Sep
11
Written by:
host
9/11/2008 3:20 PM
First, you can check out the LEM's new Promo calendar by clicking here.
Lots of good stuff in there like the lunchbox, and the bobble heads.
The Break the Ice event is a yearly thing (Two years now anyway) at Hoover Arena which is the Monster's practice spot in Strongsville. It occupies the old Skateland building. It's a fine facility with two rinks and a swank locker room for the players to use.
The GM, Coach, Assistant Coach, other office staff, and John Michael (Voice of the Monsters) were there. There were no players.
Each year they give you a small scoop of ice cream and babble on about what the coming year is going to be like. I wasn't going to even go, but my girlfriend reminded me that sometimes we do learn things from trips like this, so I drove the quarter-mile (Road Trip!) to the arena and waited at a table while they prepared to talk.
First, John Michael came out and had a big "I believe" speech, which went on about how excited he and the rest of the staff is on the coming year, and that they're preparing to unleash a spectacular onslaught of promotions and media hype for the LEMs this year. Seems they really want to kick-it-up a notch and bring in even more excitement than last year.
They acknowledge that the audience response was much better than they had initially anticipated and that they want to make it even better this time around.
Then the GM (Olivier?) got on the mic and followed up with more of the same, followed by Coach Sacco.
Sacco mainly wanted to get the point across that the team would be better this year. That he expect a Calder Cup championship this year. He admits that maybe they won't do that, but there is no reason they shouldn't be able to. (He's right there. We have the talent this year, and unless the Avs have another bad string of injuries, we have great chances to at least make the playoffs.) He said he's constructed a new "System" which will enable the team to reach that level of play.
They also mentioned that the Avs have supplied a budget which enables the team to hire the right kind of talent to fill the gaps. That's good news. And it really looks like everyone is on the same page to make the team a great outfit this year. But, bottom line, the team has to win games, or nobody is going to be happy with the results. Bobblehead doll or not, we can't come in second to last place again in our division.
This year they are releasing a new jersey with a Monster's logo on the front. It'll be black in color. The pictures look nice.
There is also a new Monsters Checkcard available from Huntington Bank. Pretty cool, although I don't think I'll be opening another account just for that. It is tempting though.
The tickets this year are designed to look like a cartoon, and feature a four panel story (On four different tickets.) Unfortunately they won't be ready until November or later due to a strike at the printer. I use Flash Seats anyway, so this doesn't matter to me, but if you like ticket art (Does anyone?) there is something for you to look at when the game gets snowed out and all you have is your ticket. Haha...
At the end they gave away a jersey and a full suite (18 seats) for one game to a lucky winner. Very cool. While I didn't win anything, I did walk away feeling as though the staff is excited. I compared it to last year, where the folks were inspired and talking up how great it will be, but they had that hesitation like they wouldn't be surprised if nobody showed up. And this year, they seemed really enthusiastic. They feel as though they are going to deliver an amazing product on the ice and in the stands. I feel like it's true, and looking forward to the future with the team.
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