Excited for the Ironhawks, but I have some real concerns about whether hockey can last in Trenton this time
I want to start by saying this clearly: I am still all about hockey being back in Trenton.
I’m a Flyers fan at heart and have been since day one. I knew the Reading Royals were probably going to remain the Flyers’ ECHL affiliate, and unfortunately Reading is just too far of a ride for me to realistically go often. So with the Ironhawks, I’m not suddenly rooting for the Islanders. I’m rooting for affordable, local hockey and cheap entertainment close to home.
That said, I do have some concerns.
The original Trenton Titans had early success when they started in 1999, and I really believe a big part of that was their affiliation with the Flyers. This area has a lot of Flyers fans. That connection mattered.
When the affiliation changed in 2006 and the team became the Trenton Devils in 2007, it alienated a lot of the fanbase. Then when they switched back to the Trenton Titans as a Flyers affiliate in 2011, the damage was already done. It was too little, too late, and the franchise folded in 2013.
I’ll admit, back then I was hyperfocused on the NHL. The Flyers got the media attention, the merch was in stores, and the ECHL just didn’t get the same time of day. Looking back, I wish I had supported the local team more.
Now with the Ironhawks, I’m excited, but there are things that worry me.
My ticket rep confirmed that games are only expected to be on FloSports, which is either around $110 for the year or $40 per month. That’s a tough sell for casual fans. On top of that, my rep confirmed there will be no TV or radio partner during this inaugural season. To me, that’s a major problem for visibility.
Minor league teams need casual exposure. They need people hearing about games, stumbling across broadcasts, seeing highlights, and being reminded that the team exists. If everything is locked behind FloSports, that makes it harder to grow beyond the diehards.
I’m also concerned about the financial side. Gate receipts alone, even if they sell out every night, are not going to cover everything involved with operating the team and renovating CURE Insurance Arena. The estimated cost of the capital projects far exceeds what you can reasonably make from max capacity multiplied by average ticket price over 36 home games.
That means sponsorships, corporate partnerships, group sales, suites, concessions, and community buy-in are going to be huge.
I really want this team to work. I want the Ironhawks to last in Trenton. I want this to become a real local sports option again, not another team we talk about years later with “remember when” energy.
I may hate the name Ironhawks, and I may not care about the Islanders affiliation, but I care a lot about hockey being back in Trenton.
I just hope the business side is strong enough this time.