When it comes to the business of the Stanley Cup playoffs, Vancouver’s loss is Calgary’s gain.

The Canucks’ first-round exit has even prompted some
disillusioned fans to discard their Canucks jerseys.
“The day (the Flames eliminated the Canucks), we had 500 and some odd dollars in returns,” said Kelly Hawkins, customer service manager of the Sportchek store in Pacific Centre.

But Hawkins said his shop has still sold “a decent amount” of Canucks memorabilia since their demise this year.

Tourists from cruise ships docking at the foot of Granville Street also helped pick up the slack, he added.

Bayne Stanley, Business Edge
As Jenny Wong, left, and Stephanie Tan show, this Vancouver Sportchek still has plenty of Canucks memorabilia available, even though the home team was eliminated by the Flames.

But any Flames fans in Vancouver who wander in looking for Calgary jerseys will probably be out of luck. “We usually kick those guys out of the store,” joked Hawkins. “There’s definitely people coming in asking for the stuff. We just don’t have it.”

Meanwhile, at Vancouver’s Shark Club, located near General Motors Place, general manager Tim Murphy said sales are down 20 per cent. “Obviously, (business) was a lot better last year,” said Murphy.


He said he hopes the Flames’ success will convince patrons to come and cheer for a different team. During the second round, Murphy could count on at least one other club to help offset the sales slump caused by the Canucks’ ouster. “There were a lot of disappointed Toronto people hanging out here,” said Murphy.


He has one authentic Flames jersey to give away as a prize, but is holding off until later in the post-season, depending on how long Calgary remains in contention for the Stanley Cup.

“Obviously, you (would have wanted) the Canucks,” said Murphy. “But it’s nice to see another Canadian team in there.”

In Calgary, the economics of making it into the playoff is evident in stores and bars around the city – and the number of flags flapping from the windows of almost every passing car and truck.

In addition to keeping the ticket wicket open in May for the first time since 1997, the Flames’ run to the Western Conference championship has sparked a boom for local businesses, which have seen spikes in sales of products ranging from beer to flags to baseball caps.

Flames president Ken King said the hockey club will
probably show a profit for the first time in several seasons.

“It is what I describe as an economic anomaly,” said King.

“The anomaly is that we will likely make money. We
will not make money in proportion to the accumulated losses that have been generated here, but it’s black ink and that’s positive.”

According to King, the Flames lost $6-$7 million last season when they missed the playoffs for the seventh straight season. So far, the club has already sold more than 1,800 season tickets for next year, presuming there is a season, and will likely exceed its count of approximately 12,700 in 2003-04.

The club has also sold more than 17,000 jerseys as well as countless flags, and food and beverage sales are up, said King.

But King, a booster at the worst of times, tempered his enthusiasm because of tough contract negotiations between players and owners and a looming players’ strike or lockout in September.

“Regardless of where this (playoff run) goes or where
it gets to, we, the Calgary Flames, need a new (economic) system,” said King. “And that’s what we’re going to be looking for next year.”

But King didn’t want to think too far ahead as the Flames savour their success.

“I think this is real momentum,” he said. “This isn’t bandwagon jumping.”

(Monte Stewart can be reached at monte@businessedge.ca)