SEA DOGS SEE ATTENDANCE INCREASE

All of the on-ice success has translated into off-ice success for the Saint John Sea Dogs.

The Sea Dogs finished the regular season atop the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League standings and were ranked amongst the best in the entire Canadian Hockey League for much of the year. With such success over this past season and coming off a trip to the President’s Cup Finals, the Sea Dogs saw a solid increase in attendance.

Saint John averaged 4,478 fans per game at Harbour Station this season, a significant increase of 337 more fans per contest. The average places the Sea Dogs with the fourth highest average attendance in the QMJHL behind the Quebec Remparts, Halifax Mooseheads, and Moncton Wildcats.

In a record breaking season, it seems fitting the team would also break their own average attendance record. With an average of 4,478, the Sea Dogs broke their franchise record that was previously set in their inaugural season of 2005-06. They beat the record by the slimmest of margins as the 05-06 season saw an average of 4,477 fans in attendance compared to this year’s 4,478.

Not losing a regulation game at home probably helped a bit in breaking the record.

The team’s attendance has been on a steady rise over the past two seasons.

2010-11: 4,478 (4th)
2009-10: 4,141 (4th)
2008-09: 3,930 (5th)
2007-08: 3,978 (5th)
2006-07: 3,839 (6th)
2005-06: 4,477 (4th)

The year got off to a bit of a rough start attendance wise as only 4,522 fans came to watch the home opener and the Sea Dogs raise to two banners to the rafters of Harbour Station. But the stretch run made up for the early season struggles as seven of the team’s last eight home games had over 5,000 fans in attendance.

The Sea Dogs also had five sell-outs during the regular season with three of them being against the Moncton Wildcats. The five sell-outs in a single season is also a franchise high.

2010-11: 5
2009-10: 2 (Final two games of season)
2008-09: 1 (Home Opener – announced sell-out)
2007-08: 1 (6,538 – largest attended home game in team history)
2006-07: None
2005-06: 1 (Inaugural Game)

With the playoffs starting tonight at Harbour Station, hopefully all the regular season success will translate into some huge crowds throughout the Sea Dogs' post-season run.

Photo Credit: David Connell Web Album