Thursday, November 25, 2010 /
By Andrew Chong /
If someone offered me ten pairs of tickets to Junior hockey or one pair of NHL tickets, I’m taking the NHL tickets.
But with the quality of the Junior hockey fan experience, it’s not an easy decision.
Last week, I went to a Western Hockey League game between the Vancouver Giants and the Red Deer Rebels. And based on the $18 lower bowl seat I was in (an equivalent Canucks seat is $145), it was an exceptional value for a number of reasons:
* I had centre-ice “TV perspective” minus the huge ticket price that would come with an NHL game.
* There were good fights, solid hits, and the action and effort level was generally spirited.
* There was a long, back-and-forth shootout and an exciting overtime.
* I got to see lots of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (potential No. 1 pick for the 2011 NHL Draft).
* I got to see lots of NHL prospects Craig Cunningham and Brendan Gallagher (Giants who are No. 1 and 2 in WHL scoring).
* There was a reasonably big stadium crowd and people were into the game.
* Parking was fairly easy.
* Long food and bathroom lines were non-existent.
* Merchandise (if I wanted it) was reasonably priced as far as merchandise goes.
* The overall game presentation and entertainment value was sufficient (i.e. the breaks in action seemed to move along nicely).
Theoretically, if I put this experience against a Vancouver Canucks vs. Columbus Blue Jackets weeknight snoozer (i.e. a 3-1 win for CBJ) for $300/pair, plus the parking disaster around Rogers Arena, plus the silly food prices, plus the bathroom lines, plus the potential overall lack of pizzazz from millionaires who are stretched too far in a long 82-game season, then my argument for ‘NHL tickets above all else’ seems pretty brutal.
These snoozers seem all-too-common for the devoted NHL ticketholder; but on the other hand, it’s still the biggest hockey show on earth and the peak moments are largely incomparable.
So, I’m still not turning down the NHL tickets but it sure is a tough call to make.
And I can picture a heck-of-a-lot of people who would jump at the Junior tickets.
What say you?
Chime-in at HockeyNowBlog.blogspot.com, on Twitter (@HockeyNow), or on Facebook.
So what is a better ticket value between Junior hockey and the NHL?
We polled hockey fans across our social networking sites, and here are the best responses...
Lizzy M.
Junior hockey. You can go to a fast-paced high-skill level game for a lower price.
Ron L.
Trick question? By NHL, do you mean Leafs? :) Haha
Malcolm L.
Dollar for dollar jr. hockey is a better value than the NHL. For what I pay for Sens’ parking I can see an OHL game. Go figure!
Chelsey G.
Definitely Junior! NHL players are playing for money where Junior players are playing to make it! I find there is a lot more effort put in and a lot more excitement in Junior hockey. Also, I’d rather pay $20 to see a hockey game rather than $200!
Clifford M.
Junior games for sure. The kids come to play, with passion, the NHL players show up for a paycheque without passion. I can’t remember even on TV when I saw a game that captured my attention and had me screaming.
Maureen B.
Watch the Flyers! We have a friend of the family who is playing for the Texas Tornado, an NAHL team. Those boys are starving for the game and it shows. Tickets are so reasonable. GO TORNADO! GO FLYERS!
Donny K.
Junior games always for the money—better entertainment.
Rob F.
Junior for sure, the players give it their all every game.
Chris P.
I would say Junior because it’s not all about money it’s about loving the game!
Kath B.
Juniors for sure...it’s been said before...love of the game rather then money!
Jeff C.
Depends what you enjoy more: checkers or chess. For this debate, I choose checkers (Junior)
Rob G.
The question is kind of a trick question. Obviously, Junior hockey is a better ticket value; as for enjoyment, the NHL is better. I love Junior hockey but what’s the goal? To make it to the big show. NHL is overpriced, we all know that...unless you live in a non-hockey market where you can get two tickets, a hot dog and a Coke all for $30 then that is the better value. |
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