"The Blue Jackets attendance through the first month of the season is up 13.1 percent from the same period a season ago. It represents the highest increase of any franchise in the league, according to the Sports Business Journal.

The Jackets are drawing 15,802 fans through their first five games. They drew 13,977 through the same period a season ago.

The Jackets are one of just three teams to show a double-digit increase. The others are Atlanta (12.3 percent) and Boston (12.2 percent). The biggest decrease is, not surprisingly, in Phoenix which is down 38.8 percent.

The NHL is averaging 16,979 fans, a 1.1 percent decrease from the first month last season, according to the SBJ.":hello: