OSEG announces new Ottawa 67’s Prospects Program

From breaking attendance records in the early 2000s to falling to league average over a decade later, it’s no secret the Ottawa 67’s have faced attendance problems in the last few year.

Today team co-Owner and President, Jeff Hunt announced a new bold initiative to re-attract fans. The initiative brought forward this season is the Ottawa 67’s Prospects Program.

 

 

 

The Ottawa 67’s Prospects Program allows minor hockey players in the area to attend all Ottawa 67’s regular season home games for free. All players registered in the Ottawa/Gatineau area and 16 years of age or younger qualify for this program.

 

“They're our fans of the future. They're our fans now. We hope they come in and have memories and they're going to be the kind of parents in 20 years that are going to want to bring their kids to a 67's game,” said Jeff Hunt in a press conference this afternoon.

 

When Jeff Hunt bought the team in 1998, the 67’s were struggling with a league-low average attendance of 2,286. Hunt immediately made in impact doubling the attendance the in his first season and quadrupling attendance to 9,143 – a league high – just 4 years later. Attendance started declining slowly and hit another low after the team was forced out of the Civic Centre for TD Place renovations.  Despite a good season on the ice for their first year back, the 67’s struggled attracting more fans.

 

“It's an innovative and aggressive solution to our attendance issues these last few years,” said Hunt, who is hopeful for a positive response from the minor hockey community.

 

“It's always been our best market. Our best support always comes from the minor hockey community. They've always supported our team.”

 

The program starts right away as the regular season looms around the corner. The first 67’s home game is this Sunday as the team hosts the Barrie Colts at 3pm. More information about the initiative and how to get your free ticket can be found at http://67sprospects.com/.