Hockey and Basketball: When You Mix Them Up
CC:What can the hockey fans take away from the Hornets and basketball?
GH: Well, I think in a lot of ways the teams are similar. At least the sports are similar. You need the entire roster to be successful. When I watch hockey I see shifts of guys come in and out of the game, very similar in terms of basketball where you can see 3-4 guys coming into the game at a time and multiple guys playing different roles.
The teamwork is a big aspect. You need every guy on the roster to be successful.
CC: There are a lot of basketball fans on the team. We have Trevor van Riemsdyk, who is a defender, as well as Dougie Hamilton, another defender, and Andrei Svechnikov and Warren Foegele who are forwards. All four have been seen going NC State, Duke, and UNC games. What would you tell them?
AS: Well, we definitely love any support. Any fan that loves the sport, the guys love the sport I’m sure they can relate. They love when fans come out and get to watch them play.
I love the impact that Carolina sports have on each other. It can just be from this Hornets night at the Hurricanes game. I hope that it continues and we do a Hurricanes night as well and we keep going back and forth. I think that just cross promoting each other and just showing the support, obviously they are two very separate sports but, we come together because we are in NC.
Hopefully they can maybe catch a game or I think it would be awesome if the teams could maybe meet each other. I know Devonte Graham is from the Raleigh area, so this is his town. I am sure he would be up for something like that.
CC: How far do you think this collaboration between the Canes and Hornets can go?
GH: I think it should continue. It’s a little different because the two teams aren’t in the same city or the direct connection is not there.
But as a player and to connect the question you asked before, when you see other athletes at your games, you may not know as much about their sport or really know them but you know what kind of respect and what kind of work ethic you have to put in to make it to the professional level. So thats one thing.
I ams sure all athletes have in common is the respect and the level of commitment to be on that level. We didn’t have Hornets/Hurricanes nights when I was a player here. But I know, just being a player, how much those guys are committed making that franchise successful and it’s the same on the Hornets.
CC: Absolutely! How important do you think it is for both of these teams to speak to their sport in the other’s city? So Hurricanes in Charlotte and the Hornets in Raleigh?
AS: I mean, just from bouncing off of what Gerald said, just supporting each other, because, like he said, it’s incredibly hard to be a professional athlete I am sure. Just having that support from [them], even if you don’t know [them].
The Hurricanes, some of them are basketball players, but even if not all of them are, just to have that respect from each other and support from each other and all kind of come together as Carolina Professional teams I think shows a lot about this state and how much support means to the fans here.
I think it’s awesome personally.
CC: What would you guys think if someone petitioned to change the name to Carolina Hornets from Charlotte Hornets?
GH: It would be a tough thing to do, just with the resignation with Charlotte and the Hornets. It was the reason they wanted to bring the name back to the city. I played with the bobcats and it was always a push to bring it back and it finally did happen.
Now to change it to ‘Carolina’ would be a tough thing to do. It is Carolina’s team and Charlotte is a big part of the Carolinas. I’m not sure if that would or could happen. People should know that wherever they are in the Carolinas they can make a quick trip to Charlotte and it’s their team.
CC: Absolutely! It belongs to all Carolina regardless of the name. Touching back on what Ashley said about doing a Canes themed game in Charlotte with the Hornets, would they wear Canes themed Jerseys?
AS: I don’t know if that is against regulations. At least warmups. Honestly I am all for it. I am not sure if that is something that is against NBA regulations. Maybe they can wear like a Canes Patch on their Jersey. At least warm ups or something with their shoes. I think it would be really awesome. I don’t know. I have to look into that.
CC: In fact on social media, the Hurricanes have a photoshopped picture of Devonte Graham wearing a jersey that is very reminiscent to the Hurricanes Third Jersey. We think it’s a good look, even for practice jerseys, especially since the Hurricanes are wearing Hornets practice Jerseys to come out on the ice tonight.
https://twitter.com/Canes/status/1230584688919666700
AS: YES! I actually saw that on twitter too! They look really, really cool. If anything I think fans would love to have something like that, especially if they are both a hockey fan and a basketball fan. To just be in North Carolina and be able to support both of them. That’s amazing. Hopefully that becomes a thing!
CC: Awesome!