Future Frozen Four sites

[pgb-ohio]

Re: Future Frozen Four sites

If it ever goes back to Columbus, then Ohio St. can't dictate that the games be played on campus. They need to be downtown.

I'm not all that optimistic that Columbus will be chosen again. But you're correct that Nationwide Arena & the Arena District would be a much better fit for the Frozen Four.

Also, any worries about the Tournament returning to the Schottenstein Center can be set aside. Everyone I've spoken with here in Columbus agrees that Nationwide would be the way to go, including some who just might have the ear of the decision-makers. For the 2005 tournament, "NHL Quality Building on a College Campus" was a successful sales pitch. But after the fact, everyone understood that having adjacent restaurants, bars & hotels was much more important.

I literally don't know if an OSU/Columbus bid was submitted this time around. But at least one previous bid has been submitted offering Nationwide as the site. "Dictate" is the wrong word. But if future bids are submitted, you can safely assume that Nationwide Arena will be specified.

 

[TigerFan86-87]

Re: Future Frozen Four sites

LA hasn't hosted since 1999.

Los Angeles has never hosted the FF.
Anaheim did. Despite the fact that their baseball team sold out and named themselves after another city, ask anyone there and nearly all of them will tell you they live in Anaheim, not in a suburb of LA. They're not even in the same county, for that matter.

 

[Riz]

Re: Future Frozen Four sites

I'm still holding out for Denver one of these days. That was a great F4 experience. Of course, if it were in St Paul every year, I wouldn't mind.

Not going to happen sadly. Pepsi center and the city just doesn't care enough. It's really a shame because the arena is awesome, it's right in the middle of the city, and there's TONS to do on an off day.

 

[TigerFan86-87]

Re: Future Frozen Four sites

Correct...it was reported several times over Twitter during the FF.

Also, regardless of accuracy, thumbs down to the NCAA for allowing this to get leaked prior to making the announcement.

I read all the articles from the cities believed to be hosting those next 4 FFs. They all cited the Boston Herald story. That story said the same thing described in this thread with the exception of the following line: "Los Angeles has also been rumored to be in the mix and could possibly bump one of the candidates at the last instant, although Boston's place in the rotation is believed to be safe."
So maybe the list we've been talking about isn't 100% guaranteed.

I, for one, hope it doesn't change at the last minute, but we'll see for sure in 1 week. I have little desire to see a FF in Southern California again.

 

[TigerFan86-87]

Re: Future Frozen Four sites

at least KC would be new

Does anyone know for sure that the KC bid was for real? Just curious why the NCHC would bid for a city that is outside their own geographical footprint (although not by much, < 3 hrs from Omaha) and definitely a non-traditional college (or any kind of) hockey town.

 

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: Future Frozen Four sites

I read all the articles from the cities believed to be hosting those next 4 FFs. They all cited the Boston Herald story. That story said the same thing described in this thread with the exception of the following line: "Los Angeles has also been rumored to be in the mix and could possibly bump one of the candidates at the last instant, although Boston's place in the rotation is believed to be safe."
So maybe the list we've been talking about isn't 100% guaranteed.

I, for one, hope it doesn't change at the last minute, but we'll see for sure in 1 week. I have little desire to see a FF in Southern California again.

I would love to see the list change, just don't really care to see it changed to LA.

 

[J.D.]

Re: Future Frozen Four sites

I have only been to two, both in Boston. But wasn't Anaheim a disaster in '99? I know a lot can change but I really have no desire to go to LA...ever. For anything.

 

[Scarlet]

Re: Future Frozen Four sites

I have only been to two, both in Boston. But wasn't Anaheim a disaster in '99? I know a lot can change but I really have no desire to go to LA...ever. For anything.

I don't think it was a disaster, but much like Chicago, the rink isn't near anything. And I believe the Thursday games were still separate admission at that time. Given all the traffic around Disney, I would imagine it was difficult to find a good place to grab food between games. Or find places to go, like a downtown area.

I wouldn't mind going back to California, but as we discussed earlier, the Staples Center would be difficult to schedule. What about San Jose?

 

[Squarebanks]

I don't think it was a disaster, but much like Chicago, the rink isn't near anything. And I believe the Thursday games were still separate admission at that time. Given all the traffic around Disney, I would imagine it was difficult to find a good place to grab food between games. Or find places to go, like a downtown area.

I wouldn't mind going back to California, but as we discussed earlier, the Staples Center would be difficult to schedule. What about San Jose?

Staples would be the place to do it in California. Tons to do by the arena with it being next to LA Live. But as others have said, scheduling is the issue. Kicking out the Kings, Lakers, and Clippers (assuming the latter hasn't moved to Seattle by then) for basically a week would be tough.

Side note: Staples is an awesome arena in terms of amenities, but the seating is atrocious. I've never been to an arena with more uncomfortable seats. They pack you in like sardines.

 

[brassbonanza]

Re: Future Frozen Four sites

I don't think it was a disaster, but much like Chicago, the rink isn't near anything. And I believe the Thursday games were still separate admission at that time. Given all the traffic around Disney, I would imagine it was difficult to find a good place to grab food between games. Or find places to go, like a downtown area.

I wouldn't mind going back to California, but as we discussed earlier, the Staples Center would be difficult to schedule. What about San Jose?

The amount of nothing to do by Honda Center is leaps and bounds beyond the area by the United Center. Anaheim's not even a city, it's just a large town that has a couple of buildings - a terrible place to host a FF. Staples would be an excellent choice if they wanted to go to SoCal and would present a much better experience for everyone going.

 

[Nick Papagiorgio]

Re: Future Frozen Four sites

What about San Jose?

I'd be down for that. Accessible even from San Francisco, which is a hell of a town.

 

[bostonewe]

Re: Future Frozen Four sites

I don't think it was a disaster, but much like Chicago, the rink isn't near anything. And I believe the Thursday games were still separate admission at that time. Given all the traffic around Disney, I would imagine it was difficult to find a good place to grab food between games. Or find places to go, like a downtown area.

I wouldn't mind going back to California, but as we discussed earlier, the Staples Center would be difficult to schedule. What about San Jose?

Went to a Shark's game on our honeymoon in 2014. The SAP center would be great for games (nice wide concourse for sales and meet ups and good sight-lines), but the rink doesn't have much to offer for food and there isn't much in the area to do. Proximity to SF is a selling point as Nick mentioned, but traffic was a nightmare. That said, I'd totally go.

 

[mookie1995]

Re: Future Frozen Four sites

I'd be down for that. Accessible even from San Francisco, which is a hell of a town.

amen

 

[pgb-ohio]

Re: Future Frozen Four sites

Not going to happen sadly. Pepsi center and the city just doesn't care enough. It's really a shame because the arena is awesome...

Seriously? I'm not trying to be cute, but I honestly can't remember anything notable about Pepsi Center. In my mind, it was perfectly satisfactory, but that's it. I've got much clearer memories of Magness, which I thought was a great college hockey venue.

Disclosure: Playing in the Posters' Game at Magness was both fun & meaningful. Conversely, I was rather dissatisfied with my FF seat location that year. (That was before the NCAA allowed us to choose specific seats.) It could be that my personal experiences are coloring my memories of Pepsi Center. If so, speak up. I'm ready to learn.

...it's right in the middle of the city...

Definitely a plus. And definitely an advantage over United Center, as per your comment on the Chicago thread.

... and there's TONS to do on an off day.

Clearly correct. We went skiing on the off day and had a great time. Even on rental gear.

Don't get me wrong. I'm 100% in favor of another Denver FF. And if the local powers-that-be are blocking the possibility, that's a shame. But the idea that Pepsi Center gives Denver an edge over other NHL cities? That's a new one on me.

 

[davyd83]

I'm not all that optimistic that Columbus will be chosen again. But you're correct that Nationwide Arena & the Arena District would be a much better fit for the Frozen Four.

Also, any worries about the Tournament returning to the Schottenstein Center can be set aside. Everyone I've spoken with here in Columbus agrees that Nationwide would be the way to go, including some who just might have the ear of the decision-makers. For the 2005 tournament, "NHL Quality Building on a College Campus" was a successful sales pitch. But after the fact, everyone understood that having adjacent restaurants, bars & hotels was much more important.

I literally don't know if an OSU/Columbus bid was submitted this time around. But at least one previous bid has been submitted offering Nationwide as the site. "Dictate" is the wrong word. But if future bids are submitted, you can safely assume that Nationwide Arena will be specified.

Last time I was in Columbus, it took me about 15 minutes to walk from the Schott to High St, and from there, there are plenty of places to eat, drink & be merry. Are people just that lazy? I wonder what those 100,000 fans do across the street at the football games? Do they have nothing to do?

 

[scoreboard]

Last time I was in Columbus, it took me about 15 minutes to walk from the Schott to High St, and from there, there are plenty of places to eat, drink & be merry. Are people just that lazy? I wonder what those 100,000 fans do across the street at the football games? Do they have nothing to do?

Maybe they do that thing called "tailgating" ?

 

[davyd83]

Maybe they do that thing called "tailgating" ?

Ever been to Columbus? Those bars a 15 minute walk from the stadium are packed. Same at Alabama, Michigan, Tennessee, Wisconsin, South Carolina, Michigan State, Green Bay, Detroit or Dallas.

 

[Nick Papagiorgio]

Re: Future Frozen Four sites

Ever been to Columbus? Those bars a 15 minute walk from the stadium are packed. Same at Alabama, Michigan, Tennessee, Wisconsin, South Carolina, Michigan State, Green Bay, Detroit or Dallas.

Tailgating.

 

[Split-N]

Re: Future Frozen Four sites

2018 St. Paul
2019 Detroit
2020 Buffalo
2021 Boston

Ugh! (except Boston). Add me to the underwhelmed list. And very disappointed not to see attractive, warm weather destinations like Tampa, Nashville, Sunrise (FL Panthers), Dallas, and Washington.

 

[J.D.]

Re: Future Frozen Four sites

It's not so much the warm weather factor to me, just the actual cities. Not trying to offend anyone but Detroit and Buffalo back to back years...woof. Chicago isn't necessarily warm in April but much more attractive than Detroit and Buffalo.