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March 4, 2013
The Hockey News has been providing the most comprehensive coverage of the world of hockey since 1947. In each issue, you'll find news, features and opinions about the NHL and leagues across North America and the world.
DIGITAL TICKETS
The NHL is moving into the digital age and getting rid of a collector’s favorite – the game ticket. It’s not all happening at once, but a handful of teams, including the Winnipeg Jets, have replaced physical season tickets with a season ticket card. The size of a credit card, it enables primary ticketholders to get into games, yet also transfer tickets to clients or friends electronically. The concept has been used by airlines and the music industry for years, according to Jim Ludlow, president and CEO of True North Sports & Entertainment, which owns the Jets. “We’re at the front end of the curve,” he said. The card will also facilitate loyalty programs by tracking the spending of ticketholders, enabling teams to create rewards for their patronage. Think of it as Air…
UNLIKELY DESTINATION
THE CENTRAL LEAGUE IS PUTTING a team where? That was the common reaction to the Jan. 23 announcement the CHL, a 10-team circuit spanning from Arizona to Illinois, was ing its first Canadian franchise, in Brampton, Ont. After the Ontario League’s Battalion announced in November that they’re moving to North Bay for 2013-14, it was only natural to scoff at the thought of a lesserknown league succeeding in a market unfit for Canadian junior. But to do so is to underestimate the people behind the operation. Take the franchise’s owner, Gregg Rosen. The Kingston, Ont., native owned the highly successful Jr. A Kingston Voyageurs for five seasons and took them to their first league title and RBC Cup berth in 2009. He sold them in 2011 to devote time to fighting…
BETTING ON BATES
Bates Battaglia went to the Stanley Cup final with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2001-02 and has spent the past few seasons playing professionally in Europe and the minors. But his latest challenge proved as tough and worldly as anything he’s done on the ice; he’s competing on the popular reality TV show The Amazing Race. “It’s pretty physical and being an athlete definitely would help anybody competing out there,” said Battaglia. “It’s tougher than it looks on TV, I know that.” The 37-year-old Battaglia, who amassed 198 points in 580 career NHL games with the Carolina Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche, Washington Capitals and Toronto Maple Leafs between 1997 and 2007, pairs with his brother and fellow hockey pro Anthony during the 22nd season of the show, which sees duos from all walks…
ROMAN DIDN’T COME IN A DAY
ROMAN CERVENKA HAS YET TO LEARN THE English language. He has, however, shown himself capable of making his on-ice voice heard and understood at the highest levels of hockey. That’s why the Calgary Flames worked so hard to bring him into the fold this past summer – and why he’s already wowing team brass despite a significant and serious physical challenge. Believed by some scouts to be the best player in the Kontinental League last season, the 27-year-old Cervenka turned down a significantly bigger payday to remain there in favor of an NHL job and a more uncertain future. Calgary won the war for his services, but only for this season (he’ll be an unrestricted free agent again this summer). If he posts anything close to the 54 goals and 100 points…
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