After a busy weekend saw 36 teams break in the ice at the Bulls Fall Adult Hockey Classic at the Cow Palace, the arena was bumping again with another big event. To celebrate the release of individual ticket sales, the Bulls hosted an Open House, complete with a free public skate on the arena ice and a free pancakes breakfast. The on sale event produced over four times the anticipated sales, including purchases through the box office, over the phone and online between 10 am and 7 pm. More than 2,000 people visited the arena with 32 days left before the drop of the puck on October 12.

“We couldn’t be more excited by today’s turnout,” said SF Bulls CEO Joe Wagoner. “It’s clear there’s an appetite for hockey at the Cow Palace. We knew this all along, but today it was cemented. With 32 days out, we’re ahead of where we want to be and we couldn’t be more eager to get the season started. Today was monumental and we’re grateful ownership made the right decision to bring hockey back to this market. This event made a statement that on October 12 hockey will be alive and well in San Francisco.”

When 10 am hit, people were already outside of the Cow Palace doors waiting to get the event started. Upon entry, visitors headed straight to the box office to purchase their seats or moved into the concourse for some food or to skate. Rawhide made the rounds, entertaining the masses.

Those that scoped out the arena saw, firsthand, the new 11,000-pound Colosseo Cube scoreboard that was unveiled to the media last week. Fans young and old couldn’t help but notice the centerpiece of the Cow Palace renovations.

“It was an electric day,” said SF Bulls President and Head Coach Pat Curcio. “Seeing this place start to fill up with people on the ice, in the stands at the box office was just a taste of what it’s going to be like once the season gets going. We really appreciate everyone that came out to purchase tickets, skate or just get pancakes. People are always welcome here at the Cow Palace.”

In the concourse, patrons found some hot and delicious pancakes, served with coffee and orange juice. An estimated 1,700 pancakes were served from 10 am until 2 pm. Based on all accounts, no one left the building hungry.

Even though the On Sale Event has completed, season tickets, mini plans and individual tickets can still be purchased by visiting the SF Bulls website at http://sfbulls.com/tickets or by calling call 855-SF-BULLS (855-732-8557).

CLICK HERE TO SEE AVAILABLE TICKET PLANS

About the San Francisco Bulls
The San Francisco Bulls Professional Hockey Team will officially take the ice as an expansion team of the ECHL on October 12. The Bulls are the ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s San Jose Sharks. The Bulls are part of the Western Conference of the ECHL, and will play a 72-game schedule with 36 home games to take place at the legendary Cow Palace. The ECHL’s Western Conference includes the following member teams and their NHL affiliates: Colorado Eagles (Winnipeg Jets), Idaho Steelheads (Dallas Stars), Utah Grizzlies (Calgary Flames), Ontario Reign (Los Angeles Kings), Stockton Thunder (Edmonton Oilers), Alaska Aces, Bakersfield Condors and Las Vegas Wranglers. For more information about The San Francisco Bulls, including Season Ticket opportunities and corporate partnerships, please visit http://sfbulls.com or call 415-469-9843.

Tickets
SF Bulls Season Tickets start at less than $12 a seat and include the first four games of the Kelly Cup Playoffs, savings on parking and special invitations to “Meet The Team” and Chalk Talk Events. Individual tickets are now on sale. Click here to find out more or call 415-469-9843.

Follow the San Francisco Bulls
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Twitter: http://twitter.com/sfbulls

About the ECHL:
The ECHL began in 1988-89 with five teams in four states.  Today, the league has 23 teams in 16 states. The ECHL celebrates its 25th Anniversary in 2012-13 and is the third-longest tenured professional hockey league behind only the National Hockey League and the American Hockey League. The ECHL has had 234 players reach the NHL over the last seven seasons. It’s the primary developmental league for the NHL and the AHL. On opening day of the 2011-12 season, 83 former ECHL players were on NHL rosters. The ECHL teams are divided into the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference. All teams play a 72-game schedule. For more information please visit http://www.echl.com/

MEDIA INQUIRIES:
Jason Lockhart
(415) 469-9843
JasonL@sfbulls.com