Manias optimistic fans will like the hockey they see

The SteelHounds' GM believes that once the fans come, they will return.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Four months ago, when George Manias was hired as the general manager of the Youngstown SteelHounds, he needed to find a way to market a team that didn't exist in an arena that wasn't finished in a town that, quite frankly, isn't known for delirious bouts of hockey fever.
"Nobody knew about the SteelHounds," Manias said. "Nobody knew about the [Youngstown] Convocation Center. And it's really hard to sell a team that doesn't exist."
Fast forward to last week's media day, as Manias stood inside the nearly-completed arena, clearly enjoying how far things had come in such a short time. Thanks to an aggressive marketing campaign (that included television, radio and newspaper commercials), appearances by "Crusher" (the SteelHounds' mascot) and a visible presence in the community, most people know who the SteelHounds are.
But do they care?
"Really, in a nutshell, what's happened off the ice has helped, but not as much as people finally having the chance to see it for themselves," Manias said. "Hockey is a niche sport. When people come out and see us, they're going to want to come back."
Main job marketing
Unlike major league GMs, Manias' main job revolves around marketing. The results so far have been encouraging. The SteelHounds have sold about 1,000 season tickets, Manias said, and about half of the 26 loges have been sold -- mainly to businesses.
It also helps that the NHL is back after a year-long lockout that alienated an already dwindling fan base. But, on the bright side, Pittsburgh Penguins rookie Sidney Crosby has helped revive interest throughout the region and that can only help the SteelHounds.
"There's been a lot of hype about Sidney Crosby and I think that's going to trickle down toward us," Manias said. "And I think when people see what we're about they're going to realize that you don't have to go to Cleveland or Pittsburgh to see a good show."
Optimistic
Although Youngstown isn't a traditional hockey town, Manias thinks having NHL teams in Pittsburgh and Columbus combined with a minor league affiliation with the Cleveland Barons, proves that hockey can work in this area. (The Barons are comparable to a Triple-A baseball team while the SteelHounds are at the Double-A level.)
Youngstown is also in the northern part of the country, where hockey enjoys more popularity.
"You're also going to see a lot more scouts here since we're in the north," Manias said. "We're going to have players moving up the ladder and the scouts will want to see our players and the opposing players."
Manias expects the convocation center also will draw interest, although once the novelty of the new building wears off, the SteelHounds will have to rely on having a good product to attract fans.
And, as everyone knows, good marketing and good promotions are no replacement for winning.
"We plan to win," Manias said. "We don't consider ourselves an expansion team."
scalzo@vindy.com