CHL Sees 25 Million at Games
Published on October 22, 2002 under Central Hockey League (CHL) News Release
The Central Hockey League's 11th season began in fine fashion this past week, with all sixteen teams taking the ice for the 2002/2003 campaign. On Saturday evening, the Central Hockey League reached a historical attendance figure in Wichita, welcoming the 25 millionth fan in combined Central and Western Professional Hockey League history. 32-year old Erik Larson of Wichita was randomly selected entering the Kansas Coliseum, and received a prize package containing a CHL "25M" jersey, tickets and accommodations to the January 23rd, 2003 CHL All-Star Game in Oklahoma City, and a number of other items. Through the opening weekend of action, the CHL has now welcomed a total of 25,021,538 fans in 5885 contests, for an average of 4,251 per game.
"Reaching the 25 million mark in total attendance is certainly an important milestone for the Central Hockey League, and we are thrilled to have reached that mark in Wichita, where Thunder fans have shown outstanding support and dedication since the clubs' inception in 1992", said CHL President Brad Treliving. "Most importantly, we proudly recognize the 25 million fans that have supported the Central Hockey League so passionately over the past decade."
On the ice, six clubs have posted perfect 2-0-0 records to start the season, including three of four clubs in the Southeast Division. The defending Southern Conference Champion Austin Ice Bats sit at 2-0-0, as do the San Angelo Saints and Corpus Christi IceRays. A single team from each of the other three divisions has enjoyed similar success, with the Tulsa Oilers (Northwest), Fort Worth Brahmas (Northeast) and New Mexico Scorpions (Southwest) all sitting atop their respective divisions.
Pointstreak PRO Performance of the Week:
Amarillo forward Henry Kuster scored four goals in the Gorillas 5-3 win at Wichita on October 19th. Kuster, in his first year with Amarillo, scored the last three goals of the contest to help erase a 3-2 deficit to the Thunder. Two of the Edmonton, Alberta native's four tallies in the game came shorthanded, including an empty net goal with one-second left to seal the victory, and even Amarillo's record at 1-1-0 on the young season.
Central Hockey League Stories from October 22, 2002
- Richardson's A Ray - Corpus Christi IceRays
- CHL Sees 25 Million at Games - CHL
- IceRays to Particiapte in Red Ribbon Week - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Gorrillas Organizing Women Only Instructional Night - Amarillo Gorillas
- Defensive Switch Brings Back Sejna - Indianapolis Ice
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