No ticket price spike as Ontario Reign prepare for AHL

Bill Norris catches up with new Reign president Darren Abbott

“It’s been extremely positive,” Abbott said of season ticket sales for 2015-16. “Our numbers are off the charts right now for season tickets for next year. I think the excitement is definitely here. I think people are embracing the new Reign.”

It’s been a whirlwind few weeks for Abbott, who remains the president of the Los Angeles Kings’ current AHL-affiliate, the Manchester Monarchs. Taking over the Reign, he’s been going coast-to-coast keeping tabs on both teams as they start preparations for next season.

But getting to know his new surroundings in the region, as well as the fans and staff has been a priority.

“It’s been fantastic,” he said. “I’m having a great time getting to know the staff, getting to know the fans. I got to go to Reign Day and meet a lot of people with our fan draft. We had a great crowd there – a thousand people came out for that. We had three or four sell outs in a row. I’m very impressed with how the community rallies around this team. Very impressed with the building itself. Steve Eckerson and his staff do a great job. I’m most excited about my staff that I inherited from (former team president) Justin (Kemp). There’s some great people.”

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