Halifax mayor believes city could support NHL team

Halifax Mayor Mike Savage has a serious case of hockey fever.

Now that the National Hockey League lockout is over and the players are back on the ice, the mayor says Halifax could have its own NHL team some day.

While Savage has not officially announced his intent to bring a team to the city, he says the idea has merit.

He believes that instead of just focusing on a new stadium, the city should also consider having an NHL team to call its own.

"There are a lot of steps between here and there, but it's fun to think about," says Savage.

It may be a fun idea, but according to Hockey Nova Scotia’s executive director, it’s not a realistic one.

"I'm sure we could fill an arena," says Darren Cossar. “My concern would be whether or not the corporate support is there."

Most NHL teams need tens of millions of dollars in revenue each season to stay afloat and selling tickets is only one piece of the puzzle.

"I think it would be very difficult to sell 100 luxury boxes and have those outside supports, TV rights and radio and those things," says Cossar.

On a positive note, Halifax has a strong hockey market and once the new convention centre is built, the Metro Centre will receive a major makeover and possibly an expansion.

"We're a big city,” says Savage. “No city should limit their aspirations and I think we're going to dream big in the years to come and many of the dreams will come true."

With files from CTV Atlantic's Paul Hollingsworth