Will the NY Islanders Move to Brooklyn Hipster-fy Hockey?

For years, I've been telling everyone how hockey will become a widely popular sport and receive the attention it deserves on network television and in the media, mainly because I wanted more friends to watch games with me (...). Although football and basketball fans still outnumber hockey by a stretch, a recent article states that the NHL is selling out more arenas than the NBA this season. Yes those numbers might be skewed by the NBA's performance, but there are other signs that hockey might be growing in popularity; for one, I've been seeing occasional San Jose Sharks photos in my Facebook and Instagram feeds from unsuspecting west coast hockey fans, and two, Apple decided to include the LA Kings in their newest iPad Air commercial.

Apple approves of ice hockey.

But the true tipping point of my hockey popularity theory will be its adoption by hipsters. In 2011, I sensed the hipster hockey trend as the NHL and Versus' (now owned by NBC) aggressively marketed to hipsters in Williamsburg. Now, with the impending 2015 move of the New York Islanders to Barclays Center in Brooklyn--the hipster-fying of hockey is inevitable. Who wants to bet Pharrell will be sporting a throwback hockey jersey at the 2016 Grammys?

Will Hipsters ruin hockey?
The thought crossed my mind this Monday when I attended an Islanders/Bruins game at the current Nassau Coliseum venue out in Long Island. Stepping inside the Islanders arena was like stepping back into time, as if the arena hasn't changed since the 80s. Of all the NHL hockey games I've attended, this was the first time that prior to the game there was a moment of silence for an original season ticket holder who recently passed away. That and the rowdy Islanders fan section felt pleasantly intimate.

Sean and I are smiling because the Bruins won 6-3

Will the history, family-like atmosphere and camaraderie disappear at Barclays? I hope not. The move has received mixed feelings by Islanders fans, but my hope is the move will inject energy into the franchise while still preserving all its quirks and traditions (like those Ice Girls!).  In many ways, hipsters and hockey is a destined combination--eclectic warmup music from techno to country, beards and swearing. I have high hopes that Brooklyn, NY Islanders fans and hipsters can make it work.

Will History Be Made or Will Amazing Happen? The Battle of Playoff Commericals

The "History will be made" campaign, a collaborative effort between NHL, NBC Sports, Versus and ad agency Y&R, perfectly captures the intensity and excitement of the playoffs. The 2011 NHL playoffs began with a bang--reigniting my love for the sport--as four out of the eight round one match ups were decided in Game 7 and three highly anticipated teams (Canucks, Bruins & Sharks) won their series in sudden death OT. Through a powerful montage, the TV spots relive pivotal playoff moments, capturing images and sounds of victory beautifully in sync with heart-tugging instrumental music. Every day until the Stanley Cup final, NHL will be releasing a new version of the "History will be made" commercials featuring a hockey highlight from the night before, demonstrating NHL's marketing sophistication in creating real-time content. My favorite has to be Nathan Horton's double OT goal against the Canadiens in Game 7 that advanced the Bruins to the second round:

There are obvious similarities between NHL's "History will be made" campaign and the NBA playoffs "Where amazing happens" campaign created by Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, like the layer of crowd noise, reliving old sports moments and fading to black. You can see the similarities in the spot above and the one below: 

However, the sentiment of "History" is different than "Amazing." Amazing speaks to a surprise, a moment that is temporary and quick, while History is forever. History has the ability to uplift Detroit, the Hockey Town of America, in one of its worst recessions. History has the ability to bring pride back to the Blackhawks in Chicago after almost a half century of not winning the Stanley Cup. There is only one trophy passed down from champion to champion, and the NHL successfully reminds its fans of the unique legacy that is winning the Lord Stanley's Cup.

Is the NHL Marketing Hockey to Hipsters?

Sure seems like it to me. If you live in or have been to hipster-central Williamsburg Brooklyn recently, you may have noticed the NHL playoff slogan "History will be made" stenciled on Bedford Ave or outside the Lorimer L stop. Initially I was confused at the logic of promoting the NHL playoffs to hipsters, because why the hell would hipsters care about hockey? They have better things to do like farm their own tomatoes or take hipstamatic prints of their favorite chai latte... I'm kidding. Most people probably think Versus, the channel dedicated to airing the playoffs, is better off stenciling Stanley Cups in frat-central Murray Hill; however, I really think Versus is onto something in trying to expand the NHL fan base among the hipster audience.

Here's why I think Hockey will grow in popularity among hipsters:
1) According to Wikipedia (yes, Wikipedia), "While the NHL does not hold one of the largest fan bases in North America, it does hold one of the most affluent fan bases." Perfect. Most Hipsters look like they have money.

2) Hipsters love vintage fashion (this includes the 90s) and what is more iconic than vintage NHL hockey jerseys. The NHL has embraced the throwback jersey in lots of big-stake games, so if hipsters aren't watching hockey for the fighting they can watch it for the fashion.

3) MUSTACHES. Dude, hipsters love their mustaches (FuckYeahMustaches.tumblr.com) and so do playoff hockey players (NYT covers Boyle & Dubinsky's dirty staches).

4) Happy, Cameron & Wayne were hockey fans:

In Hockey's name, good luck NHL on the "Gain Hipster Fans" mission. I'm on your side!

As Close To The Stanley Cup I'll Ever Get

The NHL Playoffs begin today!  The NHL Network brought the Stanley Cup to the MediaVest office today, and forgive my language, I almost dropped panties (I wouldn't of course).  I am more excited than ever for the playoffs because 1) I actually care since I am no longer in college 2) There's fighting in professional hockey 3) It's a longer season; but, will I ever be as loyal to any professional team as I am to the Boston University Terriers?  Probably not. 
 
Every night, I watch Stanley Cup Playoff commericals that replay hockey legends hoisting the cup over their heads, kissing it gently like it is the greatest achievement in their life, and Me--I do paid search--I get to touch this prized possession! This is as close as I'll ever get to the cup.  I may never play hockey, but I appreciate what the Stanley Cup playoffs stand for--it stands for close calls, smart plays, great opportunity--and the team that wins will see every championship team before them engraved into the cup, with the most recent Pittsburgh Penguins, and know that they are among the best.

I feel very lucky because this isn't the first time my work has led me to a trophy.  When I interned at the Greater Boston Visitors & Convention Bureau, I got to see the 2007 World Series Trophy, which also made me almost drop panties.  I'm very grateful to be able to share what some people work their whole lives for--it's inspiring, it really is.  God, I love hockey.

Why My First Rangers Game Sucked But Didn't

January 25 was another eventful hockey night this year, it marks my first ever Rangers game at Madison Square Garden against one of my fav NHL teams and Stanley Cup Champs the Pittsburgh Penguins. It would also be my first time seeing former BU captain and Hobey Baker winner Matt Gilroy play since the 2009 NCAA National Championship in DC, and my first time seeing Crosby play in real life and not just on my 27" TV.

The Pens scored first, while the Rangers struggled to match the Pens offensively throughout the game. Avery didn't punch anyone and Gaborik didn't score, so naturally, the Pens kicked Rangers ass and won 4-2.

Even though I felt like I was watching a mediocre college hockey game (only 14 shots at the end of the first) and Rangers fans were booing the team for more than half the game, THE GAME WAS STILL FUN BECAUSE:

1) I am a fan of both teams, so EVERY goal was a GOOD goal. I could only come out a winner.
2) Don Draper was at the game. And, you all know how much I effing love Don Draper.
3) My $12 Bacardi-spiked Strawberry drink came in a blinking, siren-like plastic jug that can only be classified as unnecessarily-distracting-and-quite-possibly-the-coolest-cup-alive.
3) Two words: Sidney Crosby (#87).4) Again, seeing one of my favorite BU players play professionally... Matty Gilroy #97.
5) The tickets were a gift from my sweetie for Christmas. The NHL has a conspiracy against us, we are 0-4 in witnessing a home-team win. I guess this means more NHL games until the curse is broken!
6) It's funny to see hockey couples. He's the highest scoring forward and she's the sieve. How appropriate.
This hockey field trip to MSG took a toll on my wallet (damn, blinking cup!), so probably no more hockey adventures for a while... or is it? Vancouver anyone?

BU v. BC at Fenway Please?

Yesterday, the NHL announced Boston's Fenway Park as the location of the 2010 Winter Classic. The Boston Bruins will play the Philadelphia Flyers on New Year's day. The NHL article also mentioned a week long of events prior to and after the Winter Classic in Boston. Events like open skate at Fenway, Dane Cook comedy show, House of Blues concert and a POSSIBLE BU/BC GAME AT FENWAY PARK!

Here's the most important sentence in the entire article:
"There also are ongoing discussions regarding plans for the men's and women's hockey teams from Boston College and Boston University to play games against one another at Fenway on Jan. 8."

Hopefully this happens. Imagine the bragging rights of winning one of the biggest college hockey rivalries in one of the oldest ball parks in America. Since we're on this issue, check out the trailer for "The Battle of Comm Ave" from Rival Films:

Penguins are Stanley Cup Champs

The Pittsburgh Penguins is my go-to NHL team ever since the first Winter Classic in Buffalo and my discovery of Sidney Crosby. My love for the Pens then grew ten-fold when legendary BU goalie Johnny Curry signed with the Baby Pens and now BU's recent Assistant Captain Brian Strait is also heading to Wilkes-Barre Scranton.
*This is two years old, but I got Johnny Curry's autograph!
And tonight, the Pens are STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS!!!! Yeaaa, they beat the Detroit Red Wings. Although it was Game 7 at Detroit, I knew the Pens had it in them to win it because they didn't give up Game 6. Also, Detroit won the Cup last year against the Pens, so it makes sense the Pens wouldn't let it happen again.

Catch the highlights and the trophy ceremony here: