I don’t think they’d be going for 20K+ spectators. Some NHL rinks don’t hold that many. If you could seat close to 10K would be good. Most pre-season games are like pre-season Super rugby games – tickets are cheaper because they’re trying out some players, some stars aren’t on the field, and they can take them out of town to places they wouldn’t use for a proper game where they’d want a big crowd for ticket sales.

We’d be the only building in NZ that could get close to that number. New stands behind the benches and temporary stands on the curling rinks would probably get us up close to 8000. Any where else would have to build an ice rink in a different building to get more than a couple of thousand in.

Smallest NHL arena is 16800.
But yeah I think in terms of uniqueness NZ would be good stop. But they are probably looking at build on established markets, i.e. Countries that pay for their television rights, which would put Aus ahead of NZ.

But Kyle is right in NZ, Dunedin only place capable currently is Dunedin. But old Douglas and Webber who are doing Team USA Team Canada game, propose to play in vector arena and westpac trust, which are indoor stadiums of ~15000 seats I think??? Which would put them ahead.

Btw the other guy from Douglas Webber emailed me today telling me the tickets aren’t available till next year. So apparently they don’t talk to each other regarding outgoing correspondents. Not good sign for supposed big marketeers

that would be great.  Logistics with Aus would be hard due to AIHL schedule but exciting to see!

they just built a new events centre in auckland capable of being converted into an ice rink within the space of a week. cant remember the exact name of the venue at this present point of time but it could be in the books for a venue with big seating capacity

find a list of currently registered players in the nzihf.  Those who are canadian born will probably be Team Canada.  Any americans or those who support america, or extra canadians will be Team USA.  The game will be played at “Vector” which is probably just Avondale renamed for the night.

Complete waste of time.  Won’t happen.  Until nzihf has been contacted about it, I wouldn’t hold your breath.

I had the following correspondence with two guys at Douglas Webber in March….

Orginally I asked about where I could get tickets to the Games this year?

Reply #1 – Craig

Hello

Due to the slow development of the ice floor manufacturing we have postponed these games until next year. We have just returned from the USA where we went to several NHL games and were hosted by both teams. Amazing experience. We will announce when they are to be played here in NZ and due to the international commitments of the teams we will not get a chance to plan them around NZIHL games.. thanks for your interest

Craig @ DW

#Email 2 –  I responded with the following email

Hey Craig

Cool. That sounds good.
When you say you were hosted by both teams, which teams are we talking about?
My understanding of Team USA and Team Canada is that they only get pulled together shortly before Olympics and World Champs? Maybe I am wrong, or are the teams coming not actually national mens teams?

Also if you are planning on hosting in June, that is right in the middle of Stanley Cup, so I presume that means the teams will be depleted of players involved in that?

That’s cool you went to some NHL games, they are an amazing experience.
Well keep me posted what ever you can do to raise exposure of our sport in NZ will be great. Its your event but would be good if you could co-ordinate with NZIHL, maybe to get some warmup games to showcase local talent. The NZIHL season runs from June-September so falls where you had the games down. In fact out of of pure coincidence the games in CHCH and Auckland you originally scheduled fell exactly on weekends NZIHL was in those cities.
http://www.nzihl.com is their website.

Good luck

Email #3 – Response from Craig

Hey
We are hosted by the co-ordinators of the teams in Toronto and NY. We will keep you all posted

Craig @DW

#Email 4 The response I got from the other guy generated from my very first email asking about dates.

Hi

Are you aware the games between USA and Canada are now scheduled for July 2011? Tickets won?t be on sale till at least January sorry.

Regards,

Gareth Webber | Director

#Email 5 – My response to Gareth

Hey

Yeah Gareth I got email from other guy I forget his name, saying the games were delayed due to issue with getting your ice making stuff made.

So who are the two teams that are coming? Are they actually Team Canada and Team USA?
I will come watch your games either way, but would like to know who is actually coming.
Team Canada and Team USA senior mens team would be together in May for World Champs but wouldn’t stay together till June I wouldn’t imagine? I could be wrong just speculating based on what the NZ national mens team does.

Also you state the teams regularly sell out big arenas? Team Canada and Team USA don’t meet each other in regular competition, maybe once a year if they are lucky? NHL/AHL teams on the other hand do meet regularly and sell out arenas, are the teams coming from those leagues?

I mean at the end of the day, I would love to see good quality Hockey in this country, so whoever you bring is all good.

Also the dates you orginally proposed lined up exactly with the NZIHL schedule including cities, maybe you should get in touch with NZIHL (http://www.nzihl.com) to get them to play prematch games or something (that is more based on you wish for the games to promote the sport in NZ, I realise there is not much benefit for you to do this)

By the way your website for nzicehockey.com appears to be down, will it be coming back up with information anytime soon?

Cheers

#Email 6 – Response from Gareth….

Hi

It’s too soon to answer a lot of your questions unfortunately, as there are a number of things to sort before we are given details of the teams and players.

The hockey site should be up within 3 months, at which point you can see all the information we release.

Thanks for your interest.

Take what you will out of those emails….

As great as it would be, I think untill solid details are forth comming.

“They have the right to remain silent. Anything they say can and will be used against them in the court of slapshot. they have the right to speak to a Hockey player. If they cannot afford an hockey player, one will be appointed to them.

I think the easest way to resolve this is just to put in to hold the World Champs. This way we do get a True US vs CAN game.
Come on IIHF lets hold it as close to antartica as poss.
where when you say you play hockey people assume we run around astro-turf. Where a check is more commonly found with nerds at highschool and icing is is an art form dieing out with our grandmothers.