The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League shows a healthy rise in attendance figures
Published on November 4, 2005 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) News Release
BOUCHERVILLE, Friday, November 4, 2005 (QMJHL) - Following the first six weeks of the 2005-2006 regular season, the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League has recorded a 28.8% rise in attendance compared to the same time last year. As of November 1st, 2005, average attendance figures have risen from 2,715 fans per game to 3,496 after the same number of games (160).
Several factors can explain this sudden rise, notably the arrival of two new franchises: the Saint John Sea Dogs (NB) and the St. John's Fog Devils (NL), who average 4,410 and 4,341 spectators respectively.
Following their record 2004-05 campaign in which they drew a total of 242,187 fans, the current edition of the Quebec Remparts is still creating a lot of buzz within the community. They sit atop the QMJHL rankings in attendance figures as they average 7,486 fans per game. In second place, the Halifax Mooseheads continue to draw well with an average of 6,971 spectators on game nights.
"The hike in attendance can be traced to the quality of the product," mentioned the Commissioner of the QMJHL, Mr. Gilles Courteau. "The new rules and the fact that players have adapted well to them have also had a positive impact on the entertainment value for fans."
The more noticeable rises in attendance figures have been in Moncton (+50.4%), Acadie-Bathurst (+45.2%), Drummondville (+39.6%), Chicoutimi (+38.7%), Quebec (+22.5%) and Baie-Comeau (16.3%).
Conversely, some fans have been hesitant to come back in the season's early going in markets such as Rimouski (11.3%), PEI (-11.2%), Lewiston (-8.2%), Shawinigan (-5.0%) and Val-d'Or (-5.0%).
At this rate, the QMJHL will attract more than two million fans before the conclusion of the 2005-06 regular season. Last year, the League attracted a total of 1,872,144 fans - an attendance record.
Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from November 4, 2005
- MAINEiacs comeback to force overtime but come up short in Shoot-Out - Lewiston MAINEiacs
- Screaming Eagles Move to Within One Point of Wildcats - Moncton Wildcats
- PEI Rocket forward Joey Haddad suspended two games - QMJHL
- Injury Update - Halifax Mooseheads
- ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) Awareness Night - Lewiston MAINEiacs
- The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League shows a healthy rise in attendance figures - QMJHL
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.
