Over 2,600 Season Tickets Sold For 2007-08

Published on September 17, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder, the ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers and American Hockey League's Springfield Falcons, has announced over 2,600 Thunder season tickets have been sold for the upcoming 2007-08 season, marking the fastest pace to the 2,500 sales mark in the organization's history.

The figure includes season ticket sales for Comcast Club seats and luxury suite sales at Stockton Arena.

Winner of the ECHL's team "Award of Excellence" in June, the Thunder has led the ECHL in attendance for two consecutive seasons, drew 244,085 fans (6,780 average) to Stockton Arena in 2006-07 and will host of the 2008 ECHL All-Star Game and festivities on Jan. 22-23. The Thunder experienced a 6.5 percent increase in attendance last season and was the first team, other than the Florida EverBlades, to lead the ECHL in attendance for two years in a row since 1995-99 (Louisiana).

ECHL 06-07 RANK TOTAL DATES AVG.

1. Stockton 244,085 36 6,780

2. Florida 224,945 36 6,248

3. Charlotte 213,647 36 5,935

4. Bakersfield 210,531 36 5,848

5. Gwinnett 203,550 36 5,654

The Thunder experienced a 16 percent increase in season ticket sales last year. Ranking as one of the hottest draws in professional hockey, the Thunder placed 10th in average attendance out of 87 minor league hockey teams in North America (AHL, ECHL, Central Hockey League, United Hockey League and Southern Professional Hockey League).

MINOR LEAGUE HOCKEY

06-07 RANK Team Average

1. CHL Oklahoma City 8,902

2. AHL Hershey 8,671

3. AHL Wilkes-Barre 8,030

10. ECHL Stockton 6,780

11. AHL Philadelphia 6,697

13. AHL Houston 6,422

14. ECHL Florida 6,248

18. AHL Milwaukee 5,700

"The fan support in the Stockton community has been fantastic over the last two seasons," said Thunder vice president of sales Dave Piecuch. "The fact that we are still increasing our season ticket base shows how loyal and enthusiastic the community has been towards the Stockton Thunder. Our appreciation to Thunder fans, the best in minor league hockey, can't be expressed enough as the 2007-08 season approaches."

ABOUT THE ECHL

Opening Day for the 20th Anniversary Season will be Oct. 18 when the Johnstown Chiefs host the Wheeling Nailers at Cambria County War Memorial in a rematch of Game 7 from the first-ever ECHL Finals.

Celebrating its 20th Anniversary as the Premier 'AA' Hockey League in 2007-08, the ECHL began in 1988-89 with five teams in three states and has grown to be a coast-to-coast league that will have 25 teams in 17 states and British Columbia in 2007-08. The 25 teams includes the Mississippi (Biloxi) Sea Wolves, who return after missing two seasons in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and the expansion Elmira (N.Y.) Jackals. The ECHL will play 900 games beginning Oct. 18 and concluding Apr. 5.

Details on 2007-08 individual game tickets and Thunder 2007 training camp information will be announced soon. The Thunder begins the 2007-08 ECHL season Friday, October 19 on the road against the Bakersfield Condors at 7:00 p.m. PT, and faces the Alaska Aces on Saturday, October 27 at 7:30 p.m. PT in the home opener at Stockton Arena.

Season tickets for 2007-08 are on sale now. For more information about tickets, merchandise, or other inquiries contact the Stockton Thunder offices at (209) 373-1500 or visit www.stocktonthunder.com.

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