Bluefins Reel In The Fans Across The Cape

November 14, 2012 - Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL)
New York Bluefins News Release


Cape Cod Bluefins president and general manager Mike Nugnes took a unique approach to scheduling the team's home games for the 2012-13 Federal Hockey League season. Last season the Bluefins played the majority of their home games in Hyannis at the newly completed Hyannis Youth and Community Center. This year Nugnes decided to bring the games to rinks across the Cape in an effort to expose as many year-round residents as possible to the FHL brand of hockey. The Bluefins played their first four home games in Hyannis, Orleans, Falmouth and Bourne. The team has met the challenge, winning their first two games at home, and the attendance so far has shown this to be a winning idea.

Nugnes, a fourth-generation Cape Codder from Barnstable, understands the offseason Cape mentality and figured, if people can't travel to Hyannis for every game, why not bring the games to the fans? "The Cape is a unique market, with each area having its own scene. We wanted to make sure that people saw us as Cape Cod's team - not just a Hyannis team. We are the Cape's only professional sports franchise, and we want to be as accessible to every community on the Cape as possible," said Nugnes. He noted that the Bluefins fans from the previous season were impressed with the level of play has increased, while newcomers are surprised by the speed and skill of the players.

The team's efforts on the ice mirror the whirlwind of activity to promote the games off the ice. Team staff handed out thousands of discount cards in various towns for the game and players visited youth hockey practices at all of the area rinks. The team maintains a website, a Facebook account, and recently re-launched their Twitter (follow them @CCBluefinHockey).While the team features many homegrown players, for the second year in a row the Bluefins are the only professional hockey team in the world with a 100% American-born roster. The team meets fans after games and hosts post-game gatherings at various locally owned restaurants. Promotions like Chuck-a-Puck and the team's take on "Ice fishing", where anglers drag children across the ice on plastic sleds, thrill fans between periods.

However, the focus is still on the hockey. With the loss of NHL games, fans that might have stayed at home to watch the Bruins on NESN are going to Bluefins games to get their hockey fix. Head Coach Dan Gordon said that the NHL lock out has had a big impact on the caliber of play in the FHL this season. "I think that if fans come out and watch us this year, as opposed to last year, the level of talent is way up. The lock out has pushed players down from every level and it's only benefiting us."

The Bluefins will play the next five games on the road, visiting Williamsport, Dayton, Danbury, and 1000 Islands before hosting Danville Saturday the 24th on Martha's Vineyard and Sunday the 25th in Falmouth. The Bluefins look forward to seeing more fans come experience professional hockey on the Cape.



Federal Prospects Hockey League Stories from November 14, 2012


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