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Coyotes season-ticket sales reportedly jump 600% since Kessel trade

Phil Kessel
Phil Kessel is a Coyote. (Getty)

Ticket sales in Arizona are about as hot as the climate since the acquisition of forward Phil Kessel on June 29. Season-ticket sales have increased 600% compared to the same week last summer, including a 550% increase in all ticket sales, according to The Republic. Call it the Phil Kessel Effect.

The two-time Stanley Cup winner was traded from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Alex Galchenyuk and Pierre-Olivier Joseph. The Coyotes have missed the playoffs for the past seven seasons, but with their addition of scoring machine Kessel, they could be on their way to end that drought.

Fans think so, at least. The Republic reports a 94% renewal rate of season tickets this summer, the highest mark since the team’s move to Glendale in 2003. The buzz after the Kessel acquisition provided a boost in website traffic, mobile app visits and social media engagement as well.

The Coyotes have not finished higher than 28th in the NHL’s average attendance rankings since the 2006-07 season, but that will likely change this upcoming season.

Arizona’s president and CEO Ahron Cohen believes a player of this caliber will rejuvenate their fanbase for the upcoming campaign.

“I think people are excited in the sense that this might be one of the biggest trades in our franchise’s history. Historically, we just haven’t seen that in this organization in terms of bringing in marquee players to fill a specific need.”

The Coyotes have put themselves on the map by acquiring one of the league’s most consistent point producers in Kessel, and fans are excited to witness Phil the Thrill’s offensive prowess. He sits eighth in goals since entering the league, and at 31 years old, is coming off the most productive two seasons of his career. No reports have confirmed if Arizona is increasing its hot dog production for next season.

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