Owner wants team to be fans' favorite

Herb Washington is trying to make each game a family experience.
By JOHN KOVACH
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Herb Washington wants to make the public's visit to the Convocation Center to see the Youngstown SteelHounds play hockey an attractive family experience that offers something for everyone to enjoy.
Washington, owner of the Central Hockey League team franchise, is encouraged by the public's positive response to the SteelHounds during their first two home games last weekend, and is hopeful that the number of fans will continue to grow as they experience the game and all the entertainment that goes with it.
"Everyone I came in contact with had nothing but a very good experience this past week and [we are] looking forward to making the experience even better than the last time," said Washington, who was gratified by the response from people who had experienced a hockey game for the first time.
"I hear a lot of first-timers talk about how much fun it was and how it was a lot faster than they thought it would be, and how they liked the physical part of the game. We have hockey 101 books out there so that the people can understand the basic rules, and they are going to come back."
Come-from-behind wins
The SteelHounds, who came from behind twice to beat the Oklahoma City Blazers in last weekend's home openers, will return to the Convocation Center ice tonight and Saturday night against Tulsa Oilers at 7:05.
The SteelHounds won last Friday, 4-3, on Jeff Christian's goal, and won again on Saturday by 4-3 on Darryl Lloyd's goal.
"You couldn't write a better script in terms of how we came from behind to win," said Washington, a former track sprinter and base-running specialist for the Oakland Athletics who owns almost all of the McDonald's restaurants in the area.
"We introduced hockey to people for the first time and it was very positive and gave the fans their money's worth."
Washington wants the Youngstown area to think of the SteelHounds as their team.
"We want the public to feel that it is their team, that they can embrace the team, that they can get to know the players, and that [the players] will be reachable and approachable out and about in the community," said Washington, who is seeking public feedback about the team.
"We want to enhance their experience and we hope that the consumers will help us and tell us about what they want."
Washington seeks to make the SteelHounds' games a total family experience with something for every interest and taste.
Total experience
"Our goal is to give people a total experience, to [give] some a piece of the game, to others a piece of all the activities that are part of the game, all of the things that go into a vibrant arena," said Washington, who hopes to have a special promotion for every game that the fans can enjoy.
"We have promotions planned regardless of the number of tickets that are sold. The promotions will be part of the whole hockey experience," he pointed out.
So, "I certainly hope that we can continue to be successful. But a big part of that is going to be if the coach and players can get the wins."
Washington also wants to promote hockey among the youth of the community, and use the SteelHounds and the Convocation Center ice as catalysts to create more hockey players and fans.
"The more people we can get playing hockey the better because because it helps to grow the sport, and it gets parents and kids involved in it more so that it can grow," said Washington.
Wants to work with schools
"We certainly welcome the opportunity to work with the high schools and help them wherever we can within the limitations for ice time." But, "It will be a challenge to find a way to accommodate the high schools who want ice time."
Washington believes there is a base of hockey interest in the area on which to build the team and more fans.
"We are trying to create a culture of hockey but there is a very good core here that enjoys and knows hockey and can relate to hockey." said Washington, who believes the game itself can win over followers.
"It's a pretty fascinating sport and I'm sure that the more folks in the valley that see it will take to it," he said.
kovach@vindy.com