Islanders draft party nears 6,000 - happy fans?
by Dominik on Jun 2, 2009 2:16 PM EDT
in Islanders in Diapers
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PrintThe Islanders say 5,700 fans have already gotten tickets [Update: A little over a day later, it's now near 7,000] for the team's John Tavares Coronation draft party at Nassau Coliseum June 26. I never did see an announced attendance for last year's party, but I'd say that three weeks before the draft, 5,700 is an impressive showing for something as ultimately anticlimactic as the announcement of names from a podium.
Tickets are free, sure, but to get them fans still have to go through TicketBastard, the lovely, customer-friendly, service-oriented, no-we-won't-spam-you-who-us?-never ticket cartel. That's no small consideration. (To try to remove one's self from that company's many mailing lists is to discover why junk email accounts exist.)
It's a funny flirtation with fire for the club to be promoting the draft party this much, considering the fan response after they traded down twice during last year's draft. That decision to collect extra picks and Josh Bailey looks sound in retrospect -- and I was OK with it, albeit shocked, at the time -- but this immediate reaction from Ken/Islanders Outsider that weekend perfectly captures the how and why that Islanders fans felt kicked in the stomach at that moment: We were invited to a party with the implicit promise of a prize, yet the prize delivered was something not really on the radar. Add to it the slow pace at which draft proceedings typically drag on ("We're at #5; no ... #7; no ... #9), and there was considerable twisting of the knife.
So anyway, this year's is the first overall pick, the ultimate prize -- how could things go wrong ... right?
Well, the clear majority of Islanders fans think John Tavares is the must-have. Moreover, while I haven't seen a poll this specific, I believe a clear majority of fans are salivating at each morning's breakfast over the thought of Tavares as an Islander. Whatever their strengths, a choice of Victor Hedman or Matt Duchene -- or ze gods forbid, a trade down -- will be met with disappointment.
Alas, that's the game you play when marketing and team strategy mix -- and the Islanders are ultimately right to both leverage the marketing concolation prize that comes with a last-place season and stick to their guns to make this pick a hockey decision with the roster's long-term interests in mind.
Besides, the party isn't only about the draft picks. There are giveaways, locker room tours, sales of game-used equipment and clearance fan gear and more. If you were going to the draft party, which game-used equipment would you like to pick up?
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Oh yeah, feel free to chide me about the teen beefcake photo. Sure, bikini shots sell on the interwebs, but I figure we gotta throw the ladies a bone every once in a while, too.
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Nice Survey. I miss players like Steve Webb. I remember at the end of every season when the Islanders were rebuilding the announcers would talk about how players like Steve Webb would be replaced with the up and coming young talent the Isles had drafted. And every year Webb would be back. He’s the type of player you gotta love, a ton of heart and a lot of hard work.
I went to the draft party in 96. The biggest thing I remember about it was how guys were screaming at Travis Green because he had shown up for the party but hadn’t signed a new contract.
And every year Webb would be back.
That’s right! He really was one of those guys who got maximum mileage out of what he had. I confess to being pleasantly surprised each year he returned.
That’s funny about Green and ‘96. It was funny looking back and seeing last year’s big player appearances were Hillen and Figren. Heh.
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Whatever happens....
I just hope that the fans don’t burn the “Old Barn” down. It’s a win-win situation all-around but I have a feeling that if John Tavares isn’t wearing the NYI ’09 sweater at 7:05 we might experience riots in Uniondale.
I’m just glad I’ll be up in Montreal where the Islanders fan contingent is quite a bit smaller and I won’t have my life threatened as direct result.
From the Penalty Box to the Blog Box! Check it out at Isles Official's Outlook!
Be careful, though — they’re big on riots up in Montreal!
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True. Considering what happened for the Centennial Year…but with Jacques Martin kissing Bob Gainey’s behind these days I’m sure all will be well with the French-Canadian world.
From the Penalty Box to the Blog Box! Check it out at Isles Official's Outlook!
by IslesOfficial on Jun 3, 2009 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Very funny and entertaining piece. I have a question?
I’m ex pat Brit of 3 years who now loves hockey and will be watching my third season as an Islander fan looking to get to around 20-30 games next year.
Is this event worth going to? I have absolutely no concept of a draft.
Apologies for dumbing down your posts but i’m just interested in anyones opinion as i’m allways looking for learning about this great sport.
Hey, good to “see” you again! No apologies needed — always happy to engage a newer fan of the game.
I assume you’re referring to the Islanders Draft Party rather than the draft itself, but I’ll sort of go into both. Here’s a basic rundown:
The draft itself will be held in Montreal this year (they move it from city to city each year). That’s a whole weekend where media, fans and of course the draft prospects flock to town. The league puts on dinners and events for the prospects and their families, and various events for fans during the weekend. The first round of the draft — which is where more of the “drama” is — happens on Friday night, when each team picks (unless they’ve traded their pick). The rest of the rounds take place Saturday. Kids who are hoping/expecting to be drafted show up in the stands and come to the podium if and when a team picks them.
In a way, it’s a lot of pomp and circumstance, but at least a lot of fans have heard of the kids who are picked in the first round. Sometimes fans are happy who their team picked; sometimes they’re irate. After that, you get into territory just for draft die-hards, which is why the first round gets its own party and separate night.
On occasion, trades happen on the draft floor, so that can add some suspense. But often … nothing. Just teams announcing who they select. I’ve actually always found the draft a little tedious, but a lot of fans love it, live for it. And the league has made strides to package it better.
As for the Islanders draft party, you might check the official site’s recap of last year for a general idea. There is the countdown to the Islanders pick (and this year will be different, since they have the 1st overall pick — which will bring a lot of excitement and suspense right off the bat — and they have another 1st-round pick at #26). In between picks, you can watch who other teams select or take part in the fan events and merchandise sales, etc., they have going on. As a new fan, the tour of the locker room might be interesting to you.
If you’re looking to go to 20-30 games next year, I’m sure they’ll have reps to help you with ticket packages, and while you’re in the Coliseum you can actually get an idea of where you’d like to sit.
Sorry, that was a tome, but hope it helps a little. Maybe some draft party vets will weigh in, too.
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