Western Hockey League Commissioner Rob Robison fielded dozens of questions on a wide variety of topics at an open meeting with Rockets season ticket holders on Thursday night at Manhattan Point in Kelowna, touching on topics like officials, attendance, WHL Live and player safety.
In the first every public Q and A commissioner Robison has held, Rockets fans had the chance to ask what they wanted and they queried Robison about many topics the WHL is already talking about itself.
“I think it was an excellent opportunity to exchange some opinions and views on various aspects of the league and it was very clear that the season ticket holders in attendance were very knowledgeable about the WHL,” said Robison. “We hope it was informative for the season ticket holders that attended and there were many good points raised which we will take into consideration at the league level.”
Robison said attendance is generally down amongst the league, mainly due to the aging population and stressed the need to reach out to younger audiences. On player safety, he said the WHL’s seven point plan to reduce injuries, including concussions, was working with concussions down last year and at the start of this year.
In terms of the league’s web casts there is good news for fans as Robison said they are currently installing technology that will allow fans to listen to either the home or away broadcasts on WHL Live, something fans have been asking for. The commissioner said the technology should be in place by Christmas of this year.
Overall Robison said it was a great night and hinted that the league may do similar open meetings in other WHL markets, reaching out and interacting with its fans.
“I thought it was excellent,” he said “I thought the questions were very good and I think it’s beneficial for the season ticket holders and at the same time very important for us to listen to what their concerns are.”
