New Denver Team Looks At Old Problem

Colorado is getting a decidedly better NHL team this time around, but can the soon-to-berenamed Quebec Nordiques succeed where so many others have failed?

The answer may depend on marketing.

When COMSAT Entertainment Group, owner of the Denver Nuggets, agreed Thursday to purchase the Nordiques for $75 million, it was bucking a dismal trend that has seen a progression of pro hockey teams fail in Denver.

The Denver Falcons, Denver Mavericks, Denver Invaders, Denver Spurs, Colorado Rockies, Colorado Flames and Denver Rangers all have tried and died in the past 45 years.

Before the arrival of the Denver Grizzlies last fall, the last pro hockey team in Denver was the Rangers of the International Hockey League, who filed for bankruptcy in 1989.

Denver’s last NHL franchise, the Colorado Rockies, moved to New Jersey in 1982, a victim of poor performance, lagging attendance and an unfavorable lease at McNichols Arena. COMSAT is confident the newest venture will work if it is marketed properly.

“Denver is a very different place today (than in 1982),” COMSAT president Charlie Lyons said Thursday. “It’s a very vibrant city. I remember there was some question as to whether baseball was going to work in Denver, and look at what has happened.

Also working in COMSAT’s favor is the fact Denver is inheriting one of the NHL’s top young teams. The Nordiques were 30-13-5 this year.