Jets drawing needed crowds; official expects fan base to grow
JANESVILLE — The Janesville Jets apparently are drawing the fans the team needs to be successful.
Bill McCoshen, president, said attendance has averaged 693. When McCoshen was working to bring the junior A hockey team here, he said an attendance of 700 was needed.
He expects that number to increase as the team enters the traditional hockey season.
"Obviously, we're pretty pleased," McCoshen said. "It's early in the season, and we're still competing with other fall activities in the area."
The Jets are 14th in attendance out of 20 teams in the league.
Some teams draw more than 2,000 a night, but those teams also have large arenas to call home, he said. Janesville's rink seats about 1,200.
"We're real happy with where we're at right now."
McCoshen said that most of locals he has talked to have been "stunned" by the numbers.
"I'm hoping that our business plan—assumption—was correct: that there's a need for more affordable family entertainment. We're hoping to provide that," he said.
People who have been to the games can attest to the enthusiastic crowds, and McCoshen expects the fan base will grow, especially as the crowd gets to know individual players.
The players are ages 17 through 20.
The team's record, too, has surprised a lot people in the league, McCoshen said.
The Jets are one game under 500 in the 13 games they have played since Sept. 12.
"As an expansion team, a lot of folks thought we'd struggle through the first year," he said. But McCoshen lauded the coaching staff, which has done a good job of upgrading the team.
"Our goal is to be in the playoffs," he said.
The team was able to locate here only after the city spent $200,000 to upgrade the ice arena, and that decision, along with one to allow beer sales, was controversial.
But McCoshen said he has heard no complaints about the alcohol or the facility, including the parking.
He said he knows the parking is spilling out onto the side streets and the nearby baseball parking lot. He figures he still might hear complaints as the weather gets cooler.
The city and the team continue to work through some facility issues, McCoshen said.
"It's been a learning process on both ends," he added.
"We've said all along that we're happy to play in the Janesville ice arena. It's worked out great for us, and we're hoping it becomes a tough place for visiting teams to play."
Nov 10, 2009 at 1:45 p.m.
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me thinks only morons call others morons for expressing their opinions. just a stupid thought.
Oct 26, 2009 at 10:46 a.m.
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Meerkat. You are not very bright. In a time of "crisis" we need cheap thrills to relieve some stress. Try going to a game and then remark. You sound like a moron talking about something you know nothing about.
Oct 24, 2009 at 9:59 p.m.
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Ilovehockey: Thanks for the information on the September game. I now finally understand why Janesville was listed as the home team.
Oct 24, 2009 at 8:33 p.m.
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pete, you should run for city coucil. you seem to have all the answers,for every article the gazette prints. second thought apply for city manager!
Oct 24, 2009 at 2:59 p.m.
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The Sept 16th game was held in Blaine MN where the NAHL has a showcase event in which all the NAHL teams participate. It is a great event that brings in many fans and scouts to watch great hockey in a facility that has 8 sheets of ice!
Oct 24, 2009 at 2:57 p.m.
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No, the Sept 16th game was not in Janesville.
Oct 24, 2009 at 2:23 p.m.
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Why dont you people that are so against the team go and check it out sometime. You may actually end up enjoying yourself and find that you can enjoy hockey. I believe they play at 7 tonight.
Oct 24, 2009 at 1:38 p.m.
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So, was the 09/16/2009 game really held in the afternoon before 850 fans?
Oct 24, 2009 at 11:15 a.m.
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I cannot believe, that in a time of crisis, and this is a crisis with the current unemploymnet rate in this city, that this project is even in the works. What is wrong with this city and the council? Who is going to benefit from this? A very small group of people thats who. While a vast number of people will suffer from this(more taxes). People, we haven't even seen the after effects from the loss of GM, Lear, Sanford and the many of the other small buisinesses that are not on the map. I could care less about hockey, or a local hockey team, but that is not the point. If we are to survive as a community, we should wait at least till the dust settles before making any commitments of tax payer money. Heck there is talk of local residents having to pay for trash pick up (which is probaly coming) let alone financing a new ice arena. Use the old one for now and lets wait a couple of years. Let's see if Janesville can survive the after effects of high unemployment.
Oct 24, 2009 at 9:06 a.m.
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Pete - it is not a lie - go to a game and see for yourself. The hockey is good, attendance is great, and everyone is having a good time!
Oct 24, 2009 at 8:04 a.m.
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Is that your Motto Pete?
Oct 24, 2009 at 1:49 a.m.
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Went to my first Jets game last night and had a great time! The game was entertaining and the crowd was really into it. I would say that the arena was easily more than half full. I look forward to going back and supporting such a positive activity in this community.
J-E-T-S!!
Oct 23, 2009 at 9:25 p.m.
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Was the Sept. 16th hockey game here in Janesville a day game? If so, it is amazing that this Wednesday afternoon event was able to pull in 850 fans! Can this be true?
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