Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2004 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COREL CENTRE CAPACITY TO INCREASE TO 20,500 AND OTTAWA 67’S LOOK TO SET ATTENDANCE RECORD
67’s game against Kingston on Dec. 30 targeting CHL game attendance record of 19,875
OTTAWA - The Corel Centre announced today it has received approval from the City of Ottawa to increase the venue’s capacity to 20,500 from 18,500. With the first major hockey event coming Thursday, Dec. 30 at 7 p.m., the Ottawa 67’s home game against the Kingston Frontenacs, the Corel Corel’s goal is to assist the 67’s in surpassing the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) single-game attendance record of 19,875.
The current CHL record for a single-game attendance was set on Feb. 5, 1995 at the Joe Louis Arena with a game between Detroit and Windsor. The Ottawa 67’s currently hold the two highest total season attendance records for the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with 309,761 in 2001-02 and 264,531 in 2000-01 (both with 34 home games).
ATTENDANCE FOR DEC. 30 GAME ALREADY AT 16,000
“We’re appreciative of Jeff (Hunt, Ottawa 67’s owner) moving their Dec. 30 game to the Corel Centre and giving more kids participating in the Bell Capital Cup the opportunity of seeing great OHL hockey,” said Cyril Leeder, Ottawa Senators and Corel Centre chief operating officer. “Over 6,000 tickets have already been sold to teams attending the five-day Bell Capital Cup tournament.”<br>
“We’re also grateful to Mayor Bob Chiarelli and councillors of the City of Ottawa for allowing the Corel Centre to increase its capacity and it’s great that we’ll be able to share the first benefits with our Ottawa hockey partner - the Ottawa 67’s,” added Mr. Leeder.
For the 67’s game on Dec. 30, additional Corel Centre capacity to surpass the old CHL record will be accomplished by selling standing room tickets at the 300 level, in suites and in the Penalty Box restaurant at the Gallery level.
“In just over two weeks since we jointly announced the game was moving to the Corel Centre, we have already sold over 16,000 tickets,” said Jeff Hunt, Ottawa 67’s team owner and governor. “We’re looking forward to setting the CHL attendance record, and giving our future fans and players, competing in the Bell Capital Cup, the opportunity of seeing exciting major junior hockey at the Corel Centre.”<br>
The neutral site contest will mark the second time that the 67’s play at the Corel Centre this season. They defeated the St. Michael’s Majors 4-3 in overtime on Dec. 5 before a crowd of 8,211.
FEATURED EVENT OF 2005 BELL CAPITAL CUP
The game is a featured event of the 2005 Ottawa International Hockey Festival’s Bell Capital Cup. More than 400 teams, with players aged from 9-11, will be in Ottawa from Dec. 29 to Jan. 2 for the sixth annual tournament. All teams participating in the Bell Capital Cup will have the opportunity to purchase tickets to the 67’s game.
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at
www.capitaltickets.ca, by calling 599-FANS and 1-877-788-FANS, in person at all Ottawa-Gatineau area Sports Experts locations and at the Corel Centre box office.
Prices will be $13 for adults, $12 for seniors (65 years of age and over) and students (13- to 21-year olds), and $10 for children 12 and under. Prices include all taxes, but exclude the CRF and convenience charges. Groups of 15 or more can also buy tickets for $8.
For the complete Ottawa 67’s team schedule, please visit their website at
www.ottawa67s.com.