Wheeling Draws Fifth Largest Attendance Increase in ECHL
June 21, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
WHEELING, WV - The 2015-16 season was a memorable one on the ice, as the Wheeling Nailers reached the Kelly Cup Final, winning three playoff series in a single year for the first time in team history. At the same time, it was also extremely notable when it came to the fans, as Wheeling saw the fifth largest attendance in the ECHL, eclipsing the 100,000 mark for the first time since 2008-09.
The theme announced at the start of the 2015-16 campaign was "Join the Evolution," as WesBanco Arena was in the process of evolving with renovations of a new scoreboard, new seats, and a new front entrance. The city of Wheeling has also been involving, while the opening video couldn't have been more true, as the Nailers evolved into not only playoff contenders, but championship contenders.
The evolution in attendance began in the 2014-15 season, when the overall total went up 8,882 over the previous season, as 89,953 fans came to watch future NHL and AHL players develop their skills in the ECHL. The top two games of that year were Opening Night (4,754) and Education Day (4,855).
The first goal of 2015-16 was to sellout the home opener on October 24th against the Brampton Beast. That was done successfully, as 5,330 local supporters packed WesBanco Arena, settled into the brand new seats, and watched the Nailers put together a convincing 5-1 victory, opening on a good note. 17 days later, Education Day beat that total, as a crowd of 5,511 saw an epic comeback, as Wheeling erased a 5-2 deficit for a 7-5 triumph over the Cincinnati Cyclones. Those two contests marked the first two sellouts for the team since the regular season home finale in 2011-12.
The regular season saw one final sellout, which came on April 1st, when the 2014-15 attendance figures were surpassed. In addition to those three games, the Nailers had two other home tilts attract over 4,000 fans - 4,546 on March 12th and another 4,150 on April 8th. During the regular season, Wheeling was 4-1 in front of crowds of at least 4,000. Five more games eclipsed 3,000, led by Throwback Night in which Wheeling Thunderbirds jerseys were worn.
Attendance numbers continued to grow in the Kelly Cup Playoffs, especially as the importance of the games increased. On May 9th, the Nailers beat the Reading Royals, forcing the first ever game seven in WesBanco Arena history. Despite only having two days to prepare, the fans spoke in large numbers, as 3,341 erupted out of their seats when Riley Brace scored the overtime winning goal to advance to the Eastern Conference Final. Two more crowds of over 3,000 made their way to the rink during that series, as Wheeling skated past the South Carolina Stingrays. However, the championship round featured the most impressive turnout, as the three home games against the Allen Americans produced a grand total of 13,666, including the 33rd finals sellout in the 28-year history of the ECHL in game four.
Wheeling's regular season attendance number reached 100,627, stomping the 2014-15 total by 10,674 for the fifth largest increase in the ECHL. The top four were Tulsa (21,966), Toledo (19,522), Allen (17,105), and Quad City (16,411). 16 of the 25 teams that played in the same city the previous season saw increases in 2015-16. In the playoffs, the Nailers drew 36,837 fans, which produced an increase in average by 480 per game. Of the 12 teams which reached the postseason in both 2015 and 2016, Wheeling's increase in average ranked third, trailing only Allen (1,535) and Utah (624). Six of the 12 saw their averages drop.
The Nailers will look to continue the evolution of their attendance in 2016-17, the 25th season of professional hockey in Wheeling. The puck drops for Opening Night on Saturday, October 15th against the Brampton Beast at 7:05.
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