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(Photo by Andrew Maclean\/NHLI via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
The Olympics also delivered some new eyeballs.<\/p>\n
When the NHL resumed play Feb. 25, TNT aired a doubleheader featuring the Maple Leafs-Lightning and Golden Knights-Kings. The broadcasts averaged 428,000 and 221,000 viewers, respectively. But perhaps the most encouraging stat for the network was the number of first-time viewers.<\/p>\n
Learn More About The Ultimate College Hoops Experience<\/a><\/p>\n TNT’s doubleheader attracted 172,000 viewers who had not previously watched NHL on TNT this season, suggesting that the Olympic tournament may have introduced the sport to new fans.<\/p>\n ESPN has seen an uptick in numbers as well<\/a>. A matchup between the Flyers and Rangers drew 615,000 viewers, while Panthers-Islanders delivered 668,000 viewers, both exceeding the network’s pre-Olympic average of 570,000 viewers.<\/p>\n RELATED: USA-Canada Olympic Showdown Becomes Most Watched Pre-9 AM Game In US History<\/a><\/p>\n Meanwhile, women’s professional hockey is also riding the wave.<\/p>\n Women’s Hockey Sees Surge In Popularity Following Winter Olympics<\/p>\n The PWHL<\/a> has seen surging attendance since returning to action following the Olympics. Seattle’s team, the Torrent, set a new U.S. arena attendance record for women’s hockey with a sellout crowd of 17,335 at Climate Pledge Arena for its matchup against Toronto.<\/p>\n Other teams are drawing strong crowds as well. Ottawa reported a sellout of 8,572 fans, Montreal drew 10,172, and 13,264 fans attended Toronto’s game in Vancouver.<\/p>\n In fact, the league’s two biggest home-venue ticket sales days of the season occurred immediately after Olympic play concluded, while merchandise sales jumped 101% month-over-month<\/a>.<\/p>\n And another milestone could be on the way. The PWHL announced that its April 4 game between the Torrent and New York Sirens has already sold out Madison Square Garden. The matchup is expected to set a new U.S. attendance record for a professional women’s hockey game when the puck drops in front of a packed house.<\/p>\n Of course, hockey has experienced these types of Olympic bumps before. Historically, however, the surge hasn’t always translated into long-term growth once the excitement fades.<\/p>\n