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Post by jimsabo21 on Oct 12, 2011 10:13:03 GMT -6
Anyone else getting tired of his anti-Jets 1.0 schtick?
Let me start by saying that I love the zinger story. I love that he worked his way from a trainer with the Wheatkings, to equipment manager with the Jets, all the way up to GM for the Moose. The guy bleeds Winnipeg, so he's OK in my books.
That said ...
I'm getting a little bit tired of his attitude towards the new Jets, old Jets and his need to remind us all that we only have the Jets because of the Moose. I WAS A MOOSE SEASON TICKET HOLDER AND SUPPORTED THE MOOSE. I am NOT anti-Moose ...
Last night, I finally got to watch the Jets documentary that I had PVR'd (CBC). Everyone talking about the old Jets had fond memories. Every Zinger quote was about the lack of support for the old Jets "Everyone says they were in the building every night, I was actually there, they weren't, that's why the team left". Well, he is in fact right. The Jets 1.0 only averaged 13,400, but since Zinger travelled with the team, he should also know that that was NORMAL for the 80s. Even the Stanley Cup winning Oilers only averaged slightly above 14,000 in the 80s. A sellout at the old Boston Garden was less than 14,000, Maple Leaf Gardens and the Montreal Forum only had capacity of 15,000. All this to say that Zinger is correct, the Jets rarely sold out; however, he fails to mention that was par for the course in the 80s NHL era.
Zinger is always quick to point out that the only reason the NHL is back is because of all the support from Moose season ticket holders. Well, I was a Moose season ticket holder, and know the announced attendence at the MTS Centre was always filled with no-shows. Look at any season ticket holder section (between the blue lines and John Labatt Lounge) for any Moose game, and I would guess that those sections were 50% empty. Sure, people bought season tickets, but MANY tickets went unused on MANY nights. I often couldn't give away my Moose tickets. Also, if there was so much passion for the Moose, why was playoff attendence always less than regular season? I was at many playoff games where they "announced" 5500 fans but would be shocked if there were more than 3000 in the building.
In truth, it's because TNSE was able to get the MTS Centre built that the NHL returned to Winnipeg. TNSE DID RUN THE MOOSE LIKE AN NHL TEAM. That was great - but don't confuse support with passion. In reality, I would say the Moose probably had 3000 passionate fans, and about 4-6K fans who enjoyed a night out watching hockey, but were indifferent to the outcome.
The NHL will work in Winnipeg not because of the Moose support, but because the Jets support. 13,000 season tickets shared amongst groups probably = 40,000 partial season ticket holders + 8000 seat waiting list. I know Zinger loves to give all the credit to Moose fans, but these 48,000 people were / are and will be Jets fans.
On Sunday, Craig Heisinger was on H&L prior to the game, when asked about the first NHL game in Winnipeg, his response was: "Right now, my emotional attachment to the Jets is only 6 months - I miss the Moose, I look forward to watching the games in St-John's" ... really? That's how you answer a question on the biggest sporting day in Winnipeg history that you'd rather watch the St-John's games??? Would it be so bad to admit you are excited about the Jets too?
A few weeks ago, a the Free Press had a long interview with Zinger. He said it drives him crazy when people say "hockey has returned to Winnipeg". He said "Hockey never left, we had the Moose which filled the void for many hockey fans". Well (with all due respect to the Moose), it didn't fill the void for that many hockey fans. I hate to say it, but none of my friends talked about Moose hockey around the water cooler, the topic was always (and still is) the NHL.
Again, I will re-emphasize that I was indeed a Moose ticket holder, and was a Moose fan. However, Zinger's reluctance to accept the fact that MOST Winnipegers prefer the Jets over the Moose is getting a little tired.
Just my two cents ...
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benny27
3rd Line Checker
Posts: 291
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Post by benny27 on Oct 12, 2011 10:19:09 GMT -6
Every Zinger quote was about the lack of support for the old Jets "Everyone says they were in the building every night, I was actually there, they weren't, that's why the team left". Well, he is in fact right. I was thinking the same thing when i heard him say that over and over. I think he had two different times that he actually said this...
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Post by jimsabo21 on Oct 12, 2011 10:20:58 GMT -6
Every Zinger quote was about the lack of support for the old Jets "Everyone says they were in the building every night, I was actually there, they weren't, that's why the team left". Well, he is in fact right. I was thinking the same thing when i heard him say that over and over. I think he had two different times that he actually said this... That's what started getting to me. Every quote he had about the old Jets was negative, every Moose quote he gave was a glowing endorsement. I get that he's a loyal TNSE guy, but they now OWN the Winnipeg Jets. Embrace it!
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Post by fitzy0019 on Oct 12, 2011 10:21:53 GMT -6
i have noticed his comments as well. he seems to be having a tough time moving on. i dont blame him, he had an extremely successful time in the ahl, and credit is due for moose fans! BUT the best thing for this city is the nhl. world class city, world class team! Zinger will come around. im sure he had a hard time in 96/97 in the first season with the moose as well, his heart had to of been still a Jet!
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Post by kidshowtime on Oct 12, 2011 10:26:37 GMT -6
Seeing as how his biggest accomplishment within the Moose was GM, and he never reached that level with the Jets 1.0, or the Wheat Kings, it's easy to see that he wants the Moose to be recognized.
If we didn't have the Moose, we wouldn't have an NHL team. There's absolutely no way that True North goes from nothing, straight to the NHL. The experience in running the Moose like an NHL franchise made the spectacular transition from Atlanta to Winnipeg that much easier in the time frame they were allowed.
I don't think zinger is claiming that the Moose FANS were solely responsible for the NHL's return, but I believe he's saying that the entire endeavor was a catapult to the NHL, and one that TNSE needed in order to reach their goal. The idea of Season Tickets isn't to have butts in the seats, as odd as it may sound. It's to lay a financial foundation for a team to run it successfully. The Moose accomplished this extremely well.
I remember being at the AHL finals vs the Bears back in 2009, and that Arena had 12-13,000 people in it. Without a shadow of a doubt, nights like that were the ones that made the city and TNSE realize that the NHL would work.
You can't count the Moose out, but Zinger should be more receptive of the Jets 2.0.
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Post by jimsabo21 on Oct 12, 2011 10:32:50 GMT -6
Seeing as how his biggest accomplishment within the Moose was GM, and he never reached that level with the Jets 1.0, or the Wheat Kings, it's easy to see that he wants the Moose to be recognized. If we didn't have the Moose, we wouldn't have an NHL team. There's absolutely no way that True North goes from nothing, straight to the NHL. The experience in running the Moose like an NHL franchise made the spectacular transition from Atlanta to Winnipeg that much easier in the time frame they were allowed. I don't think zinger is claiming that the Moose FANS were solely responsible for the NHL's return, but I believe he's saying that the entire endeavor was a catapult to the NHL, and one that TNSE needed in order to reach their goal. The idea of Season Tickets isn't to have butts in the seats, as odd as it may sound. It's to lay a financial foundation for a team to run it successfully. The Moose accomplished this extremely well. I remember being at the AHL finals vs the Bears back in 2009, and that Arena had 12-13,000 people in it. Without a shadow of a doubt, nights like that were the ones that made the city and TNSE realize that the NHL would work. You can't count the Moose out, but Zinger should be more receptive of the Jets 2.0. I agree with you 100%. But I think TNSE and the Moose have already been given all the credit for the Jets return to Winnipeg. I don't hear any story on the Jets without mentioning the importance of the Moose ... so, I'm not sure with Zinger needs to keep mentioning it in every interview, but worse is his (seemingly) constant bashing of the Jets 1.0 ... it comes accross as insecure over the Moose's accomplishments when you always need to remind people of it.
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Post by Hannu Smail on Oct 12, 2011 10:35:33 GMT -6
I heard the pregame interview on H&L as well, and could not believe when he said that he looked forward to watching the Icecaps game as much as he did the Jets opener (legitimately... this is what he said). That was a bit of an eye opener for me. But hey, at least he's not trying to hide it. He was very and openly clear that his emotional attachment rests with the old Moose franchise.
Go Jets and Go Zinger, but still.... he has to realize how this comes across, doesn't he? Ah, he'll come around....
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Post by kingsolo on Oct 12, 2011 10:43:07 GMT -6
I 100% agree. The Jets need to keep Zinger off of TV, Radio..he makes me want to kill myself.
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Post by newjets on Oct 12, 2011 10:53:23 GMT -6
Anyone else getting tired of his anti-Jets 1.0 schtick? Let me start by saying that I love the zinger story. I love that he worked his way from a trainer with the Wheatkings, to equipment manager with the Jets, all the way up to GM for the Moose. The guy bleeds Winnipeg, so he's OK in my books. That said ... I'm getting a little bit tired of his attitude towards the new Jets, old Jets and his need to remind us all that we only have the Jets because of the Moose. I WAS A MOOSE SEASON TICKET HOLDER AND SUPPORTED THE MOOSE. I am NOT anti-Moose ... Last night, I finally got to watch the Jets documentary that I had PVR'd (CBC). Everyone talking about the old Jets had fond memories. Every Zinger quote was about the lack of support for the old Jets "Everyone says they were in the building every night, I was actually there, they weren't, that's why the team left". Well, he is in fact right. The Jets 1.0 only averaged 13,400, but since Zinger travelled with the team, he should also know that that was NORMAL for the 80s. Even the Stanley Cup winning Oilers only averaged slightly above 14,000 in the 80s. A sellout at the old Boston Garden was less than 14,000, Maple Leaf Gardens and the Montreal Forum only had capacity of 15,000. All this to say that Zinger is correct, the Jets rarely sold out; however, he fails to mention that was par for the course in the 80s NHL era. Zinger is always quick to point out that the only reason the NHL is back is because of all the support from Moose season ticket holders. Well, I was a Moose season ticket holder, and know the announced attendence at the MTS Centre was always filled with no-shows. Look at any season ticket holder section (between the blue lines and John Labatt Lounge) for any Moose game, and I would guess that those sections were 50% empty. Sure, people bought season tickets, but MANY tickets went unused on MANY nights. I often couldn't give away my Moose tickets. Also, if there was so much passion for the Moose, why was playoff attendence always less than regular season? I was at many playoff games where they "announced" 5500 fans but would be shocked if there were more than 3000 in the building. In truth, it's because TNSE was able to get the MTS Centre built that the NHL returned to Winnipeg. TNSE DID RUN THE MOOSE LIKE AN NHL TEAM. That was great - but don't confuse support with passion. In reality, I would say the Moose probably had 3000 passionate fans, and about 4-6K fans who enjoyed a night out watching hockey, but were indifferent to the outcome. The NHL will work in Winnipeg not because of the Moose support, but because the Jets support. 13,000 season tickets shared amongst groups probably = 40,000 partial season ticket holders + 8000 seat waiting list. I know Zinger loves to give all the credit to Moose fans, but these 48,000 people were / are and will be Jets fans. On Sunday, Craig Heisinger was on H&L prior to the game, when asked about the first NHL game in Winnipeg, his response was: "Right now, my emotional attachment to the Jets is only 6 months - I miss the Moose, I look forward to watching the games in St-John's" ... really? That's how you answer a question on the biggest sporting day in Winnipeg history that you'd rather watch the St-John's games??? Would it be so bad to admit you are excited about the Jets too? A few weeks ago, a the Free Press had a long interview with Zinger. He said it drives him crazy when people say "hockey has returned to Winnipeg". He said "Hockey never left, we had the Moose which filled the void for many hockey fans". Well (with all due respect to the Moose), it didn't fill the void for that many hockey fans. I hate to say it, but none of my friends talked about Moose hockey around the water cooler, the topic was always (and still is) the NHL. Again, I will re-emphasize that I was indeed a Moose ticket holder, and was a Moose fan. However, Zinger's reluctance to accept the fact that MOST Winnipegers prefer the Jets over the Moose is getting a little tired. Just my two cents ... Excellent post. All true statements. I have wanted to post the same Zinger issue here but was reluctant to do so. I think Zinger has some kind of 'complex' with the Wpg Jets name. Afterall, it is the name of the original franchise where he was EQUIPMENT manager -- not when he was an executive. His Bio on the website has now been removed. While his picture and title remain, the bio bit is now gone. What does that tell you?
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Post by Ric O. on Oct 12, 2011 10:59:35 GMT -6
Excellent rant jimsabo. I give full props to TNSE for the professional way they ran the Moose, and to Moose fans who kept it going. I was not one of those fans and I'm not ashamed to admit that. Moose are destined to be a footnote in Manitoba sports history. Jets "1.0" were never a footnote and probably never would be. The AHL NEVER represented the long term future of hockey in Winnipeg...they were a placeholder until the inevitable return of the NHL (if not in this generation, then the next, etc.)
I honestly don't think Zinger will be in his present role for very long...TN will keep him around in some capacity I'm sure but unless he turns it around and buys into Jets and nothing but, he will turn into a liability. Chevy's trying to build the Jets. What good is a right hand man whose heart doesn't seem to be 100% in it?
Then again, maybe reading too much into those interviews and comments? Maybe the "mourning period" is almost over. I also like the whole Zinger story and really wanted and expected him to be one of the faces of the Jets franchise.
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Post by royalwoodjet on Oct 12, 2011 11:01:31 GMT -6
Yes, this is all bang on. I don't get why Zinger and True North want to shrug off the Jets history at times. Although the pregame video I believe did mention the jets "return." Maybe it's a reaction against some people dismissing the Moose over the years. Maybe Zinger just isn't great at expressing himself articulately. Bottom line is the Jets history is important to the fans and as Chipman has repeatedly said, this is the community's team, not True North's. Anyone else getting tired of his anti-Jets 1.0 schtick? Let me start by saying that I love the zinger story. I love that he worked his way from a trainer with the Wheatkings, to equipment manager with the Jets, all the way up to GM for the Moose. The guy bleeds Winnipeg, so he's OK in my books. That said ... I'm getting a little bit tired of his attitude towards the new Jets, old Jets and his need to remind us all that we only have the Jets because of the Moose. I WAS A MOOSE SEASON TICKET HOLDER AND SUPPORTED THE MOOSE. I am NOT anti-Moose ... Last night, I finally got to watch the Jets documentary that I had PVR'd (CBC). Everyone talking about the old Jets had fond memories. Every Zinger quote was about the lack of support for the old Jets "Everyone says they were in the building every night, I was actually there, they weren't, that's why the team left". Well, he is in fact right. The Jets 1.0 only averaged 13,400, but since Zinger travelled with the team, he should also know that that was NORMAL for the 80s. Even the Stanley Cup winning Oilers only averaged slightly above 14,000 in the 80s. A sellout at the old Boston Garden was less than 14,000, Maple Leaf Gardens and the Montreal Forum only had capacity of 15,000. All this to say that Zinger is correct, the Jets rarely sold out; however, he fails to mention that was par for the course in the 80s NHL era. Zinger is always quick to point out that the only reason the NHL is back is because of all the support from Moose season ticket holders. Well, I was a Moose season ticket holder, and know the announced attendence at the MTS Centre was always filled with no-shows. Look at any season ticket holder section (between the blue lines and John Labatt Lounge) for any Moose game, and I would guess that those sections were 50% empty. Sure, people bought season tickets, but MANY tickets went unused on MANY nights. I often couldn't give away my Moose tickets. Also, if there was so much passion for the Moose, why was playoff attendence always less than regular season? I was at many playoff games where they "announced" 5500 fans but would be shocked if there were more than 3000 in the building. In truth, it's because TNSE was able to get the MTS Centre built that the NHL returned to Winnipeg. TNSE DID RUN THE MOOSE LIKE AN NHL TEAM. That was great - but don't confuse support with passion. In reality, I would say the Moose probably had 3000 passionate fans, and about 4-6K fans who enjoyed a night out watching hockey, but were indifferent to the outcome. The NHL will work in Winnipeg not because of the Moose support, but because the Jets support. 13,000 season tickets shared amongst groups probably = 40,000 partial season ticket holders + 8000 seat waiting list. I know Zinger loves to give all the credit to Moose fans, but these 48,000 people were / are and will be Jets fans. On Sunday, Craig Heisinger was on H&L prior to the game, when asked about the first NHL game in Winnipeg, his response was: "Right now, my emotional attachment to the Jets is only 6 months - I miss the Moose, I look forward to watching the games in St-John's" ... really? That's how you answer a question on the biggest sporting day in Winnipeg history that you'd rather watch the St-John's games??? Would it be so bad to admit you are excited about the Jets too? A few weeks ago, a the Free Press had a long interview with Zinger. He said it drives him crazy when people say "hockey has returned to Winnipeg". He said "Hockey never left, we had the Moose which filled the void for many hockey fans". Well (with all due respect to the Moose), it didn't fill the void for that many hockey fans. I hate to say it, but none of my friends talked about Moose hockey around the water cooler, the topic was always (and still is) the NHL. Again, I will re-emphasize that I was indeed a Moose ticket holder, and was a Moose fan. However, Zinger's reluctance to accept the fact that MOST Winnipegers prefer the Jets over the Moose is getting a little tired. Just my two cents ...
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Post by fishdogg159 on Oct 12, 2011 11:15:17 GMT -6
Excellent rant jimsabo. I give full props to TNSE for the professional way they ran the Moose, and to Moose fans who kept it going. I was not one of those fans and I'm not ashamed to admit that. Moose are destined to be a footnote in Manitoba sports history. Jets "1.0" were never a footnote and probably never would be. The AHL NEVER represented the long term future of hockey in Winnipeg...they were a placeholder until the inevitable return of the NHL (if not in this generation, then the next, etc.) WI honestly don't think Zinger will be in his present role for very long...TN will keep him around in some capacity I'm sure but unless he turns it around and buys into Jets and nothing but, he will turn into a liability. Chevy's trying to build the Jets. hat good is a right hand man whose heart doesn't seem to be 100% in it? Then again, maybe reading too much into those interviews and comments? Maybe the "mourning period" is almost over. I also like the whole Zinger story and really wanted and expected him to be one of the faces of the Jets franchise. I was thinking the same thing. He just kinda sticks out like a sore thumb compared to the "message" the rest of the organization is trying to portray. I mentioned this to my Father-in law after watching the "Fuelled by passion" doc and he says Zinger always kinda comes across as negative when he doesn't even realize it.(Father in law knows him from junior hockey days) But what do I know?? Just as the OP said it's just my two cents...but you gotta think we're not the only people that are getting these impressions.
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Post by rusty on Oct 12, 2011 11:20:54 GMT -6
Agree with everything said... He's a negative nancy. Every single time they have him on the air, he's a big time downer. His hearts not in it at all, any fool can see that. He should have went to St Johns. If the only reason he stayed on with the Jets is because he didn't want to up and leave his family to St Johns, than this is a problem.
He was balling his eyes out when the Moose ceased to exist.
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Post by jetsman1982 on Oct 12, 2011 11:24:36 GMT -6
i have noticed his comments as well. he seems to be having a tough time moving on. i dont blame him, he had an extremely successful time in the ahl, and credit is due for moose fans! BUT the best thing for this city is the nhl. world class city, world class team! Zinger will come around. im sure he had a hard time in 96/97 in the first season with the moose as well, his heart had to of been still a Jet! ya i even notice when they had the training camp and i was there and Zinger got out of his car the look on his face was not nice , i dont know what it is , when he was with the other Jets franchise back in 1996 he was a whole different person , i dono but there is some thing wrong .
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crow
4th Line Grinder
Posts: 155
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Post by crow on Oct 12, 2011 11:26:48 GMT -6
Ya i loved when he said all these people r excited that the NHL is back it has nothing to do with the jets. I was like what the fu@@ r u talking about!!
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