“ I would say every producer’ s goal is that, no matter what part of the show they’ re in, they’ re needing that emotion to come out”
“ For those of us lucky enough to be there, to experience those moments, they only happen once”
“ Phase two is the physical start of the new year and that involves all the game days, which is converting logos, changing game scripts with all the player updates and the different teams we’ re playing against, trying to make it fresh and exciting. Finally, there’ s phase three, which is the run for the playoffs. We need to recreate that‘ playoff feeling’ and in Winnipeg, we know what that feeling is all about.”
Over the course of the season, there are also a number of special-event nights that celebrate past players, community and league-wide initiatives, and influential people in our community.
On Nov. 14, 2017, the game production group saw all of their hard work come to fruition with Dale Hawerchuk Night. The organization celebrated the induction of the former first overall pick into the Winnipeg Jets Hall of Fame with video tributes, a ceremonial faceoff and 80s-themed music throughout the night. If you grew up watching Hawerchuk and were lucky enough to be in the building that night, the emotion was palpable.
“ I would say every producer’ s goal is that, no matter what part of the show they’ re in, they’ re needing that emotion to come out”
It was exactly the kind of reception and fan atmosphere Balharry and Godkin’ s gang were hoping for.
“ I would say every producer’ s goal is that, no matter what part of the show they’ re in, they’ re needing that emotion to come out” Balharry said.
“ Sometimes that emotion can be sad, sometimes it can be joyous. Capturing that right emotion is the key every time.”
Music is often the catalyst.
While many may think the pop songs, power ballads and organ beats are just randomly assigned, it’ s actually quite the opposite. Anything that plays through the arena’ s speakers is carefully scrutinized to match that emotion, build energy and fit the tone of a key situation on the ice.