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Houston Rockets: Tilman Fertitta calls on fans for NHL Hockey support

By Brian K. Patterson

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 01: Businessman/TV personality Tilman J. Fertitta speaks onstage during the 'Billion Dollar Buyer' panel at the 2016 NBCUniversal Summer Press Day at Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village on April 1, 2016 in Westlake Village, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 01: Businessman/TV personality Tilman J. Fertitta speaks onstage during the 'Billion Dollar Buyer' panel at the 2016 NBCUniversal Summer Press Day at Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village on April 1, 2016 in Westlake Village, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images) /
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The Houston Rockets have made it official by introducing Tilman Fertitta as the owner of our beloved basketball franchise but he has given a call-to-action for fans to support hockey.

The Houston Rockets were certainly the team that Tilman Fertitta had been dead-set on buying but he has made it clear that he’d love to see hockey in the city of Houston limits.  It won’t necessarily be an easy task as there will have to be an evaluation on if there’d be enough fans to support the venture but Fertitta has put his best foot forward by endorsing the idea.

Most of the city’s hockey history has been tied with the Aeros which debuted in 1972 and lasted until 1978 in the World Hockey Association.  The name was invigorated in 1994 as an affiliate of the International/American Hockey League all the way up 2013.

In Ferititta’s introductory press conference, he mentions that he’d have hockey here “tomorrow” if he could but it “has to make sense.”

Take a look at the video here as he mentions his stance on hockey at about the 24:27 mark:

He also mentions that Houston Rockets CEO Tad Brown has been in contact with Larry Tannenbaum, the owner of the Toronto Maple Leafs and is on the NHL Board of Directors.  He exerts an enormous amount of power and would certainly be the go-to guy on such a venture.   Both Brown and Fertitta mention that they’ll be in contact with him soon in regard to exact intricacies of making hockey in Houston work.

Just two years ago, the American Business Journal cited Houston as the best city for the expansion of hockey.  This is because of its growing, diverse economy with eclectic mix of residents from around the globe.

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In addition, Fertitta has initiated a call-to-action to let him know that hockey is something that Houston wants.  There’s already a grassroots movement that’s catching fire so it’s important that you follow these social media accounts:

Twitter: @NHLHouston

Facebook: NHL Houston

Instagram: @NHLHouston & @Bring_NHL_To_Houston

Other fan accounts to follow on Twitter:  @CrazyTex00, @Hockey2Houston, @Whynotgowild, @DanRS87, @outonthepatio, @Senjo41A

Unlike his predecessor Houston Rockets owner Leslie Alexander, Fertitta is quite active on social media so if you’re on Twitter, he’s at @TilmanJFertitta.  I’d recommend you tweet him and do so often to let him know you want hockey in Houston.  He does read his mentions and gives shout outs in his spare time so I think it’s worth your effort to do so.

Next: The ONE way Houston can get an NHL franchise

Hopefully, sooner than later this dream we all have of having a hockey team will be come a reality.  We’ll have to see but so far, things are off to a solid start with Fertitta’s support of such an idea.

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