Bentley Begins Process to Build On-Campus Rink

[acohen527]

Lawler (Merrimack) and Schneider (Providence) both only seat about 3,000 so Bentley is not far off. I wouldn't rule HEA out, despite the size it sounds like it will have top-notch facilities for the teams. Maybe the design isn't final and they can push it up to 2,500 seating plus standing and get into the 3,000 total capacity range.

One note, cool building from the design sketches but there seems to be a lot of glass for an ice arena. Even the inside sketch shows a wall of windows above the far stands.

I don't think the 2,000 includes standing room, which from what I've seen in prelim designs should add a lot more capacity. Also, there's going to be a large student section of bleachers which they could be underestimating the seating room on. I think for the size of the school the rink size should be perfect, being just packed enough night in and night out to create an incredible college hockey atmosphere.

[eXcSports]

Re: Bentley Begins Process to Build On-Campus Rink

Lawler (Merrimack) and Schneider (Providence) both only seat about 3,000 so Bentley is not far off. I wouldn't rule HEA out, despite the size it sounds like it will have top-notch facilities for the teams. Maybe the design isn't final and they can push it up to 2,500 seating plus standing and get into the 3,000 total capacity range.

One note, cool building from the design sketches but there seems to be a lot of glass for an ice arena. Even the inside sketch shows a wall of windows above the far stands.

Merrimack and Providence fall well below the 4,000 minimum required by Hockey East but were allowed to grandfather into that rule by taking steps everywhere, namely in full renovations that vastly improved facilities. UConn's home rink on campus seats well below that, but they may reexamine expanding Freitas given their success in Hartford so far.

[AMC]

Re: Bentley Begins Process to Build On-Campus Rink

Merrimack and Providence fall well below the 4,000 minimum required by Hockey East but were allowed to grandfather into that rule by taking steps everywhere, namely in full renovations that vastly improved facilities. UConn's home rink on campus seats well below that, but they may reexamine expanding Freitas given their success in Hartford so far.

I wouldn't be shocked if the seat minimum disappears. Some of the schools that used to sell out their big arenas (Maine, UNH in particular) don't come close to filling them.

[Yuppie Scum]

Re: Bentley Begins Process to Build On-Campus Rink

I wouldn't be shocked if the seat minimum disappears. Some of the schools that used to sell out their big arenas (Maine, UNH in particular) don't come close to filling them.

Perhaps an indictment of Hockey East's leadership..

[Snively65]

Re: Bentley Begins Process to Build On-Campus Rink

I wouldn't be shocked if the seat minimum disappears. Some of the schools that used to sell out their big arenas (Maine, UNH in particular) don't come close to filling them.

Actually, I would be shocked if seats are added at Bentley. However, once Bentley has their on-campus rink, only Sacred Heart from Atlantic Hockey will lack a rink essentially on campus, as AIC will be playing their games beginning this fall in the 8000+ seat Mass Mutual Center, less than a mile from their campus. But, what is the over/under on home attendance for the Yellow Jackets this coming season?

[ritBLKnORGsuit]

Actually, I would be shocked if seats are added at Bentley. However, once Bentley has their on-campus rink, only Sacred Heart from Atlantic Hockey will lack a rink essentially on campus, as AIC will be playing their games beginning this fall in the 8000+ seat Mass Mutual Center, less than a mile from their campus. But, what is the over/under on home attendance for the Yellow Jackets this coming season?

Hopefully more than last year but more than 100 shouldn't be too hard

[Buckeye22]

Re: Bentley Begins Process to Build On-Campus Rink

Hopefully more than last year but more than 100 shouldn't be too hard

I'd optimistically say they could break 1,000 for the Union game, but overall, maybe average in the 300's? I mean its tough when you consider that even if their entire student body (including grad students) showed up for a game, the arena would still be more than 2/3 empty hahaha.

[Snively65]

Re: Bentley Begins Process to Build On-Campus Rink

I'd optimistically say they could break 1,000 for the Union game, but overall, maybe average in the 300's? I mean its tough when you consider that even if their entire student body (including grad students) showed up for a game, the arena would still be more than 2/3 empty hahaha.

The city of Springfield has a population of greater than 150,000, so the Yellow Jackets need to tap this market, I think.

[blazer777]

Re: Bentley Begins Process to Build On-Campus Rink

Hopefully more than last year but more than 100 shouldn't be too hard

They averaged 182 per home game last season but if they market it right, set the right price per ticket, they cold draw much more this season.

Winning doesn't hurt attendance either!

[Blitz]

Re: Bentley Begins Process to Build On-Campus Rink

AIC home attendance is 182?

What is the number for Bentley?

[Sean Pickett]

Re: Bentley Begins Process to Build On-Campus Rink

AIC home attendance is 182?

What is the number for Bentley?

According to the attendance numbers on USCHO AIC's average last season was 217 per game. Here are the seasonal averages according to attendance figures on USCHO since 2001-02 for AIC:
2001-02 196
2002-03 174
2003-04 140
2004-05 193
2005-06 213
2006-07 208
2007-08 174
2008-09 207
2009-10 238
2010-11 173
2011-12 228
2012-13 138
2013-14 187
2014-15 233
2015-16 217
Overall average for 2001-16 was 195. The 2015-16 average was down 8.5% from their peak average of 238 in 2009-10, but up 11% from 2001-02 and 11.5% over the 2001-16 average.

Here are the seasonal averages according to attendance figures on USCHO since 2001-02 for Bentley:
2001-02 322
2002-03 238
2003-04 425
2004-05 237
2005-06 328
2006-07 389
2007-08 430
2008-09 427
2009-10 387
2010-11 310
2011-12 527
2012-13 530
2013-14 556
2014-15 463
2015-16 619
Overall average for 2001-16 was 420. The 2015-16 average of 619 is Bentley's peak average and is up 92% since 2001-02 and 47% over the 2001-16 average.

Sean

[Snively65]

Re: Bentley Begins Process to Build On-Campus Rink

Thanks for the Bentley data, Sean, which confirm my qualitative observations from the past 15 years. That said, the vast majority of Bentley's student fans show up only for the second period, perhaps to pick up a free t-shirt, slice of pizza, or whatever. But, there is a growing group of hardcore Bentley students, the Falcons Nest, which is loud, supportive, know hockey, and stay for the entire game. This loyal group of students was instrumental in pushing the admin to build a rink on campus, I think.

[acohen527]

Thanks for the Bentley data, Sean, which confirm my qualitative observations from the past 15 years. That said, the vast majority of Bentley's student fans show up only for the second period, perhaps to pick up a free t-shirt, slice of pizza, or whatever. But, there is a growing group of hardcore Bentley students, the Falcons Nest, which is loud, supportive, know hockey, and stay for the entire game. This loyal group of students was instrumental in pushing the admin to build a rink on campus, I think.

The Top Shelf, not the Falcons Nest ;-)

[Snively65]

Re: Bentley Begins Process to Build On-Campus Rink

The Top Shelf, not the Falcons Nest ;-)

Ooops, sorry about that. Mea culpa. Began as the Falcons' Nest a few years ago before it became The Top Shelf.

[Snively65]

Re: Bentley Begins Process to Build On-Campus Rink

Tennis courts bulldozed this week to make way for new arena.