Hockey in Austin? The NHL is exploring expansion to Austin (or Houston) in the next 4 years.

[Joseph English]

I hear national media members talk about how Texas has an advantage because its the best show in town in a major city. As a Longhorns and NHL fan (Pens and Avs primarily), I wanted to hear what some other sports people in the Austin area feel about potentially getting a pro team. 

Did you hear about this yet? Would you support a team if it was in Austin? Have you ever watched a hockey game before? 

Honest opinion, hockey is the most exciting major sport to watch and play. Even though I love football (I played at the University of Toledo), the commercials and constant breaks in action can really get on my nerves watching cfb compared to hockey. If you haven't given it a chance and it comes to Austin, going to a game may completely change your mind about the sport. What the pros do on the ice is truly incredible and such a unique blend of physicality, athleticism, and skill. 

[Joseph English]

https://apnews.com/article/nhl-texas-expansion-cea35e02406db733b07eca9d55632b16

[Longhorn22]

A hockey team in Houston would be awesome. Such an incredible sport to watch in person and as a Houstonian rooting for the Dallas Stars feels wrong.

[TexasMDcoach]

I remember when the Stars came to Dallas from Minnesota.  They were an instant hit not only for all the imports from the north who lived in Dallas, but also with the locals who were hooked as soon as they attended a hockey game. The energy is unmatched really from a spectator standpoint in my opinion.

[Migas & Fajitas]

Houston would be a natural rival to the Stars. Hockey in Austin doesn’t feel right  but could be a hit

[Jeff Howe]

For an Austin franchise to work, I think you'd have to put the arena between Austin and San Antonio on I-35 so that you could draw from both metro areas. I don't believe UT/Oak View Group/Live Nation will allow a downtown venue to be built that would compete with Moody Center for concerts/live events.

[BurntOrangeDriller]

3 minutes ago, Migas & Fajitas said:

Houston would be a natural rival to the Stars. Hockey in Austin doesn’t feel right  but could be a hit

There is a very large, and quickly growing hockey community in Austin. The TX Stars get great support and the youth hockey program in cedar park, where my son plays, has really good numbers. As a former player I can say the quality of play isn’t quite where DFW is yet, but there’s been a longer history of good hockey there. And from a growing the game perspective, where the NHL goes, the increase in minor hockey numbers and coaching taken follows.

Houston makes sense because the Toyota center is already there, and Houston is home to the largest number of Canadian expats in the US. But I would love to see NHL hockey here in Austin.

[Jeff Howe]

From an Austin perspective, since there's overlap between the college basketball season and the NHL regular season, I'd look at what's happened in Oklahoma City and how it could impact attendance. Oklahoma and Oklahoma State fans both agree that the presence and rise of the Thunder have played a big role in the lack of interest in people going to basketball games in Norman and Stillwater. Yes, the product has to be up to par, but there are only so many dollars to get stretched so far in metro areas before people have to make decisions how to spend their time and money.

[Alex Butler]

Doubt it would work in Austin to @Jeff Howe’s points. Houston makes the most sense. We’ve had minor league hockey in Austin with ice bats a d now stars. People like it but I doubt it would catch in this market. 

[BurntOrangeDriller]

10 minutes ago, Jeff Howe said:

From an Austin perspective, since there's overlap between the college basketball season and the NHL regular season, I'd look at what's happened in Oklahoma City and how it could impact attendance. Oklahoma and Oklahoma State fans both agree that the presence and rise of the Thunder have played a big role in the lack of interest in people going to basketball games in Norman and Stillwater. Yes, the product has to be up to par, but there are only so many dollars to get stretched so far in metro areas before people have to make decisions how to spend their time and money.

Counter point to this could be the success and support the Canes have had in Raleigh in the middle of the CBB holy land without taking away from NC State or any of the other teams.