(above) Colorado Avalanche officials are mulling over an offer to host a hockey rink at IVESCO Field next season that would include a DU vs. CC hockey match-upFrom: Inside College Hockey
by Jess Myers
by Jess Myers
Reportedly DU may not be visiting Alaska Fairbanks next season as previously reported so that DU could face CC at the Bronco's foorball stadium INVESCO Field at Mile High.
There's been similar exploration of hockey games at INVESCO Field at Mile High in Denver as well, although nothing has come to fruition yet. Pioneers coach George Gwozdecky said folks from the Metro Denver Sports Commission envision a DU-Colorado College game preceding a Colorado Avalanche game at the 76,000-seat home of the Denver Broncos.
Among the challenges that have yet to be tackled for an outdoor game in Colorado to work are permission from the Broncos to use the field, and the fact that Denver gets 300 days of sunshine each year.
"As cold as it gets here, the sun is always shining, all winter, and that has a negative effect on ice," Gwozdecky said.
Jon Schmeider, the Denver sports commission's executive director, says that ice-making experts have assured them that a sheet inside the Broncos' facility is do-able, but would be expensive. He's envisioned a multiple-day winter festival in the community, with open skating, youth hockey, and games involving DU, the Avalanche and possibly the U.S. Women's Olympic Team on the temporary ice sheet. But Schmeider says the local NHL club is the key to making it happen.
"It's really on the Avs, and they've been hot and cold on the topic," Schmeider said. "We'd have to have the ice down for 10 days, so it would be much bigger than just an NHL game, but without the Avalanche it wouldn't work."
There's been similar exploration of hockey games at INVESCO Field at Mile High in Denver as well, although nothing has come to fruition yet. Pioneers coach George Gwozdecky said folks from the Metro Denver Sports Commission envision a DU-Colorado College game preceding a Colorado Avalanche game at the 76,000-seat home of the Denver Broncos.
Among the challenges that have yet to be tackled for an outdoor game in Colorado to work are permission from the Broncos to use the field, and the fact that Denver gets 300 days of sunshine each year.
"As cold as it gets here, the sun is always shining, all winter, and that has a negative effect on ice," Gwozdecky said.
Jon Schmeider, the Denver sports commission's executive director, says that ice-making experts have assured them that a sheet inside the Broncos' facility is do-able, but would be expensive. He's envisioned a multiple-day winter festival in the community, with open skating, youth hockey, and games involving DU, the Avalanche and possibly the U.S. Women's Olympic Team on the temporary ice sheet. But Schmeider says the local NHL club is the key to making it happen.
"It's really on the Avs, and they've been hot and cold on the topic," Schmeider said. "We'd have to have the ice down for 10 days, so it would be much bigger than just an NHL game, but without the Avalanche it wouldn't work."
8 comments:
I don't know about this. I mean it would be super sweet, but Colorado winters are mild. And with the way the weather changes in this state it could very well end up being 65 degrees outside the day they want to pull this off. Just my two cents. If it does go down I will definately buy a ticket though.
I'm sure they could build an outdoor hockey rink in the Sahara if they wanted to. Lets hope the Avs "cowboy up" and we can see a great event for college hockey.
I really can't see myself buying seats in the upper ring of Invesco field to watch DU play CC. Sure it's a novelty but you won't really be able to see much of the game. Plus, DU will play CC several more times that season. The games at McNichols were fun but CC is afraid to play in Denver Cup these days.
CC being afraid to play in the Denver Cup is true. Their spin was that it was not "financially feasible" to participate. The reality was that they couldn't win it so we'll take our sorry little excuses and head home.
this game would be freaking sweet! we could watch outdoor hockey and get a tan at the same time!!!
I know how Colorado weather is but if it could be done... I'd so would do anything to see DU and CC go at it at Mile High! I'd be more into that then the Avs vs. Wings.
1) Put a tarp on the ice when not in use. That takes care of the sun issue.
2) Find a revenue split that pays everyone well. Should not be hard to get a $40 ticket average for 75,000 seat stadium. That gives you a $3 million gate before you add in ancillary revenues (food, parking, merchandise, TV, Etc., which would probably add another $500K. Let's say the game costs $500,000 to stage, you are still looking at a $3 million take...It's a no-brainer.
I think the weather might be the biggest factor. I do like the idea of a multi-day festival with open-skating and stuff though.
And DG, I'm surprised you haven't mentioned the fact that your blog was pimped (for lack of a better word) in the USCHO WCHA column this week ... ;)
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