Phantoms’ owner expects games to draw 2,500 at Chevy Centre

YOUNGSTOWN —The owner of the Mahoning Valley Phantoms junior hockey team that will call the Chevrolet Centre home this season expects average attendance to be about 2,500 a game.

The team that averages about 900 a game at its current home, the Ice Zone in Boardman, according to the North American Hockey League.

The Youngstown SteelHounds, the minor league hockey team that had spent the past three years at the center, averaged about 3,300 per game.

But Bruce Zoldan, who owns the Phantoms and the Ice Zone, said once local hockey fans give his team a look, they’ll be hooked.

The Chevrolet Centre can accommodate 5,500 for a hockey game compared to about 1,000 at the Ice Zone, its home for the past five seasons.

“Being here gives us a wider scope,” said Zoldan during a press conference at the center Tuesday.

The Junior “A” North American Hockey League team will play at least 23 of its 28 home games at the center. The rest will be played at the Ice Zone.

The final schedule is expected to be done Wednesday.

Upper reserve seats are $8.50, lower reserve seats are $10.50 with club seats at $12.50.

Tickets for the Youngstown SteelHounds, the minor league hockey team that had spent the past three years at the center, ranged from $8 to $24 with most of them costing bout $10 to $16 each.

But there will be more $8.50 seats available at Phantoms games compared to the Hounds, Ryan said. Also, club seats that went for up to $24 for the SteelHounds will be $12.50, he said.

For the complete story, read Wednesday’s Vindicator or vindy.com