USCHO Fan Forum
This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
-
The USCHO Fan Forum has migrated to a new plaform, xenForo. Most of the function of the forum should work in familiar ways. Please note that you can switch between light and dark modes by clicking on the gear icon in the upper right of the main menu bar. We are hoping that this new platform will prove to be faster and more reliable. Please feel free to explore its features.
Best Rinks in college hockey
- Thread starter NMUFAN21
- Start date
Biddco
Follow me on Twitter: @Biddco
WeWantMore
New member
Re: Best Rinks in college hockey
The Kohl Center is very nice of course, but I feel it definitely can't be the best because there are some seats that are just flat terrible for watching hockey.
The Kohl Center is very nice of course, but I feel it definitely can't be the best because there are some seats that are just flat terrible for watching hockey.
moose97
New member
Re: Best Rinks in college hockey
There is an easy answer to this, and it's more complicated than "the Ralph." The answer is the WCHA. Basically every rink in the conference has had major renovations recently, or is brand new in the last ~ 20 years:
Minnesota-Duluth - Amsoil Arena: ($80 million) opened December, 2010
Bemidji State - Sanford Center ($45 mil) opened October, 2010
Nebraska-Omaha - Qwest Center ($291 mil) opened 2003
North Dakota - Ralph Engelstad Arena ($105 mil) opened 2001
Denver - Magness Arena (part of an $84 mil complex) opened 1999
Colorado College - World Arena (part of a $59 mil complex) opened 1998
Wisconsin - Kohl Center ($76 mil) opened 1998
Minnesota State - Verizon Wireless Center opened 1995
Minnesota - Mariucci Arena opened 1993
St. Cloud State - National Hockey Center opened 1989 ($32 mil renovation scheduled to start this off-season)
Alaska-Anchorage - Sullivan Arena opened 1983*
Michigan Tech - MacInnes Student Ice Arena opened 1972 with major renovations in 2008 and '09
* the only rink to receive no major renovations in the last ~ 20 years.
No other conference can remotely compete with that list, and that, IMHO, is part of what makes the WCHA the top conference.
There is an easy answer to this, and it's more complicated than "the Ralph." The answer is the WCHA. Basically every rink in the conference has had major renovations recently, or is brand new in the last ~ 20 years:
Minnesota-Duluth - Amsoil Arena: ($80 million) opened December, 2010
Bemidji State - Sanford Center ($45 mil) opened October, 2010
Nebraska-Omaha - Qwest Center ($291 mil) opened 2003
North Dakota - Ralph Engelstad Arena ($105 mil) opened 2001
Denver - Magness Arena (part of an $84 mil complex) opened 1999
Colorado College - World Arena (part of a $59 mil complex) opened 1998
Wisconsin - Kohl Center ($76 mil) opened 1998
Minnesota State - Verizon Wireless Center opened 1995
Minnesota - Mariucci Arena opened 1993
St. Cloud State - National Hockey Center opened 1989 ($32 mil renovation scheduled to start this off-season)
Alaska-Anchorage - Sullivan Arena opened 1983*
Michigan Tech - MacInnes Student Ice Arena opened 1972 with major renovations in 2008 and '09
* the only rink to receive no major renovations in the last ~ 20 years.
No other conference can remotely compete with that list, and that, IMHO, is part of what makes the WCHA the top conference.
Last edited:
Biddco
Follow me on Twitter: @Biddco
Re: Best Rinks in college hockey
Is UNO getting a new rink? Or is that not finalized yet?
Is UNO getting a new rink? Or is that not finalized yet?
rvd5star69
hockey
Bu and Denver
ericredaxe
Veteran
Re: Best Rinks in college hockey
Oh good... another "best rink" thread.
I haven't been to every rink of course... but my 2 favorites are Agganis Arena and Matthews Arena. Both for very different reasons.
Oh good... another "best rink" thread.
I haven't been to every rink of course... but my 2 favorites are Agganis Arena and Matthews Arena. Both for very different reasons.
Fighting Sioux 23
New member
Re: Best Rinks in college hockey
I've never been to BU's, but DU only has maybe the 5th or 6th best rink in the WCHA.
I've never been to BU's, but DU only has maybe the 5th or 6th best rink in the WCHA.
Federal League
I like hockey.
Re: Best Rinks in college hockey
This. In Hockey East, they're the top two. Agganis because it's the most state-of-the-art and has the best sightlines, Matthews because it's the oldest hockey arena in the world and you can just feel the history in there.
This. In Hockey East, they're the top two. Agganis because it's the most state-of-the-art and has the best sightlines, Matthews because it's the oldest hockey arena in the world and you can just feel the history in there.
moose97
New member
Re: Best Rinks in college hockey
I read on MavPuck that they are still discussing things, and that they may decide to stay at the Qwest and rather build a practice rink on campus for a lot less money. I think a lot has to do with what UNO decides, long-term, about going D-I in all sports. They would need a basketball arena if they decided to do that, so I think that they are still weighing their options.
Exactly this. If you're from out east (say, Troy, NY) and make a trip to Magness Arena, you might be blown away by it. I'll admit that I've never been to Magness, but from what I've heard, it's "average" by WCHA standards. That should tell folks that haven't seen many WCHA rinks something...
I read on MavPuck that they are still discussing things, and that they may decide to stay at the Qwest and rather build a practice rink on campus for a lot less money. I think a lot has to do with what UNO decides, long-term, about going D-I in all sports. They would need a basketball arena if they decided to do that, so I think that they are still weighing their options.
Exactly this. If you're from out east (say, Troy, NY) and make a trip to Magness Arena, you might be blown away by it. I'll admit that I've never been to Magness, but from what I've heard, it's "average" by WCHA standards. That should tell folks that haven't seen many WCHA rinks something...
FlagDUDE08
Banned
Re: Best Rinks in college hockey
While avoiding saying my own rink, I would say, of the ones I have visited, my favorite would have to be Appleton.
While avoiding saying my own rink, I would say, of the ones I have visited, my favorite would have to be Appleton.
Runninwiththedogs
Tech Hot
Re: Best Rinks in college hockey
This is boring.
How about a thread on the most average rink? What rink is exactly in the middle of the pack for amenities?
This is boring.
How about a thread on the most average rink? What rink is exactly in the middle of the pack for amenities?
Re: Best Rinks in college hockey
Brown's Meehan Auditorium. Cold, terrible atmosphere, you can't understand the loudspeaker, old bathrooms, but unrivaled sight lines from anywhere in the rink and brand new locker rooms, concession stands, and a foyer that were renovated in 2003. Throw the great and the terrible together, and they even out to extremely "mediocre."
Brown's Meehan Auditorium. Cold, terrible atmosphere, you can't understand the loudspeaker, old bathrooms, but unrivaled sight lines from anywhere in the rink and brand new locker rooms, concession stands, and a foyer that were renovated in 2003. Throw the great and the terrible together, and they even out to extremely "mediocre."
PcFriars13
New member
Re: Best Rinks in college hockey
Providence College? Haha. We're actually probably on the lower end.
Providence College? Haha. We're actually probably on the lower end.