NHL: How To Make Hockey More Fan Friendly in the South

Despite having teams in Atlanta, Nashville, Carolina and two clubs in Florida, professional hockey continues to struggle in its attempt to raise the sport's popularity with fans in the southeastern United States. 

The fight for today's sports entertainment dollar is a tough one, at best.  Leagues looking to fill arenas have to be prepared to go that extra mile to generate fan interest. 

With that in mind, here are some suggestions on how hockey can become more fan-friendly in the south.

Suggestion No. 1

Enter a Zamboni into the Daytona 500.

Suggestion No. 2

Replace Gatorade on team benches with refreshing mint juleps.

Suggestion No. 3

Substitute arenas' organists with a fun-loving banjo player.

Suggestion No. 4

Every home game, have players dress like their favorite character from Gone With The Wind.

Suggestion No. 5

To encourage more support, let fans know that a truck's gun rack can nicely double as a hockey stick holder.