http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=jones/060526

some highlights...

Quote :

"But the elder Duval insisted there was interest in hockey in the area, spawned by proselytizing carpetbaggers and cultivated by the Canes' success. Conner, 13, said the kids at his school, Sherwood Githens Middle School in Durham, enjoyed hockey and many of them play on youth league teams. "Well, the white ones," Conner clarified. In the last couple of months, you've probably heard that Durham has a lot of black people. And as you might expect, hockey's not really their bag."

and

Quote :

"And considering the stereotype that NC State fans are, shall we say, rural, they didn't strike me as part of the NHL's core fan base."

5/28/2006 5:46:09 AM

yeah that "black people" line is classic

5/28/2006 6:55:12 AM

wah wah wah
"hockey doesn't belong in the south, nobody will care about it"
wah wah wah

are the canes making money?

5/28/2006 8:36:46 AM

Quote :

"wah wah wah "hockey doesn't belong in the south United States, nobody will care about it" wah wah wah"

5/28/2006 9:20:12 AM

I'm not sure where the third bar he went to is, but...

Champs(it's spelled differently, isn't it?) is a sports bar the way Applebees is a sports bar. Sure they'll have the game on, but I can't think of anyone who says "Let's go to Champs to watch the game!"

He went to Sammy's after finals at State, I'm pretty sure. Good luck finding a packed house there for any game. Also, Sammy's may be full of 'Canes stuff, but it always struck me as a pretty redneck bar. Most rednecks will never appreciate hockey.

It sounds like no one was at the third bar because it sucked.

Maybe he should have tried going to a "cool bar" or something. I did that for game 3 of this series and had to park on the other end of the world becuase the place was so packed.

5/28/2006 9:48:06 AM

that article is interesting only because it contradicts itself several times

5/28/2006 10:16:42 AM

Quote :

"shall we say, rural"

5/28/2006 10:21:37 AM

Fucking espn.

5/28/2006 10:24:55 AM

Quote :

"Sure they'll have the game on, but I can't think of anyone who says "Let's go to Champs to watch the game!"

ummm...aside from the 10 big TVs around the bar and the 150" projection screen and the 1/2 price apps during game time, yep it's just like Applebees

5/28/2006 11:08:46 AM

Quote :

"He went to Sammy's after finals at State, I'm pretty sure. Good luck finding a packed house there for any game. Also, Sammy's may be full of 'Canes stuff, but it always struck me as a pretty redneck bar. Most rednecks will never appreciate hockey. "

what in god's name are you talking about?

5/28/2006 3:54:33 PM

^^ yup, just like applebees... if applebees was completely and totally sterile and somehow managed to have blander food...

5/28/2006 5:08:37 PM

Champps' food puts Applebees' food to shame

at least Champps doesn't microwave all their shit


OH SNAP!!!!!!!

5/28/2006 5:36:23 PM

Playmakers is by far the biggest Canes "spot" I have found. It actually clears out after the game if nothing else is on...

5/28/2006 5:56:06 PM

Very interesting uninformed article on Canes fanbase

Personally, I know more 'Canes fans that are native southerners who picked up the sport locally than I do people who are transplant fans. Heck, even on the rec league hockey team I play on half of the players are native southerners... NC has been one of the fastest growing recreational hockey markets for several years. It literally takes people a single game to become fans. Yes, it can take some time to really understand the rules but it doesn't take long to appreciate the excitement and enjoy the action on the ice. You don't have to know who Maurice Richard is to be an avid fan of the Hurricanes (and hockey in general)

[Edited on May 29, 2006 at 1:59 AM. Reason : .]

5/29/2006 1:51:28 AM

The Ale Houses are the big hockey spots here, not because they're "official" but because there's one near most of the rinks. You'll find at least two hockey teams at the Crossroads Ale House on any given night Sunday-Thursday.

5/29/2006 1:54:39 AM

I sent an email to this guy correcting him of his misguided opinions.

5/29/2006 2:06:19 AM

that article was crazy... poorly written and uneducated, and well to try to establish a fan base based on three trips to establishments is pitiful. I could go into any given establishment that's known for being a place to watch sports and find at least a handful of fans watching the game. I was at Highbeams in Garner for game 4 ( the first period) and it was decently crowded and every TV was on the game and was being followed closely by all in attendance. I know I grew up watching hockey in STL, and when the canes came here I picked up and have been to many games. It only took my born and bred southern wife one game to be hooked. And I know that I watched almost every game that was televised this year, as did almost everyone at the firehouse I work at. I just find the article misleading and very uninformed... it's sad that ESPN actually published it... what a waste

5/29/2006 9:20:12 AM

Sundheim posted a response on his blog: http://www.carolinahurricanes.com/custom/rad8ED80.asp

5/29/2006 10:31:32 AM

Quote :

"Durham Bulls game - I heard from the writer who covers both the Canes and the Durham Bulls for the Herald-Sun that there was quite a scene at the Bulls game Friday night. With the baseball game in a rain delay, the Bulls were kind enough to show the Canes on their jumbotron. The crowd at the DBAP erupted with each Hurricanes goal in a 4-0 victory. At the Bulls game last night, I myself couldn't walk 20 feet without seeing someone in a Canes t-shirt or hat. At one point, when fans started rhythmically clapping during the game, the woman behind me chanted "Let's Go Canes" and she wasn't the only one. And yes, the DBAP is still in Durham."

interesting

5/29/2006 11:54:18 AM

Mike Sundheim wins

5/29/2006 12:12:03 PM

Quote :

""Well, the white ones," Conner clarified. In the last couple of months, you've probably heard that Durham has a lot of black people. And as you might expect, hockey's not really their bag.""

5/29/2006 2:54:27 PM

the kid is 13

5/29/2006 3:29:53 PM