ECHL welcomes 100 millionth fan in league history

KALAMAZOO, MI– As part of the ECHL’s 30th Anniversary celebration, the League announced Friday night that it welcomed its 100 millionth regular-season fan at the Kalamazoo Wings game against the Adirondack Thunder at Wings Event Center.

Beginning with 164,071 fans in its inaugural season in 1988-89, the ECHL drew 99,446,740 fans heading into its 30th Season, and named Kyle McGhan of Battle Creek its 100,000,000 fan on November 10, 2017. As part of the award, McGhan was presented an official ECHL jersey by ECHL Vice President of Hockey Operations, Joe Ernst, with a “100,000,000” nameplate adorning the back, as well as ECHL 30th Anniversary apparel, and a special League pass to attend any ECHL game in the 2017-18 Season, including the 2018 CCM/ECHL All-Star Classic in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Kalamazoo Wings also provided McGhan with special K-Wings apparel and tickets to their Green Ice game.

The ECHL has averaged over 4,000 fans per game for 12 consecutive seasons and 25 times in the last 27 years. The ECHL has drawn over four million fans in each of the last three seasons and 10 times in its history. Tulsa had the largest crowd in the ECHL this season when it drew 12,845 for its home opener against Kansas City on Oct. 13. Worcester welcomed 12,135 fans to the first game in team history on Oct. 14 against Manchester while Fort Wayne had 10,089 fans on Oct. 14 against Toledo for its largest crowd since the 2012-13 season. The ECHL previously welcomed Carol Stewart as its 50 millionth fan in history on March 11, 2004 at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi when the Mississippi Sea Wolves hosted the Texas Wildcatters.

About the ECHL- Began in 1988-89 with five teams in four states, the ECHL has grown into a coast-to- coast league with 27 teams in 21 states and one Canadian province for its 30th season in 2017-18.

There have been 630 players who have gone on to play in the National Hockey League after starting their careers in the ECHL, including seven who have made their NHL debuts in the 2017-18 season. The ECHL has affiliations with 27 of the 31 NHL teams in 2017-18, marking the 21st consecutive season that the league has affiliations with at least 20 teams in the NHL. Further information on the ECHL is available on its website at ECHL.com.

Catch all the regular season action at Wings Event Center with tickets that start at just $10! Shop for yours today at www.kwings.com/singlegametickets.

Wings Event Center, owned and operated by Greenleaf Hospitality Group, is home to the Kalamazoo Wings professional hockey team and a full entertainment venue offering concerts, sporting events, family shows and trade shows. Built in 1974, Wings Event Center values partnerships with the community to bring events and attractions that enrich the lives of residents in the Kalamazoo area.

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