CANMORE – Ticket prices at Canmore Eagles games will increase this season due to provincial health guidelines limiting hockey fans entering the local team's home arena.
The Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) announced its regular season starts Nov. 13 following the Government of Alberta's recent decision to expand league cohorts to 150 from 50, but as cohort numbers inflated, arena capacity remained at 100.
“We’re going to increase ticket sales a little bit ... we’re not going to do a season ticket, it will be a per game ticket and that’s the challenge the organization is facing with how do we distribute only 100 tickets,” said Andrew Milne, Eagles head coach and general manager.
A dollar figure hasn’t been established yet for ticket prices. Last season, single game tickets were $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and students, $8 for children and free for children under six.
The Eagles home ice, the Alex Kaleta Arena inside the Canmore Recreation Centre, has 584 seats and standing room for fans.
Purchasing game tickets will also be moving to an online-only model, which will have the ability to record contact information in case of a positive COVID-19 test.
Additionally, the ticket model for Eagles billets is under review, which historically handed out two free seats per billet home per game.
The AJHL's decision to start the season came at the board of governors meeting last Thursday (Oct. 29). Teams will play in a divisional format, so the seven south division teams – including the Eagles – will exclusively go head-to-head.
If someone in the cohort tests positive for COVID-19, details are still being worked out on protocols, but Milne thinks it’s unlikely makeup games will happen.
Still being discussed is playoff format, a decision on the AJHL showcase and the number of games the 2020-21 season will have.
“We’ve been told somewhere between 28 and 38 games,” said Milne. “I think by the end of the week, they’ll have some sort of schedule for everybody.”
Due to the lost of ticket sales league-wide, AJHL players and their families are taking on a greater financial burden in order to play Junior A this season. An exact cost figure is still being established.
“Every team is charging something to the players,” said Milne. “The idea is we’re not going to get shut down because of lack of revenues, we’re going to get shut down because of COVID. We’re sustainable with the players and I think that’s exciting for everyone involved and for us to get to play is great.”
The Eagles are still seeking billets to accommodate its players in the community. Contact [email protected] for more information.
Before the season starts, the Eagles play home-and-home exhibition games with the Calgary Canucks starting Friday (Nov. 6) at the Alex Kaleta. Puck drop is at 7 p.m. There will be a ticket cost, which can be found here.
EAGLES ADD 2020 NHL DRAFTEE ALEX COTTON
Detroit Red Wings 2020 draft pick Alex Cotton will add a scoring touch to the Canmore Eagles blueline this season.
The 19-year-old defenceman was drafted by the Red Wings in the fifth round (132nd overall) in the 2020 NHL draft.
He stands six-foot-two and played the past three seasons with the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the WHL.
Last season, Cotton scored 20 goals and 67 points in 63 games.
