Possible move to Langley Events Centre?

[Lucic]

Younger, but I have a similar thought process with many that age when it comes to how the sport should be played. 80's hockey would probably be ideal in my mind. That is what I grew up watching, although I loved the early 90's too. I know many (especially media types) like to crap on that decade as a whole with terms like, "The dead puck era" or "Clutch and grab hockey" but honestly it was way more entertaining than the garbage we see now. Why? Because there was still passion. There was still hitting for christ sakes. Two essential qualities for entertaining hockey. Of course some games and some teams were more boring than others, that happens in all sports. But the product as a whole was far more entertaining. It's only gotten worse, especially after the lockout in 04-05. I thought that first year after the lockout the hockey was as boring as ever. So many penalties, no flow, no intensity. Slowly but surely the game started to die after that. And now there is basically no hope for resurrection with the lawsuits and head injuries, etc. The bubble wrap society in which we live. Get out the foam pucks and let's keep our fingers crossed nobody gets a bruise. Don't want to offend anybody in the crowd. Seeing a punch or a bit of blood might ruin a soccer mom's day you know?

It gets harder and harder to watch every year. And one of these days I will eventually just stop. I keep trying to delay it and drag it out because I don't want to admit it's over but it's coming, and soon.

[Swando]

The game simply doesn't entertain me enough to make any sort of effort to commute. I mean you couldn't stop me from going to a game or watching online 9 years ago. But now? The game is so different. Less intense, less physical, so vanilla. Boring, bland, soft, whatever you want to call it. That is the direction this sport has decided to take for various reasons. Maybe some still enjoy that. I certainly don't. It isn't real hockey as far as I'm concerned. And quite frankly my definition of real hockey doesn't exist anymore. Thus, my type is a dying breed. In another few years I probably won't be watching any hockey whatsoever. Youu could argue that trend has already started. I still watch the games now but not with that same focus and passion. I think it's a shame but it seems the new aged hockey fan falsely believes the game is better than ever. That is beyond laughable but the NHL will take it. And laugh their way to the bank. I actually feel bad for the modern day fan. They really have no clue what good hockey is.

OHHHHH YOU are so right..GREAT POST.

[johnnyradiant]

In a few years we might see that the biggest value bubble was not realestate but the value of hockey teams.

[Knuckles Muldoon]

Steve Ewen tweeting the Giants have announced a presser for Tuesday ..... at Langley Events Centre.

The 'Vancouver' Giants are dead, folks.

[vzone]

Yep. The good times are gone. They have been for about 5 years but I still continued to support them. Thank you Mr. Toigo and fellow owners for not supporting the 'Vancouver' fans that supported you. You can count on not ever having my support at White Spot or with any of your other businesses. Loyalty goes a long way. In this case the long way is about 55km. too far.

[Priceisright]

Thanks TOIGO for ruining the franchises. I won't be cheering for them as long as he owns the team. Absolute dreadful, pathetic running of the club the past 3-4 yrs

[johnnyradiant]

Their support for the fans in telling them "end of April" for their decision on their biggest pressing need. They announce in May a conference in Langley. Seems like a waste of time even having the conference. Just announcing their announcement told us everything that we didn't see coming before they officially told us they had a decision to make. The only news to come out of tomorrow will be how much more the cheaper arena will cost tix buyers and maybe, if they are smart, they may actually announce move in the leadership department, and not just acknowledge their need to make a decision on that front.

I am still of the opinion that is a far cry from their biggest decision (yes I get they need an address to print on tix they are trying to sell). They won't need any arena unless they are actually going to take a path on building a legitimate franchise and stick to that path. Their future was a couple seasons removed. They need to be scrambling, and clawing back to rebuild effectively. And moving too far for a lot of what once was their core to follow, but not far enough for those that know and remember these last several seasons is only going to make it harder for them to move forward.

I will continue to follow the franchise because I'm kinda enjoying watching and learning about slow motion train wrecks. I won't mind being proven wrong about the wreck aspect but either way, it'll be a long while before I'm willing to part with any my own cash to actually watch the team in the stands or a pay per stream.

[rinkrat]

Did they even poll the season ticket holders to get their opinion on a possible move?

[Priceisright]

Did they even poll the season ticket holders to get their opinion on a possible move?

Ya no kidding eh. I left a nice email with Peter Toigo re my thoughts and concerns. Thats the thanks u get for supporting them for 13yrs!

[Lucic]

Did they even poll the season ticket holders to get their opinion on a possible move?

Probably not as the numbers kept steadily dwindling year after year. The results wouldn't be very accurate.

The writing was on the wall for a while now. The fact is the Coliseum doesn't need the Giants nor does the city of Vancouver. Regardless of wins/losses I think the dwindling fan base would've happened regardless. I think what attracted fans to the Giants (style, brand of hockey) is dying and gone for good. A change for the franchise was probably necessary.