by Jesica Parsley | Sep 18, 2014 | News Slider, Sports
After cutting the ribbon on Sept. 12, the Nashville Predators look forward to the new possibilities the Ford Ice Center will bring to the Nashville area. The new facility includes two NHL-size rinks, an upstairs party area, a café and a Predators apparel shop. The organization is hoping Ford Ice will provide a place for people to learn how to skate as well as grow the game of hockey in the Nashville area. “This facility is amazing,” Predators intern Kayla Evans said. “I’m glad the organization had the chance to build this, and I’m excited to see hockey grow because of the Ford Ice Center.” Olympic Gold figure skater Scott Hamilton will oversee the Hamilton Skating Academy, which will provide classes for all ages to come out to Ford Ice Center and learn how to skate. Country music singer-songwriter Vince Gill plans to broaden the hockey horizon in Nashville by reaching out to children. The plan is to create a scholarship program funded at Ford Ice Center. The program will be designed to give children the opportunity to play hockey without the hurdles of equipment costs or ice time. As part of the grand opening, the Predators hosted a rookie tournament. Rookies from the Predators, Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins played three games each. The tournament provided more preparation for NHL training camp. Hockey fans can also catch Vanderbilt, Middle Tennessee State University and Sewanee’s club hockey teams playing at Ford Ice Center. The three teams will call the new facility their home rink. Over 10,000 fans enjoyed the opening weekend. The organization cannot be more...
by Madeline Smith | Feb 21, 2014 | News Slider, Sports
The world has been watching its favorite teams compete in the 2014 Winter Olympics being held in Sochi, Russia. Students at Lipscomb are no exception. “I’m a huge hockey fan,” said junior Taylor Jackson. “Hockey is the reason I like the Winter Olympics better than the summer ones.” Despite getting off to a bumpy start with construction still going on when the press and athletes arrived to Sochi, the games have been a hit around the world, with the events live on NBC. “I love watching the bobsledding, ice dancing and skiing,” said senior Elizabeth Oliver. Many students have been watching the Olympics, but certain elements of it stand out to different people. “I love the stories about the athletes,” Oliver said. “I like to hear about their stories and their past that got them where they are. I also like to see USA win gold, obviously.” Events Team USA has excelled in are mostly under the skiing and snowboarding categories. America won the gold and silver for both male and female snowboard slope-style. Meryl Davis and Charlie White won the gold for the ice dance free style competition. Team USA also won the bronze in the figure skating mixed team competition. The closing ceremonies are Sunday Feb. 23, at 10...
by Caitlin Selle | Mar 14, 2013 | News Slider, Sports
There is no shortage of Preds fans on Lipscomb’s campus, and Nashville Predators’ Taco Bell College Night has made it possible for them to visit Smashville for games at a decent price. Engineering student and hockey enthusiast David Wedekind is one who relishes the opportunity of the reduced-price tickets for college students. ”I enjoy Predators College Night because it is so nice to get together with your college buddies and take a break from school and head downtown to watch the Predators play some hockey,” Wedekind said. Wedekind has been at every College Night this season. “Being on a college budget can sometimes be hard to go to a lot of the games throughout the season, but with College Night, it is affordable for students, and you get to see some great match ups,” Wedekind said. Of course, he’s not alone among the hockey faithful at the university who head to Bridgestone Arena for College Night. Every Thursday home game, college students can receive tickets for as low as $15 (with a college ID) to watch the team that right now is ranked fourth in the Western Conference. College Night features upper level tickets for $15 and lower level tickets for $30. Lipscomb junior Michael Fox says that even for the experienced fan, there’s a lot to desire about College Night. “I’m originally from Nashville, and I’ve been to many Preds games, both College Nights and regular nights, and College Nights are one of the best for the price,” Fox said. “And, you can’t argue it is also one of the best date options in town.” With only four...
by Jameson Roper | Apr 19, 2010 | Sports
The Nashville Predators hockey team is one of the National Hockey League’s recent fairy tale stories. At a time in the sport where it seems as though only marquee names like Alexander Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby gain any attention, the Predators are a breath of fresh air. While the team quietly climbed up the standings eventually to finish the regular season with 100 points, they have done so with a roster comprised of no definitive stars. Since the team’s inception, they have always chosen to draft little-known players and grow them. David Poile, the Predators’ Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations and General Manager, has never been the type to sacrifice a potential talent for a hot player in the short term. The Predators have established a mentality of producing “homegrown” players– players that go through the system and are bred to play a style of hockey befitting to the club. Anyone who watched the Winter Olympics this past February in Vancouver will probably remember the names Shea Weber and Ryan Suter. The Canadian gold medalist and U.S. silver medalist, respectively, received praise from media outlets and analysts after both playing major roles in their countries’ play. Both were drafted and bred within the organization, and have become premier defensemen in the game of hockey. Both are prime examples of the homegrown players, a process this organization has stressed from day one. Despite making trips to the postseason in five of the previous six seasons and consistently being a force within the league, the attendance has suffered. Hockey has always been a hard sell in southern America, especially in...
