk about bringing back the gold puck, technology to be able to follow the puck a little bit better on television. So much of the game is anticipating where the puck (is going) . . . When I watch a game, you’re not glued strictly on the puck.” . . . We get 12 (thousand), 15 (thousand), 18,000 people to come to your building, it’s not a problem. It’s that fan sitting at home and being able to turn it on and say, ‘Yeah, this is a great sport to watch for two hours on the couch.’ ”

Moss: “Television is one thing, and a lot of people have pointed to that. But TV is just a part of how fans get their information. What the NHL has done with nhl.com is a fabulous resource. For the future season-ticket holder, it’s about how they get their information and how they get their content.”

“Versus is on more TVs in hotels, restaurants and bars, I’ve noticed. It’s starting to really grow. . . . ESPN giving hockey more time, and adding (Canadian broadcasting legend) Don Cherry - maybe it’s an indication they’re willing to get back into the business.”

My thoughts?

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