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Vermont 2013-2014 Season Thread : The Golden Year

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Re: Vermont 2013-2014 Season Thread : The Golden Year

jcarter7669 said:
They want that shiney new facility to help push the Cats up a little further in the recruiting wars.
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This part I agree with. The rest, not sure. I think they have gotten the tickets to a price point where the wait list for season tickets isn't that long. And the price of tickets has gone up a couple bucks every year right? I'm pretty much expecting to see $25/game next year. Most games used to be sellouts before game night. Now it's rare that a game is a sellout before game weekend. Don't get me wrong, I expect that UVM is making a lot more $ off the games now, which is great, but fewer games are sellouts / difficult to get tickets to. With the cost of tickets now I'm shocked how many empty seats you'll see at some games.

When the students are on break 'promotions' are run to sell more tickets, like a family pack 4 tickets, 4 hot dogs, 4 drinks for $40. So part of me agrees there is demand for more seats but part of me thinks the rink is just about the right size. And I'd like to see some differentiated ticket prices. It's Vermont-y to have all tickets the same cost and the longest running season ticket holders get the nest seats in the house. Most places the seats near middle ice and behind the players are going to go for double the cost of a seat off in a corner where people are going to be walking in front of you from time to time.

A reno of the Gut would cost big bucks but I expect it's the more likely scenario in VT. The places where the walkways are, exits, standing room, it's a strange layout. It really sucks to have to sit in the first couple rows of sections 1 through 8, having people constantly walking in front of you.
 
Re: Vermont 2013-2014 Season Thread : The Golden Year

jcarter7669 said:
Yes ex-terrier Alexx Priviterra is coming in at UVM along with his younger brother.

I don't think they want to renovate the Gutt simply because they want more seats. Fact is 4000 seats just isn't enough. There is a several year wait list for season ticket holders and most games are sell outs, when the team was doing well a few years ago I believe they were on a streak of something like 70+ consecutive sell outs and that ended because of a sunday 4 pm game on Super Bowl Sunday. Also everything is pretty much out of date... locker rooms, bathrooms, seats, etc. They want that shiney new facility to help push the Cats up a little further in the recruiting wars. With success comes a packed house and extra 2000 tickets a game at $25/ seat is a nice chunk of change. The Gutt would however remain for the women's team and likely club teams if the current plans hold true.
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UVM will let the Gut become condemned before they make a change to it to make it modern. All about the dream of the shiny 6k seat arena, which wouldn't fill weight list not as long as you think. lots of people dropped them in last 2 years because product on ice was crap not worth cost to people. Don't blame them. Of course nowhere near what they need to even start an arena and they won't get state funds so need private donors and they aren't stepping up. UVM will keep the allure alive I know last time they said by 2015 they will break ground but I doubt that based on what people say they've raised. I say it a lot but I also think using the outdated arena as an excuse not to get good players is an excuse. Many Sneddon and his lackey assistants should actually go to prep school games and showcases around New England and stop ****ing off those coaches in the area by basically dissing them and if they do get a commit from that kid, make him go juniors to suck up to those coaches or make the kid go juniors because they realize he isn't good enough and replace them with a bunch of older guys. Strategy all over place. Big arena wouldn't help that. Ask UMass Amherst.
 
Re: Vermont 2013-2014 Season Thread : The Golden Year

Jayden_Stoff said:
This part I agree with. The rest, not sure. I think they have gotten the tickets to a price point where the wait list for season tickets isn't that long. And the price of tickets has gone up a couple bucks every year right? I'm pretty much expecting to see $25/game next year. Most games used to be sellouts before game night. Now it's rare that a game is a sellout before game weekend. Don't get me wrong, I expect that UVM is making a lot more $ off the games now, which is great, but fewer games are sellouts / difficult to get tickets to. With the cost of tickets now I'm shocked how many empty seats you'll see at some games.

When the students are on break 'promotions' are run to sell more tickets, like a family pack 4 tickets, 4 hot dogs, 4 drinks for $40. So part of me agrees there is demand for more seats but part of me thinks the rink is just about the right size. And I'd like to see some differentiated ticket prices. It's Vermont-y to have all tickets the same cost and the longest running season ticket holders get the nest seats in the house. Most places the seats near middle ice and behind the players are going to go for double the cost of a seat off in a corner where people are going to be walking in front of you from time to time.

A reno of the Gut would cost big bucks but I expect it's the more likely scenario in VT. The places where the walkways are, exits, standing room, it's a strange layout. It really sucks to have to sit in the first couple rows of sections 1 through 8, having people constantly walking in front of you.
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The average this year has been 93% capacity so selling tickets hasn't been that much of an issue, especially considering a few games (i.e. UMass) had attendences that were closer to 3000, meaning most games are sold out.

The wait list very well could have dropped significantly as the team has stuggled, another good year of recruiting next year to get this team back to being competitive and it will shoot back up though.

A reno of the Gutt will never happen. They will build the new arena, no doubt about it. They want the extra seating, not just for hockey but to allow for shows and concerts as well that will serve to generate additional revenue that would make it financially viable. If they had 5-6 shows/concerts / year with a net take of 25-30 / seat you are talking an additional $1.5-2 Million / year. Moreover, for a while back 5-6 years ago there was a semi-pro team that had committed to be an anchor tenant if the arena was ever built but there was a seating requirement on that. It's probably fallen through at this point. Bottom line, everytime there is a sell out you are losing possible dollars, a new arena helps with recruiting, which puts more fans in the seats, which generates more dollars.

Now if they sold beer they could come with some added revenue as well. Although considering how rowdy the crowd gets as is at times it might not be the best idea. And it maybe that they would run more promotions as well, people even during promotions buy concessions/50-50 tickets/ jerseys and merchandise.... more people (especially non-season ticket holders) are going to make up a lot of discounted price through these avenues.
 
Re: Vermont 2013-2014 Season Thread : The Golden Year

pokecheckguy said:
Of course nowhere near what they need to even start an arena and they won't get state funds so need private donors and they aren't stepping up. UVM will keep the allure alive I know last time they said by 2015 they will break ground but I doubt that based on what people say they've raised.
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They aren't anywhere close to where they need to be because they haven't started fundraising yet? Sure a few donations have been made but not fundraising drive has been initiated. The trustees just approved it as a capital priority a few months ago, that was a necessary step to really start an earnest fundraising campaign.
A year ago, a new arena was on a list with 38 other capital projects, this year it is one of the 4 capital priorities.

This is how the University broke down their financial goals
-$25 million in fundraising
- $30 million in early student fee collection
- $2 per ticket facility fee

So they need to come up with $25million. If a private management firm signs (which is what they are looking for) on for a $10-$15 Million, it wouldn't take a huge amount of time to come up with the remainder. Considering they have gone through design steps, placement, etc I do not think a 2015 start date is unreasonable. It may be a late 2015 date but nonetheless.
 
Re: Vermont 2013-2014 Season Thread : The Golden Year

Anyways, back to hockey...

MC is wretched this season with wins against BU, UMass, Bently, Army, Mercyhurst and losses to... well pretty much everybody else. That said they have kept a lot of their games pretty close and UVM has pretty consistently struggled with MC, especially at Lawler. In fact you need to go back to 2008 to find a UVM win. In the HE era UVM is 5-5-2 at the Gutt and 3-6-3 at Lawler. Coupled with the fact that UVM is winless in their last 12 games against the Mack and you have a recipe for disaster.

This weekend is yet another make or break or weekend for the Cats... any losses to MC would be the end of their NCAA aspirations.

UVM needs a strong showing this weekend coming off a let down of a weekend v. BC. The one positive: UVM is 2-6 at home this season and 5-3 on the road and this is an away game.
 
Re: Vermont 2013-2014 Season Thread : The Golden Year

jcarter7669 said:
This weekend is yet another make or break or weekend for the Cats... any losses to MC would be the end of their NCAA aspirations.

UVM needs a strong showing this weekend coming off a let down of a weekend v. BC. The one positive: UVM is 2-6 at home this season and 5-3 on the road and this is an away game.
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We lost to BU and tied Dartmouth... Anything is possible this weekend. I'll be psyched to see 4 points but I'm not expecting it.

I agree on the NCAA aspirations.

Two losses to BC didn't hurt us as much as I expected. A tie would have been nice.
 
Re: Vermont 2013-2014 Season Thread : The Golden Year

b/c we have two wins vs. UNH and 3 vs. Maine those teams doing well helps VT significantly

The national tournament is well within reach with five to seven winnable games ahead - 2 @ MC, 2 vs UML, a one game playoff against a lower seed and hopefully a two or three game set against a high seed where they could win one or two.

It needs to start with a 3 or 4 point effort vs. Mack this weekend though. that 0-9-3 is simply ugly but they can turn the tables this weekend.

Encouraging news on the arena, I did not know it had become an elevated priority, that is awesome. Too bad it should be done about the time the universal health insurance program ramps up and everyone with disposable income moves out of state

I do think it will help with recruiting big time

Go cats
 
Re: Vermont 2013-2014 Season Thread : The Golden Year

A reno of the Gutt will never happen. They will build the new arena, no doubt about it. They want the extra seating, not just for hockey but to allow for shows and concerts as well that will serve to generate additional revenue that would make it financially viable. If they had 5-6 shows/concerts / year with a net take of 25-30 / seat you are talking an additional $1.5-2 Million / year. Moreover, for a while back 5-6 years ago there was a semi-pro team that had committed to be an anchor tenant if the arena was ever built but there was a seating requirement on that. It's probably fallen through at this point. Bottom line, everytime there is a sell out you are losing possible dollars, a new arena helps with recruiting, which puts more fans in the seats, which generates more dollars.
Click to expand...

Don't forget bouncy ball in this equation, too. They need a new building as much or more than hockey does ... and with their success in recent years getting them involved would go a long way toward making the new building happen.
 
Re: Vermont 2013-2014 Season Thread : The Golden Year

PuckVoice said:
Don't forget bouncy ball in this equation, too. They need a new building as much or more than hockey does ... and with their success in recent years getting them involved would go a long way toward making the new building happen.
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To an extent but they don't even sell out Patrick so their need for a new place isn't quite the same. All they need is some actual seats instead of bleachers. I don't think they bring a lot to the equation when trying to sell a new arena...

Anyways.... GO CATS GO
 
Re: Vermont 2013-2014 Season Thread : The Golden Year

Here's a tough stat for UVM this year...3-0 versus HE teams in NC games....1-3 in league games versus same two teams.

Hope the Cats can keep the level of play where it has been and not let a struggling team get any confidence going. Play
like they did at UNH and take the crowd(will there be one?)out of the game.
 
Re: Vermont 2013-2014 Season Thread : The Golden Year

That is a great point about the BB team needing the venue as bad or worse than the hockey team. It's true the BB team has had fairly consistent success in many respects compared to the hockey team, although hockey team does play in toughest conference and not true of BB team. I would go to some BB games if the venue were enjoyable but it's a depressing venue and seating is horrendous so I avoid like the plague. Do need to get BB alum and supporters involved in the momentum and fundraising. Would be awesome to have a world class venue.
 
Re: Vermont 2013-2014 Season Thread : The Golden Year

Nice road win tonight, Mario might have clinched ROY with that Hat Trick.

If UVM wins Sat they will be only 2 points out of 4th no matter what happens in the other games and will surely make next weekend exciting.

Nice to see McCarthy listed as a dark horse hobey finalist he wont make it but I'm glad he's getting proper credit for the great year he is having.
 
I want to see them make the national tourney, once your are in anything can happen and its a fun early spring roadtrip. I also am going to FF in Philly, would be nice if they somehow showed up there. Took care of business tonight, need to repeat tomorrow night. Keep Hoffman in net, his save % is better than santa

Wow what a night for Pusk amd Mccarthy, early lead on POTW for Puskarich. Also agree that looking solely at HE stats he is in good shape for ROY and I expect he will collect some more points in the next four (hopefully more) games.He's the finisher this team has lacked since Stalberg and he's the best freshman since MSL and EP. Still not impressed by his skating but love the finish. Those BCHL stats were telling us something
 
Re: Vermont 2013-2014 Season Thread : The Golden Year

Cat lover said:
Remember when Vermont was having so much problem scoring goals.

Vermont has scored at least 2 goals in 11 of its last 12 games, and 3+ in 7 of those 12.

The Cats have averaged 3.3 goals in those last 12 games.

Having lines stay together has been a big help.
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Scoring continues to be consistant. Last 3 games 3,3,4 goals.

Freshmen have now scored 34 of the teams 88 goals future is looking good.
 
Yeah, consistently from one line though, need secondary scoring badly (missing Reynolds) Need two more lines to pick it up. Did shaw return last night or is he injured, I like his game, he could be a stud next few years
 
Re: Vermont 2013-2014 Season Thread : The Golden Year

Puscharich is having an unbelievable rookie year. He isn't particular flashy, but who cares. The puck ends up in the net and that's all I care about. He was good catch by the staff. That said I am somewhat nervous about who feeds him next year. Not having McCarthy is going to hurt and Reynolds isn't a set up guy. I'd like to see Fallon return to center on that line and get some mojo working with Super Mario. He is going to be the best bet for 1st line center.

Great to see the Cat's break that ugly winless streat against MC. Cats move up to 12th in the PWR but need to keep winning if they want to stay in that top 16.
 
Re: Vermont 2013-2014 Season Thread : The Golden Year

Nice third period for the boys last night. Merrimack might consider playing defense against the McCarthy line tonight? What is going on with Fallon? Ever since Sneddon shook up the lines (demoted Fallon, promoted Bradley) Fallon has really struggled. Obviously not playing with #3 will hurt you, but in the first part of the year he was among leaders in HE in faceoff %. The last several games he has sucked @ the dot. Is there something going on off the ice? Playing with injury? I know Sneddon called out his line a few weeks ago, but he is definitely not playing up to his potential. Any chance Fallon walks after this year?
 
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