Ice Cap: Your Weekend Blue Jackets Coverage
Apr 8, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; A general view of the Columbus Blue Jackets canon in Nationwide Arena prior to the game of the Toronto Maple Leafs against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
The Ice Cap is your portal to all things Columbus Blue Jackets for the weekend.
In case you missed it: The Blue Jackets have switched their American Hockey League affiliate to the Lake Erie Monsters, based out of Cleveland. The Lake Erie Monsters served as the Colorado Avalanche‘s affiliate since it’s inaugural season in 2007-2008. Formerly the Springfield Falcons, based in Springfield, Massachusetts, served as the Blue Jackets affiliate since the 2010-2011 season. See the full report from the Blue Jackets here.
“The Blue Jackets couldn’t be more excited and proud to have the Lake Erie Monsters as our American Hockey League affiliate,” said John Davidson, Blue Jackets President of Hockey Operations. “Both organizations are committed to winning and providing a great experience for hockey fans and we believe Cleveland, whose hockey roots date to the late-1920s, is the perfect place for our young players to grow, develop and have great success. Our sport has grown tremendously throughout the state of Ohio in recent years and we believe this partnership between two great hockey markets will allow us to continue that growth.”
UandB Take: This is a great partnership that makes so much sense you wonder why it didn’t happen sooner. The Columbus Clippers recently did something similar, going the opposite way on ’71, when they became the lower level of the Cleveland Indians, previously being an affiliate for the New York Yankees. What this does is increase the level of support while also branching out resulting in a bigger radius of fans. Clevelanders will now feel more of a connection, since some already root for the Jackets, with the availability to see the up and comers right down the street from them. That should help attendance for the Monsters. It should also increase fan support both on TV and day trips down to Nationwide Arena, as that connection should grow into support and buying power for the Jackets.
It could also help push for new sports media reform up in Cleveland as currently the Cleveland Cavaliers and Blue Jackets fight for airtime on Foxsports Ohio, which holds the television rights to both. Now even the most staunch Jackets and hockey fan will tell you, the Cavs are far more popular, leading to unaired Blue Jackets games up in Cleveland. I’m not considering the Jackets are taking over the Cavs anytime soon, but it would help if all the games would be able to be seen. One worthwhile note. Cavs’ owner Dan Gilbert is also the owner of the Monsters. He has done a great job revitalizing the Cavs and his company, Quicken Loans, is constantly considered one of the best places to work. Not that’s of huge importance, but it doesn’t hurt having that. Still not sold? Check out their alternative jerseys.
More news on the next page including the lottery, mocks, and a special Blue Jackets anniversary.