NHL Franchise Notes: Blues Increasing Season-Ticket Prices

Blues Fans Will Pay More On Average Next Season

The Blues are increasing the price of season tickets for the ’06-07 season by an average of 10%, including a 27% increase in some prices and a drop in others. Prices for 21% of the seats will “stay the same or fall.” But in St. Louis, Jeremy Rutherford writes with the team finishing with the worst record in the NHL last season and missing the playoffs for the first time in 25 years, “it could be a tough sell with the fans.” The team’s average attendance dropped to 14,213 last season, “among the worst in the NHL.” But Blues Enterprises CEO Peter McLoughlin cited player and executive acquisitions, along with future enhancements at Savvis Center, “as the reason the club has raised season ticket prices.” McLoughlin said that the VIP section will have “in-seat food and beverage service” next season, and fans with Plaza level season tickets will be admitted to the Savvis Club (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 7/14).

STATE LINES: In Memphis, Marlon Morgan reports the Predators have signed a one-year deal to play an exhibition game against the Blue Jackets September 21 at FedExForum, “the first hockey game played in the two-year-old arena.” FedExForum VP/Arena Operations Steve Zito said that that the facility will seat about 12,000 fans for the game. Predators associate head coach Brent Peterson said, “If we can build and grow our sport in all areas of Tennessee, that would be great” (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 7/14).

TIME STAMP: The Ducks will start weekday games next season at 7:05pm PT, 30 minutes earlier, after conducting a year-long study with fans and business partners. Sunday games will continue to begin at 5:05pm (Ducks).