>>> RIT Tigers 2018/2019 - Time For The Tigers to Roar <<<

[XCTiger]

After a couple of seasons where they could only seem to muster up a "meow", I think all of us are more than ready to hear a "roar" from the Tigers. Here's to hoping that they can restore the fear they used to instill in the rest of the AHA, and earn some respect from their OOC opponents. That should go a long ways toward lighting up the fanbase and putting some more butts in the seats at the GPC.

Has there been any discussion about TV for this year? Still doing live coverage on ritsz, with delay broadcast on CW?

 

[blazer777]

Oh hello! Ed, can you kill off last year's please?

 

[Ed Trefzger]

Re: >>> RIT Tigers 2018/2019 - Time For The Tigers to Roar <<<

Oh hello! Ed, can you kill off last year's please?

It's bleedin' demised.

 

[Tom Naeger]

Re: >>> RIT Tigers 2018/2019 - Time For The Tigers to Roar <<<

It's bleedin' demised.

Like most of our threads

Hate to start a new thread out with bad news, but the good news is this bad news doesn't affect this season.

Looks like the Tigers have lost a committed recruit for next season. After a monster season in the GOJHL, all indications are that Kaleb Pearson is going to play for Owen Sound of the OHL. This would make him ineligible for a year plus ever game he plays, effectively making it unlikely at best that he will ever arrive in Henrietta, NY.

The current commits for next year are

Sam Kozlowski- RW - Lose one and get one back, well in my crazy head. He was on the radar for this year, but looks like he is going to play another year of Juniors with Prince George of the BCHL
Ryan Nicholson - LD - He is moving this year from the GOJHL to Oakville of the OJHL
Thomas Maia- C - He also is playing in Oakville (Will have to see them against the Jr. Sabres)
Elijah Gonsalves-RW - Will also be in the OJHL at Wellington.

 

[Downstate_RIT_Fan]

After a couple of seasons where they could only seem to muster up a "meow", I think all of us are more than ready to hear a "roar" from the Tigers. Here's to hoping that they can restore the fear they used to instill in the rest of the AHA, and earn some respect from their OOC opponents. That should go a long ways toward lighting up the fanbase and putting some more butts in the seats at the GPC.

Has there been any discussion about TV for this year? Still doing live coverage on ritsz, with delay broadcast on CW?

Well done XCTiger.

Bought my Brickcity tickets last night. I normally try to get down by the tunnel where the Tigers enter the ice. That section and most sections down on the ice (except for behind the nets) seemed to be gone. Weird, some years you can grab those seats down there ( last year I did and against Michigan I did) but other years you seem relegated to having to sit way up high. Anyway got the tickets and will be up to see the Tigers play Colgate. This year you can print out your tickets, they emai you a pdf.

 

[Bing]

Re: >>> RIT Tigers 2018/2019 - Time For The Tigers to Roar <<<

Greetings everyone. I hope you had a great summer! Looking forward to another year of RIT Hockey. It'll be my 15th year watching the Tigers (I'm sure many of you have a decade or two on me). Maybe the team will be in the mood for an anniversary gift (NCAA tourney, please).

Any word on if home games will be broadcast by RIT SZ again this year? That was great, except I'd prefer to listen to Ed/Scott than John/Gene.

 

[Transplanted Tiger Fan]

Re: >>> RIT Tigers 2018/2019 - Time For The Tigers to Roar <<<

...Any word on if home games will be broadcast by RIT SZ again this year? That was great, except I'd prefer to listen to Ed/Scott than John/Gene.

Agreed on the SZ coverage... it was indeed great, and the pregame shows are quite entertaining as well. As for the WITR audio preference (also agreed!), I have achieved “sniper-status” at syncing-up the WITR broadcast on one device (I use my phone) with the SZ video. However this year, I hope to make the trip up I-390 to see a good-portion of the games.

Not sure how the three 5:05 starts may affect that plan though. They are at least limited to Saturdays, which is good. The only aspect I see it affecting at this time is that occasionally I like to treat myself (and “the Wife”) to the Club seats for “dinner and a hockey game”. Considering the food option, Club seats are not a bad deal at all, but I question if I will get seats in the Club section with the 5:05 games. I mean, I’m old, but not old enough for the “early bird dinner” timeframe just-yet (...but I’m getting REAL close!!!). And, as an added bonus, the 5:05 games will get me on the road sooner so we can take-in a Wahlburger in Avon on the way home!

Cheers!!!
~TTF

 

[Tom Naeger]

Re: >>> RIT Tigers 2018/2019 - Time For The Tigers to Roar <<<

I mean, I’m old, but not old enough for the “early bird dinner” timeframe just-yet

That's debatable, Cheers!!!

Love to see you some more, may even have a ticket for you from time to time ;-)

 

[mar7967]

Re: >>> RIT Tigers 2018/2019 - Time For The Tigers to Roar <<<

Just saw on the other college hockey news site that Atlantic Hockey is moving their tournament from Blue Cross Arena to the Harborcenter for this upcoming season, as part of a 1 year deal. https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2018/09/07_Atlantic-Championship-Moving.php

Certainly more appropriately sized (especially for those years RIT has not made it to Blue Cross...)

 

[LtPowers]

Re: >>> RIT Tigers 2018/2019 - Time For The Tigers to Roar <<<

Just saw on the other college hockey news site that Atlantic Hockey is moving their tournament from Blue Cross Arena to the Harborcenter for this upcoming season, as part of a 1 year deal. https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2018/09/07_Atlantic-Championship-Moving.php

Certainly more appropriately sized (especially for those years RIT has not made it to Blue Cross...)
https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2018/09/07_Atlantic-Championship-Moving.php

It is a better size, but the event will be even more lost in the shuffle in Buffalo than it was in Rochester.

Also I now don't want to hear another peep, especially from Canisius fans, about RIT's "unfair advantage" when the tournament is held in Rochester. At least it wasn't in our home arena! Does Canisius get to use their own locker room?


Powers &8^]

 

[The Zlax45]

Re: >>> RIT Tigers 2018/2019 - Time For The Tigers to Roar <<<

It is a better size, but the event will be even more lost in the shuffle in Buffalo than it was in Rochester.

Also I now don't want to hear another peep, especially from Canisius fans, about RIT's "unfair advantage" when the tournament is held in Rochester. At least it wasn't in our home arena! Does Canisius get to use their own locker room?


Powers &8^]

Next it will be at Bentley

 

[Ed Trefzger]

Re: >>> RIT Tigers 2018/2019 - Time For The Tigers to Roar <<<

It is a better size, but the event will be even more lost in the shuffle in Buffalo than it was in Rochester.

I talked to Bob DeGregorio about that at the press conference today, basically asking him flat out if they planned to do a better job promoting an event that was almost invisible in Rochester. (A part of that conversation is in the story on USCHO: https://www.uscho.com/2018/09/07/at...l-be-a-bigger-event-than-it-was-in-rochester/) Bottom line, they'll have Pegula Sports and Entertainment as a partner and they'll have them behind it. I'd expect to see it promoted much better. They're also going to have a major sponsor but that's still being negotiated.

The biggest reason is the amenities. All four teams will be in the Marriott that's part of Harborcenter, and all four teams will have their own locker room for the duration. They're going to have an awards dinner (and the media will now be invited, which we haven't been for the last few years).

 

[Ed Trefzger]

Re: >>> RIT Tigers 2018/2019 - Time For The Tigers to Roar <<<

Also, there's a much easier hurdle to fill 1,800 seats than 10,000. It just makes more sense. Let's face it, BCA should have been replaced. The renovations were insufficient, and three decades later, that's even more evident.

 

[mar7967]

Re: >>> RIT Tigers 2018/2019 - Time For The Tigers to Roar <<<

Also, there's a much easier hurdle to fill 1,800 seats than 10,000. It just makes more sense. Let's face it, BCA should have been replaced. The renovations were insufficient, and three decades later, that's even more evident.

I agree here. I only worry about the mad rush to get tickets on years when RIT makes it, since we have put almost double that capacity in BCA when we have made it. But I understand the bigger picture where the league can't bank on that happening and the atmosphere without it sucks.

 

[Ed Trefzger]

Re: >>> RIT Tigers 2018/2019 - Time For The Tigers to Roar <<<

It will be interesting to see what sort of ticket allocation each team has and how many are for the general public. If there were a tournament with four of the five NY/PA teams in it, including RIT, it would be a sellout for certain.

 

[Ed Trefzger]

Re: >>> RIT Tigers 2018/2019 - Time For The Tigers to Roar <<<

Any word on if home games will be broadcast by RIT SZ again this year?

RIT SZ has the complete home schedule for this year (minus the exhibition) listed on their website. Usually we have their video feed up on a laptop in the booth so that we can see replays and different camera angles, and it's a beautiful production.

BTW, Scott and I -- and Matt Campbell (at least) as a fill-in -- are back also, including once again this season simulcast on Fox Sports 1280.

 

[Tom Naeger]

Re: >>> RIT Tigers 2018/2019 - Time For The Tigers to Roar <<<

It will be interesting to see what sort of ticket allocation each team has and how many are for the general public. If there were a tournament with four of the five NY/PA teams in it, including RIT, it would be a sellout for certain.

I think the key real key will be RIT still, I think if Canisius makes it, maybe it will see a spike. Hockey crowds in Buffalo have not done great lately, but maybe also some advertising with the Frozen Four may help...

My friends on facebook forgive the following copy paste...

I am happy that I can enjoy the tournament with out the two hour long trips to Rochester, but putting my Buffalo Bias aside, there some serious BS here.

"a bigger event than it was in Rochester"

Bob who are you kidding? You went from a 10,000 seat arena to 1,800. To a city that has not embraced hockey out side of the Buffalo Sabres. The first world Juniors could only be called a success because half of Ontario came down for the Canada games, while most of Buffalo stayed home for the USA games. The second World Juniors was a complete disaster, but in fairness that was brought on by ridiculous ticket prices that kept Canadians watching from home. The US Prospect game was held for a couple years at First Niagara and the Sabres gave tickets away and still drew sparse crowds. The 2003 Frozen Four was a success, but Frozen Four draws thousands of loyal College Hockey fans where ever it maybe.

The ironic thing to me is the real success of the tournament from an attendance point of view may still very well hinge on RIT making it to the weekend. Canisius and Niagara game have suffered from sub par attendance for years. Maybe playing for a conference championship could help things, but when so few made a short 1 hour drive to Rochester it still questionable.

Check Out Attendance when RIT was in the Final.

2016: 3,372
2015: 3,554
2012: 2,433 (Note: RIT Women played for a National Title on same night at Ritter)
2011: 3,400 (Note: RIT Women played for a National Title on same night at Ritter)
2010: 3,298

All those crowds would not fit in the HarborCenter. And put a dang space between the word Harbor and Center!

The reality here is that this is a failure by the AHA. Despite the national success and respect the league has earned. They still are struggling to create a following for many of their teams. In fairness I think Air Force would have a better road presence if they were not 1,500 miles away from the next closest school in the conference. No other team in the league has the road following that RIT has, which makes the move to Buffalo make sense.

This is an inevitable step towards on campus final. I think the only reason we are not there now is because the league will do anything it can to prevent the chance of having to fly 3 teams, 2 sets of officials, and their league officials to Colorado Springs...

 

[Hockeyplayer82]

Re: >>> RIT Tigers 2018/2019 - Time For The Tigers to Roar <<<

I think the key real key will be RIT still, I think if Canisius makes it, maybe it will see a spike. Hockey crowds in Buffalo have not done great lately, but maybe also some advertising with the Frozen Four may help...

My friends on facebook forgive the following copy paste...

I am happy that I can enjoy the tournament with out the two hour long trips to Rochester, but putting my Buffalo Bias aside, there some serious BS here.

"a bigger event than it was in Rochester"

Bob who are you kidding? You went from a 10,000 seat arena to 1,800. To a city that has not embraced hockey out side of the Buffalo Sabres. The first world Juniors could only be called a success because half of Ontario came down for the Canada games, while most of Buffalo stayed home for the USA games. The second World Juniors was a complete disaster, but in fairness that was brought on by ridiculous ticket prices that kept Canadians watching from home. The US Prospect game was held for a couple years at First Niagara and the Sabres gave tickets away and still drew sparse crowds. The 2003 Frozen Four was a success, but Frozen Four draws thousands of loyal College Hockey fans where ever it maybe.

The ironic thing to me is the real success of the tournament from an attendance point of view may still very well hinge on RIT making it to the weekend. Canisius and Niagara game have suffered from sub par attendance for years. Maybe playing for a conference championship could help things, but when so few made a short 1 hour drive to Rochester it still questionable.

Check Out Attendance when RIT was in the Final.

2016: 3,372
2015: 3,554
2012: 2,433 (Note: RIT Women played for a National Title on same night at Ritter)
2011: 3,400 (Note: RIT Women played for a National Title on same night at Ritter)
2010: 3,298

All those crowds would not fit in the HarborCenter. And put a dang space between the word Harbor and Center!

The reality here is that this is a failure by the AHA. Despite the national success and respect the league has earned. They still are struggling to create a following for many of their teams. In fairness I think Air Force would have a better road presence if they were not 1,500 miles away from the next closest school in the conference. No other team in the league has the road following that RIT has, which makes the move to Buffalo make sense.

This is an inevitable step towards on campus final. I think the only reason we are not there now is because the league will do anything it can to prevent the chance of having to fly 3 teams, 2 sets of officials, and their league officials to Colorado Springs...

Another reason Atlantic Hockey teams will not get high end players. This hurts RIT more then any other team in the league. Other leagues are playing at the Garden, Excel Energy center etc....Compare, No scholarships, high tuition, league championship max attendance is 1800 Harbor Center and a lot of travel for league games. Not a good thing for RIT.

However, the Blue Cross Arena only worked if RIT was in the finals. $$$ wise the right move was to get out of a 10,000 seat arena.

Any arena around that is 5k seat arena that could have worked?

Atlantic Hockey made it easy to have CHA Women and Atlantic Hockey at the Harbor Center. What other arena could have been used for this event? Erie Insurance Arena, where the OHL team plays holds 6,000. Central location and supports an OHL franchise??????????

 

[LtPowers]

Re: >>> RIT Tigers 2018/2019 - Time For The Tigers to Roar <<<

Any arena around that is 5k seat arena that could have worked?

Good question. Aside from Erie, which was my first thought, Jamestown is even smaller than HarborCenter. The problem with both of those is how far west they are. Even Buffalo seems pushing it if they're claiming centrality as a bonus.

The other options would be Elmira or Utica, each just under 4,000 capacity, but then you'd have no team close enough to fill the seats reliably.


Powers &8^]

 

[LtPowers]

Re: >>> RIT Tigers 2018/2019 - Time For The Tigers to Roar <<<

Bottom line, they'll have Pegula Sports and Entertainment as a partner and they'll have them behind it. I'd expect to see it promoted much better.

That may be, but they could have had that in Rochester, too, especially with PSE taking over management of the Blue Cross Arena.


Powers &8^]