| The Record
STOCKTON – Kim Rede could not come up with a better way to celebrate her 50th birthday than putting on her team sweatshirt and watching a Stockton heat hockey game.
But in the era of COVID-19, “going to the game” no longer means heading to Stockton Arena and settling into her seat. Instead she watched the team, now based in Canada, play on a 65-inch TV in her home in Stockton.
“I would rather be there in person, but I’m still a huge Heat fan,” Rede said. “I keep up as best I can. It doesn’t matter where they play their games, that’s my team.”
Due to coronavirus travel concerns, the Heat of the American Hockey League made the decision just prior to the beginning of the 2020-21 season to pack up its skates and sticks and move to Calgary, Alberta to become part of a Canadian Division. The franchise plays its home games at the Scotiabank Saddledome, the home ice of its NHL parent club, the Calgary Flames.
The Heat may be “Stockton” in name only for this season, but that hasn’t diminished the love of the team for many fans. They find ways to keep watching and listening, keep up with statistics and player transactions, and gather together online to commiserate on what has been a fine start to the season for the Heat.
Rede is a season ticket holder, and said it is easier to follow her team because Heat management gave season ticket holders a free subscription to the AHLTV package.
“It’s certainly different. I’m not used to watching it on TV,” Rede said with a laugh. “But it’s something that I’m getting used to.”
Getting together to talk about the Heat has also changed for fans during the pandemic. Supporters would meet at home games or at a restaurant or hotel over the years to watch road contests. Now, it’s all about social media.
The top two Facebook pages dedicated to the Heat are Welcome To The Firehouse and the Stockton Heat Forum. Both groups have about 350 members.
Stockton resident Max Willamson, 31, started the Stockton Heat Forum in 2019, and said the site is busier than ever during a very unusual season.
“The page has been very active, it’s a way for people to get together and talk about the team,” Williamson said. “We do miss getting together with other fans, that’s a big part of the enjoyment of following the team. But these circumstances were beyond anyone’s control, and I think (the Heat) made the right decision going to Canada, all things considered.”
No every longtime fan has kept up with the team after its trek to Canada. Robert Holzer spent several years leading the Stockton Hockey Booster Club, and he still follows game results and such. But he said he’s not as engaged as he would be if the team was in Stockton, even if fans couldn’t go to Stockton Arena.
“I think (playing in Stockton) would make a difference. At least to me it would,” Holzer said. “I’m still a fan, but there’s so many questions about whether they are going to come back to play here or not.”
The Heat’s future in town is a source of concern for the fan base. The Heat’s original five-year lease to play at Stockton Arena officially ended last season, but the team and city agreed to a one-season extension for 2020-21. There is not a set date to resume negotiations on the contract.
Williamson said he is hopeful that the city and the franchise can work out a deal.
“I will say I’m optimistic. From everything I’ve heard, Calgary would like to keep the Heat here,” Williamson said. “I think they have a good setup in California, and they will stay.”
For now, the Heat fans will root from a distance. On Saturday, Kim Rede’s birthday, Stockton (5-2-0) beat the Toronto Marlies 4-3 for its fifth consecutive win. The Heat is in first place in the Canadian Division.
“I’m just a huge fan,” Rede said. “I’m just going to keep following them, and hope that they stay here.”
Record reporter Scott Linesburgh covers breaking news and sports. He can be reached at slinesburgh@recordnet.com or on Twitter @ScottLinesburgh. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.