Some More Nutty Ideas for Hockey

Just off the top of my head…really!!!

1. Expanding the fan base

Hockey is a net sport. An object is sent towards a goal, which is defended. It gets past the defender, goes in the net and a score results.

There are three nearly identical sports. One is the most popular in the world. It is called football in most places. In North America, the term is soccer. Then there is lacrosse, which is very nearly hockey on land. No skates, but the principles are the same. The sticks are in the air.

What if pro soccer, pro hockey and pro lacrosse (is there a pro lacrosse league) came together in an alliance? The fan bases overlap but are not identical. Hockey might be able to draw in the soccer crowd. The seasons do not overlap.

Minor league hockey and soccer franchises might be able to pair, and save administrative overhead expense. Imagine playing field complexes, with parking and indoor recreation centers (ice rinks for winter hockey league play). They might be called Net Sports Centers or complexes.

2. Increased viewing access

For whatever reason, NHL games are generally not available to the viewing public. NBC shows one game a week (and for only part of the season). The NHL network requires a subscription ($80 US, at the present time). Local channels on cable carry local games, but if you want to follow the league leaders, good luck.

Games need to be web cast to mobile viewing devices such as I Phone, Android, Samsung etc. Attract the next generation. Ad revenue can come from pop ups. Maybe cable subscription services can include minor league hockey, college hockey and so forth. Big games (NHL rivalries, playoffs) could be put on movie screens in theatres. Sell licenses to theatres and collect royalty revenues.

3. Ice technology & temperature control

Use infrared (IR) thermal imaging cameras to identify irregularities on the surface – places where brine systems might have obstructions, or where light reflections may be heating up small spots. Temperature uniformity is the key.

Develop “chiller-radiator” boards, with cooling inside the boards or dashers. Allow the boards to radiate coolness to the ice surface. Cool air will lower ice temperature by convection. Establish high-emissive surfaces on the outside, for efficient radiation. Selection of paints and surface advertisement materials could have an impact. Dark ads may soak up heat from lights, and re-radiate warmness to the ice.

Cool lighting technology may exist. LEDs are probably cooler than tungsten. Lamp surfaces might need to be cooled. Eliminate sources of heat that do not contribute to lighting.