Associated Press
8/14/2006 2:34:35 PM
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Season-ticket sales for the Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes are up about 60 per cent over last year, general manager Jim Rutherford said Monday.
The boost may help relieve worries about whether the team can succeed in a small market where college basketball is king.
''I think it's really special to this market because we're relatively new here, we're continuing to try and grow the sport,'' Rutherford said. ''You really can't explain to people what the Stanley Cup playoffs are about. You really have to be there in person.''
Rutherford said the increase includes a combination of both full- and partial-season ticket sales, but declined to elaborate because ticket-sale numbers were not immediately available.
He said playing for two Stanley Cups in four years and winning one has given the Hurricanes a stamp of legitimacy. Carolina in 2002 reached the Cup finals, where the Hurricanes lost to the Detroit Red Wings.
''It's the ultimate goal in hockey, it's the prize that everybody works for and I don't think it matters where you win it - it means a lot to that market,'' Rutherford said.
8/14/2006 2:34:35 PM
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Season-ticket sales for the Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes are up about 60 per cent over last year, general manager Jim Rutherford said Monday.
The boost may help relieve worries about whether the team can succeed in a small market where college basketball is king.
''I think it's really special to this market because we're relatively new here, we're continuing to try and grow the sport,'' Rutherford said. ''You really can't explain to people what the Stanley Cup playoffs are about. You really have to be there in person.''
Rutherford said the increase includes a combination of both full- and partial-season ticket sales, but declined to elaborate because ticket-sale numbers were not immediately available.
He said playing for two Stanley Cups in four years and winning one has given the Hurricanes a stamp of legitimacy. Carolina in 2002 reached the Cup finals, where the Hurricanes lost to the Detroit Red Wings.
''It's the ultimate goal in hockey, it's the prize that everybody works for and I don't think it matters where you win it - it means a lot to that market,'' Rutherford said.