Ward 3 City Council member Marian Clennon said the Austin Bruins’ positive impact on the city is obvious.

“There’s just nothing I can say but positive things about the team, about the owner, about the whole idea of having this team here,” Clennon said. “I’ve been around town the same nights as a Bruins game, and getting into a restaurant in this town was next to impossible. When so many people are out that you can’t find a parking place or get a table, that’s not a bad thing.”

Clennon thinks the team’s next season will be even more of a hit than this year. Enthusiasm built over the course of the inaugural season, peaking when the Bruins sold out the Paint the Rink Pink breast cancer awareness night.

“They sold out and had to turn away people,” Clennon said. “People are telling their friends. I won’t be surprised if we have a majority of next season sold out.”

Mayor Tom Stiehm and Clennon agree that the games are a fun and different activity for families to attend. Stiehm also said the team has been good for Austin because it brings more people into town.

Without the Bruins, Austin city officials would have faced the decision of whether to shut down one of the two arenas in town. However, Stiehm said the Bruins have made relevant the need for two arenas.

“(The Bruins) have kind of helped revive hockey a little in town and gave a boost to the local hockey community,” Stiehm said. “Seeing that also helps the peewee hockey kids.”

Clennon agreed, saying the Bruins players have acted as positive role models for many children in town.

“They are nice, young role models,” Clennon said. “They went to the schools and interacted with the kids … and they were sandbagging the arena when the water came up last fall.”

“With the team interacting and doing things in the community, that’s a huge deal,” she said.