All these attendance posts are just missing the boat I think, there really is no point in comparing it to the attendance in GF back in the day. It's just not the same, It's like comparing the '85 bears and the "27 Yankees.
and the It's not MN fans being focused on only MN hockey or Twin Citiy-ites being ignorant about it.
Theres just too dang many other avenues that draw people's attention in other directions. Especially this time of year.
Even outside of sports, getting people to do almost anything other than doom scroll the tok tiks on their couch holders is about impossible.
That and with the all the other draws the prospect of the costs involved and what people have available after splurging on the latest GI Joes and special edition barbie vans for Jenny and Johnnys special Christmas surprise... dropping a couple grand to go watch a few countries they probably can't find on a map is not in the cards.
Add in some weather and yeah, those butts ain't leaving the house let alone finding their way to Mariucci.
But the tourney itself sounds like a "corporate" success already for USA Hockey with sponsorships and tickets sold and the ease of travel into a major hub for execs and scouts, coaches and teams.
Unless this thing basically tanks over the next decade there's no way it will ever be in or around places the size of Forks and Fargo again. NHL hub cities in the US for as long as they can be milked.