The Capital District (the graveyard of organized sports) like the Minneapolis
metropolitan area supports its collegiate teams (RPI and Union) quite well,
but stays away in droves from its AHL franchise, the Capital District
Islanders.  What makes it more interesting is that both RPI and the Islanders
play in the same building.  And the Islanders are playing good hockey,
currently in first place in their division.  However they currently average
only 2000 fans per game.  Ticket prices are similar, with single game tickets
for either costing about $10, the exception being the availability of 2 fers
for the Islanders, and the much better seat availablity for the AHL franchise.
RPI in contrast averages around 4,000 per game.
 
The difference in support stems from RPI's steady alumni support.  While
the students fill about half of the Fieldhouse, the alumni fills much of the
rest.  The remaining seats are usually comprised of dedicated fans who have
held season tickets for years, well before the arrival of professional hockey.
 
Even the T-U seems to favor its ECAC hockey teams over its AHL franchises
(Glens Falls just an hour up the Northway boasts of one of minor league
hockey's most successful franchises.)  RPI often receives coverage on the
front page of the sports section, with the Islanders and Red Wings usually
relegated to page 2 or 3.
 
I would suspect then that tradition provides the major base of support for
collegiate hockey, especially in smaller metropolitan areas.
                    _
            "NYS   // Hockey"
        Go 'Gate  //   Brian Morris
          Go RPI //      Albany, NY
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