3 Reasons Why Tampa is a Hockey Town

image from tampabay.com

We've all heard it. When we Lightning fans talk to people from outside the Tampa area about our team, they usually laugh and say that it makes no sense that sunny Tampa has professional hockey in the first place. After all, "You guys don't even have seasons down there, anyway." As Tampa locals, we know the truth. We've all felt the electric vibe of Amalie Arena and the explosion of celebration when Stammer hammers a slapper into the back of the net. We've been there for the highest of the highs and the lowest of the lows. We have fallen in love with our team and we bleed blue and white. This is a hockey town and will only continue to become more so.

1. The proof is in the numbers.

Behind the leadership of former General Manager Steve Yzerman and Head Coach Jon Cooper, the Tampa Bay Lightning have grown into an NHL powerhouse with a concentration of skill and talent that is arguably the best in the league. This development has led to five playoff appearances in the last six years. Out of these playoff berths, the Lightning have embarked on three deep runs at the Stanley Cup. In the 2014-15 season, they won the Eastern Conference Championship before losing the Stanley Cup Final series 4-2 against the Chicago Blackhawks. This Lightning team has been consistently knocking on the door to hoisting a second Stanley Cup in Tampa and the community has responded.

How have they responded? Over 200 consecutive home game sellouts. That's right. The 19,092 seats of Amalie Arena have each been bought and paid for every time the Lightning have taken the ice for over 200 home games. And they say Tampa isn't a hockey town.

2. The game is growing.

image from kingspan.com

In 2017, the Tampa area received the largest hockey facility in the Southeast United States. Formerly Florida Hospital Center Ice and now AdventHealth Center Ice, the massive facility boasts five rinks and a price tag of $22.5 million dollars. The hockey programs at AdventHealth quickly grew until there are now numerous adult and youth leagues with hundreds of participants. This new facility is only the cherry on top of numerous other hockey facilities in the area to include Clearwater Ice Arena, Ice Sports Forum, Tampa Bay Skating Academy, and XTRA Ice. Hockey is growing in the Tampa Bay area and it will only continue to do so as youth programs develop and more children are able to play and fall in love with the game.

3. The game gives back.

image from visittampabay.com

Lightning owner Jeff Vinik has found his home in Tampa. The former hedge fund manager has put all his chips on the table with a $3 billion dollar development project over a 50-acre area surrounding the Lightning's home ice at Amalie Arena. What makes this project particularly interesting is that Mr. Vinik has no intention of selling off developments once they are completed. He has taken a long-term growth mindset on the area surrounding his team and is focused on sustainability in the community.

With the opening of Sparkman Wharf, a culinary and social destination only a couple blocks away from Amalie Arena, the results of Mr. Vinik's vision are already taking shape. The project has already stimulated economic growth in Tampa and will revitalize a community that has long needed a new direction.