Support in the stands for the Power Dodge Estevan Bruins has been strong as the calendar turns to the new year in the 2018/19 season.
The Bruins have played 16 games at Affinity Place as of January 1st, and are averaging 1,038 fans per game. That figure leads the way for all SJHL teams who have played approximately the same amount of games as the Bruins.
The Bruins are the lone SJHL team averaging more than 1,000 fans/game so far this season, with the Humboldt Broncos (837) and Battlefords North Stars (804) as the next two teams in fan attendance numbers.
“Our entire organization is very pleased for the support we’ve seen in the stands of Affinity Place this season,” expressed Danny Ewen, Director of Marketing & Operations for the Bruins. “With over 600 season tickets sold before the season began and a strong playoff run last spring, we anticipated plenty of excitement surrounding the team coming into the year.”
“And while we are very happy to see that we are averaging over a thousand fans a game, we are still doing everything we can to enhance the in-game experience for our fans to keep that number growing as the push towards playoffs begins.”
Of the Bruins’ final 12 regular season games, four of those will feature the rival Weyburn Red Wings which typically sees crowds well above the average attendance numbers. As well, home games against high-profile teams such as the Nipawin Hawks, Melfort Mustangs and Yorkton Terriers will likely draw strong crowds as potential playoff previews.
And while strong attendance is the foundation for any successful junior hockey team and their bottom line, it also typically spills over into success on the ice.
“We see the effect that a loud, excited crowd does for our players at home,” adds Ewen. “It seems that more hits are finished, the shots and passes are a little crisper, and the guys are skating that much harder.”
“So we certainly want to see even more fans in the stands down the stretch to help propel our team into the playoffs for what will hopefully be another memorable springtime in the city of Estevan.”
The Bruins’ best year attendance-wise was is 2012/13, when an average of approximately 1,268 fans led the SJHL. Since Affinity Place opened in 2011/12, the Bruins have averaged 997 fans/game coming into the 2018/19 season.
During that stretch, Estevan has led the SJHL in attendance three times, with Yorkton (13/14, 14/15), Battlefords (17/18) and Weyburn (16/17) as the only other teams to lead the league in attendance.
*CLICK HERE to view the current 2018/19 SJHL attendance numbers*
Bryce Platt & The Bruins Have Enjoyed Great Crowds At Affinity Place So Far In 2018/19.
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