The Toronto Maple Leafs open their 2014-2015 preseason campaign Monday night with an exhibition tilt against the Philadelphia Flyers at the former John Labatt Centre (now Budweiser Gardens) in London, Ont.
More than 9,000 fans are expected to pack the arena. As of this writing, there was a handful of tickets still for sale at a price tag north of $85 apiece, according to ticket tracking service, TiqIQ.
Indeed, the return of pro hockey this fall is poised to deliver several wins for the hometown team’s local and regional economy, a new report says.
“The opening of National Hockey League training camps will be welcomed by a range of Canadian businesses including stadiums, bars and clothing retailers,” Moody’s Analytics associate economist Alexander Lowy says in a new forecast.
READ MORE: Hockey delivers bruising hit to economy in February
“Canada’s favourite professional sport often has a measurable impact on economic activity,” Lowy said, noting in particular an expected uptick in part-time employment as arenas add staff. Food and shelter businesses also stand to gain as folks “gather in bars and restaurants.”
As part of its monitoring of the economy, Statistics Canada tracks a sub-sector called sports and performing arts. Lowy said that sector’s contribution to overall growth in the Canadian economy delivers a noticeable bump between now and November.
No hockey, business dips
When NHL action is taken away, the effects are more pronounced: During the 2012 lockout, the gross value generated by the sector fell 14 per cent, Lowy said. During the Sochi Games last February, the decline was 15 per cent, Moody’s said.
Lowy added the fortunes of the sector are “particularly tied” to the annual return — and departure — of NHL hockey.
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