I know I’ve mentioned it here and on The Crazy Canucks before, but it’s worth mentioning a few more times because a lot of us know that Canucks games are a heck of a price to enjoy first hand. You can read J.J.’s post about it, but catching a game at GM place is a hefty tab.
When it comes down to it, it costs between $120-$300 for a pair of tickets, depending on location and opponent, not to mention if you are going through Ticketmaster, someone you know, Craigslist, or those friendly folks on the street corner who happen to have some extra tickets that they’d like to share with you. After that, it’s worse than going to a movie because food, beverages, and souvenirs take a bite out of your wallet as well.
If you want hockey that is just as passionate as, if not more than, NHL action, take a short drive to Pacific Coliseum to catch a Vancouver Giants game.
Rebecca and I have had the extreme enjoyment in catching some of the regular season games so far this season, and it has been outstanding.
Some folks call junior hockey as scrappy and dirty action that only makes going to Western Hockey League game worthwhile, and I really have to disagree with that. These kids play with grit and passion in the same way that makes watching college football or basketball exciting. Kids that are giving it their all in the hopes that they not only play outstanding hockey in their early career as much as they fight their way to get noticed by some NHL scouts for that ever dreamed about draft day.
As my good pal and Crazy Canucks co-host Dave has often said, it’s your chance to see some of the up and coming stars before they become that big league player that all the sports shows start talking about. For more evidence of that, look no further than, and now former Giants captain, Milan Lucic.
Bruins decide to keep teenager on the roster
By Barbara Matson, Globe Staff | October 27, 2007WILMINGTON – It’s time for 19-year-old Milan Lucic to move out of the hotel, find an apartment, and buy a car. He’s here to stay.
Before practice at Ristuccia Arena yesterday, the Bruins rookie was told to pack his bags and stay. General manager Peter Chiarelli called Lucic into his office and told him he would be with the Bruins for the rest of the year, instead of returning to his junior team, the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League.
Lucic greeted the news with a broad grin – “Obviously, I had a smile on my face,” he said. “This has always been a dream of mine, to play in the NHL, and now it’s a reality.” – and an attitude infused with humility and confidence.
“It’s happened so quickly,” Lucic said. “That’s the most amazing thing of all. It goes to show, if you want something really bad, it can happen for you.”
The 6-foot-4-inch, 220-pound left wing, who has banged his way through the first nine games of the season for the Bruins, signed a three-year entry-level contract this summer, at $850,000 per year. A 10th game (today against the Flyers) automatically triggers the first year of his contract. Because of his age, he cannot be sent to the minors, though he could be returned to Vancouver if his performance falls off.
But it appears Lucic, who was the Giants’ captain, MVP of the 2007 Memorial Cup won by Vancouver, and captain of Team Canada in this summer’s Super Series, has done all he can in the WHL. It’s time for him to tackle the big leagues. [bostonglobe]
Sure, there stands a chance that we could see him back in Vancouver at the WHL level, but it’s proof positive that your opportunity to see some quality hockey action is easily accessible at a price that is easy to share between more than just two people. In fact, for $300, you could probably take 20 people to the game and have enough cash to spare for popcorn and some tasty beverages.
That being said, it’s exciting to hear that another kid has proven himself to be good enough for not only the NHL, but the fact that Boston Bruins fans have embraced him like they have is amazing. It’s not hard to like a drafted player that shows up at the beginning of the season and start playing like he has. The thing is, he’s been back here in Vancouver doing the same thing for the last few seasons before his name was ever called in the draft.
Minor hockey isn’t as scrappy or not as worthwhile as many hockey fans, if that’s what you really want to call yourself, might make it out to be. Go check it out because if you really want to make a point about ticket prices at Canucks games, put your dollars toward something else, preferably at some kids who just want some people to come out and cheer them on.
When it was all said and done, it cost me about $500 to get to the Canucks game from Portland…double that for all the crap I bought in the team store. Five days earlier I attended a Portland Winterhawks game for $15.50…double it for the two beers I had during the game.
There is definitely something to be said about Jr. Hockey. Back in the day, I saw the following roll through Portland as kids…Grant Fuhr, Trevor Linden, The Sutter Bros., Wayne & Dave Babych, Cam Neely, Ray Ferraro, Larry Playfair, Clint Malarchuk, Ron Hextall, Pat Lafontaine and countless others. It was a great time and it cost next to nothing to experience.