When the Canucks return for the 2008-2009 NHL season, fans will be paying more than ever for the chance to see them.
Since three years ago the price of the seats has jumped a whopping 82 per cent, with fans being asked for $55 for the cheapest seat in the house.
During the 2005-2006 season, the cheapest seat in the house was $30.25. In 2007-2008, it jumped to $49.25.
And this year, it's jumped again to a level where some fans will be paying more than ever.
"I've got two boys, and it's too expensive," said one fan. 'They're pricing me out of the market."
Some fans say it's no longer worth their money. They wonder why they should pay for a team that has never won a Stanley cup, and has missed the playoffs twice in the last three seasons.
"It's kind of hard to justify, isn't it?" said one fan.
But ticket broker Kingsley Bailey says that despite the hike, sales are steady. There's a lot of demand to see teams who don't often visit Vancouver.
"In the Vancouver market, hockey rules, and they know that," said Bailey.
"But I'll tell you this much -- if they don't make the playoffs four out of five years, I truly believe there's going to be some drastic changes. The fans aren't going to come and support the team," he said.
With a report by CTV British Columbia's St. John Alexander
