GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Nearly a quarter of a million fans passed through the gates of Ralph Engelstad Arena in 2016-17, marking the sixth consecutive season in which the University of North Dakota has led NCAA Division I men's hockey in total home attendance.
North Dakota also led the nation in per-game home attendance for the third straight year, averaging 11,505 fans over 21 home games.
UND was the only team in the nation to draw more than 200,000 fans in 2016-17, and the program's average home attendance of 11,505 was at 99 percent capacity in the 11,634-seat Ralph Engelstad Arena. Thirteen of UND's 21 home games were sellouts.
“We would like to thank all of our fans and ticket holders who attended North Dakota men's hockey this past season at Ralph Engelstad Arena,” said UND head coach Brad Berry. “You once again leading the nation in attendance not only shows the magnitude of your loyalty and passion, but has also given -- and will continue to give -- our hardworking student-athletes memories that they will keep for the rest of their lives. We are forever thankful to have the best fans in all of college hockey.”
UND was the only team in North America outside of the National Hockey League to average more than 10,000 fans per game in 2016-17.
NCAA Total Attendance Leaders: |
|
Rk. |
School |
GP |
Total |
1. |
North Dakota |
21 |
241,603 |
2. |
Wisconsin |
18 |
182,839 |
3. |
Minnesota |
16 |
153,513 |
4. |
Penn State |
20 |
120,513 |
5. |
Minnesota Duluth |
19 |
113,493 |
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NCAA Average Attendance Leaders: |
Rk. |
School |
GP |
Average |
1. |
North Dakota |
21 |
11,505 |
2. |
Wisconsin |
18 |
10,158 |
3. |
Minnesota |
16 |
9,595 |
4. |
Colorado College |
16 |
6,256 |
5. |
Penn State |
20 |
6,026 |
North American Average Attendance Leaders (non-NHL)*: |
League |
Team |
Average |
|
NCAA |
North Dakota |
11,505 |
|
CHL |
Edmonton Oil Kings |
9,461 |
|
|
AHL |
Hershey Bears |
9,205 |
|
|
ECHL |
Fort Wayne Komets |
7,591 |
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* Source: HockeyDB.com |
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