Salmon Kings help ECHL raise attendance

April 24, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Victoria Salmon Kings News Release


Victoria, BC - The Victoria Salmon Kings, proud affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks and Manitoba Moose, announced today that their the West Division-leading total attendance of 175,354 for a club record average of 4,871 fans helped the ECHL to another successful season on and off the ice.

Bolstered by 51 sellouts and with 11 teams increasing their attendance, the ECHL celebrated its 20th season by being the only minor professional hockey league to raise its attendance in 2007-08.

The Cincinnati Cyclones and the Salmon Kings led all of professional hockey in attendance increase with 36.8 percent and 14.7 percent, respectively, while Augusta was third in the ECHL and ninth overall with 10.9 percent. The Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre had its second sellout crowd in history with 7,006 for its final regular season game against the Alaska Aces. That game not only saw the Salmon Kings clinch the first West Division title in team history, but also capped off a three-game series viewed by a club record 18,540 fans.

The third-longest tenured professional hockey league behind only the National Hockey League and the American Hockey League, the ECHL averaged 4,174 per game. It is the fourth year in row and the 16th time in the last 18 years that the league has averaged over 4,000 fans.

The Premier 'AA' Hockey League welcomed 3,756,191 fans, marking the fifth straight season and the 11th time in the last 12 years that it has exceeded 3.75 million fans. The 51 sold out crowds are the most in the last five seasons and mark the fourth time in the last five years that the ECHL has had at least 40 sellouts.

"While we had hoped that the league increase would be more significant, the fact that there was an increase is a credit to the efforts of management and the teams across the league," said ECHL Commissioner Brian McKenna. "We look forward to continuing these efforts to increase in growth in attendance and revenues for the 2008-09 season."

Season tickets for the Salmon Kings 2008-09 season are already on sale. Be apart of the action by calling (250) 220-7889, emailing seasontickets@salmonkings.com or visiting www.salmonkings.com for more information.

The Salmon Kings continue their 2008 Kelly Cup Playoff drive tomorrow when they face off for Game 1 of their National Conference Semi-final Series against the Utah Grizzlies. Second round tickets are on sale now, call (250) 220-7889 or visit www.selectyourtickets.com for more information.



ECHL Stories from April 24, 2008


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