Fantasy Hockey is Key to NHL Success

Dobber Sports

2011-06-01

bettman

 

The NHL makes fantasy hockey possible. But does fantasy hockey make the NHL possible?

 

Commissioner Gary Bettman has a vision for his NHL. To take what hockey has in Canada and northeastern United States and make the sport relevant in all of North America. To compete on equal footing with the NFL, NBA, and MLBA. By adding teams to the sunbelt region from Florida to California and everywhere in between, while attempting to land a lucrative national television contract.

 

The southern teams have had a lot of success as well with Tampa Bay, Anaheim, Dallas, and Carolina all winning the Stanley Cup. As Bettman was awarding the Cup in Anaheim to thunderous applause I remember him stating “looks like hockey is alive and well in California!” While Carolina was in their two appearances in the Stanley Cup Final their fans were tailgating at the arena during every game day – all day and into the night the way they do for Nascar and football.

 

While this makes it clear that there are hockey fans in southern cities and all across North America they are fairweather fans. Where are these fans when times are tough for their team?

 

In the northern or “traditional” hockey markets, the fans are much more abundant, if not more committed. Fans in those markets are diehard fans of their team but, more significantly, are fans of hockey. So how can the NHL breed fans of “hockey” and not just casual fans who only follow their local team?

 

The answer is simple: fantasy hockey.

 

If you are reading this piece, chances are you belong to a hockey pool. Even if your fantasy team is horrible and is enduring a rebuild or coming off of an awful season you still check the boxscores daily and you have a vested interest in the NHL.

📢 advertisement:

 

The best example I have ever seen for this is my father. A long time Leaf fan would watch if the Leafs were doing well. If not, then his interest was zero. Two years ago he joined my fantasy hockey league. Since then he has joined two more and plays weekly free pools on CBC and other sites. Now he watches a game almost every night. Now he watches a game on TV while simultaneously following boxscores on his laptop. Now he owns a jersey and shares season tickets. Now he is a “hockey” fan – more than just a Leaf fan.

 

All because of fantasy hockey.

 

The most successful pro sport league in North America is the NFL. The main reason why is gambling. Fans love to be in NFL pools and suicide pools etc. Because of this, the NFL enjoys major national broadcasting revenues. Fans love to watch games even if their home team is not playing, because they want to see how their fantasy squad or their picks are doing.

 

While the NHL makes fantasy hockey possible, fantasy hockey can fulfill Bettman’s vision of the NHL. How can the NHL leverage fantasy hockey to be even close to as successful as the NFL? If this is the formula, how would you suggest the NHL executes? What would you do to grow fantasy hockey?

 

 

Leave A Comment

UPCOMING GAMES

Oct 07 - 17:10 FLA vs CHI
Oct 07 - 20:10 NYR vs PIT
Oct 07 - 22:10 L.A vs COL

Starting Goalies

Top Skater Views

  Players Team
GABRIEL VILARDI WPG
YEGOR CHINAKHOV CBJ
JOE VELENO MTL
BRANDON SUGDEN WSH
KIRILL MARCHENKO CBJ

Top Goalie Profile Views

  Players Team
ANTHONY STOLARZ TOR
PHILIPP GRUBAUER SEA
ILYA SOROKIN NYI
JOEL HOFER STL
SEMYON VARLAMOV NYI

LINE COMBOS

  Frequency N.J Players
23.7 ONDREJ PALAT TIMO MEIER NICO HISCHIER
20.0 DAWSON MERCER ERIK HAULA JESPER BRATT
12.9 STEFAN NOESEN CODY GLASS PAUL COTTER

DobberHockey Podcasts

Fantasy Hockey Life: Washington Capitals Preview with Dan Holmi of Locked on Caps

Dan Holmi is here to report on the Washington Capitals. Jesse and Victor interview Dan about returning pros Alex Ovechkin, Dylan Strome, Aliaksei Protas, Pierre-Luc Dubois, Tom Wilson, Connor McMichael, Ryan Leonard, John Carlson, Jakob Chychrun, Rasmus Sandin, Logan Thompson, and Charlie Lindgren. In Cat’s Instincts, Cat Silverman of InGoal mag breaks down Garin Bjorklund.  […]

Fantasy Hockey Life: Stefan Rosner on the New York Islanders

Stefan Rosner is here to report on the New York Islanders. Jesse and Victor interview Stefan Rosner about returning pros Bo Horvat, Anders Lee, Mathew Barzal, Simon Holmstrom, JG Pageau, Maxim Tsyplakov, Calum Ritchie, Noah Dobson, Ryan Pulock, Alexander Romanov, Scott Perunovich, and Ilya Sorokin. In Cat’s Instincts, Cat Silverman of InGoal mag breaks down […]

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

📢 advertisement: