Islanders Army at the NHL Store Grand Opening
October 12th, 2007 by murph
“Merchandising! Where the real money is made!” – Yogurt from Spaceballs
The NHL proudly opened the NHL Powered by RBK store today with Commissioner Bettman, the Stanley Cup, and some ex-NHL’ers coming out to the Grand Opening for a very fan-friendly afternoon. I stopped by on my lunch break around 1pm for the final hour of the festivities. I missed Commissioner Bettman and all the excitement at 11am as a zamboni was driven down 6th Avenue, followed by a limo containing the Stanley Cup.
6th Avenue store front.
New jerseys on display. Still expensive. Still ugly.
This bike on display was made by the guys from Orange County Choppers for the NHL. The coolest part? That contraption in the back actual serves a purpose – it can hold the Stanley Cup on the back so someone can ride the bike with the cup into events.
This is the RBK Stick Sculpture over the cash register area. 400+ sticks were used to make this.
Back outside, down 47th street was a bunch of tents, trucks, games and booths. This artist was recreating what appeared to be a RBK hockey ad with paint. The Isles were actually well represented out here with their inflatable puck shoot, “We’re All Islanders” SUV, and a couple of Ice Girls.
There was an MC doing trivia contests, talking to the crowd, and interviewing the special guests. I got there just as he was wrapping up his interview with Eric Cairns. Even better was the interview with Mike Bolt, Keeper of the Cup, who’s not only got the best job in the world, but a million and one great stories to tell.
Cairns and Butch Goring sign autographs with an Ice Girl looking on. Butch was rocking his 1980 Stanley Cup Ring, I tried to get a picture of that but it didn’t come out. It’s just not right they made Butch wear the new jersey though. Blasphemy!
The man of the hour. Lord Stanley.
After a quick 10 minute wait on line, I get to touch the cup for the second time ever.
Free stuff! Clockwise from top left: $5 Starbucks card, foam NHL puck, mini NHL schedule, NHL Center Ice mouse pad, magnetic Versus schedule, NHL store coupon for November, XM Radio promo offer, Butch Goring autograph, Eric Cairns autograph.
As a hockey fan, it’s hard to find anything wrong with the NHL store – it’s worth a visit. The store is filled with interesting hockey exhibits and had a bunch of merchandise I hadn’t seen before. There are plenty of TV’s with highlights and the newest NHL video games being played. There’s an XM studio upstairs – Ken Daneyko was up there on-air talking about the old “have another donut, you fat pig” incident between Jim Schoenfeld and Don Koharsky – too funny.
Tyler Says
I want that NHL Motorcycle…
P.S – You should have taken a couple more pics of the babes in the background…:)
Oct 12th, 2007 at 5:37 pm
murph Says
The best part of the bike is that it comes with a cup holder.
…A Stanley Cup holder that is. For real, that contraption on the back is to hold the cup in place on the bike.
Oct 12th, 2007 at 5:41 pm
fauxrumors Says
1) Looks like a cool event!
Oct 15th, 2007 at 11:18 am
Tyler Says
That’s awesome…I was wondering what was going on with the back of the bike.
Oct 15th, 2007 at 3:31 pm
Jeff Says
That’s not Bob Bourne signing autographs, that’s Butch Goring.
Oct 16th, 2007 at 10:49 am
murph Says
Holy typo’s Batman. I knew that, but still typed Bourne like 3 times in this article. Thanks!
Oct 16th, 2007 at 11:08 am