With an eye on becoming a “generational” franchise, the Ducks are working to establish ties with other local institutions, Tully said. A collaboration with the Orange County-based skate shoe brand Vans on a collection of three Ducks-themed sneakers was lauded by the NHL. The team also designated a new arena “goal” song this year—“Coming to You” by the Garden Grove, California-based punk legends, the Offspring, who happen also to be fans.
“We still have a long way to go to really create the kind of momentum beyond behind the franchise that ultimately will be there in the decades to come,” Tully said. “We have to continually remind ourselves that while hockey’s been around for over a century, we’re 30 years old, and while that’s a good amount of time in a market, it’s going to be a while before it’s generational ... That’s going to take time.”