TV numbers indicate Canucks becoming Canada's team
BURNABY, B.C. (CP) - If you use TV numbers as a measure, the title of Canada's team has moved from the centre of the universe to the West Coast.
The Vancouver Canucks are drawing more viewers to their NHL games on English TV than the Toronto Maple Leafs. Goodbye Yonge and Bloor, Canada's new hockey crossroads is now Robson and Thurlow.
"That's pretty big," veteran forward Trevor Linden said Wednesday after the Canucks skated at their Burnaby, B.C., practice rink.
"When you talk about TV numbers, when you outdraw the Leafs, that's pretty substantial."
The Canucks are averaging 330,000 viewers for their games on Rogers Sportsnet, a 40-per-cent increase from last year.
The Leafs average 326,000 viewers on Sportsnet and 320,000 on TSN. That's a drop of 27 per cent for Sportsnet and 36 per cent for TSN.
The Montreal Canadiens have the best TV numbers, with an average 375,000 viewers watching their games on the French-language RDS, but those numbers are down 12 per cent from last year.
So, can the Canucks lay claim to the title of Canada's team?
"I don't know about that but I think we're getting there," said Canucks captain Markus Naslund.
"The media focus on the Leafs and Habs is probably bigger. I think we are appreciated a lot in Canada."
Todd Bertuzzi, the hulking right-winger who grew up in Sudbury, Ont., said you don't have to be a genius to figure out why people would rather watch Vancouver than Toronto.
The young Canucks, with their wide-open offensive style, are like watching a rock show. The aging Leafs, with their plodding defensive game, are a night at the symphony.
"Ask around hockey fans, go to bars and pubs and ask who is the most entertaining team," said Bertuzzi.
"You'll get your answer. They love the fact our coach rarely puts reins on us and lets us be creative. That's exciting to watch and that's why it's fun to play in a system like that."
Bertuzzi balked at the suggestion the Canucks can be called Canada's team.
Montreal, who in 1993 became the last Canadian team to win the Stanley Cup, own that honour, he said.
"Until somebody else takes the Stanley Cup, then it's Montreal," said Bertuzzi.
"You have to fight for your respect and respect is what you win. Until you win something you can't claim anything."
Heading into Tuesday night the Canucks were first in the Western Conference with a 14-6-3-2 record for 33 points and led the NHL in goal scoring with 81.
The Leafs, who are riding a six-game win streak, were second in the East with a 13-6-5-2 record for 33 points and have scored 68 goals.
Toronto beat Vancouver in both games the teams played this year.
While the Canucks have beat the Leafs in mid-week TV ratings, Toronto remains king in merchandise sales. The Leafs are first overall in the entire NHL in merchandise sales in North America although both Montreal and Vancouver rate in the top six.
In other television markets, the Edmonton Oilers are averaging 88,000 viewers a game on Sportsnet, a decrease of 16 per cent.
The Calgary Flames are enjoying a 15-per-cent increase to 100,000 fans a game while the Ottawa Senators have dropped 15 per cent to 58,000.
The CBC doesn't keep track of which teams are the biggest draw.
The Hockey Night in Canada doubleheader averages about 1.3 million viewers for its early game and 829,000 for the night cap.
The recent matchup between the Canucks and Leafs attracted 1.4 million viewers. That match came on the heels of the outdoor game in Edmonton which drew an audience of 2.74 million.
Linden said playing on the West Coast will always limit the Canucks national appeal.
"When our home games are on (TV), half of Canada is sleeping," he chuckled.
Besides their style of play, the Canucks have also raised their provincial image by holding training camps in places like Vernon and Kamloops.
"The little towns we go to are so supportive," said Linden.
"It really includes them. I think this is B.C.'s team."
CHeers,
Aquaman