WINNIPEG — Any doubts that the city of Winnipeg could support two professional hockey franchises are being put to rest as ticket sales for the new Manitoba Moose have been strong. Close to 4-thousand season tickets have been sold already in the four and a half months since the announcement the Moose were coming back.
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“I think in a word the response from the community thus far has been fantastic,” True North Sports and Entertainment’s Vice President of AHL Operations Dan Hursh said. “We’re certainly approaching the 4-thousand mark and that puts us in a really good place.”
The Hershey Bears led the AHL in attendance last season averaging just under 10-thousand fans. The Portland Pirates were at the bottom of the league averaging just 2, 963 fans per game. The Moose averaged 8, 404 fans per game in their last year in Winnipeg back in the 2010-2011 season. But considering the Winnipeg Jets are now the number one draw, 4-thousand is a strong start with still two months to go before the regular season begins.
“That’s where we want to be, if not ahead of where we want to be at this point,” Hursh said. “It really allows us to be positioned well to work to drive the needle as we head towards the home opener.”
The hockey club has also released their pre-season schedule and the Moose will make their return to the American Hockey League in North Dakota. They’ll play two exhibition games against the Minnesota Wild’s top affiliate, the Iowa Wild. Both on the road with the Moose to face the Wild in Grand Forks on October 2. They’ll play the rematch the following night in Fargo to wrap up their short exhibition schedule.
Pre-season ticket prices range from $10 to $30. The Moose will play their home opener on October 15.
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