Top 30 Attended Minor Pro teams (2014-15)
- Thread starter HansH
- Start date
Always interesting to see this. Nice to see a few good markets in non-traditional places. The ECHL is relatively well represented since theoretically, the AHL should have most/all of the list.
Also interesting to note that both Ontario and Bakersfield are on the list since they both seem to figure very heavily in the west coast movement being discussed in the other thread.
HansH
Unwelcome Spectre
Also interesting that Manchester is still in the top 30, despite frequently being thought of as ticketed for Ontario before too long. IF the Monarchs do move, it would seem that some struggling team with an Eastern parent might want to look at moving in behind them -- the Manchester Devils, anyone? 
Also interesting that Manchester is still in the top 30, despite frequently being thought of as ticketed for Ontario before too long. IF the Monarchs do move, it would seem that some struggling team with an Eastern parent might want to look at moving in behind them -- the Manchester Devils, anyone?
Yeah, I don't see Manchester going without AHL for long, if at all. They draw very well. It's unfortunate for them that the Kings have a need to have their team closer.
Ontario and Bakersfield are on the list, so it makes sense that they would be potential AHL destinations. I believe I've heard that some of the ticket prices out West are already comparable to AHL prices in the east (but I could be wrong).
Ontario:
GLASS $55
CENTER ICE $26
WRAP AROUND (ATTACK) $25
WRAP AROUND (DEFEND) $21
NEUTRAL ZONE $20
CROSSBAR $13
TOP SHELF $10
Bakersfield:
Glass $35.00
Club $33.00
Rinkside $24.00
Executive $19.00
Mezzazine $16.00
Terrace $12.00
Terrace – Senior/Youth (2-12 yrs) $10.00
MM658
Registered User
Agreed - as I predicted in another thread, there will be two "waves" of relocation if/when the western movement happens. First will be the move west. That will be followed by a "back-fill" with franchises moving from weaker* locations to stronger ones that were vacated by the western shift.Also interesting that Manchester is still in the top 30, despite frequently being thought of as ticketed for Ontario before too long. IF the Monarchs do move, it would seem that some struggling team with an Eastern parent might want to look at moving in behind them -- the Manchester Devils, anyone?
One would have to think that Manchester won't stay vacant for long.
* - Weaker can mean poorly-attended, poorly-located for travel, bad lease, owner willing to sell...lots of reasons.
There may also be two waves of teams moving West. If the NHL can get it's initial pod (4-5 teams), there may be teams that lag behind (Vancouver, Phoenix, Colorado, and possibly Vegas - if expansion happens) a year or two while they a) Work on getting AHL franchises (except Vancouver), b) finish up leases, c) decide that this whole thing is going to work, and d) Figure out the best locations to put their teams.
No Fun Shogun
34-38-61-10-13-15
For what it's worth, a few teams will have big surges in attendance once the football season's over, especially Chicago. Still neat, though.
HansH
Unwelcome Spectre
As of the games of last night, the overall changes (other than details of which position teams are in) are pretty much just the following:
Stockton in (#30), Quad City out (#32). Alaska lurking just outside (#31).
Stockton in (#30), Quad City out (#32). Alaska lurking just outside (#31).
garnetpalmetto
Jerkministrator
I'd love to know what contributed to ECHL South Carolina sliding out of the mix - I seem to recall them being routinely in this group when you'd do your "Common Sense AHL"s, Hans. I often thought it'd have been awesome to have an AHL division with Charlotte, South Carolina, and Gwinnett in it.
HansH
Unwelcome Spectre
Their attendance isn't nearly what it was, simply put. I'm not sure why, but it's been a steady slide for several season, and now the Stingrays are drawing less than the SPHL league average. Someone actually in the market would have to explain to me why that slide has gone on over the last five years or so.
Do you think that, without fighting, there's 30 viable minor league hockey markets left or would some NHL teams be left fielding teams out of their practice rinks or home arena?
Tackla
Registered User
- Jul 2, 2013
- 413
- 0
That's a very interesting question. It will probably cause more AHL teams to market towards kids and if kids stay interested in attending minor league hockey games, perhaps the minor league game will be healthy. If not, you're not bringing back the hardcore 1980's AHL fans so... maybe not.
It will be interesting to see where the Wolves numbers end up at, seeing as the front office has been making a push to promote big one off group outings. Also, the Wolves have only played 12 games at home so far of their total 31 games.
Big attendance weekends coming up for the Wolves, Rockford plays at the Allstate every other weekend in January, with only five home games all month.
The morning game February 3rd against Rochester is rumored to be another 13k plus game with the school crowd (per the Wolves broadcast of the morning game Dec. 17th).
HansH
Unwelcome Spectre
You haven't been paying attention the last several years since they started playing, then.
2013-14: 8,158 - 1st ECHL, 1st mid-minors, 3rd overall
2012-13: 7,575 - 2nd ECHL, 2nd mid-minors, 7th overall (NHL lockout year)
2011-12: 6,309 - 1st ECHL, 2nd mid-minors, 10th overall
2010-11: 6,683 - 1st ECHL, 2nd mid-minors, 7th overall
2009-10: 6,451 - 1st ECHL, 2nd mid-minors, 8th overall
2008-09: 5,856 - 2nd ECHL, 4th mid-minors, 15th overall (debut season)
Ontario has been a strong market since day one. They're close to LA, but traffic makes it a huge hassle to see kings or ducks games. Lots of population out that direction, and not a lot of entertainment options.
PCSPounder
Stadium Groupie
http://www.hockeydb.com/nhl-attendance/att_graph_season.php?lid=WHL1979&sid=2015
I'd like to add some numbers just in case the State of Washington's Labor Department does something to chase away the American presence in the WHL. Not generally likely, but Washington isn't exactly a conservative state on these matters.
I'd like to add some numbers just in case the State of Washington's Labor Department does something to chase away the American presence in the WHL. Not generally likely, but Washington isn't exactly a conservative state on these matters.
