Back in August before the season began, we told you about how the front office in St. Louis was working feverishly to woo back fans that had abandoned the team over the past few years as it had crashed to the bottom of the standings. Well, it looks as if they're doing something right, as the latest Western Conference figures released by the NHL say attendance is up 49.1% over the same period last year.
The why behind the turnaround ought to be apparent, as the team's fortunes and management's willingness to spend on free agents have helped lure the fans back to the point where the Blues are now playing before 91% of capacity at home. A number of creative promotions hasn't hurt either, like the free food promotion that Team President Dave Checketts (pictured above) participated in last weekend.
The other big movers in the survey shouldn't be a surprise either. Attendance is up nearly 18% in Chicago where the Blackhawks rose from the grave right around the same time that owner Bill Wirtz headed in the other direction. Meanwhile, back in Orange County, the defending Stanley Cup Champion Ducks are up a modest 8.8% over the same period from last season.
So who's crashing through the floor? While nearly everyone likes to think that putting a competitive team on the ice is the quickest solutions to woes at the gate, the exact opposite seems to be true in Detroit, where the Red Wings continue to disappoint when it comes to ticket sales. They're down almost 8% over last season. Ditto the Columbus Blue Jackets, who are playing better now than they ever have in the short history of their franchise. They're down almost 18%.
Other significant drops in the wrong direction: Colorado (-5.9%), Nashville (-2.5%) and Los Angeles (-2.0%).
HT: Sports Business Daily (Subscription required)
Previously on FanHouse:
No Free Beer for Blues Fans
The Ice Sheet: The Blues are Back
Blues Tell Fans: 'We Want You Back'
