I love these "NHL to Seattle" posts- as a resident of Puget Sound (Tacoma, actually), I can state positively that this area is hockey-Pejorative Slured (as someone said previously).
The Key Arena? Ruined for hockey by Barry Ackerley and his Sonics in 1994/95. The WHL Thunderbirds are drooling over a proposal from valley city Kent to build a new downtown entertainment and civic center, so they can finally leave Seattle Center. The old Arena was bad enough- but the new Key Arena is the worst for hockey- a horseshoe seating arrangement is ridiculous.
Everett Silvertips are faring well in their new building, with some early franchise success and a nice fan base. WCHL Sabercats didn't last long in Tacoma, nor did the WHL Rockets. Let's not even start to discuss the worst hockey venue ever in the Tacoma Dome............
And having lived here for 20 years, I know this area doesn't have the fan base to support pro hockey. If the Sonics manage to convince the cities of Bellevue or Kirkland or Renton to build them a nice new home, it still won't be enough to get an NHL team to flourish here. Personally, I'd love it- Vancouver is a 3+ hour drive to see a game, and I'm certain that Vancouver and San Jose would like a NW rivalry.
But it won't happen here. Mark my words. The Pacific Coast league did well here back in the day- Seattle, Tacoma, Portland, Vancouver made a nice rivalry....but those times have changed. Hockey works in Vancouver because those Canuckleheads are serious, serious fans- and games there are an event because of pure Canadian passion for the game.
Meanwhile, I'm looking to move to Minnesota to see some snow and live in hockey country. A rink in every town.....gotta love it.
Lauri from Tacoma