OT: UH brings back Ice Hockey. How is the market and FANBASE for hockey in Houston?

Football
101

Club hockey is usually just the friends and family crowds with the added friends and family crowds of the visiting teams. Potential visitors will have a following.

The feel of the cold and smell of the ice etc should bring in some extra UH fans over time. Hockey games are a treat in the heat.

102

There have been multiple attempts to get hockey going in Houston and they have all ultimately failed. That should tell you something about the interest in hockey.

What that the NHL reneged on its 6 team merger with the WHA down to 4 teams and said that there has to be 3 Canadians in the 4 they would take.

Or the second Aeros that were driven out because Alexander owned the rights to the Toyota center and hated that he was not allowed to do a Bud Adams in 1995 and get out of the Summit lease so he punished the Aeros when he had the power?

Because both teams were in the upper 1/3 of attendance often top 5 in their respective leagues.

2 Likes
103

I was a WHA Aeros season ticket holder. Their first season (72-73) the Aeros were 4th in attendance. The next year, Gordie Howe and his sons came to town, and attendance jumped tremendously. There were numerous sellouts (9,879) at the old Sam Houston Coliseum over the next 2 seasons, with all playoff games selling out. The Summit opened for the ‘75-76 season, and attendance was very good, with a number of sellouts (15,676). From the ‘72-73 season through the ‘75-76 season, the Aeros outdrew the Houston Rockets every single season. I personally love the sport, but I truly believe that a person has to watch the games in person to really get hooked. TV doesn’t do the game justice because it has to follow the puck, and most of the action is happening out of camera range. I for 1 would be grateful if the Coogs are able to start a hockey club.

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104

I went to many Aeros games as a kid in the 70’s and there was always good crowds and support. The minor league teams had pretty good support but not near as good as the WHA version. Houston is a pro sports town and I believe it we had a competitive NHL franchise it would have not problem being successful. Would love to see a team to compete against the Dallas Stars would make another great rivalry. There is nothing like NHL playoff hockey.

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105

I’ve always thought that the NHL would be successful in Houston.

Hopefully, I’ll live to see Houston get a franchise. I went to see the Washington Capitals with Alex Ovechkin play when I lived in DC, and there is NOTHING more fun to watch in person than an NHL hockey match!

That said, I would love for UH to field a competitive club hockey team. Hope it happens!

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106

Also have great memories of watching the Aeros, both at the Coliseum and the Summit. One of my biggest sports disappointments is that Houston has never gotten an NHL team. I haven’t given up, but if we don’t somehow acquire the Coyotes, it probably won’t happen in my lifetime.