It seems like every fan base in the NHL is worried about the number of fans attending every Winnipeg Jets game. We did see the Jets third sellout of the season on November 19th and now with an 8-1-0 record at Canada Life Centre(CLC) it doesn’t seem like there is any reason why the Jets shouldn’t sell out this season.

With all that success the haters will roll into our comment sections and say things like “Smallest market in Canada, can’t sell out, they’re going to relocate.” They hate us cause that ain’t us.

That being said, we do need to be realistic about the attendance at the Jets’ arena. On average, they’ve had only 13,910 fans per game, which is 1,300 fewer than the arena’s capacity of 15,225. That’s lost revenue for the team and ultimately hurts the bottom line for Jets owners Mark Chipman and David Thompson.

If the average ticket price is $75 and you have that average of 1,300 empty seats, that’s a minimum of $97,500 in lost revenue per game. Over the course of 41 home games, that’s nearly $4 million in lost revenue by the end of the season. I understand the team does give away tickets to some radio stations to fill those last few seats, and that should be considered a part of the expense budget.

But those 1,300 seats could easily be filled with some simple ideas.

I’m not advocating for smoking—it’s a bad habit, kids—but I do think we should allow people a space to step outside and take a break from the noise and action for both hockey games and concerts. I’m also advocating for smokers here, but again, don’t start smoking or vaping—it’s not worth your time or money.

Canada Life Centre should provide a fenced-off area outside where fans can get some fresh air. I know a few people who won’t go inside CLC because they can’t step outside for a smoke, and I know many of you go to the bathroom to vape. Let’s be real—you’re not fooling anyone when your coat smells like peaches after you come back to your seat.

Personally, I love attending concerts and games regularly, but sometimes I just need to step outside to clear my mind for a couple of minutes before going back inside. Unfortunately, I can’t do that because the option isn’t available.

A simple solution could be to create a fenced-off area along the brick wall on Graham Avenue. This could prevent people from leaving the premises to get cheaper drinks elsewhere and would help maintain the public foot traffic flow. If you’ve ever been outside the Burton Cummings Theatre, you’ll notice their smokers’ area, which is a nice little park where people can go for a moment of fresh air.

Smoking is a tough habit to break. Sometimes people just need to step outside, gather their thoughts, and then return to the game or concert. I believe that providing this option could lead to an increase of 500 tickets sold per game.

Another idea is to leverage celebrities to boost excitement. Winnipeg has become a hub for the film industry, and many famous people have come from or worked here. I think the Jets could do more to get the crowd involved by showcasing these celebrities on the big screen at center ice.

For example, in the spring, Noah Kahan performed at Canada Life Centre, but the day before or after his concert, he was at a Jets game holding a hockey stick and, if I remember correctly, even shot the t-shirt gun into the crowd. If there’s a concert in town, why not get those artists tickets and show them on the big screen? It gets people excited to see someone from outside the market wearing a Jets jersey.

The big-name actors who come here to film their movies could also be given tickets to the game. You never know—you might get a famous fan by introducing them to their first game in Winnipeg, and they might fall in love with the sport and the energy of the city while at the game.

Winnipeggers who are celebrities—like Chris Jericho, Burton Cummings, Neil Young, and even local radio personalities—should be included on the video board to get people excited. A pre-produced video featuring these local celebrities would be a fun way to build energy before the game.

How pumped were people for the saxing squirtle last season.

You could even create a special clip with The Simpsons, given that Winnipeg gets the occasional shout-outs on the show. Think about the “Go Kings Go” moment with Eric Cartman and the LA Kings.

Another idea is to advertise to the midwestern states. It’s cheaper for Americans to visit Winnipeg and attend a Jets game because of the weaker Canadian dollar.  Why not target places like the Dakotas, Nebraska, Iowa, and Wisconsin? Sure, you’re competing with the St. Louis Blues, Chicago Blackhawks, Colorado Avalanche, and Minnesota Wild, but there are American dollars you can tap into.

Work with Travel Manitoba to promote the province as a destination for the sportsman. There’s great ice fishing, sledding, and other winter activities that could attract visitors. You could market this as a “sportsman’s trip” where people can enjoy outdoor activities and check out a hockey game at the same time. If we ever get real winter weather again showcase the forks and the skating on the rivers. The Jets should partner with other groups to promote Manitoba and Winnipeg.

Finally, just keep working hard and getting results. I know it’s easier said than done, but the good people of Winnipeg just want a group of players who are doing their best to win. When the effort is there, fans are happy. I can’t remember seeing a Jets jersey on the ice during the regular season—because this team works hard night in and night out. Fans appreciate the effort, and that keeps them coming back to spend their hard-earned money at Jets games.

Choosing Adam Lowry as captain was one of the best things to happen to this city. He embodies the hardworking spirit of Winnipeggers, and people love to follow a player who they feel works as hard as they do. Lowry is the perfect captain for this team and for this city. He might not be the captain of a team in Toronto or New York, but here, his hard-working attitude resonates, and that gets people into the seats.