BU 2013-2014: Ready to Quinn

[RefereeGrav]

Re: BU 2013-2014: Ready to Quinn

“Look at the birthdates. We’ve got guys who are seven years younger than some of the guys out there … that’s just the reality of it. It’s not an excuse, it’s just cold hard facts.”

David Quinn, voice of the fans

I like Quinn. But, that makes it sound like this is a rebuilding year. (This probobly is a rebuilding year, but he shouldn't acknowledge it publically)

 

[defkit]

Re: BU 2013-2014: Ready to Quinn

I had a chance to meet Pertti Hasanen today - he runs some skills sessions on Sunday's for the program my son plays in. Very nice guy. He loves trying to pass on the skills that will really benefit the kids when they get older. He of course has been key to BU getting some of the Finnish players (not all - he clarified that he didn't bring Ville Kentala - that was a Ben Smith recruit. But Ahola and Linna. And I think Degermann. He's on his third stint with BU.

 

[RoughEmUp]

http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/boxscore?gameId=400484693

Nope. Not yet. Went with Miller (UVM)

Hamilton got hurt and so did Miller, so not too many options left. Morrow?

if Warsofsky does get the call, that will be 10? from the '09 team with NHL time.

 

[DaveStPaul]

Re: BU 2013-2014: Ready to Quinn

Rebuilding Year fly-by.


PS: Or maybe

 

[claver2010]

Re: BU 2013-2014: Ready to Quinn

If playoffs started today, BU @ NU first round

 

[goalguard]

Re: BU 2013-2014: Ready to Quinn

I'm not bailing out on this team, so please don't misconstrue this offer. We simply have more BU jerseys /sweaters than we have people living under our roof.

So . . . let me know (off-line) if you'd like a game-worn Luke Popko #26 (white home jersey with red letters/numbers). Rather than sell it, I'll give it to whoever promises, in the spirit of the season, to make a contribution to their local food bank. (Highest promised contribution gets the jersey, 'natch.)

I can personally deliver the jersey at the Bentley game this Saturday or will mail it, at my expense, if you're out of town.

Happy Holidays to all.

 

[Tater]

Re: BU 2013-2014: Ready to Quinn

I like Quinn. But, that makes it sound like this is a rebuilding year. (This probobly is a rebuilding year, but he shouldn't acknowledge it publically)

A little dose of reality is ok, as long as he doesn't go all Jim Mora (PLAYOFFS!?!) on us.

 

[Rover]

Re: BU 2013-2014: Ready to Quinn

BU right now has the same problem with attendance that the Bruins had several years ago before their improbable Stanley Cup run. Its a boring team charging too much to watch them play. From tickets to concessions to parking, its not worth the hassle apparently to watch a 1-1 tie or a blowout loss vs a good team. Eventually the Bruins got wise and despite being owned by Monty Burns dropped prices for the cheap seats until the team started winning again.

I'm hoping a guy like O'Regan can become a have to see live kinda player, but right now BU's best player is O'Connor and that's not going to get people into the seats no matter how many recorded messages we get from the coach!

 

[Friend_of_BU_Hockey]

I've got a ticket stub from a BU/BC game in 2007 and it says $14 on it...my ticket this year was over $30.

Just based on the away games ticket order form from the last 2 seasons. Tickets @ Michigan $35 each. $40 each @ N. Dakota last season. Also take into consideration lower cost of living and average income in Ann Arbor and Grand Forks, and those tickets seem even more expensive when taking in those factors

 

[Tater]

Re: BU 2013-2014: Ready to Quinn

Just based on the away games ticket order form from the last 2 seasons. Tickets @ Michigan $35 each. $40 each @ N. Dakota last season. Also take into consideration lower cost of living and average income in Ann Arbor and Grand Forks, and those tickets seem even more expensive when taking in those factors

Michigan and North Dakota sell out regularly or close to it. That is the difference. The demand/supply should dictate the market and right now Agganis is priced outside what the market is bearing. Like Rover said, it is not just the ticket prices. Add in $12 for parking (BC is/was free) and high priced concessions and the experience is priced more than the average person can afford regularly especially considering the product on the ice.

 

[J.D.]

Re: BU 2013-2014: Ready to Quinn

You guys have hit all the points. BC has cheaper tickets, still has free parking (something I'm surprised by), and a better product for a long period of time. There are a lot of changes BU could make, but first and foremost is the product on the ice. At some point though, I have to imagine lowering ticket prices will be a priority. Why exactly are the ticket prices as high as they are? Are they bringing more money in than if they lowered prices and attracted more people? If they are, the problem you'll always have is a sub par atmosphere.

 

[ericredaxe]

Re: BU 2013-2014: Ready to Quinn

You guys have hit all the points. BC has cheaper tickets, still has free parking (something I'm surprised by), and a better product for a long period of time. There are a lot of changes BU could make, but first and foremost is the product on the ice. At some point though, I have to imagine lowering ticket prices will be a priority. Why exactly are the ticket prices as high as they are? Are they bringing more money in than if they lowered prices and attracted more people? If they are, the problem you'll always have is a sub par atmosphere.

In theory... 4000 tickets bought x $24 = $96,000 vs 6200 tickets bought x $15 = $93,000.

So it is possible they are taking in more by higher ticket prices / lower attendance.

That of course does not include concessions etc.

Even if we had a run like we did in the 90's, I'm not convinced that they would be filling up the place for the less interesting games at the prices they charge.

 

[Rover]

Re: BU 2013-2014: Ready to Quinn

IMHO screwing people on the parking sends the worst message. We need not drink overpriced beer, and while the tix are too high you can justify a little higher price than other schools in the city since the arena is new and presumably still being paid for. However, why the school chooses to dick fans by charging 12 bucks to park on a university owned lot is beyond me. OK if its October and there's a playoff game or concert going on at Fenway, which would only affect a game or two at most, but otherwise if you have a valid ticket to the game parking on school lots should be free.

 

[Nick Papagiorgio]

Re: BU 2013-2014: Ready to Quinn

You guys have hit all the points. BC has cheaper tickets, still has free parking (something I'm surprised by), and a better product for a long period of time. There are a lot of changes BU could make, but first and foremost is the product on the ice. At some point though, I have to imagine lowering ticket prices will be a priority. Why exactly are the ticket prices as high as they are? Are they bringing more money in than if they lowered prices and attracted more people? If they are, the problem you'll always have is a sub par atmosphere.

The free parking at BC is one thing that a lot of people talk about when they head to Conte. A buddy of mine is a season ticket holder at BU and he came to BC two years ago and mentioned how easy it was and how annoying BU is with parking/ticket prices just to take his kid to a game. Other people that were also first timers mentioned the free parking as a plus when going over their first trip to Conte too. I guess I just take it for granted. But it seems to be a nice selling point in addition to the cheaper tickets at BC (and superior product on the ice).

 

[BCeagle]

Re: BU 2013-2014: Ready to Quinn

BU right now has the same problem with attendance that the Bruins had several years ago before their improbable Stanley Cup run. Its a boring team charging too much to watch them play. From tickets to concessions to parking, its not worth the hassle apparently to watch a 1-1 tie or a blowout loss vs a good team. Eventually the Bruins got wise and despite being owned by Monty Burns dropped prices for the cheap seats until the team started winning again.

I'm hoping a guy like O'Regan can become a have to see live kinda player, but right now BU's best player is O'Connor and that's not going to get people into the seats no matter how many recorded messages we get from the coach!

I thought players like Noonan, O'Regan and Gracelyk would attract but winning also helps too. I'm sure you guys have suggested selling beer at more reasonable prices so that you don't need change, cheaper parking, etc. I had a friend who graduated from BU and said he gave up his 4 season tickets and he works not far from HAA. Although HAA is a nicer rink, I'm happy to go to Conte with cheaper tickets and free parking.

 

[Rover]

Re: BU 2013-2014: Ready to Quinn

The free parking at BC is one thing that a lot of people talk about when they head to Conte. A buddy of mine is a season ticket holder at BU and he came to BC two years ago and mentioned how easy it was and how annoying BU is with parking/ticket prices just to take his kid to a game. Other people that were also first timers mentioned the free parking as a plus when going over their first trip to Conte too. I guess I just take it for granted. But it seems to be a nice selling point in addition to the cheaper tickets at BC (and superior product on the ice).

Is that NIMBY neighbor related by any chance? As in the school made a deal to accomodate fans driving for hockey and hoops games so that they're not parking on the streets nearby?

Noonan, Gretzky, and O'Regan aren't distinguishing themselves on the ice (which in Noonan's case isn't a bad thing because it means less stupid penalties). I'm serious when I say O'Connor has been the team's best player, by far.

 

[BCeagle]

Re: BU 2013-2014: Ready to Quinn

Is that NIMBY neighbor related by any chance? As in the school made a deal to accomodate fans driving for hockey and hoops games so that they're not parking on the streets nearby?

Noonan, Gretzky, and O'Regan aren't distinguishing themselves on the ice (which in Noonan's case isn't a bad thing because it means less stupid penalties). I'm serious when I say O'Connor has been the team's best player, by far.

I renewed my football tickets this past season because the parking at the rectory was opened up for only $150 instead of $2500 donation to park in Beacon Street garage. Plus GDF was gone and we had a new coach )

Commonwealth usually is enough for free parking and sometimes there are spots outside near Beacon Garage and spots along the reservoir if you don't mind walking a bit.

 

[Harry Cleverly]

Re: BU 2013-2014: Ready to Quinn

I like Quinn. But, that makes it sound like this is a rebuilding year. (This probobly is a rebuilding year, but he shouldn't acknowledge it publically)

I don't, and didn't, expect David Quinn to be Jack Parker. He only needs to be David Quinn.
He has a reputation of being a great recruiter, apparently runs great practices and is a solid Xs & Os guy.
But he and his staff are emotionless on the bench. That is a drastic change from Parker. And again, he doesn't need to be Parker.
A little emotion from the bench occasionally might result in a little more emotion on the ice, too.

 

[Friend_of_BU_Hockey]

Re: BU 2013-2014: Ready to Quinn

Michigan and North Dakota sell out regularly or close to it. That is the difference. The demand/supply should dictate the market and right now Agganis is priced outside what the market is bearing. Like Rover said, it is not just the ticket prices. Add in $12 for parking (BC is/was free) and high priced concessions and the experience is priced more than the average person can afford regularly especially considering the product on the ice.

There's way more competition for the sports and entertainment dollar in the Boston area compared to Ann Arbor and Grand Forks (especially the latter). But you & Rover pretty much nailed it --> it's the sum of the on-ice product, ticket prices, parking and concessions that factors into the overall fan experience for the value paid. You know the product and experience is struggling when even long-time, die-hard fans who used to rarely miss games would rather eat the cost of their tickets in favor of making other plans than go to a game. Or when going to a game feels like more of a "hassle" and one would rather stay home.

 

[Friend_of_BU_Hockey]

Re: BU 2013-2014: Ready to Quinn

I don't, and didn't, expect David Quinn to be Jack Parker. He only needs to be David Quinn.
He has a reputation of being a great recruiter, apparently runs great practices and is a solid Xs & Os guy.
But he and his staff are emotionless on the bench. That is a drastic change from Parker. And again, he doesn't need to be Parker.
A little emotion from the bench occasionally might result in a little more emotion on the ice, too.

I don't know if I'd read too much into the emotion. I'm interested to see how much value his assistants are adding, especially in practices and behind the scenes. Greeley has limited coaching experience, as most of his background is scouting and player development. Returning to BU gives him the chance to cut his teeth at the coaching level, but to me he still appears very "green" on the coaching side and his primary focus appears to be recruiting.

I've made my opinions known about Powers, with the only addition being I'm very surprised he stayed on.

I've long believed that any great coach, in any sport, also needs strong assistants to succeed.