Thunder Surpasses 200,000 Fans For 7th Straight Year

Published on March 27, 2012 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder, a two-time recipient of the ECHL "Award of Excellence," announced that the club drew 212,988 fans (5,916 average per game) in 36 regular season games at Stockton Arena, the seventh consecutive year that over 200,000 fans crossed the turnstiles of Stockton Arena.

The total has put the Thunder ranking third in ECHL attendance, surpassed only by the fourth-year Ontario Reign and third-year Toledo Walleye.

"The 2011-12 season marks the seventh consecutive year that the Thunder have filled over 200,000 fans into the Stockton Arena," said Thunder president Dan Chapman. "In the difficult economy we are still experiencing, this is a fantastic accomplishment and we are so very grateful to each and every one of our fans that are so committed and supportive of Thunder hockey."

The Thunder is the only team since 2004-05 (Florida Everblades) to lead the league in attendance for four consecutive seasons and has drawn 17 sellouts in the team's franchise history. The Thunder drew its largest crowd of the season on Mar. 3 against Alaska with a total of 9,398 fans.

The Thunder drew a club record 244,085 fans to Stockton Arena in 2006-07 and had the sixth largest crowd in ECHL All-Star Game history on January 23, 2008 with a total of 7,455 fans. There have been seven crowds of 7,000 or more at Stockton Arena this season. Last weekend, over 15,000 fans piled into Stockton Arena for the final two regular season home games against Bakersfield (Mar. 23-24).

TOP FIVE HOME CROWDS IN 2011-12

OPPONENT DATE ATTENDANCE

1. Alaska 3/3/12 9,398

2. Bakersfield 3/24/12 9,323

3. Utah 11/5/11 9,012

4. Alaska 1/28/12 7,613

5. Utah 3/17/12 7,537

Stockton completed the home portion of its regular season schedule with a record of 19-14-3 and is guaranteed a berth in the Kelly Cup Playoffs. The first round opponent and playoff schedule will be announced soon.

Season Tickets are on sale now and fans can claim priority seating for the 2012 Kelly Cup Playoffs by purchasing Thunder Season Tickets for 2012-13. Current Thunder Season Ticket holders receive the first two rounds of the playoffs for free with their package. For more information about tickets, merchandise, or other inquiries contact the Stockton Thunder offices at (209) 373-1500 or visit http://www.stocktonthunder.com/.

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