Blues Hosting FANfest Sunday

by Brad Lee on Sep 17, 2008 11:36 AM CDT

This is a logo. Not a very interesting one, but still a logo.

By Brad Lee

The summer of our discontent is nearly over. Blues players arrive at the Mills training facility on Friday for the old turn your head and cough routine. Practices open to the public begin Saturday in Hazelwood and then move downtown to the Drinkscotch Center for the FANfest* all day Sunday.

*Hey Blues, we get it. Fanfest is all about the FAN! Whooo! But do you really need to put the word fan in call caps? We. Get. It.

Last year was the first year for the FANfest event. After a scrimmage, players were placed everywhere around the arena with lots of free events, photos and autographs. It was a genuinely good day for fans to immerse themselves back into Blues hockey. So we have high hopes...for the event. For the team this season, eh. And judging by the reaction of the GM Translator 2000 EZ after I fed it the press release announcing the FANfest (the machine hated the capitalization too), the leadership of this team is aware of this feeling amongst the fanbase.

Here is what Blues president John Davidson said in the release:

"This is a great opportunity for the St. Louis Blues family to come together -- from the fans to the alumni to the current players -- and gear up from the 2008-09 season. Fans are able to get an up-close and personal look at this year's team, as well as collect a few autographs and win some prizes. It's a fun, free event that everyone enjoyed last year and we're happy to be bringing it back again."

Sounds innocent enough. GM Translator 2000 EZ, please work your magic and tell us whata Davidson really said.

"This team we've built could really suck. And if we don't come together and rally around this feeling of family, we're going to be screwed at the box office. So come on down and see how bad this team could be so you're prepared from day on what this 2008-09 season could be like. I'll be geared up -- with catcher's gear. I pray the crowd doesn't get out of hand. Hopefully we can ply them with free crap. Better yet, we'll put the players out there after the scrimmage so if the fans want to attack anyone, they've got good targets that don't look like me."

GM Translator is a little more pessimistic about the season than most of us. You never know, it could turn out...ok. The Blues might be...not completely horrible. Maybe.

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Comments

The Hockey News picked us for last in the West, but fuck them anyway.

by Stlchapman on Sep 17, 2008 11:56 AM CDT reply actions

Blues hockey: We’re going to win more games than the Rams…probably.

by Gift on Sep 17, 2008 1:14 PM CDT reply actions

If the Blues finish last, hello Tavares or however it is spelled.

by answer man on Sep 17, 2008 2:25 PM CDT reply actions

So if the Blues “don’t meet expectations” this season, that will be a good thing, right?

by Mr. Particle on Sep 17, 2008 2:48 PM CDT reply actions

Goodbye Summer of Discontent. Hello Regular Season of Discontent.

by Gift on Sep 17, 2008 5:39 PM CDT reply actions

In sticking to the “Guaranteed to start out positive” vibe, the Blues have a new tv spot airing this Thursday that is up for your viewing pleasure on the website.

http://blues.nhl.tv/team/console?type=fvod&id=20722&tab=4

I like it.

by Dan on Sep 17, 2008 6:10 PM CDT reply actions

Man, I really did not intend to go so negative with this post.

I should really avoid writing for the site before noon.

by Brad Lee on Sep 17, 2008 6:33 PM CDT reply actions

Dan, I agree — nice spot!

Anybody here who attends games this season, make sure you get there and in your seat early enough to watch pre-game warmups at least once. Perron usually practices some stickhandling moves at various times, and it’s fun to watch. Usually once the players start leaving the ice from what I remember. (At least he did last year. Maybe that’s because he was trying to savor every last second of ice time he could.)

by Mr. Particle on Sep 17, 2008 6:57 PM CDT reply actions

Dan wrote:

In sticking to the "Guaranteed to start out positive" vibe, the Blues have a new tv spot airing this Thursday that is up for your viewing pleasure on the website.

http://blues.nhl.tv/team/console?type=fvod&id=20722&tab=4

I like it.

——————————

I like it the way Jeffio likes Wild Turkey… ;-)

If those are the hands that the Blues’ future is in, they’re pretty damn good, methinks.

If I do nothing else ever in my life, I can always point with pride to being the first member of the St. Louis media to interview Perron before his rookie year. When that kid makes the Hall of Fame, his words to “Game Time” readers will be going there with him…

“I’m not coming to camp just to get the experience; I’m coming here to make this team.”

by Brian Weidler on Sep 17, 2008 8:24 PM CDT reply actions

B. if you do nothing else in your, life you interviewed one of the greatest Blues Prospects of the first 8 years of the new century. Whether Perron turns into a superstar or not, he’s at least proven to be exciting in the new NHL.

by Dan on Sep 17, 2008 11:00 PM CDT reply actions