2023-05-10 00:53:59
Winning the Connor Bedard lottery doesn’t change the world, except… Except it sells tickets in facing.
Within 90 minutes of the results being announced, the Blackhawks sold $2.5 million in season tickets. An amount that would have increased to more than $4 million almost 24 hours later.
And we’re not talking about the hundreds of Blackhawks jerseys with Bedard’s inscription on the back that must have passed since Monday night. It’s a real wind of madness blowing over Chicago.
This is quite a turnaround for this dealership. Due to the turn of reconstruction initiated by general manager Kyle Davidson during the 2021-2022 season, many of them have deserted the United Center, yet reputed to be one of the noisiest amphitheaters in the NHL.
In the 41 home games of the just-concluded season, the Hawks averaged 17,167 spectators. The occupancy rate of 82% placed them 31st in the league, tied with the Buffalo Sabres. Only the San Jose Sharks, with a 76% rate, did worse.
“It doesn’t surprise me that it turned around so quickly. Chicago is an incredible hockey city,” said Jocelyn Thibault, joined by The newspaper from Montreal.
Traded by the Canadian in November 1998, the former goalkeeper played six seasons with the Hawks. Difficult winters during which this team made the playoffs on only one occasion. Despite everything, Thibault keeps precious memories of the windy city and is convinced that the young Bedard will find his account there.
“I’m happy for the youngster. It is one of the most prestigious organizations in hockey. It is also a major city, a magnificent and very glamorous city, indicated Thibault. I remember that there were often celebrities who attended our matches. He’ll like it. »
AFP photo
During Monday’s game at Wrigley Field, the Cubs wanted to mark this historic moment for the Hawks.
A dream destination
Chicago will be good for Bedard, but the reverse will be even truer. Everyone expected the Hawks to languish in the league’s slums for a few more seasons. Obviously, they will not be predicted the Stanley Cup immediately. However, it must be recognized that the process has just taken a rather prodigious leap.
“A player like that doesn’t happen often. It will accelerate our reconstruction, said Jimmy Waite, coach of the Hawks goalkeepers, at the microphone of JiC, on the airwaves of TVA Sports. We will build around it. Plus, we have a lot of draft picks, so the future will be exciting. »
A generational player, a young team, plenty of choices in their pockets: suddenly the Blackhawks, who were certainly a formation to avoid for free agents, have just climbed the value scale.
“It will definitely have an impact. It will also have one on player retention. Those who were reluctant to stay will have an added incentive to stay, Thibault said. Not to mention, when leaving, the organization doesn’t have to make a big sales pitch to sell the city. The Hawks are now in Cadillac. »
Chasing the Bears
Things are moving in Chicago. Considered by many to be the blues capital of the world, the metropolis of Illinois has a very active scene. And in terms of sports, she is well served with the Bears, Cubs, White Sox, Bulls and Blackhawks.
Moreover, Thibault is of the opinion that the presence of Bedard could allow the Hawks to follow the Bears as the favorite team of the inhabitants of the region.
“In most American markets, the NFL is hard to top, but I think Bedard’s arrival could put the Hawks on the map as the hottest team in Chicago,” he said. current general manager of Hockey Quebec.
“I repeat myself, but it’s a hockey market. People know that. I think it will bring back a spark, he continued. Besides, we don’t need to go back very far. The years of (Patrick) Kane and (Jonathan) Toews, with the conquests of the Stanley Cup, it was crazy. At that time, the Blackhawks were on top of town. »
One ball away from happiness
To say that all this enthusiasm has gone to a ball to involve the Canadian. The Hawks, who had 115 combinations, won the lottery with the following: 4-5-9-13.
Among the 85 combinations held by the Habs, the 65th was made up of the numbers 4, 5, 9 and 11. The representative of the Canadian present near the abacus probably held his breath after the release of the third ball…
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