Hockeytown Hit Hard by the NHL Lockout

The NHL lockout forced the cancellation of the 2013 Winter Classic.

This weekend, downtown Detroit should have been filled with hockey fans enjoying the Hockeytown Winter Festival and buzzing about the NHL Winter Classic between the Red Wings and Maple Leafs at Michigan Stadium on New Year’s Day. But alas, the NHL lockout forced the cancellation of both events, robbing people in Detroit and across North America of what has become a major event.

The lockout is now more than three months old and, as of this writing, has led to the cancellation of 21 Red Wings home games at Joe Louis Arena, in addition to the Winter Classic. As you can imagine, that’s hurting businesses around the arena that depend on customers stopping in before or after games, as well as others throughout Detroit that rely on people coming in to watch the games with friends. The Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau says each game generates $1.9 million in economic impact downtown.

While there will be die-hard fans who will show up to games and follow their team no matter what, not all fans are so forgiving. According to the Detroit News, there’s been a noticeable long-term drop in the amount of fans who feel “passionate” about the NHL. Which segment do you fall into? Are you a die-hard Wings fan who will be at the Joe whenever they drop the puck next, whether it’s in a few weeks or next October? Or have you lost interest because of another prolonged work stoppage in the NHL? Or do you just not care either way?

Red Wings fans at bar — Normally this time of year, bars and restaurants are filled with Red Wings fans.

Whatever category you belong to, one thing you can do to help minimize the damage is to go to your local watering hole or your favorite restaurant and have dinner or a couple drinks with your friends. The place could probably use some extra business, especially if they’re normally packed with Red Wings fans this time of year.

If you normally go to Red Wings games or watch them at sports bars, what have you been doing instead with your free time? Are you following the Lions or Pistons more closely? Are you spending your “entertainment dollars” differently or just saving that money? Let us know in the comments section below.

–Scott

Season of Giving: U-Haul Helps Arizona Charities at Christmas

Santa’s “nice list” in Arizona grew especially long this past holiday season, as U-Haul® Team Members and their families throughout the Valley cheerfully donated their time and resources to help those less fortunate. Team Members filled the month of December with...

Planting Detroit: U-Haul funds Tree planting in Rouge Park

Through funding from U-Haul and U-Haul customers to The Conservation Fund's Go Zero program, 450 trees were planted in Rouge Park in Detroit on September 28. The volunteers came by foot, cars, buses and planes - nearly 200 of them, to plant 450 trees in the...

detroit Detroit Red Wings hockey Hockeytown lockout NHL NHL lockout NHL Winter Classic Toronto Maple Leafs

What’s New

The U-Haul Toy Hauler: Will My Large SUV or Truck Fit?

With certain limitations and exceptions, here is just a sampling of the vehicles that can be towed by the U-Haul Toy Hauler trailer that would not fit on the U-Haul Auto Transport: BMW X7Cadillac EscaladeChevy AvalancheChevy Silverado 1500-3500Chevy SuburbanChevy...

U-Haul Toy Hauler is a New Flatbed Trailer that Changes the Towing Game

Production has begun on the U-Haul® Toy Hauler, the first addition to the Company’s rental fleet of American-made trailers in 23 years. The Toy HaulerSM is designed for towing large-capacity vehicles and practically anything else that requires a massive flatbed. This...

Humble Design San Diego Helping 500th Family Escape Homelessness

Turning empty residences into furnished homes in San Diego County since 2018, Humble Design has a 98% effectiveness rate for their clients breaking the cycle of homelessness Humble Design, a U-Haul charity partner since 2016, is about to celebrate a milestone that is...

An Intern’s Account: Participating in the 21st Annual Pat’s Run

U-Haul® Public Relations intern Kailash Garcia-Delaney experienced his first Pat’s Run on April 12 in Tempe, Ariz., one of many Team Members to do so as part of the Company’s ongoing sponsorship of the Pat Tillman Foundation and the Tillman Scholars program. Here is...

Dinner is Served: U-Haul Volunteers Feed Guests at Andre House in Phoenix

U-Haul Team Members served 424 free meals at Andre House to the Valley's at-risk population, including guests who are experiencing homelessness, on April 3 in Phoenix. Team Members prepared dishes for the crowd-favorite “burrito night,” including tortillas, rice,...

U-Haul Offers Flood Relief across Greater Cincinnati and Louisville

U-Haul® is offering 30 days of free self-storage and U-Box® container usage at 21 facilities in southwest Ohio, northern Kentucky and southern Indiana to residents impacted by severe flooding in the region. The Ohio River crested above 60 feet due to recent storms,...

U-Haul Volunteers Pack 2,700 Emergency Food Boxes at St. Mary’s

U-Haul Team Members came together and packed over 2,700 emergency food boxes on March 1 at the St. Mary’s Food Bank warehouse in Phoenix. The food boxes help provide nutritious options for families, children and seniors facing food insecurity across the Valley and...

U-Haul of Rock Springs Store Receives Beautification Award

U-Haul Moving & Storage of Rock Springs (Wyo.) received the Pride of Place Award on Feb. 27 for its commitment to the beautification of the city and its contributions to the overall appearance of Rock Springs. Paige Moore and Paul Johnson accepted the award at the...

Storm Recovery: U-Haul Offers 30 Days Free Storage at 366 Centers

U-Haul® has made 366 Company stores available to help storm victims with 30 days of free self-storage and U-Box® container usage after a powerful weather system produced deadly tornadoes, fires, flooding and wind damage across a line of states Friday through...