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Post by thegardens on Oct 12, 2011 14:17:55 GMT -6
I have heard many people in Winnipeg suggest WCHA in the NCAA hockey(North Dakota Fighting Sioux) is more fun to be apart of than the AHL.
NCAA hockey is very big now, and the rivalries, and the excitement is very, very, very good.
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Post by Hannu Smail on Oct 12, 2011 14:25:17 GMT -6
Somebody needs to go into the audio vault and get interviews with CJOB and Heisinger before the Jets announcement. I do recall him in many interviews shooting down the idea the NHL was ever coming back. ... but I thought you weren't a Winnipegger, only in town for business?
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Post by djk on Oct 12, 2011 14:26:09 GMT -6
Yes I thought the same thing when I watched the CBC documentary. Chipman, Shenkarow etc came across very well. Heisinger, intentionally or not, just sounded bitter.
The Moose were a good AHL franchise, and as far as that goes TNSE and all Moose fans should be proud of them (I was not among them). But the Jets are a NHL franchise and they are so much bigger. I have no quarrel with the Moose or former Moose fans, but I think we all recognize that most people's hearts were with the Jets and many of them couldn't care less about the Moose except as the means to the end they seemed to have become.
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Post by dkehler on Oct 12, 2011 14:30:04 GMT -6
Yes I thought the same thing when I watched the CBC documentary. Chipman, Shenkarow etc came across very well. Heisinger, intentionally or not, just sounded bitter. The Moose were a good AHL franchise, and as far as that goes TNSE and all Moose fans should be proud of them (I was not among them). But the Jets are a NHL franchise and they are so much bigger. I have no quarrel with the Moose or former Moose fans, but I think we all recognize that most people's hearts were with the Jets and many of them couldn't care less about the Moose except as the means to the end they seemed to have become. And furthermore, there is no shame, in my opinion, in preferring the NHL and/or having little to no interest in the AHL. I completely understand how proud everyone at True North, especially Zinger, is of the Moose. There is no question they ran a first-class AHL organization and are to be commended for that. On the other hand, they have no right to look down their nose at anyone who simply wasn't interested in AHL hockey.
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Post by flyingjay on Oct 12, 2011 14:31:10 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 ... Very well thought out post. I completely agree.
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Post by jetsreborn on Oct 12, 2011 14:33:22 GMT -6
Yes I thought the same thing when I watched the CBC documentary. Chipman, Shenkarow etc came across very well. Heisinger, intentionally or not, just sounded bitter. The Moose were a good AHL franchise, and as far as that goes TNSE and all Moose fans should be proud of them (I was not among them). But the Jets are a NHL franchise and they are so much bigger. I have no quarrel with the Moose or former Moose fans, but I think we all recognize that most people's hearts were with the Jets and many of them couldn't care less about the Moose except as the means to the end they seemed to have become. And furthermore, there is no shame, in my opinion, in preferring the NHL and/or having little to no interest in the AHL. I completely understand how proud everyone at True North, especially Zinger, is of the Moose. There is no question they ran a first-class AHL organization and are to be commended for that. On the other hand, they have no right to look down their nose at anyone who simply wasn't interested in AHL hockey. I think it is less about the group of people who just didnt have an interset in ahl hockey and more about the very large group of people in winnipeg who said ahl hockey was Crap and basing that opinion on the fact that it wasnt nhl hockey so that means it had to be crap. that is what makes zinger so mad.
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Post by jetsorbust on Oct 12, 2011 14:33:30 GMT -6
Yes I thought the same thing when I watched the CBC documentary. Chipman, Shenkarow etc came across very well. Heisinger, intentionally or not, just sounded bitter. The Moose were a good AHL franchise, and as far as that goes TNSE and all Moose fans should be proud of them (I was not among them). But the Jets are a NHL franchise and they are so much bigger. I have no quarrel with the Moose or former Moose fans, but I think we all recognize that most people's hearts were with the Jets and many of them couldn't care less about the Moose except as the means to the end they seemed to have become. And furthermore, there is no shame, in my opinion, in preferring the NHL and/or having little to no interest in the AHL. I completely understand how proud everyone at True North, especially Zinger, is of the Moose. There is no question they ran a first-class AHL organization and are to be commended for that. On the other hand, they have no right to look down their nose at anyone who simply wasn't interested in AHL hockey. Agreed. I had no interest in Moose hockey, but I respect the way TNSE ran the Moose. And I'm obviously glad we had the AHL here, as it was a stepping stone to get back to the NHL. But it is crazy IMO to be seemingly angry with the Jets for causing the Moose to leave.
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Post by nwmnjetsfan on Oct 12, 2011 14:36:21 GMT -6
I have heard many people in Winnipeg suggest WCHA in the NCAA hockey(North Dakota Fighting Sioux) is more fun to be apart of than the AHL. NCAA hockey is very big now, and the rivalries, and the excitement is very, very, very good. As a MASSIVE College Hockey fan, I don't disagree with this AT ALL!!!! as far as heisinger goes, he should be kept muzzled IMO
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crow
4th Line Grinder
Posts: 155
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Post by crow on Oct 12, 2011 14:38:41 GMT -6
Somebody needs to go into the audio vault and get interviews with CJOB and Heisinger before the Jets announcement. I do recall him in many interviews shooting down the idea the NHL was ever coming back. ... but I thought you weren't a Winnipegger, only in town for business? Ya was thinking the same thing the guy probably wasn't anywhere near the mtsc
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Post by djk on Oct 12, 2011 14:38:48 GMT -6
And furthermore, there is no shame, in my opinion, in preferring the NHL and/or having little to no interest in the AHL. I completely understand how proud everyone at True North, especially Zinger, is of the Moose. There is no question they ran a first-class AHL organization and are to be commended for that. On the other hand, they have no right to look down their nose at anyone who simply wasn't interested in AHL hockey. I think it is less about the group of people who just didnt have an interset in ahl hockey and more about the very large group of people in winnipeg who said ahl hockey was Crap and basing that opinion on the fact that it wasnt nhl hockey so that means it had to be crap. that is what makes zinger so mad. Maybe those people stated it strongly but there's no denying the fact that it is second-rate hockey. There's a reason they are farm teams. And the players just aren't as good. Saying it's Crap is harsh and particularly for someone involved with the organization. I get that. But those same people can't pretend it's just as good either. Anecdote: I went to one Moose game all the time they were here (watched a few on tv and listened to some others). There was a point during the game (at the old arena) where two Moose players and two opponents were battling for the puck along the center ice boards. As if on some agreement all 4 left the puck there and went for a line change. I still have not gotten over my incredulity that they all four ignored the puck and did their line change.
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Post by dkehler on Oct 12, 2011 14:39:02 GMT -6
And furthermore, there is no shame, in my opinion, in preferring the NHL and/or having little to no interest in the AHL. I completely understand how proud everyone at True North, especially Zinger, is of the Moose. There is no question they ran a first-class AHL organization and are to be commended for that. On the other hand, they have no right to look down their nose at anyone who simply wasn't interested in AHL hockey. I think it is less about the group of people who just didnt have an interset in ahl hockey and more about the very large group of people in winnipeg who said ahl hockey was Crap and basing that opinion on the fact that it wasnt nhl hockey so that means it had to be crap. that is what makes zinger so mad. That may very well be, but it comes across as somehow blaming the fans of the original Winnipeg Jets, of which I was one. The AHL was actually very well supported in Winnipeg, despite having lost a clearly better product. And now it appears that the new NHL team is going to be extremely well supported. In other words, the fans are putting their money where their mouths are and I'm sure Zinger got a substantial raise with his new position. Time to let it go.
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Post by rabenga on Oct 12, 2011 15:07:42 GMT -6
I like this topic because it has substance on so many levels.
I don't think that Zinger is anti-Jets as much as he is trying to showcase the good things that TNSE did with the Moose. I think he comes off as standoffish because he comes from such humble beginnings and isn't a polished executive.
He seems to be protective of the Moose and is probably feeling annoyed that the media and some fans are downgrading them. I just get the vibe like he is a momma bear protecting his cub.
My understanding is that he could have been the GM of the Jets but didn't want to be in front of the media as much and therefore provided Chevy with position.
But his story is something that the media has been running with. I think he has had to go in front of the media more than he probably liked once the media started highlighting his advancement through the company.
Chipman also speaks glowingly of the Moose but he doesn't let perceived negative statements affect him as much as Zinger.
I still like the fact that he is on the management team and look forward to him finding some hidden gems out there in the hockey world.
These of course are just my opinions and I welcome everyone elses.
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Post by Hannu Smail on Oct 12, 2011 15:18:33 GMT -6
I like this topic because it has substance on so many levels. I don't think that Zinger is anti-Jets as much as he is trying to showcase the good things that TNSE did with the Moose. I think he comes off as standoffish because he comes from such humble beginnings and isn't a polished executive. He seems to be protective of the Moose and is probably feeling annoyed that the media and some fans are downgrading them. I just get the vibe like he is a momma bear protecting his cub. My understanding is that he could have been the GM of the Jets but didn't want to be in front of the media as much and therefore provided Chevy with position. But his story is something that the media has been running with. I think he has had to go in front of the media more than he probably liked once the media started highlighting his advancement through the company. Chipman also speaks glowingly of the Moose but he doesn't let perceived negative statements affect him as much as Zinger. I still like the fact that he is on the management team and look forward to him finding some hidden gems out there in the hockey world. These of course are just my opinions and I welcome everyone elses. Well said, I'd agree. I guess I just find it harder to hide my disappointment in his lack of enthusiasm, perceived or real.
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Post by hacky666 on Oct 12, 2011 15:25:36 GMT -6
I have no problems with him, sometimes the truth is a hard pill to swallow...
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xman
4th Line Grinder
Posts: 145
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Post by xman on Oct 12, 2011 15:55:04 GMT -6
Ya not sure why the apparent attachment to the minor leagues on the part of some.
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