Predators saw record crowd, broadcast and merchandise numbers this season
If there were any lingering worries about whether Nashville is a viable hockey market, the team put them to rest this season.
Besides finishing the regular season tied for the franchise's third-best record, the Nashville Predators also succeeded off the ice.
The club sold out a franchise record 30 of their 41 home games, welcomed a total of 691,028 fans to those games (also a franchise record), and set an attendance record on Dec. 30 against the St. Louis Blues with 17,401 fans.
They also saw their team store hit record sales, and their website and broadcasts reach their highest marks in club history. Predators CEO Jeff Cogen believes that success opened the door for much more.
"David Poile makes us look like geniuses; Peter Laviolette makes us look like geniuses,” Cogen told NashvillePredators.com's Brooks Bratten. "We built a system and we had a vision. When we had some tailwind, it would throw the switch and all the lights would go on and that’s what happened this year. Now looking forward, it’s our responsibility to take that relative success and build upon it.
“We focused on filling the building years ago, and I think we had success in that regard this season; we can check that box. It had a ripple effect, almost a tidal wave effect across almost all facets of our business that you don’t necessarily see,” said Cogen.
The team is planning to put in new seats at Bridgestone Arena, along with adding new perks and promotions for fans, including the opportunity to host the 2016 NHL All-Star Game.
It's a fun time to be a fan of the Predators.