Post by dogcatcher on Feb 5, 2008 8:19:22 GMT -4
Sea Dogs pulling out all the stops at the box office
PETER MCGUIRE
GAME ON
Published Tuesday February 5th, 2008
Appeared on page B8
Short of giving tickets away, the Saint John Sea Dogs are doing everything they can to stir up interest and put bums in the seats at Harbour Station as the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League regular season winds down.
Hold on a minute. They are giving tickets away.
What seems like overnight, the Eastern Division leading Sea Dogs (34-14-1-3 for 72 points) have transformed from a non-playoff team to a legitimate league power but fans have been relatively slow to latch on to the excitement.
Only three times has the attendance risen above the 5,000 plateau for the 6,297-seat arena with the season-high coming on Jan. 26 when 5,657 watched the Sea Dogs fall 5-4 to the St. John's Fog Devils. The season-low came on Nov. 27 when the Sea Dogs beat the Fog Devils 4-1. Announced attendance was 2,685.
Yes, the Sea Dogs are averaging 3,771 per game, more than 200 above the league average but for such an entertaining team - it's fast, highly skilled and it's tough - they're pulling out all the stops to get over the 4,000 average.
And in doing so, the Sea Dogs launched a ticket campaign Monday entitled "We Want You Back.'' It's aimed at former season ticket holders, who are being offered a complimentary ticket - no strings attached - to any of the team's six remaining home games.
"We really think that fans who had season tickets in either year one or year two but decided not to renew this season should see the dramatic improvement in our on-ice product for themselves," Saint John president Wayne Long says.
"The thought behind this is that we are so proud and confident in our product that we feel if we can get people back in Harbour Station to see it they will become believers."
Former season-ticket holders can pick up their tickets at the Sea Dogs' office.
This is only the latest in a number of promotions the Dogs have used to help boost sales.
They had a two-for-one offer back in November when those buying a ticket for the Nov. 27 game against St. John's would receive a free ticket for a Wednesday game in December.
Then there's the family plan, which will be offered for two remaining games that has four upper bowl tickets - two adult and two youth - for $32 for the two remaining Sunday afternoon games (Feb. 17 and Feb. 24).
And finally, for those fans 50 and over, you're going to get a break in the final two Wednesday home games of the season. Along with students, those in the 50 and over bracket will only have to fork over $5 for a ticket.
Long said consideration was given to the thought that by offering so many discounts, regular season-ticket holders might be put out.
"Although this may be seen by some as rewarding people that don't currently go to games, I feel there is universal agreement among all current supporters that we need to try something to get people back into Harbour Station."
* Season-ticket holders will get their first kick at the can when it comes to playoff tickets. They will receive a season-ticket renewal package and will have the opportunity to fill out the playoff ticket form that will be in the package. Playoff tickets will be sold in eight-packs and 16-packs and all unused tickets can either be returned for refund or put toward next year's season tickets. They will be available from Sunday to Feb. 29.
Season-ticket holders also have the opportunity to purchase an additional playoff package/season ticket for a friend or family member at the discounted rate that will be available for only two days - March 14 and 15. Walk-up tickets will be going on sale to the public on March 17 at 10 a.m.
Eight-game adult playoff ticket prices are $136 for horseshoe, $120 for lower bowl, $104 for upper bowl and $92 for Family Fun Zone (upper bowl sections 5 through 11). Seniors pricing includes $126 for the horseshoe, $112 for lower bowl, $96 for upper bowl and $86.33 for FFZ. Youth tickets are $108 for horseshoe, $92 for lower bowl, $76 for upper bowl and $60 for FFZ. Sixteen-game packages are double the price.
Adult walk-up tickets for the first two rounds are $19 for horseshoe, $17 for lower bowl and $15 for upper bowl while seniors are $18 for horseshoe, $16 for lower bowl and $14 for upper bowl and youth tickets are $15.50 for horseshoe, $13.50 for lower bowl and $11.50 for upper bowl. The difference in savings between the package and walk-up is $2 per game.
FAT 50/50: The Sea Dogs Foundation is also getting in on the generosity act by guaranteeing a $2,000 50/50 jackpot for each of the four home games this month.
Proceeds from the 50-50 draw go towards the Sea Dogs Foundation, a charitable entity that provides financial support to recognized non-profit organizations in South West New Brunswick and to helping former Sea Dogs players continue their post-secondary education through a generous bursary program.
ROAD TRIP: The Sea Dogs kick off a three-game road trip on Friday night when they face the Victoriaville Tigres.
CAPTAIN HONOURED: Saint John team captain Alex Grant was named the QMJHL defensive player of the week. In four games, including three Saint John wins, Grant had one goal, three assists and plus-six rating. The Antigonish, Nova Scotia native has 13 goals and 22 assists this season and has set a franchise record for most goals by a defenceman and is point away from setting a new benchmark for points in a season by a blue-liner. Sea Dogs forward Alexandre Picard was considered for the offensive player of the week award for his five goals and two assists, but the honour went to Lewiston Maineiacs forward Danick Paquette who registered four goals and one assist.
PETER MCGUIRE
GAME ON
Published Tuesday February 5th, 2008
Appeared on page B8
Short of giving tickets away, the Saint John Sea Dogs are doing everything they can to stir up interest and put bums in the seats at Harbour Station as the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League regular season winds down.
Hold on a minute. They are giving tickets away.
What seems like overnight, the Eastern Division leading Sea Dogs (34-14-1-3 for 72 points) have transformed from a non-playoff team to a legitimate league power but fans have been relatively slow to latch on to the excitement.
Only three times has the attendance risen above the 5,000 plateau for the 6,297-seat arena with the season-high coming on Jan. 26 when 5,657 watched the Sea Dogs fall 5-4 to the St. John's Fog Devils. The season-low came on Nov. 27 when the Sea Dogs beat the Fog Devils 4-1. Announced attendance was 2,685.
Yes, the Sea Dogs are averaging 3,771 per game, more than 200 above the league average but for such an entertaining team - it's fast, highly skilled and it's tough - they're pulling out all the stops to get over the 4,000 average.
And in doing so, the Sea Dogs launched a ticket campaign Monday entitled "We Want You Back.'' It's aimed at former season ticket holders, who are being offered a complimentary ticket - no strings attached - to any of the team's six remaining home games.
"We really think that fans who had season tickets in either year one or year two but decided not to renew this season should see the dramatic improvement in our on-ice product for themselves," Saint John president Wayne Long says.
"The thought behind this is that we are so proud and confident in our product that we feel if we can get people back in Harbour Station to see it they will become believers."
Former season-ticket holders can pick up their tickets at the Sea Dogs' office.
This is only the latest in a number of promotions the Dogs have used to help boost sales.
They had a two-for-one offer back in November when those buying a ticket for the Nov. 27 game against St. John's would receive a free ticket for a Wednesday game in December.
Then there's the family plan, which will be offered for two remaining games that has four upper bowl tickets - two adult and two youth - for $32 for the two remaining Sunday afternoon games (Feb. 17 and Feb. 24).
And finally, for those fans 50 and over, you're going to get a break in the final two Wednesday home games of the season. Along with students, those in the 50 and over bracket will only have to fork over $5 for a ticket.
Long said consideration was given to the thought that by offering so many discounts, regular season-ticket holders might be put out.
"Although this may be seen by some as rewarding people that don't currently go to games, I feel there is universal agreement among all current supporters that we need to try something to get people back into Harbour Station."
* Season-ticket holders will get their first kick at the can when it comes to playoff tickets. They will receive a season-ticket renewal package and will have the opportunity to fill out the playoff ticket form that will be in the package. Playoff tickets will be sold in eight-packs and 16-packs and all unused tickets can either be returned for refund or put toward next year's season tickets. They will be available from Sunday to Feb. 29.
Season-ticket holders also have the opportunity to purchase an additional playoff package/season ticket for a friend or family member at the discounted rate that will be available for only two days - March 14 and 15. Walk-up tickets will be going on sale to the public on March 17 at 10 a.m.
Eight-game adult playoff ticket prices are $136 for horseshoe, $120 for lower bowl, $104 for upper bowl and $92 for Family Fun Zone (upper bowl sections 5 through 11). Seniors pricing includes $126 for the horseshoe, $112 for lower bowl, $96 for upper bowl and $86.33 for FFZ. Youth tickets are $108 for horseshoe, $92 for lower bowl, $76 for upper bowl and $60 for FFZ. Sixteen-game packages are double the price.
Adult walk-up tickets for the first two rounds are $19 for horseshoe, $17 for lower bowl and $15 for upper bowl while seniors are $18 for horseshoe, $16 for lower bowl and $14 for upper bowl and youth tickets are $15.50 for horseshoe, $13.50 for lower bowl and $11.50 for upper bowl. The difference in savings between the package and walk-up is $2 per game.
FAT 50/50: The Sea Dogs Foundation is also getting in on the generosity act by guaranteeing a $2,000 50/50 jackpot for each of the four home games this month.
Proceeds from the 50-50 draw go towards the Sea Dogs Foundation, a charitable entity that provides financial support to recognized non-profit organizations in South West New Brunswick and to helping former Sea Dogs players continue their post-secondary education through a generous bursary program.
ROAD TRIP: The Sea Dogs kick off a three-game road trip on Friday night when they face the Victoriaville Tigres.
CAPTAIN HONOURED: Saint John team captain Alex Grant was named the QMJHL defensive player of the week. In four games, including three Saint John wins, Grant had one goal, three assists and plus-six rating. The Antigonish, Nova Scotia native has 13 goals and 22 assists this season and has set a franchise record for most goals by a defenceman and is point away from setting a new benchmark for points in a season by a blue-liner. Sea Dogs forward Alexandre Picard was considered for the offensive player of the week award for his five goals and two assists, but the honour went to Lewiston Maineiacs forward Danick Paquette who registered four goals and one assist.