Brandon Sun - PRINT EDITION
WINNIPEG -- Fans in Winnipeg waited 15 years to get an NHL team back, so when tickets went on sale, they apparently weren't in the mood to wait any longer.
Season tickets for the city's new National Hockey League franchise sold out just 17 minutes after sales had opened to the public Saturday.
In total, True North Sports and Entertainment's "Drive to 13,000" season-ticket campaign lasted less than 72 hours.
The pre-sale set aside exclusively for standing ticket holders for the city's AHL team, the Manitoba Moose, as well as for corporate sponsors reached 7,158 by Friday. The remaining 5,842 commitments were quickly gobbled up after the online window opened Saturday.
"While I had no doubt the 'Drive to 13,000' would reach its destination, the remarkable speed at which it got there certifies the fans' hunger for NHL hockey and their commitment to True North's initiatives," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in an email.
"We would like to take a special moment to thank all of our fans in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Canada for their support over the past week, in particular, the overwhelming response of our fans which has resulted in a successful 'Drive to 13,000' campaign," said Jim Ludlow, president and CEO of True North Sports & Entertainment in a statement.
"The success of the campaign is a key ingredient to ensuring the sustainability and long-term viability of NHL hockey in this province. We look forward to seeing everyone this fall at MTS Centre for opening night of regular season NHL hockey in Winnipeg."
True North unveiled its ticket campaign at a news conference on May 31, moments after announcing it had purchased the Atlanta Thrashers and would move them to Winnipeg.
The goal was to hit 13,000 season tickets sold prior to the NHL's board of governors meeting on June 21 to demonstrate that Winnipeggers were willing to support an NHL franchise in the Manitoba capital. The city has been without an NHL team since 1996, when the Winnipeg Jets relocated to Phoenix.
Hockey fans were asked to put down a full-season deposit of between $500 and $1,000, depending on which of the seven price points selected, and commit for three to five seasons.
The deposits will be refunded if ticket holders opt not to renew their seats at the end of the term. If they decide to keep them for another multi-year term, the deposit will be rolled over for them.
True North announced Saturday they will also be starting an official "membership only" based waiting list for tickets.
A place on the waiting list requires a one-time non-refundable deposit of $50 per seat with a maximum of four seats. The amount is not applied against any future purchase.
At the beginning of season two, a $100 annual membership fee will be due each season to retain membership on the waiting list. All membership fees collected and accumulated annually will be applied to the eventual ticket package as long as the membership is retained. Membership fees are otherwise non-refundable.
Ludlow didn't provide any hints about what the new team will be called nor exactly when the name will be announced, but he said it won't be long.
» Winnipeg Free Press
Republished from the Brandon Sun print edition June 5, 2011 A1
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WINNIPEG -- Fans in Winnipeg waited 15 years to get an NHL team back, so when tickets went on sale, they apparently weren't in the mood to wait any longer.
Season tickets for the city's new National Hockey League franchise sold out just 17 minutes after sales had opened to the public Saturday.
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WINNIPEG -- Fans in Winnipeg waited 15 years to get an NHL team back, so when tickets went on sale, they apparently weren't in the mood to wait any longer.
Season tickets for the city's new National Hockey League franchise sold out just 17 minutes after sales had opened to the public Saturday.
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Posted by:Deborah Boschman
June 6, 2011 at 12:15 PM
This is just FANTASTIC news for True North Sports and Entertainment, for Winnipeg and for our province!
I can't remember WHEN or IF I have ever felt so PROUD, EXCITED and HAPPY to be a Manitoban.
This decision by True North to bring our Jets BACK to Winnipeg is UNITING US right across our province!
What was lost, has been brought BACK/returned to us and we couldn't be HAPPIER with or for this decision.
GO, JETS and fans of the Jets, GO!
Hockey is OUR beautiful game within Canada.
It might be soccer across the rest of the world but in Canada, it is HOCKEY!
Posted by:Brandonite2
June 5, 2011 at 9:45 PM
There are still 2000 tickets per game for everyone else, though if they're anything like Edmonton, you'll have to buy them earlier or as parts of 3-5 game packs with friends. Don't know about the price though...
Posted by:grant1
June 5, 2011 at 10:52 AM
So are there going to any tickets for the ordinary joe blow who wants to come to wpg for the odd game and any idea on what the price will be for them.??