NHL Attendance Down 2.1% This Season, 16 Teams See Declines

Blues Seeing NHL’s Largest Attendance Decline From Last Season

NHL attendance is down 2.1% overall this season, and 16 of the league’s 30 teams “have had some decline from last season’s numbers,” according to Kevin Allen of USA TODAY. The Avalanche, who had a 487-game consecutive sellout streak end this season, have “fallen short of capacity” five times. The Penguins are off 4.1% at the gate, and the Thrashers 8.2% “despite strong starts” on the ice. The Blues, at 19.6% have seen the biggest drop. But NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said, “Last year’s first month was unique, marking the return of the sport after a full year shutdown. When you look at this year in comparison to more ‘normal’ years in the past, not only is attendance strong, but it’s stronger than we traditionally have been in October” (USA TODAY, 11/9).

DEVILS AND DUCKS: The Ducks have averaged 14,624 fans through ten home games, up 9.6% from 13,338 last season. The team has sold 11,500 season tickets — up from 9,000 from last season and 7,000 before the lockout — the highest total since ’98-99. But the team has not sold our since the home opener. Ducks Exec VP & GM Brian Burke: “We’re one of the positive stories around the NHL. Would I like a more rapid response? Yes. Am I happy with what we’ve gotten? Yes” (L.A. TIMES, 11/9)....In Newark, Rich Chere notes the Devils’ management “is concerned by the plummeting attendance.” Devils Owner Jeff Vanderbeek said fans have told him that “it has a lot to do with” construction for Xanadu causing parking and traffic problems. Devils President, CEO & GM Lou Lamoriello said, “It may be the anticipation of going into our new building [in Newark], along with the parking and construction here.” Lamoriello said that the Devils “are offering season ticket-holders additional tickets at prices below face value,” and the team “has contacted anyone who has ever held Devils season tickets and has offered significant savings on seats” (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 11/9).

Ovechkin Enjoying Time In Spotlight

COMMUNITY RELATIONS: Predators players on Tuesday took part in Predators Community Day, a “day of service where nearly every member of the team made an appearance in Middle Tennessee” and interacted with fans at locations including the airport, Supercuts and Hardee’s. The idea “was to expand on the normal team participation events by making it a day-long experience” (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 11/9). THE HOCKEY NEWS’ Jason Kay notes the NHL “promised greater access [to players] prior to the beginning of the 2005-06 season and, from the information we’ve gathered and our own observations, baby steps were achieved.” At the “forefront of the players’ evolution” is Capitals C Alex Ovechkin, who is “proof the spotlight can be enjoyed; it doesn’t have to cause excessive sweating” (THE HOCKEY NEWS, “All Access Pass”).