16 replies to this topic

[NJD Jester]

I'm doing a mini-series on FanHouse about the NHL in London, so when I saw that our own Chimaira_Devil_#9 would be attending his first game this weekend, I decided to touch base for an interview. The end result is here:

http://sports.aol.co...-nhl-fan-in-lo/

Thanks to Ben for a great, enlightening interview. There's some very eye-opening stuff in there about what it's like to follow the NHL having never lived in North America.

<JESTER>

Edited by NJD Jester, 27 September 2007 - 05:31 PM.

[brodeurrocks]

I have a friend in England who basically said the same thing. The coverage of the NHL is very poor due to time differences.
He has to stay up until 2 or 3 in the morning for some games. These games being played there will be good for exposure but there is no way an NHL team could survive there right now.

Edited by brodeurrocks, 27 September 2007 - 05:26 PM.

[Devs4LIFE]

Pretty good article, it's always good to see other people's opinions, especially if they come from a different culture.

[thefiestygoat]

Great article.

Have a great time at your first game Ben!

[Chimaira_Devil_#9]

Cheers guys im heading down to the arena tomorrow to try and get in to watch a practice session.

Thanks to Jester for giving me the oppertunity.

[Devilswede]

I sure feel his pain. I sit up for at least 82 Devils games a year, just to listen to them...it's a HUGE bonus when a Devils game is on TV over here or online. But I also watch the other teams as much as I can. I have obligations with the studies and all...but I just can't skip Devils games.

It's 3 am over here right now, but I'm up because I just can't wait for the season to start!

[Satans Hockey]

I've never looked but are there any nhl torrent websites? I follow the EPL and don't get to watch every game on tv that I want to watch but I have ended up finding good soccer torrents to download games from.

[vadvlfan]

Cheers guys im heading down to the arena tomorrow to try and get in to watch a practice session.

Thanks to Jester for giving me the oppertunity.

Enjoyed the read jester/ben. there are pockets in the US that is horrible as well for hockey coverage. Ben, I know it's expensive, but have you made a trip to the states? or do you have one planned?

[TravisZajac]

"Isn't that like a specialty in Quebec, like chips, cheese and gravy?"


Fries/Cheese and a POUTINE SAUCE!

BTW, Great article and good luck BEN!

[moustic]

Now I wanna to see NHL come to France...
Just to have my interview !

[Chimaira_Devil_#9]

Enjoyed the read jester/ben. there are pockets in the US that is horrible as well for hockey coverage. Ben, I know it's expensive, but have you made a trip to the states? or do you have one planned?

Yeah i am gonna make a trip some time next year, i tried to go for the opening of the rock , but last year i spent £1300 on my dissertation trip to iceland, so right now i cant afford it at all, but it will happen

"Isn't that like a specialty in Quebec, like chips, cheese and gravy?"
Fries/Cheese and a POUTINE SAUCE!

BTW, Great article and good luck BEN!

LOL sorry TZ but to be honnest, i was impressed that i had an idea of what it was in the first place.

I got to the arena at 9.25 today to find i had just litterally missed the ducks and the kings going in for practice. GUTTED.The guys on the door said there was a training session taking place but access was for specially allocated groups. So i asked if there was anywhere i could just have a peek , and was told no. But the man at the door assured me that at around 12 the kings would come back through the huge enterance area.

I decided to hang around because according to a Kings schedule and a doorman they would be coming in again for actual on ice session at 12.15 . 3 hours i waited to see if they would show, i had waited outside because the doorman seemed to say it wasnt ok for me to be in there. Finally at 12.35 i was told by another doorman that no players would be coming out this way, and that i was wasting my time.

He then said he didnt understand why i hadnt been inside waiting in the warm. I was pi$$ed.

I watched the guy from Ducks TV record an interview , then I went home.

Hopefully sunday will be a lot more productive.

[ThreeStars]

I'll say one word to you Chimaira......(ok technically it is two words)........GRAD SCHOOL........they pay YOU, it is fantastic.

Oh and enjoy the game tomorrow......we want a full report.

[peteyvegas]

Good Luck. Wait 'till you get a load of NHL for the first time. Hell, I dreamt about it every night for months! And I was already a teenager!! The first image lasts forever.

[ev0lemi]

Cheers guys im heading down to the arena tomorrow to try and get in to watch a practice session.

Thanks to Jester for giving me the oppertunity.

dude when i was in london last year during the playoffs i was DYING because i couldn't watch the games! I never made it over to the Maple Leaf but that was th e only place i had hoped would air games.

[Chimaira_Devil_#9]

dude when i was in london last year during the playoffs i was DYING because i couldn't watch the games! I never made it over to the Maple Leaf but that was th e only place i had hoped would air games.

That place is cool they always show sport , and the have a canada day parade.

I know of a few other places that show it but if anything else is on they dont.

When i was in Santorini in greece on a feild trip , i found a sports bar, and Irish bar called Murphys and they showed most NHL playoff game, Good times.

If you want Irish beer, American sport and your stuck in Greece thats the place to go

[elias2600]

I thoroughly enjoyed this one. great job!

[Belizarius]

Nice read... I feel about the same in France as most of the hockey fans are following French league and a little but the NHL, but far behind.
I don't know a place to watch games in my town unfortunately, even if Tours is a pretty big hockey town.
As for Crosby, I think in France you'll be lucky if you find 5 people knowing him. I'm pretty sure it would be less.