Thank You Houston Aeros Fans For A Great 2007-08 Season!
Published on May 6, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Houston Aeros News Release
The Aeros were not only successful on the ice making it to the Calder Cup Playoffs for the sixth time, but off the ice, the team was a huge success as well. Due to you, the fans, the Aeros again were in the top 10 in the American Hockey League in attendance averaging over 6,000 fans per game for the second straight season. The Aeros finished 10th in the league the previous two years, but moved up a spot in overall league attendance to finish ninth in 2007-08 averaging 6,280 fans per game.
Six times this season, more than 9,000 fans attended an Aeros game including the final two regular season games in which a total of 21,570 fans attended the two games. Houston's biggest crowd of the season was on April 12th when 11,831 people packed the Toyota Center, and the following night, in the regular season finale, 9,739 people witnessed the Aeros defeat the Milwaukee Admirals and finish third in the West Division.
The puck series, mullet hats and mini-helmets were among the most popular giveaways throughout the season and the Hanson Brothers, from the movie Slapshot, visited Houston on March 15th and brought their shenanigans to the Toyota Center ice. The brothers scored a goal in the opening minute, but it was waived off. Luckily, the Aeros held on for a 3-2 win over the Rockford IceHogs.
2007-08 Team Highlights
- The Aeros had a 32-point turnaround from the 2006-07 season marking the biggest turnaround in team history. Houston finished the 2006-07 season with a 27-43-4-6 record for just 64 points and last place in the West Division. In 2007-08 the Aeros finished with 94 points on a 45-29-2-4 record winning 18 more games than the previous season.
- The Aeros, behind the goaltending of Nolan Schaefer and Barry Brust, gave up the fewest goals in the American Hockey League. For that, the goaltenders won the Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award presented annually to the goaltenders of the team that gives up the fewest goals in the season.
- Houston broke their team record for shutouts in a season with 11. Schaefer had six, Brust finished with four and Anton Khudobin had one shutout.
- Erik Reitz and Nolan Schaefer represented the Aeros in the 2008 All-Star Game.
- The Aeros' penalty kill unit finished second in the AHL killing 87.0% of the penalties all season.
- Houston returned to the Calder Cup Playoffs in 2008 earning the three seed in the West Division. Houston has made the playoffs in six of their seven years in the American Hockey League and 12 of 14 years overall.
Stay tuned to Aeros.com for a full season in review.
Once again, THANK YOU fans for all of your support throughout the season. As we look ahead to our 15th season in Houston, please email us any feedback from this past season. We are always trying to improve and your feedback regarding anything Aeros is much appreciated.
American Hockey League Stories from May 6, 2008
- Marlies Host Crunch on Friday at Ricoh Coliseum - Toronto Marlies
- P-Bruins Fall to Pirates 3-2 - Providence Bruins
- Bus Into The Wolves Den With The IceHogs - Rockford IceHogs
- Winger Draws From ECHL Playoff Experience - Rockford IceHogs
- Thank You Houston Aeros Fans For A Great 2007-08 Season! - Houston Aeros
- Marlies Recall Doig, Tsimikalis And Wellar From Columbia - Toronto Marlies
- AHL Board Of Governors Approves Franchise Ownership Transfer - AHL
- AHL playoff games to be carried on XM Satellite Radio - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Monsters Contributions with Avalanche - Cleveland Monsters
- AHL Morning Skate - AHL
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
