Interesting topic, specially logged in for this one after a 3+ - year absence. I've been watching hockey in the Netherlands from my hown town Heerenveen since the early 2000's.
I like Vandalay's theory. Hockey in the Netherlands is still pretty tough, it always has been. I never realised that until I began seeing hockey games in Germany. Less checking, way more technique and puck movement. The famous Alex Andjelic once stated about the Dutch youth system that ''every game turns out in a war.'' Belgium, which is highly influenced by Netherlands in terms of hockey, is quite the same. And it's true, I've seen so many games turn out into absolute mayhems, ridiculous hits, vicious assaults and a lot of other crazy stuff.
In total there are just 3000 (I believe) hockey members in the Dutch ice hockey federation. The Dutch Olympic board canceled the funding early 2010 or so (I believe), and it very rarely gets any attention in the mainstream media. Still, some clubs manage to get good attendance when there is some success.
My hometown club is putting up solid numbers around 1500 - 2400 per game and qua allure, it feels more like a DEL2 or bigger Oberliga club. HIJS The Hague is similar. Tilburg (Dutch team in Oberliga) is a well-known thing in hockey, Nijmegen, Geleen, but also Groningen and maybe even Utrecht and Amsterdam have potential to 1000+ with a sleeping known-to-be-hardcore fan base. Also cities as Leeuwarden, Den Bosch, Eindhoven might be able to host 500 average in better hockey days for Netherlands, which will probably never come.
I always found that strange, but Vandalay's theory might be the explanation.