19 replies to this topic

[WingNut 25]

Been awhile since I have posted. I'm planning for the first time this year to attend training camp in Traverse City, something I have wanted to do for years. Have any of you been and if so, can you give me advice on travel, hotels, etc.? Also, if anyone is planning on buying tickets on April 24th at the in-person on sale, please let me know if you'd be willing to stand in line (or have someone with you stand in line) and get me tickets. Obviously I can PayPal you the money for the tickets and give you extra for your time and effort. I'm in So Cal and will be on a cruise so I cannot get to Traverse City that day. Just trying to be proactive so I do not miss out.

[Miss Wing Queen]

Training camp is always so much fun. I've gone the past two years, and will be going again this year. I normally buy my tickets on the fax-in day and still get good seats.

As to where to stay, there are tons of hotels all along 31 (which runs along the two bays) and it just depends on your budget. I usually stay at the Best Western, which is a little bit further from Center Ice Arena but nice for the price. Most of the team stays at the Grand Traverse Resort, I believe, so that's an option too. Plus the guys are out golfing most of the weekend there too.

Outside the arena, there is an area where you can wait for the players to come out either after practice or after working out. Most of the guys will come out to sign autographs at least once throughout the weekend. I've usually been able to get the whole team's autographs/pictures with the exception of 3-4 players.

In addition to training camp, Traverse City is just a beautiful area that offers a lot to do. I'm a nature buff, so I usually hit the trails or go jetskiing on the bays. But there's also Old Mission Point with it's wineries and gorgeous homes, Sleeping Bear Dunes close by, Turtle Creek Casino, or Petoskey (an hour away).

It's well worth the trip. Just make sure you stock up on Sharpies and stuff to have signed!

[WingNut 25]

Awesome information, thank you! So you've never struck out on the fax day?

[stevieisthebest]

What about are the dates of training camp?

[WingNut 25]

September 18-21.

[Miss Wing Queen]

No, I've always been lucky to get tickets. My nerves are shot to hell waiting for confirmation, but I'm never able to get to TC on the day they go on sale.

[WingNut 25]

No, I've always been lucky to get tickets. My nerves are shot to hell waiting for confirmation, but I'm never able to get to TC on the day they go on sale.

How far is the Canadian border from Traverse City?

[Travis]

How far is the Canadian border from Traverse City?

It's a hike. Traverse City is closest to Minnesota as far as neighbors go.

Beautiful city, though. I went there with the lady for our anniversary in March, and even in pre-Spring it was a beautiful time. Would love to check out training camp, as I am now a huge fan of TC.

[Miss Wing Queen]

How far is the Canadian border from Traverse City?

If you go through Detroit, about 5 hours. If you go through the Soo, about 3-4. Through Minnesota would be even longer than both of those, probably about 6+.

[96warrior]

Red Wings training camp tix sell quickly in Traverse City
Traverse City's "9 & 10 News" reports that the first day of in-person ticket sales for the Red Wings' 2010-2011 training camp involved fast and furious sales:



April 24, 9 & 10 News: Detroit Red Wings' fans are pre-occupied with the Stanley Cup Playoffs. But some are already thinking about next season.

Tickets for the Red Wings' training camp went on sale today at the Centre Ice Arena in Traverse City. Doors opened a little earlier than planned this morning at 9:30 to a crowd of more than two hundred people. They began lining up as early as 10am yesterday morning and spent the night in front of the arena waiting for their chance to buy some tickets.

Event organizers say they sold more than thirty four hundred tickets today, along with more than two thousand dollars in merchandise featuring the new 2010 training camp logo.

Tickets will also be available online after today's sale.

http://blog.mlive.com/snapshots/2010/04/red_wings_training_camp_tix_se.html



Listed below is the website for the arena:



http://www.centreice.org/

[Hockeymom1960]

I can't believe people actually spent the night in line. You really don't have to. There's always tickets available.

[solnyshko]

I can't believe people actually spent the night in line. You really don't have to. There's always tickets available.

I think they sold out one of the days at the in person sales last year. Or, standing room was all that was left, at least. I dunno. If going there to get tickets means I get to pick what tickets I get, then I would rather do that than be stuck with standing room.

[Dimaline312000]

Ooopps sorry I didn't see this post before I posted my own 2010 Traning Camp topic. Mine can be deleted if anyone wants to. Training Camp is always a good time. I used to wait for the Fax but since Traverse City is only about 2 hours from where I live we decided to make a day of it and go get tickets and than visited some of the Wineries. A lot of new additions to the Arena for this September it looks like it's going to be another great time!!

[Miss Wing Queen]

Training camp is a lot of fun to go to, and once mid-June hits, summer seems so long without hockey that sometimes thinking about September is all you can do. I love summertime, but September for Wings fans is like what springtime and April is for Tigers fans.

I'll be excited to see what changes they make to Centre Ice. Anybody have a picture of the 2010 Training Camp logo?

Edit: Never mind. I found the logo myself:

Edited by Miss Wing Queen, 24 April 2010 - 10:09 PM.

[Konnan511]

I can't believe people actually spent the night in line. You really don't have to. There's always tickets available.

This. I live in traverse City and have gone every year since they have been going to Centre Ice and there are ALWAYS tickets available. Mostly only in person, though.

Also, the reason people actually stay in lines is so they can get tickets to the everyday roster scrimmage that they always do. The prospect games always have tickets available, the only games to really sell-out are the scrimmages.

[Motown4013]

Training camp is awesome....The guys are great at signing stuff and most of the fans are really fun as well. I got a complete stranger to take a pic of myself and Z with HER camera and she emailed me the pic when I got home. Its a great atmosphere to hang out, see some great practices and meet the guys.
Two years ago we stayed at the Great Wolf Lodge but this year I am staying on the bay.
Also, the boys usually will go out for a beer or two on Union street.

As for tickets, I have never had a problem getting good seats via fax. I live in Ontario, and its hard to get up to TC to get them but there has never been an issue by fax. Anyway, its a great time so I hope to see some other LGW fans there

[Hockeymom1960]

I think they sold out one of the days at the in person sales last year. Or, standing room was all that was left, at least. I dunno. If going there to get tickets means I get to pick what tickets I get, then I would rather do that than be stuck with standing room.

I've had standing and seating. Trust me, you rarely sit. The scrimmages are not very long...15 minuntes? I bought standing again. You can see just as easy standing...besides we spent most of our time outside waiting for the players to get pictures. For me that's the main reason for going to camp.

[solnyshko]

I've had standing and seating. Trust me, you rarely sit. The scrimmages are not very long...15 minuntes? I bought standing again. You can see just as easy standing...besides we spent most of our time outside waiting for the players to get pictures. For me that's the main reason for going to camp.

I know you can see. I just don't like to stand. Whatever works for you.. it is good you go tickets you are happy with Standing in line for tickets isn't all that bad. I've had fun the years I've done it.

And even if you get standing, there are only assigned seats at the one rink. Anything they do on the other rink is just general admission. Regardless of how/when you get tickets, it is a fun thing to go to.

[Butch]

Be sure to try and hit the Prospect Camp if you get the chance. It runs Sept. 11,12,14&15. It's a round robin tournament with prospects from eight NHL teams there (Wings, Thrashers, 'Canes, Rangers, Blues, Wild, Jackets and Stars). There are four games each day, two each on the two rinks, so basically you can watch two full games and parts of one or two more. Tickets are $8.00 a day at the door. These kids play some serious hockey, they're playing for positions on the NHL, AHL, or other minor league teams.
My wife stood in line and got tickets for the Wings Training Camp Red & White game and the Sunday practice/scrimage while I went fishing. Now, that is a great woman!!!!

Edited by Butch, 25 April 2010 - 10:07 PM.

[Dimaline312000]

The Prospects Tournament is AWESOME. You see so many people from around the NHL last season we saw Mark Messier there. There are a ton of coaches scouts and formor great players that come to have a look at the young players they've drafted. The action on the ice is very good. These guys are trying to get and NHL Spot or even and AHL spot so it's really good, tough, entertaining hockey to watch. You probably can wait for the Fax in sale but we prefer to have to tickets in hand before camp.