Tatsu

We just got our invitation and it is posted on the Predators' web site. Here are the details.

The Nashville Predators invite you to attend our 2005 Entry Draft Party at the Gaylord Entertainment Center this Saturday, July 30 from 10:30 AM - 1:00 PM. This free event will feature Predators All-Star goalie Tomas Vokoun and the Predators coaching staff to sign autographs and answer questions.

The Draft Party is an event for the whole family - lunch will be provided, Purity Dairy will be dishing out the ice cream and the first 1,000 people will get a free t-shirt. An inflatable slap shot cage and obstacle course will be up and running for the kids and the Predators' mascot Gnash will be prowling the arena.

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Bryant "Tatsu" Byrd
Visit the Global Hockey Project Blog - Home of the shared source Fantasy Hockey League Simulator project.

KB in Kelowna

Just curious, what type of crowds do these community events draw? What kind of media coverage?

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http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=cGiByITVrd8

go_leafs_go02

From what I've heard on other forums of people who live in Nashville, the end of the lockout has been pretty big, and the buzz surrounding it has made even some non-hockey fans interested. Correct me if I am wrong, but I could see this being a fairly decent day, with maybe 5,000+ fans showing up (small for canadian standards, but good for in the southern US) Media has been covering the lockout's end quite a lot too.

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TimmyTabasco

Nashville is my favourite American team

I hope they continue to do well, and it looks like the fanbase will only get better with time

Tatsu

Being that Tomas Vokoun is my favorite player there is no way I can pass up an opportunity to get my jersey autographed. My wife and kids are very excited about going too. I'll post a report on the event when I get back.

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Bryant "Tatsu" Byrd
Visit the Global Hockey Project Blog - Home of the shared source Fantasy Hockey League Simulator project.

Tatsu

My plans have come crashing down on my wallet. :bb: Looks like I'll saving my money for a bit so I can go to a game. I'll try to find out how the party went though.

Pity party!

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Bryant "Tatsu" Byrd
Visit the Global Hockey Project Blog - Home of the shared source Fantasy Hockey League Simulator project.

Tatsu

Looks like tires for the car were a better choice than a trip to Nashville.

If you're interested, check out Jason's Report at The Predators Den.

Summary: would have been a nightmare with the kids despite the photo opportunity with Vokoun.

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Bryant "Tatsu" Byrd
Visit the Global Hockey Project Blog - Home of the shared source Fantasy Hockey League Simulator project.

nhldave

Thanks for that report. Any idea of how many people showed up?

Tatsu

According to the Tennessean over 2,000 people showed up and some arrived before 8:30 AM (two hours before opening).

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs....507310380/1028

While the organization wasn't very organized for this event, the Predators have a really good marketing staff so I think we'll see attendance closer to what we saw early in the team's history by the end of the season. If the team can keep the chemistry and Vokoun can stay consistent this should be a very good season for us.

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Bryant "Tatsu" Byrd
Visit the Global Hockey Project Blog - Home of the shared source Fantasy Hockey League Simulator project.