If the Sudbury Blueberry Bulldogs were a real NHL team they might not win a ton, but they’d likely be Top-5 in NHL merch sales.
I was astounded by the army of Shoresy fans streaming into Scotiabank Arena in Toronto Friday night. They were there to witness a charity tilt between Jared Keeso and the hockey playing cast of the Crave original Shoresy and an all-star group of Toronto Maple Leafs alumni.
As I stood outside the entrance to the arena, I saw hundreds of light blue and brown sweaters with “Shore” and the number “69” on the back. If you didn’t have one when you went in, you could stand in line to buy one on the way out. I can’t recall any other Canadian TV series ever having this kind of brand marketing pull.
Cost of an official Shore pro jersey? Listed at CND$220 at the Letterkenny.tv site, although act now and save 10 per cent!
Pretty much the entire lower bowl at Scotiabank was full for the game, won 5-3 by the Leafs alumni thanks to stingy goaltending by the Buds. More Shoresy Classic exhibition games are scheduled throughout December and into the new year in Boston, New York, Los Angeles, Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver.
Those in atendance in Toronto who paid close to forty bucks per ticket loved every minute of it. Instead of the usual distracted suits who yak through games at the Scotiabank “library,” these fans were into it and having a great time. They sang Alanis Morrissette songs; threw themselves into the “wave”; screamed at the “Big Heads”; and beamed for the Jumbotron. The real Leafs should draw such an enthusiastic crowd.
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Leafs alumni in attendance included fan favourites such as Doug Gilmour, Gary Leeman, Nik Andropov, Rick Vaive, Nick Kypreos, Todd Gill, Kris King, Peter Holland, Dave Mcllwain, Dave Ellett, Dan Daoust, Mark Fraser, Adam Munro, and Coach Darryl Sittler.
The biggest roars were for the Shoresy cast. They were the ones who stripped to their waist halfway through the second period. Leafs should try this. Besides star and creator Keeso, Jon Mirasty (Jim #1), Brandon Nolan (Jim #2), Jordan Nolan (Jim #3), and Jacob Smith (Fish), skated for the Bulldogs.
Thanks to New Metric Media for the invitation to the game. Fans of the series take note: the Fifth season of Shoresy premieres Christmas Day on Crave. Fans in Boston, New York, Los Angeles, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver take an extra note: Shoresy Classic exhibition games against NHL teams are coming to your cities over the next two months. Follow this link for tickets and information.
