Most of us have watched an NHL All-Star event; however, the vast majority of those events have left the fans wondering why they bother tuning in.
Saturday night we were treated to an entertaining event, which showcased player personalities and originality.
In the long run, that’s all the fans really want. It’s supposed to be fun. It’s supposed to make you laugh. It’s supposed to be an event that ensures fans connect with their favourite stars.
There’s no doubt about it, P.K. Subban understands this concept (via Puck Daddy):
“In my opinion this is the new NHL. This is what it’s about. You look at professional sports, the more athletes can engage and interact with the fan base, the more you’re going to get out of it, right? The more you’re going to get out of your league, the more revenues grow, in my opinion. That’s the game now. Fans want to be able to interact with players and get to know them. I think the All-Star Game is a great opportunity to do that, no matter what the format is.”
We all laughed when Subban put together his amazing Jaromir Jagr homage, we all watched in awe as Subban showed off his impressive puck skills, and we all appreciated the smile that was ever-present on John Scott’s face throughout the night.
Essentially, it was a perfect opportunity for fans to relate to their favourite athletes in new ways and, truth be told, there’s no better use of the NHL’s All-Star weekend.
The old guard may complain. “Back in my day Ray Bourque was a perfect gentlemen as he hit four targets.” But take note, NHL: this is what the fans want.
In a league where personality and exuberance is frowned upon, it’s become clear that most ardent NHL supporters crave more glimpses of how their favourite stars react when they’re not in a game day situation.
Kudos to Scott, Subban, Brent Burns and others for making it a fun event. It was exactly what the weekend needed.
