Hey, people actually care about the Blackhawks now

August 12th, 2008 | Posted by PostmanE

Hockey isn’t exactly “back” in Chicago — it’s still here, to be sure, and thanks to young players, it’s experiencing a sudden surge in optimism. But it’s not all the way back, at least not yet.

Still, people in Chicago seem to be noticing the Blackhawks again, for a few reasons. One: Good young talent and an interesting team. Two: The Bulls were horrible to watch last year, and an $8 hockey ticket was a relative bargain. Three: Former Cubs marketing guru John McDonough is raising the team’s profile in the city little by little, whether through standard marketing (player outreach, team events) or through big coups like the planned game at Wrigley Field in January. After a few years of obsolescence, the Blackhawks are moving in the right direction.

At least it feels that way. Do the numbers match up? Are people buying more season ticket packages? Apparently it feels that way because it is that way:

Mike Kamarauskas’ predawn drive from Bartlett to the United Center to be at the front of the line to purchase Blackhawks tickets Monday was a first for him. It also marked the first time in recent memory Kamarauskas — or anyone else, for that matter — needed to arrive before sunrise to buy Hawks tickets.

“I wanted tickets for some of the premium games, and I knew I had to get out early,” said Kamarauskas, who established the head of the line at 5:30 a.m., 41/2 hours before single-game seats for the upcoming season went on sale. “I didn’t do it last year. I bought tickets the day of [games], and I bought tickets a few days or couple of weeks before the big games. I’m afraid they’re going to sell out this year.”

“Every single day, with everything we do, we need to make good impressions,” McDonough said as he worked the line under a sunny morning sky. “I met a gentleman in line who said it’s the first time he’s been back as a ticket-holder in 27 years. I hear more and more of that every day. Many of them are coming back.”

See? Hockey may suck sometimes, but some of its major problems — lack of scoring, broadcast difficulties — have been eliminated by new rules and the rise of HD television. In Chicago, ownership is no longer running the franchise as if its the 1930’s. Without getting too worked up, it’s fair to say hockey is making its push; the only uncertainty is whether that push will be a gentle nudge or a vicious shove.