2014 Frozen Four Info Thread

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Re: 2014 Frozen Four Info Thread

That is pricey! What options are there that won't cost an arm and a leg? Something on a subway line?

Yes there are definitely options in the arm or leg range if you're willing to forgo walking to the rink. The TD Garden is not as easy to get to by car as was the Philadelphia Sports Complex, so driving to the rink may not be for the faint of heart or the unfamiliar, and Thursday could be a mess, since the TD Garden is affected by commuter traffic, and especially if there's a Red Sox game. But if you're willing to learn the subway system, Boston's not that hard to get around. And from my experience, it's more compact and walkable than most big cities, so you can either find a place to stay near a public transportation line or stay in the suburbs and drive to public transportation parking lot, take mass transit into Boston and walk from there. The TD garden is within walking distance of many of the tourist attractions.

 

[BigAl]

You could be right; and I really wouldn't mind being wrong on Orlando.

But, if you know, tell us a little more about Amway Center. The fact the ECHL plays there doesn't prove things one way or the other. And keep in mind that we heard earlier in the thread that Bradley Center in Milwaukee (NBA Bucks) has been deemed to be below standards for hockey.

Since Ford Field, we've been at NHL Arenas, period. The "streak" will last through at least 2018, meaning 8 straight years. Throw out Ford Field as a total anomaly, and the streak goes to 11 years.

I've never heard that NHL affiliation was some sort of requirement, but there certainly seems to be a strong preference.

fyp.

The Amway Center was built in 2010 and can seat over 17,000 for hockey. They have hosted a Tampa Bay Lightining exhibition game so that should make everyone feel a little better about that aspect. From what I've heard it's a beautiful building that surely is more up to date than the Wells Fargo Center. Also Quinnipiac submitted the bid with their non hockey conference, the MAAC. The plus to both them being involved is Q hosted the 2014 Women's Frozen Four and the MAAC has hosted multiple NCAA regionals and championships before so the experience is there. Definitely an intriguing prospect. We will see.

 

[Nick Papagiorgio]

Re: 2014 Frozen Four Info Thread

I agree on Indy and most likely San Antonio although they have an AHL team. On Orlando I disagree for a couple reasons. The Amway Center is home to an ECHL team, obviously not impressive but there is a team playing there. The city is a huge tourist stop as they obviously have Disney World which would probably convince more people to take the flight. And the big one, what company does Disney own? ESPN. ESPN has some studios down there as well as the huge sports complex. If ESPN says to the NC$$ to have it in Orlando, it'll be in Orlando. I think the next round of bids, Orlando gets the nod because of that.

I give Orlando a .00000000001% chance of hosting a FF. Disney owns pretty much everything. They do have ESPN Wide World of Sports complex down there on the Disney property for some events and Braves and Bucs training camps and the ESPN Club restaurant (formerly ESPN Zone) on the Boardwalk. Having a sports complex that has no hockey rink isn't going to have any bearing on bids going forward. The NCAA answers to no one, not even mighty Disney. And we can be fairly certain ESPN doesn't care about the Frozen Four anyway from past experiences; it's a player to be named later on their all-encompasing contract. No?

Going back to Tampa so soon, to me, shows they know it was a success and is the go-to FF destination in Florida for years to come.

 

[hockeyplayer1015]

I give Orlando a .00000000001% chance of hosting a FF. Disney owns pretty much everything. They do have ESPN Wide World of Sports complex down there on the Disney property for some events and Braves and Bucs training camps and the ESPN Club restaurant (formerly ESPN Zone) on the Boardwalk. Having a sports complex that has no hockey rink isn't going to have any bearing on bids going forward. The NCAA answers to no one, not even mighty Disney. And we can be fairly certain ESPN doesn't care about the Frozen Four anyway from past experiences; it's a player to be named later on their all-encompasing contract. No?

Going back to Tampa so soon, to me, shows they know it was a success and is the go-to FF destination in Florida for years to come.

Bucs training camp is right next door to Raymond James in Tampa. But :thumbsup: on the attempt.

 

[BigAl]

I give Orlando a .00000000001% chance of hosting a FF. Disney owns pretty much everything. They do have ESPN Wide World of Sports complex down there on the Disney property for some events and Braves and Bucs training camps and the ESPN Club restaurant (formerly ESPN Zone) on the Boardwalk. Having a sports complex that has no hockey rink isn't going to have any bearing on bids going forward. The NCAA answers to no one, not even mighty Disney. And we can be fairly certain ESPN doesn't care about the Frozen Four anyway from past experiences; it's a player to be named later on their all-encompasing contract. No?

Going back to Tampa so soon, to me, shows they know it was a success and is the go-to FF destination in Florida for years to come.

Did someone just stand up for the NC$$?

The NC$$ answers to many people and TV corporations are the very first. The NC$$ wants as much money as possible and if that means putting it in Disneys backyard, they'll do it in a heartbeat. I'm not saying ESPN is demanding it in Orlando but if they said they would prefer that, it will happen. It's naive to think otherwise.

Yes Tampa is getting a repeat visit and they certainly won't be going to Florida every four years from here on out, but if you can deliver a similar FF experience in Orlando, they'll pull the trigger.

Money drives all an the NC$$ makes serious money off ESPN and Disney for more than just hockey

 

[meff]

Re: 2014 Frozen Four Info Thread

Yes, Nashville would be terrific along with Raleigh, in my view, although I know nothing of the bidding history of either. Both have hosted the NHL draft.

Went to Raleigh for the hoops tournament this year. From a pre-game point of view, all you can do is tailgate, it was a lot like the Columbus frozen four with one bar kinda in walking distance from the arena and parking lots otherwise.

 

[hobeydog]

Re: 2014 Frozen Four Info Thread

Went to Raleigh for the hoops tournament this year. From a pre-game point of view, all you can do is tailgate, it was a lot like the Columbus frozen four with one bar kinda in walking distance from the arena and parking lots otherwise.

That's true, it would be a tailgate-oriented FF. I've been to NC State football games at Carter-Finley which is on the same property. But the region with Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill close by is fun and lots of golf and the weather is good in April.

I remember Columbus well. The party at the Varsity between games was spectacular. There is a plus to keeping everyone in the same place.

 

[Nick Papagiorgio]

Re: 2014 Frozen Four Info Thread

Bucs training camp is right next door to Raymond James in Tampa. But :thumbsup: on the attempt.

Oh so sorry, someone tell wdwinfo their page on wwos is wrong.