Columbus Blue Jackets noticing upswing at box office after second-half hot streak on ice

FILE - In this Oct 18, 2011 file photo, Columbus Blue Jackets' fans cheer during an NHL hockey game against the Dallas Stars in Columbus, Ohio. In the wake of a stirring 2013 second-half playoff run that fell just short, the Blue Jackets are seeing an upsurge in interest from fans. Ticket sales have increased, both among longtime buyers and new ones. (AP Photo/Terry Gilliam, File) (The Associated Press)

FILE - In this March 3, 2013 file photo, Columbus Blue Jackets' Artem Anisimov of Russia (42), Tim Erixon (20) and R.J. Umberger (18) celebrate Anisimov's goal against the Colorado Avalanche in an overtime period in an NHL hockey game in Columbus, Ohio. In the wake of a stirring 2013 second-half playoff run that fell just short, the Blue Jackets are seeing an upsurge in interest from fans. Ticket sales have increased, both among longtime buyers and new ones. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon, File) (The Associated Press)

After playing the best hockey in franchise history down the stretch, the Columbus Blue Jackets are enjoying an upsurge in ticket sales.

The director of the team's marketing and ticket sales says the club has seen a 13-percent improvement in season-ticket renewals from one year ago, when the Blue Jackets were coming off perhaps their worst season in the NHL and sold around 7,000 season tickets. The team has sold almost 1,000 new season-ticket plans including fans who upgraded to larger packages.

The Blue Jackets had the worst record in the league (5-12-2) in late February, then went on a 19-5-5 tear that tied them with Minnesota for eighth place in the Western Conference. They missed out on the playoffs due to a tiebreaker.