The Aud is a special hockey rink.
After touring about half of the arenas in the OHL, I can say that for a fact.
But there is always room for improvement.
Here are five changes I’d love to see at Kitchener Rangers games.
1. Anthem singer.
The Rangers need to get one. The school choirs are nice, but to truly rev up the crowd the team needs to find an animated singer to set the tone.
Someone along the lines of Mark Donnelly of the Vancouver Canucks or OPP officer Lyndon Slewidge of the Ottawa Senators. These guys are part of the show, give the club an identity and start the game off on the right note.
Earlier this season, Bryan Dunn did a solid job. He’d be an ideal candidate, or someone like him.
A regular face and voice, would add to the game day experience.
2. Promotion people in the crowd.
I think Kitchener is the only rink that doesn’t send its promotions staff and host into the crowd for interviews and contests.
Yes, they have a crew that tosses free stuff to fans. But one thing other rinks do, that the Rangers don’t, is get up close and personal with its clients.
In Mississauga, they honour a season ticket holder with a gift, interview and bio. Other rinks spend time chatting with kids.
I realize the team relays info on the big screen. But it comes off cold. You can only get the personal touch by directly interacting with the crowd.
3. Hecklers
Duke University has the Cameron Crazies. And these fans are legendary. Some spend hours researching their foes in order to come up with clever cheers that will throw Duke’s opponents off their game.
Rangers fans don’t have to go that far. But it would be nice if they got on the other team once in awhile, especially, those lucky enough to be sitting behind the visitor’s bench.
I mean, cripes, Tie Domi’s kid is on the Rangers’ arch rival. You couldn’t ask for better material. Or, as mentioned earlier this season, a "Maaaaxxx-welllll" chant when Sarnia is in town.
I’m not saying fans should be cruel, because they shouldn’t. But a few clever timely chants and maybe some barbs to the boys on the bench once in a while wouldn’t hurt.
It would be nice if the Aud had the repuation as being the hardest place to play a road game because of the relentless fans.
4. Noise.
Rangers fans are passionate, educated and loyal. But they aren’t as vocal as other rinks.
I sat in a quarter filled Erie arena and heard a handful of supporters make more noise. And it’s the same story around the OHL. Fewer fans at the rinks, way more volume.
Things go up a notch when Kitchener scores. Everyone chimes in to the music played after goals. But that’s about it.
Every game I hear one poor soul, who must have a seat near the pressbox, try to start a chant of “Let’s go Rangers” only to have nobody echo it back. God bless the guy, because he never stops trying.
More noise boosts the Rangers and, again, makes it harder for opponents to eke out a win.
5. Popcorn machine in the pressbox.
Hey, a guy can dream. I already requested one for the new pressbox when the renovations start at the Aud. But I don’t think it went over well.