Disappointing Season Ticket Sales

[IslandersHKY]

Rocket GM disappointed in season ticket sales
CHARLES REID
The Guardian

Sometimes trends can be fun and quirky like the 1980s Rubik’s Cube craze and sometimes fads aren’t so amusing such as a decreasing fan base for the P.E.I. Rocket.
Serge Savard Jr., president and general manager of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League club, said season ticket sales are the lowest since the Rocket landed in P.E.I. from Montreal in 2003-04.
Savard wouldn’t reveal the number of season packages sold except to say the club’s down about 10 per cent from last year and about 30 per cent from 2005-06.
“We have to break the trend to be here long term. The trend is not good for the last four years, but then again look at the product on the ice. If we bring a team like we were in 2003-04 when we moved here, the attendance will go up I’m sure,’’ said Savard in a recent interview. “I’m a little disappointed it’s a little slow, but it’s our fault.’’
That veteran squad finished with 40 wins and reached the second round, losing to Moncton in six games.
However, it’s been uphill for P.E.I. the last three years, as coaching changes, maturing youngsters, first-round draft picks (like defencemen Stephen Lund and Pascal Boutin) not panning out and two straight first-round playoff exits have meant a box office lag.
The club has tried to increase interest this season with promotions like giveaways of Rocket jackets to season ticket holders who bring in new season ticket buyers. Estimates have about 70 jackets given away.
Rocket rent at the Civic Centre is about $150,000 per year. Annual operational cost for the club is about $1.5 million. Rocket season tickets are $495 this season, one of the highest in the league, only a few bucks behind Saint John’s maximum of $543 (Harbour Station has four seating options) and pennies behind Acadie-Bathurst’s $495.95.
Lowest is Quebec’s $330 price tag, courtesy of the 15,399-seat Pepsi Colisée. The Civic Centre’s 3,690 seats is eighth in the league; smallest is Val-d’Or’s Centre Air Creebec at 2,140 seats.
Last June, the Rocket signed a five-year deal (with an option after five years) to stay in Charlottetown. Thanks to a healthy David Laliberte, a good defence and a crop of quality youth, the team finished eighth overall and fourth in the Eastern Division but needed a deep playoff push to make money.
It didn’t get it, losing in the first round, and what numbers are out there show the result — a good regular season isn’t enough, fans demand long post-season runs to stay interested.
“I’ve been in this game long enough to know that if you don’t have a winning product, not an exciting product, people are not going to come. We can’t play in front of 2,300-2,400 people like the smallest markets in the league,’’ said Savard. “We’re not complaining, but something’s going to have to happen. We have to bring back the fans. The solution is we need 3,000 people a game and the solution is to win hockey games.’’
Rocket training camp opens Friday at 7 p.m. the Pownal Sports Centre. Practices and scrimmages are free and open to the public.
P.E.I.’s first exhibition game is Sunday versus St. John’s at the Wellness Centre in Summerside.

[dogpound]

One thing I always like about Serge McDuck is that he's honest with the public and the media - he tells the truth, he doesn't try to sugar-coat it, and that's very unusual in this day and age.

McDuck admitted that season-ticket sales were down, that he was worried, but then he also said "it's our own fault" - now when's the last time anyone heard that?

One thing Serge could fix is a less-than-efficient front office staff...it's always been frustrating going in there for whatever reason, I try to avoid it at all times.

There are other factors too, about which Serge can't do anything, such as an overlong and virtually meaningless regular season, and, most of all, playing in The Morgue worst rink ever built by man.

I remain convinced that the team can't survive long-term unless a real rink is built,......but for the moment, icing an exciting team will certainly help.

[Krang7]

dogpound said:

One thing I always like about Serge McDuck is that he's honest with the public and the media - he tells the truth, he doesn't try to sugar-coat it, and that's very unusual in this day and age.

McDuck admitted that season-ticket sales were down, that he was worried, but then he also said "it's our own fault" - now when's the last time anyone heard that?

One thing Serge could fix is a less-than-efficient front office staff...it's always been frustrating going in there for whatever reason, I try to avoid it at all times.

There are other factors too, about which Serge can't do anything, such as an overlong and virtually meaningless regular season, and, most of all, playing in The Morgue worst rink ever built by man.

I remain convinced that the team can't survive long-term unless a real rink is built,......but for the moment, icing an exciting team will certainly help.

The rink isn't the biggest problem, it's the lack of success of the on ice product. If this team starts winning playoff rounds consistently every season, making a championship run here and there (not necessarily winning it, but getting at least to the semis if not the finals), the fans will start filling the rink.

[dogpound]

krang7 said:

dogpound said:

One thing I always like about Serge McDuck is that he's honest with the public and the media - he tells the truth, he doesn't try to sugar-coat it, and that's very unusual in this day and age.

McDuck admitted that season-ticket sales were down, that he was worried, but then he also said "it's our own fault" - now when's the last time anyone heard that?

One thing Serge could fix is a less-than-efficient front office staff...it's always been frustrating going in there for whatever reason, I try to avoid it at all times.

There are other factors too, about which Serge can't do anything, such as an overlong and virtually meaningless regular season, and, most of all, playing in The Morgue worst rink ever built by man.

I remain convinced that the team can't survive long-term unless a real rink is built,......but for the moment, icing an exciting team will certainly help.

The rink isn't the biggest problem, it's the lack of success of the on ice product. If this team starts winning playoff rounds consistently every season, making a championship run here and there (not necessarily winning it, but getting at least to the semis if not the finals), the fans will start filling the rink.

I disagree, I'm convinced it's the rink.

It's just not a fun place to watch a game, it's cramped, the atmosphere is poor, and the sightlines are horrible.

If we had a decent rink, I'd never miss a game.

[Krang7]

dogpound said:

krang7 said:

The rink isn't the biggest problem, it's the lack of success of the on ice product. If this team starts winning playoff rounds consistently every season, making a championship run here and there (not necessarily winning it, but getting at least to the semis if not the finals), the fans will start filling the rink.

I disagree, I'm convinced it's the rink.

It's just not a fun place to watch a game, it's cramped, the atmosphere is poor, and the sightlines are horrible.

If we had a decent rink, I'd never miss a game.

Blah, blah, blah... I've heard all the complaints about the CCC before. I agree that it's a crappy rink in general.

The atmosphere for Game 7 last year, after coming back in a series the team was down 3-1, getting closer to a successful series win for the first time in a few years, was incredible. One of the most fun times I've ever had at a hockey game. The last 10 minutes of the 3rd and the bit of OT we were treated to was so intense it took me a day or 2 to recover from it.

In other words, success and the one ice product is the key to ticket sales.

If you have a fun team to watch that wins a lot of games, people will start to come regardless of sightlines, how cramped it is, bathroom stall doors being broken and all that crap.

[dogpound]

krang7 said:

dogpound said:

I disagree, I'm convinced it's the rink.

It's just not a fun place to watch a game, it's cramped, the atmosphere is poor, and the sightlines are horrible.

If we had a decent rink, I'd never miss a game.

Blah, blah, blah... I've heard all the complaints about the CCC before. I agree that it's a crappy rink in general.

The atmosphere for Game 7 last year, after coming back in a series the team was down 3-1, getting closer to a successful series win for the first time in a few years, was incredible. One of the most fun times I've ever had at a hockey game. The last 10 minutes of the 3rd and the bit of OT we were treated to was so intense it took me a day or 2 to recover from it.

In other words, success and the one ice product is the key to ticket sales.

If you have a fun team to watch that wins a lot of games, people will start to come regardless of sightlines, how cramped it is, bathroom stall doors being broken and all that crap.

We're not disagreeing entirely, but "blah blah blah" is hardly a cogent argument....you can do better than that.

Sure, the atmosphere at Game 7 last year was unbelievable, best I've ever been part of in 23 years of watching hockey on PEI....but you're talking ONE GAME.

Many nights, the rink is deathly quiet during Rocket games, and that has a lot to do with the facility itself, rather than the fans.

Myself, I was happy with the Rocket's on-ice performance last year - they played better than .500, they were a young and exciting team, with players Latal, Gragnani, Lafleur, Southorn, Doyle, Walker and Morrison all great fun to watch....this year coming up should be just as good.

The 7-game series against Bathurst? You couldn't ask for much more excitement, just a better outcome; Games 2 and 7 went into overtime, Game 1 was very good, and Game 5 was also a thriller, involving a last-minute win. If stuff like that isn't going to get the fans back, then the problem is nothing to do with on-ice performance.

There was really nothing wrong with the caliber of play we saw last year, so that's hardly the reason for dwindling season-ticket sales.

The quality of the facility may not matter to you, but it matters to a lot of people, including me....I want to watch hockey in a place that FEELS like a rink, and the CCC ain't it!

I know a lot of hockey fans who just won't go to The Morgue to watch a game, because they just can't stand the place.

You find this out not by asking people who regularly go, but by asking people who DON'T go, and finding out why.

Fans know that a) there aren't many good seats to be had, and they're all taken, and b) they can get a ticket any time for any game, the element of scarcity is long-gone.

I still believe having an excuse-for-a-rink like that is a major impediment to the Rocket's long-term survival.

Maybe we can agree that consistent on-ice success and a better facility to play in are the two key requirements.

[Captain Obvious]

If you guys had 80-100 point teamws every year, nobody would even be talking about the rink.

[Krang7]

billy said:

If you guys had 80-100 point teamws every year, nobody would even be talking about the rink.

That is, in essence, what I'm talking about. Or even more correctly, if the team made it into at least the second or third round of the playoffs more consistently.

I have no disagreements with you dogpound (Scroogy?) that last years on ice product was excellent for the most part, especially the second half of the year. The first round series was as exciting as it gets other then the frustrating final result.

The fact of the matter is however, we have won a grand total of 1 playoff series since the team has arrived in Charlottetown. ONE! There's no way you'll convince me that that is not the biggest reason for declining ticket sales.

I would never say no to a nicer facility though, as long as they don't do away with the beer girls.

[Stuck in a Loop...]

Hey they are trying to get season tickets back by rewarding those who bring someone in with a "Jacket" ;p lol but for those of us who had tickets since the first year and keep renueing them we get nothing , i dunno IMO tickets are to expensive for a rocket season and you dont really get any perks like the other teams, and as for the rink itself ive been to a Habs Leaf game lol and their intermissions are louder then weve ever been lol but game 7 last year was Awesome if we could bring that to the games this year annd inspire our boys we might get a 110 point season lol

[Score]

wow.....take a breath

[hockeychick21]

The rink has somewhat to do with it, but I agree it is mainly the performance on ice that has alot more to do with it. This is PEI and everybody knows that if a team is winning they are going to draw more of a fan support then if they are losing.

[fireside]

i think when a competative team is iced then ppl will come back, the fans who like the hockey regardless are the ones who renew, those that don't are the ones that were put off by two pretty terrible seasons and terrible marketing on the part of the Rocket.

i do agree about the office staff, i referred a person to buy season tickets, i am a season ticket holder and when sent a message, still waiting and now Stacey has left the position. Not counting my chickens that i'll get a jacket, and this person got 5 season tickets.

we all know the rink isn't great, everyone in the Q knows it, but a decent hockey team will draw crowds...and as for atmosphere, sure game 7 was great last year....but year one game 6, round 2 was by far the best playoff game at the CCC....white rocket shirts abound in the stands,. overtime....tho they lost....like last year, it was a great series. too bad tho the cats won

until Serge and Gary and the rest of them figure out and honestly understand we are a small market team and that the PEI fan is finiky...and lip service to me just doesn't cut it Frank, then they aren't going to draw any new fans....treat us like we matter.....

i love the hockey and hope we don't lose them, a new rink would be awesome and long overdue.....but i really don't think it keeps hockey fans from going....the product does....and lots of ppl that come on here and post about what is wrong....aren't even bothering to buy season tickets....have you renewed yet Dogpound?

[wingman]

I do agree with Savard that they have to start winning to get people interested again, but what is his plan to do that? All he did in that article was to identify the problem but says nothing about how they are going to go about fixing it. If they are in that much trouble, then they are going to have to start fixing it and start fixing it right now because next season or the season after that might be too late.

The rink isn't great and if they had a new one they might get a few people back but at the end of the day you still have a team that is not winning and is poorly run both on and off the ice. Personally if I had a choice of a beautiful rink with a losing team or the CCC with a winning team I would rather spend my money watching a winning team at the CCC. People might disagree with that but that is how I would rather spend my money when it comes to the Rocket.

One thing that I think Savard and company has to do is to start listening to the fans. When was the last time anyone seen Savard walk through the crowd talking to people to get opinions and any kind of feedback? I have never seen it. And there is no reason for Gary Connolly to not be doing the same also. He is a bit more visible than Savard on game nights but he is usually walking around busy with one thing or another. Earlier this year Savard said that he was wanting to form some sort of commitee with local people, businesses, etc so that they can get feedback and ideas on how to attract more people to the games. What happened to that commitee? Never heard nothing about it since.

Before the start of last season my wife sent an e-mail to the Rocket with the suggestion/possibilty of having flex packs for kids. She never even got a single response from the team, not even the usual "thank you for your time and interest, etc" and not even an acknowledgement that it had even been read. I am sure they are not that flooded with e-mails that they can't at least acknowledge when someone shows interest in the team.

If the Rocket are feeling the pinch at the gate then they are going to have to get off their butts and do something about it. The fans of PEI have been supporting this team for the past 5 years, it is about time that the Rocket organization recognizes that and makes it worthwhile for people to spend their money on the Rocket again.

[yousuckref]

justin12 said:

and as for the rink itself ive been to a Habs Leaf game lol and their intermissions are louder then weve ever been

Comparing a 3000 Major JR. crowd and a 23000 NHL crowd is ridiculous. Plus Canadiens fans are crazy.

[1barney22]

Personally,I think the fans are disgusted with the way the organization is doing business. It was abundantly clear by listening to fans at the games ;ast season that they want Yannick Jean gone. They are disgusted with the type of game he has his team playing. Also, when Is the last time a team solved their problems by firing an assistant coach? That was a bif faux pas!! Everyone knows that Dave Flanagan did not do anything to upset the balance in the organization, yet he was fired for another french guy. People around PEI were NOT impressed with that. I am guessing thos 2 factors have turned some fans off. If they had just kept Flanagan and if Yannick would try some new things, it may have turned out better.