The Grande Prairie Storm continue to light up the AJHL, tied for first place across the league, and boasting a record of 18-5-1-1 across 25 games.
As a result, Bonnetts Energy Centre has boasted some of the highest attendance records across the AJHL, averaging well over 1,500 attendees during the Storm’s home games.
Grande Prairie Storm Executive Director Nicole Menzies explains the high attendance comes down to two factors- the team’s seemingly unstoppable performance on the ice, and the dedicated fan base that continues to cheer the guys on game after game.
“Part of that is how nice our facility is, and the loyal fanbase.”
“We have a great fan base and when you get 1,500, well north of that, in Bonnetts Energy Centre the energy is unreal, our team notices that and other teams notice that,” she says. “The Calgary Canuks did a little social media blurb on where is their favourite place to play and they all said Grande Prairie, Bonnetts Energy Centre.”
Menzies adds that another significant driver for the Storm’s high attendance at their home games could be the organization trying to broaden the appeal of local hockey, making the games more like a piece of live entertainment, rather than just a hockey game.
“That’s what I think our hope is, always that when you walk in this building to watch a Storm game whether you’re a die-hard hockey fan or not, you have a really great time,” she says. “We’ve brought in some school and local choirs to sing O Canada, we’re trying to have some really fun intermission entertainment.”
The Executive Director credits some rule changes within the league as another reason for more entertainment value across the AJHL.
“The Storm has had a really great season this year, lots of wins, and with the new rulebook the AJHL has adopted, there’s been definitely some grittier hockey games, some fighting is back, so I think it’s just been really fun to watch and that’s something we’re seeing with the number of fans coming in.”
The Storm’s next game is scheduled for December 13th against the Canmore Eagles, where Storm fans are encouraged to wear their best ugly Christmas sweaters while cheering the Storm on to victory.
