Does the NHL Really "Get" Female Fans?

Seriously now, would you wear this to a Cap's game? You might if you want to be mistaken for a "lady of the evening" - as my grandma used to say. There was a great post on Puck Daddy's blog yesterday, where NHL gal fans and bloggers ranted about Alyssa Milano's "Touch" line of NHL licensed clothing. Now Alyssa Milano is and always has been drop-dead gorgeous and I'm glad that she's an avid fan.

But hey NHL Consumer Marketing gurus - real female fans don't wear this stuff (unless they're puck bunnies but that's another blog post and a very small demographic representation of female hockey fandom.) As one my fellow respected female Capitals bloggers quoted: "Alyssa Milano must have done her R&D for this line in a brothel." Hockey Mom got a good giggle out of that one - right on sister!

HM is happy to see more retail offerings by the NHL for the increasing number of lady fans. But I'd like to know - do you guys ever go out and actually talk to this audience? As I've said before once us gals are hooked, we'll get out the credit cards for that great (and flattering) Washington Capitals t-shirt. And then buy one for our BFF, our grandma, mom and cousin - just because we can!

I hope to see some more appropriate options for ladies debut this season. And thank our lucky stars, the season's almost here!

Ovie Makes One More Cover...

This is wacked, but Hockey Mom loves to get the mail! With the exception of the never-ending barrage of bills, every now and then you find a really fun surprise in your mailbox. Think the latest issue of Vogue, a note from a long-lost friend, a Half-Off Sale notice from DSW Shoes and in today's case...The Hockey News 2008-2009 Yearbook. And you'll never guess who's on the cover? Who else but the Capital's own Alex Ovechkin. He shares the cover with fellow NHL poster boy Vincent LeCavalier of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

This is a fabulous issue with editorial features on both Alex and Mike Green. THN also gives a complete pre-season rundown (roster, depth chart, season schedule and much more) on each team, which is handy dandy information for all of you new hockey fans out there. The Caps earned the prediction of ending up 3rd in the Eastern Conference at season's end, along with an A- team rating (what's with the A-?).

I have to admit, this mailbox surprise might actually be better than a DSW Sale notice! Well, okay, maybe not so much. But it's a phenomenal resource to get you primed for the season and ladies, if you see it on the news stands, THN's 2008-09 Yearbook definitely gets the official Hockey Mom Seal of Approval...

HOT Indeed!

Not that I'm telling you anything new, but the Washington Capitals are one hot ticket! Check out Tarik's piece in today's Washington Post. As HM's day job is in the marketing field, it doesn't take a marketing genius to figure out that a 93% season ticket holder renewal rate is a pretty decent ROI for the Caps' promotional efforts! I was a little bummed to see that lower bowl tickets went up a tad - but hey, my motto has always been "you get what to pay for" and Caps fans are paying to see some of the most fantabulous players in the NHL. Everytime I take my guys to a game, I think about the fact that we're watching NHL history in the making by having the privilege to see Ovechkin play. However, Hockey Mom has become what I call a "seat snob" and even if I have to sell off prized possessions (with the exception of my shoe collection or my Washington Capitals Mr. Potato Head), I'll pay to sit in the lower bowl for a better view of the action. Yes, I am one of those people who orders a drink with about 158 descriptors at Starbucks too. Sometimes they just write "high maintenance mocha" on my cup - then again, you get what you pay for - right?

P.S. Speaking of my Caps Mr. Potato Head, that was one of the most clever promotional giveaways I saw at a game last season (with the exception of the red mullet, of course). And no, Hockey Mom did not mug a young fan to get one, we got an extra one at the door. I hope the Caps run that promotion again this year, only I'd like to get my own Mr. Potato Head mullet - like the one that comes with the Detroit Red Wings' version!

Ice Arena Named after Hockey Mom - This One's Great!

One die-hard hockey mom is soon to have her own ice arena named after her in recognition of her many years supporting her sons and her beloved Philadelphia Flyers! 85-year old Mary Watson once went so far as to pull an opposing team member's hair once when she didn't like the way he checked her boy. All I have to say for myself is that it's a good thing they have glass between me and the ice these days; I would have to say if they didn't - I'd probably have done the same thing by now!

Thanks to Kukla's Korner for sharing this piece about this fabulous HM. Check out the article here. A big Hockey Mom toast to Mary and to all the kid-schlepping, gear-toting, multi-tasking and cheering squad hockey moms out there! Ladies, this is proof that one day, they will appreciate all that we do!

Kudos to Cammi - First Female in NHL HOF...

A HUGE Hockey Mom fist bump and kudos galore to Cammi Granato, the All-Time Top Scorer of the U.S. Women's Hockey Team. for being the first female player welcomed into the NHL Hall of Fame! This fabulous player continues to pave the way for young women in hockey and to be named to the HOF is a well-deserved honor for this tremendous athlete. Although no women are among the past or present ranks of the NHL, Cammi led the U.S team to a Gold and a Silver medal and has already earned a spot in the International Ice Hockey Hall of Fame. She's also married to a former NHLer and does some broadcast commentating for the League.

HM is always thrilled to see young women get into this great game and am envious that it's too late for me to participate (alas, I cannot master the art of skating backwards - maybe someday). So all you hockey gals out there, uncork your finest champagne and toast to Cammi!

Go Caps - Great Press!

Check out this great piece on NHL.com about the Capitals. Makes HM wish it were October already!

You Go USA!

So in the waning days of summer without hockey, HM along with the rest of the country, is trying to religiously follow the 2008 Olympics. I have to give a huge Hockey Mom fist bump to the men's relay swim team in capturing the gold last night (by a finger-length, mind you) over the smack-talking French. It's always so much fun (especially in hockey) to hear a team trash-talk the other team and then get slapped in the face by their opponent with a last-minute victory. Hey, Huet, what happened to the French relay team? They sure talked a big game but kudos to the Americans for that incredible comeback!

Back to hockey for a minute, HM was happy to hear that the Buffalo Sabres re-signed Finnish d-man Teppo Numminen to a new one-year contract. For the hockey newbies, the 40-year old Numminen missed a large part of last season due to open-heart surgery. He had to undergo valve surgery to correct a congenital heart defect and was suspended without pay by the team (which HM thought was bogus but apparently had something to do with the NHL's CBA - "Collective Bargaining Agreement"). So I am thrilled to see him back on the ice and wish him a great season!

And does anyone know when Mats Sundin is going to stop stringing the hockey world along and make a flipping decision about if and where he's going to play next season? Dude, seriously time to make a move - the season's less than 2 months away (yippeeee!)....

Hey Caps fans, don't forget about the Open House this Wednesday - D-man Matt Bradley and Cap's Captain Chris Clark will be in the house! I saw a video snippet on Caps TV recently where they followed Matt back to his home in Ontario and introduced his Hockey Grandma - what a cute lady; HM would love to watch a game with her! And I hope to see our Chris Clark back on the ice soon....

Til next time...Go Team USA!