The same thing is happening around me 4 STH are definitely leaving. In addition my wife and I may do the same. I am sure their are many more hesitating with the upcoming renewals.
People come to games for a few reason.
1) talk with old friends
2) becuase it has beena family tradition
3) no other tnetertainment around.
40 they are entertained and enjoy the interaction
from what I am reading and my ownexperience.
1) most of my friends are no longer going to hockey games some moved away and sadly some passed on.
2) family traditions are not a big thing now people have different things goingon in their lives
3) there is no loack of things to do in Ottawa on a friday night Sat apr Sunday afternoon in NCC
4) a defensive team that does ot hve the offensive play or players that stand out and entertain is boring. Especially if it is losing all the time.
I may be wrong but STH are mostly long time fans and as such are gettng older and more things become interesting. Then there is the lack of parking and game day experieince. Interaction with theplayers is also important and from what I read I am not sure it is at the level it was before.
Say what you want about Dick Stef and the ex of the booster club but they always made sure that the fans were part of the team and ran things for fan interaction adn enjoyment.
I now that as Riley there were kids that wanted to come to the hockey game to dance and see Riley adn what he was going to do. There were adults that also enjoyed the terrible 2's that we put on.
Those are the things that are missing from the game. I noticed it in Kingston also when they left the M Center there was a lack of ability to enjoy. the mini games refereeed by one of the riley's was entertaining.
BUT the big thing was on the ice we had players that played well and entertained either withtheir hitting, scoring goaltending or fighting.