Quote:
Originally Posted by MonctonRad
I went to both of the Team Canada vs. AUS AllStars games at the Avenir Centre yesterday and today.
Attendance was very impressive. I would say there were about 7500 fans at both games, with the cheap seats essentially full. It was only the premium seating along both sides of the arena that were partially empty. I presume these were Wildcats season ticket holders who bought tournament passes (such as myself). Allowing for this, I would say both of these scrimmages were technical sellouts.
Pretty impressive for a couple of games played to set the final team roster in which the best players were not on the ice.
Team Canada has two more pre tournament games in Moncton next week, playing Switzerland and Slovakia, before decamping for Halifax.
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I sincerely hope that in the future that Hockey Canada & the IIHF consider some of these smaller and true junior hockey markets for this event. Looks like both Team Canada pre tournament games in Moncton will be sellouts and this is at prices which I would personally consider inflated given the nature of pre-tournament games. Finland / USA on NYE looks like it will be 7000+. A matchup like this in a major city would likely have looked embarrassing on TV.
Its just great to see Avenir Centre be used to its full potential again, what a run its having between Imagine Dragons, World Juniors, 2 Shania Twain sellouts, successful comedy shows including an anticipated Kevin Hart show etc. Not to mention some of the added features of Wildcat Games like a live DJ & Organ player working harmonious.
In addition it can handle the additional media that flood into the city with so much press space and I even saw that Team Canada scratches like Bedard were sitting in the Luxury Suites.
And I'm not hearing too many complaints about the parking
It was slow going initially with shows and using the building to its full potential but its starting to come together. I still think there is improvements that could be made.
My personal wish list of additions
-Zios Pizza (to resurrect it) in one of the unused spaces or another local pizza chain
-Halo Donuts
-Better Flexibility from the Venue for Promotions on Food & Drink
-The bottom 4 rows should not be club seats, these are not premium views and are essentially empty almost every wildcats game.
-A few more tables / social areas to fill in empty space around the concourse, they added abit of this this year.
-Add some more colour to the walls by showcasing former Wildcats who made it to the NHL, oddly the coliseum did this better than Avenir has.
-Digital signage outside showcasing upcoming shows - I understand this marketing occurs mostly online now, but it adds a layer of excitement around the building and to visitors who might be in town for a few days.
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