If advance interest in season tickets is any indication, the Winnipeg Ice won’t have to worry about local sports fans being burned out on too much hockey.
The WHL franchise, which will be relocating from Cranbrook, B.C. next season, caused a lot of debate over whether it would be able to compete in a crowded market against established NHL and AHL teams.
Matt Cockell, the team’s president and general manager, told the CJOB Sports Show Thursday that more than 1,000 people had reserved spots in line for season seats within 24 hours – a huge number for a team that will play in a 1,400-seat arena for its first two seasons.
“We’re unbelievably excited with the response,” said Cockell.
“We haven’t really done much promotion and wanted to casually let people know through a bit of social presence that if you wanted to confirm your place in line for season seats, you could go ahead and do that.
“We weren’t really expecting the response, which just confirms that Winnipeg is the hockey capital of Canada.”
The Ice will begin their time in Winnipeg at the University of Manitoba’s Wayne Fleming Arena, and Cockell said there will be a number of renovations to the 38-year-old rink to bring it up to the standard fans expect of the WHL.
“Those that have confirmed their seats are going to be really excited about what the environment looks like and the type of improvements that will be in place for next season,” he said.
“We feel like this will be a win for our fans to be able to watch WHL hockey in such an intimate environment.
“It’s a great story all the way around.”
WATCH: Winnipeg Ice begin battle for share in city’s hockey market
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