The Vancouver Canucks are reeling after losing their superstar rookie to a season-ending injury.
But if anyone outside the team is feeling the burden, it’s the local businesses that survive off the Canucks.
Canucks rookie Brock Boeser, nicknamed ‘the flow’, sustained a lower-back injury on Monday night after landing awkwardly into the open gate of the Canucks bench. He was attempting to hit New York Islanders forward Cal Clutterbuck when the collision occurred. The team announced his recovery should take four-to-six weeks.
Kingsley Bailey, manager of Vancouver Ticket and Tour Services, said selling tickets for a struggling Canucks team has been easier with Boeser’s lights-out campaign. However, Bailey expects ticket sales to worsen after the superstar’s injury, even for the lower-priced games.
“People aren’t paying that kind of dollar to watch a rebuild… now that Brock is out,” Bailey said. “He was the highlight, we’re talking about the all-star MVP.”
Before suffering the injury, Boeser was making a strong case to win the NHL’s Calder Memorial Trophy for rookie of the year. The Minnesota-born forward leads the team with 29 goals, 26 assists and 55 points. His goal-total is a league-high among first-year skaters.
Canucks jerseys bearing Boeser’s number six have been a hot-seller for John Cvelka, the owner of Vancity Sports on Seymour Street. He said some of the walls in his shop are completely covered with Boeser jerseys and t-shirts, but he believes much of that gear will now remain unsold.
“A lot of people will probably wait until next year to buy his jersey,” Cvelka said. “It will definitely put a damper on Canucks jersey sales for sure.”
WATCH: Canuck prospect Brock Boeser takes fan with Down syndrome to prom
Cvelka added that he still anticipates visitors from out-of-town will spend the money on Boeser apparel because it is tougher to buy in other markets.
As a fan of the team, Bailey said he was impressed with the 21-year old’s electric rookie year, and he gives much of the credit to the Canucks Scouting team.
“They saw that he had the potential, but nobody saw that this kid is the second-coming,” Bailey said. “These guys did a heck of a job finding this guy.”
For people still clamoring to get a glimpse of the team near the end of the season, Bailey has a message for them.
“If the fans are really looking forward to going to a Canucks game or haven’t gone to a game in a while, some of these last games are going to be very affordable,” Bailey said.
Comments