Hey Everyone,

Alex has suggested I start sharing my thoughts more on the website instead of just through informal conversations around the rink. this will help keep everyone informed about what I'm thinking (what's more important than that, really?) and help create a more involved discussion among everyone involved with the sharks rather than just who ever is around the rink on that particular night. So, here's some rabble that has spewed from my mind lately.

Got some thoughts I would like to share with everyone regarding our 'team name'. there has been a lot of discussion lately regarding changing the name of the team from the sharks to something different. I heard and have been involved with a lot of discussion about this and up to this point, no one has come up with a good solution.

So here's my thought, and its pretty freaking radical, let me tell you...

Let's keep the name as it is

whoa, I know what you're all thinking, he's lost his rocker. this guy is a freakin loonie, last time think he'll have anything intelligent to say...

How have I come to this radical new thinking? I mean this name has never really been that popular from the beginning. We can't even find anyone willing to confess to selecting it. Also, there already is a team of Sharks in Shanghai and they play basketball. There are lots of Canadians in the group that all grew up loving the CFL and its Roughrider vs Rough Rider games, but come on, with all the possibilities, do we really need to share a name with another Shanghai team?

So... Why do I suggest we keep a name no one likes and we have to share with another team in Shanghai? Let me explan.

1. we all love the name. We do. Seriously. Name me one person that doesn't tell everyone they talk to they play with the Shanghai Sharks. Ask me if I don't feel a little pride when someone asks me if I play with the Sharks. Of course if someone asks me if we're named after that team in San Jose and I'll hit them straight across the jaw...

But this gets me to where I'm trying to arrive at. And that's once you've come out even once for a skate in Shanghai, you become a shark right down to your core. The organization we have is emerging to be one of the best in Asia and it was built by Sharks. Many of these Sharks have left already and while others have come on to take up the responsibilities of developing hockey in Shanghai, to change the name now would alienate those that laid the groundwork for what we have. They have returned home with their sharks gear and their sharks heart and with the knowledge that they built something in Shanghai.
The Sharks name is something we all share regardless of who comes and goes.

2. When was the last time someone had a serious conversation about the Shanghai Sharks basketball team? Anyone know how they did last season? Anyone even know where they play? Do you think anyone that follows the Shanghai Sharks basketball team has even heard of the Shanghai Sharks Ice Hockey team? We are in two completely seperate markets and the chances of ever overlapping even slightly in our operations or marketing is so minimal that I don't understand why we are even concerned about it.
Shanghai is a city with (by some estimates) over 20 million people. That's a larger population than probably 75% of the worlds countries. I think there is enough diversity in people here to support two teams in completely different sports catering to completely different markets.
And really, the basketball team really isn't called the Shanghai Sharks, their name is chinese, sharks is just the translation. Most people wouldn't think of them in their english name, whereas we are 'THE SHARKS'!

One other point:

The Sharks name is used for the overall team, we'll still have the seperate league teams, we'll have the other entities that come up (how about a Shanghai Minnow's youth hockey program? I talked about it before and really like the name). And I'm sure the day will come where the Sharks name will not be used practically anymore. But I want to know that if I come back here five years from now and play some hockey, I'll still be playing with Sharks, because I am a Shark.

It's still a stupid name, but it is only a name. what matters is the guys that have pulled on that jersey, or will pull on that jersey that matter to me. Its the dedication I feel towards them. And its the Sharks name that represents all that to me.

So vote a resounding 'NO' on the resolution to change the sharks name.

wait, there's no vote...

Garbageman