In Denver, Mike Chambers reports Avalanche President & Governor Josh Kroenke is optimistic that the team's 20th anniversary season in '15-16 "will include hosting the Winter Classic or NHL Stadium Series game." Kroenke: "We hope to get a positive answer on that in the very near future." A stadium game "would be played at Denver's Coors Field, Sports Authority Field at Mile High or Folsom Field in Boulder, but Kroenke declined to speculate which venue is the leading candidate" (DENVER POST, 10/8).
PRICES IN THE WINDY CITY: In Chicago, Danny Ecker reported going to a Blackhawks game this season "will remain an expensive proposition, but tickets are selling for quite a bit less than they were a year ago." SeatGeek data shows that the average price of admission for all 41 games at the United Center "is down" 22% from '13 to $136. The average price decrease "is likely a regression to the norm with the Hawks last year" coming off of the '13 Stanley Cup victory, but it "comes despite the face value of season tickets this year rising" by 8%. Market value for Blackhawks tickets "are down no matter the seat location" (CHICAGOBUSINESS.com, 10/6). Meanwhile, the Blackhawks on Friday will open a flagship retail store called the Blackhawks Store. The project, developed by team Chair Rocky Wirtz' Wirtz Realty, will be a 5,000-square-foot, two-story retail location (Blackhawks). CRAIN'S CHICAGO BUSINESS' Ecker noted the new store "is four times the size" of the club's other team store. The new store will "include more than 20 video screens playing Blackhawks content, including live games." Three interactive touch screens on the store's second floor "will offer fans Hawks trivia games, history and player information." The store also will also be "equipped to host live radio and television broadcasts" (CHICAGOBUSINESS.com, 10/7).
MAKING IT OFFICIAL IN THE VALLEY? FOX SPORTS ARIZONA's Craig Morgan noted with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman scheduled to attend the Coyotes' season-opener tomorrow against the Jets and prospective team Owner Andrew Barroway "hammering out the final details" of his 51% purchase, there "could be a significant pre-game announcement for Coyotes fans if lawyers don't muck up the works." Barroway was "scheduled to arrive in the Valley" today (FOXSPORTSARIZONA.com, 10/7).
