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Hershey Centre
Mississauga St. Michael's Majors USRT VISIT: January, 2004
Mississauga is your typical Metro Toronto bedroom community - skyscraping condos,
manicured office parks, wide boulevards, and the Hershey Centre is actually a complex of four
community ice rinks, the main one being once home of the Ice Dogs, but in a 2007 franchise
shift now home to the St. Mike's Majors. The arena seats a little over 5000, with a nice club
lounge straddling the sideline above the seating bowl. Hershey products sold in abundance
here, and a unique touch has a large portrait of Queen Elizabeth II hanging between the
Canadian and American flags.
Mississauga St. Michael's Majors USRT VISIT: January, 2004
Mississauga is your typical Metro Toronto bedroom community - skyscraping condos,
manicured office parks, wide boulevards, and the Hershey Centre is actually a complex of four
community ice rinks, the main one being once home of the Ice Dogs, but in a 2007 franchise
shift now home to the St. Mike's Majors. The arena seats a little over 5000, with a nice club
lounge straddling the sideline above the seating bowl. Hershey products sold in abundance
here, and a unique touch has a large portrait of Queen Elizabeth II hanging between the
Canadian and American flags.
John Labatt Centre
London Knights USRT VISIT: January, 2004
London's John Labatt Centre undoubtedly can claim the title of elite venue in the OHL. Opened
in 2002, this splendid arena sits right in the middle of downtown London, a clean and vibrant
city with plenty of restaurants and shops and lots of activity going on in the city center. This
venue has the look and feel of a real NHL arena - two decks, four sided video scoreboard, a
ring of suites, nicely appointed concourses, escalators, club lounge and even a team store
called "The Armoury". The John Labatt Centre was also the host venue for the Memorial Cup
tournament in 2005.
London Knights USRT VISIT: January, 2004
London's John Labatt Centre undoubtedly can claim the title of elite venue in the OHL. Opened
in 2002, this splendid arena sits right in the middle of downtown London, a clean and vibrant
city with plenty of restaurants and shops and lots of activity going on in the city center. This
venue has the look and feel of a real NHL arena - two decks, four sided video scoreboard, a
ring of suites, nicely appointed concourses, escalators, club lounge and even a team store
called "The Armoury". The John Labatt Centre was also the host venue for the Memorial Cup
tournament in 2005.
Tullio Arena
Erie Otters USRT VISIT: December, 2004
Here in downtown Erie, their hockey arena and baseball stadium share the same digs. Nicely
manicured landscaping outside, even the word "Otters" arranged in the hedgerows outside
the arena, and close proximity to downtown bars, restaurants and attractions. Tullio Arena
opened in 1983, and is definitely your "old school" type of arena. Ordinary seating bowl with
no centerpiece scoreboard... here the scoreboards hang on the end zone walls along with
murals of their 2002 championship squad and other championship flags. Erie hockey fans
have really taken to their team, and fill this place with loud and boisterous fans.
Erie Otters USRT VISIT: December, 2004
Here in downtown Erie, their hockey arena and baseball stadium share the same digs. Nicely
manicured landscaping outside, even the word "Otters" arranged in the hedgerows outside
the arena, and close proximity to downtown bars, restaurants and attractions. Tullio Arena
opened in 1983, and is definitely your "old school" type of arena. Ordinary seating bowl with
no centerpiece scoreboard... here the scoreboards hang on the end zone walls along with
murals of their 2002 championship squad and other championship flags. Erie hockey fans
have really taken to their team, and fill this place with loud and boisterous fans.
Kitchener Auditorium
Kitchener Rangers USRT VISIT: January, 2005
Gold seats, then red seats, then blue seats in the suites, this classic and historic venue has
the look and feel of a smaller version of Buffalo's old Aud. The Kitchener Aud was renovated in
recent seasons, adding a state of the art scoreboard and video board, suites and an end
zone restaurant and lounge overlooking the ice. The community's long and proud hockey
history is wonderfully displayed throughout the venue, with delightful photos and exhibits in
the main lobby, a timeline of team photos in the concourse, and championship banners and
retired numbers tastefully displayed in the rafters. Fan support here in Kitchener is huge.
Kitchener Rangers USRT VISIT: January, 2005
Gold seats, then red seats, then blue seats in the suites, this classic and historic venue has
the look and feel of a smaller version of Buffalo's old Aud. The Kitchener Aud was renovated in
recent seasons, adding a state of the art scoreboard and video board, suites and an end
zone restaurant and lounge overlooking the ice. The community's long and proud hockey
history is wonderfully displayed throughout the venue, with delightful photos and exhibits in
the main lobby, a timeline of team photos in the concourse, and championship banners and
retired numbers tastefully displayed in the rafters. Fan support here in Kitchener is huge.
Brampton Centre
Brampton Battalion USRT VISIT: January, 2005
The military theme is done ad nauseum here in Brampton, the weird looking mascot is
named "Sarge", the end zone bleachers are decorated bunker style, bombs and air raid siren
go off continuously, and "one minute to cease fire" is the announcement made for last minute
of play. All this might seem cute and cool here in Brampton, but for two American sports fans
sick of the lost lives and the squandered billions in Iraq, the Battalion shtick did not play well
with us. New arena tucked into a clean suburban office park, Brampton's community rink is
otherwise a pretty ordinary and boring place. Oh - and plan for a long wait getting out of the lot
after the game as traffic plan here is horrendous.
Brampton Battalion USRT VISIT: January, 2005
The military theme is done ad nauseum here in Brampton, the weird looking mascot is
named "Sarge", the end zone bleachers are decorated bunker style, bombs and air raid siren
go off continuously, and "one minute to cease fire" is the announcement made for last minute
of play. All this might seem cute and cool here in Brampton, but for two American sports fans
sick of the lost lives and the squandered billions in Iraq, the Battalion shtick did not play well
with us. New arena tucked into a clean suburban office park, Brampton's community rink is
otherwise a pretty ordinary and boring place. Oh - and plan for a long wait getting out of the lot
after the game as traffic plan here is horrendous.
Oshawa Civic Auditorium
Oshawa Generals USRT VISIT: January, 2005
Talk about intimate! A 3000 seat rink with tight seats, narrow concourse at the top of the bowl
and a roof so low that more than a few pucks have dinged the support beams and ceiling on
occasion, and the dents are there to prove it. What gives this venue its signature? Bobby Orr!
The greatest defenseman to ever play the game is well remembered from his beginnings as
a General, and a lounge off the main lobby bearing his name is decorated with great
mementos and photos of Orr's storied career. Much more hockey memorabilia covers the
concourse walls, and team championship banners adorn the ceiling along the corridors.
Since our visit the arena has been replaced with the state of the art General Motors Centre is
downtown Oshawa.
Oshawa Generals USRT VISIT: January, 2005
Talk about intimate! A 3000 seat rink with tight seats, narrow concourse at the top of the bowl
and a roof so low that more than a few pucks have dinged the support beams and ceiling on
occasion, and the dents are there to prove it. What gives this venue its signature? Bobby Orr!
The greatest defenseman to ever play the game is well remembered from his beginnings as
a General, and a lounge off the main lobby bearing his name is decorated with great
mementos and photos of Orr's storied career. Much more hockey memorabilia covers the
concourse walls, and team championship banners adorn the ceiling along the corridors.
Since our visit the arena has been replaced with the state of the art General Motors Centre is
downtown Oshawa.
Ottawa Civic Centre
Ottawa 67's USRT VISIT: January, 2007
This arena sports a unique look and feel in that it is entirely contained in the underside of the
bleachers of a football stadium. As a result the entire roof slopes downward to the far side of
the rink, and the bulk of the seating straddles one sideline and the end zones. The team is
heavy on promotions - lots of mascots, cheerleaders, raffles, the game here is almost
secondary. At 10,000 seats, this is a pretty big venue by junior standards, and served as the
original home of the NHL Ottawa Senators for several seasons before their new arena
opened. The 67's are coached by the legendary Brian Kilrea, who is starting his 4th decade
with the team.
Ottawa 67's USRT VISIT: January, 2007
This arena sports a unique look and feel in that it is entirely contained in the underside of the
bleachers of a football stadium. As a result the entire roof slopes downward to the far side of
the rink, and the bulk of the seating straddles one sideline and the end zones. The team is
heavy on promotions - lots of mascots, cheerleaders, raffles, the game here is almost
secondary. At 10,000 seats, this is a pretty big venue by junior standards, and served as the
original home of the NHL Ottawa Senators for several seasons before their new arena
opened. The 67's are coached by the legendary Brian Kilrea, who is starting his 4th decade
with the team.
Guelph Sports and Entertainment Centre
Guelph Storm USRT VISIT: January, 2007
How about building a hockey venue in a space formally occupied by an anchor department
store in a shopping mall. This newer arena is now the anchor of a historic retail facility called
Old Quebec Street, right in the center of downtown Guelph,and the arena is actually attached
to the mall concourse. The brightly lit seating bowl has a main level and a small club
level/suite porch above, and a nicely appointed sports bar and restaurant straddles one
sideline with outstanding table side views of the playing surface.
Guelph Storm USRT VISIT: January, 2007
How about building a hockey venue in a space formally occupied by an anchor department
store in a shopping mall. This newer arena is now the anchor of a historic retail facility called
Old Quebec Street, right in the center of downtown Guelph,and the arena is actually attached
to the mall concourse. The brightly lit seating bowl has a main level and a small club
level/suite porch above, and a nicely appointed sports bar and restaurant straddles one
sideline with outstanding table side views of the playing surface.
Our friend and fellow road trip warrior Kevin Jordan of London, Ontario maintains the best
site for reviewing all the OHL venues and also junior arenas in the QMJHL and WHL. Click
HERE to go to his site and for more information.
site for reviewing all the OHL venues and also junior arenas in the QMJHL and WHL. Click
HERE to go to his site and for more information.
| Ontario Hockey League |
HERSHEY
CENTRE
Mississauga,
Ontario
JOHN
LABATT
CENTRE
London,
Ontario
TULLIO
ARENA
Erie,
Pennsylvania
KITCHENER
AUDITORIUM
Kitchener,
Ontario
BRAMPTON
CENTRE
Brampton,
Ontario
OSHAWA
CIVIC
AUDITORIUM
(closed)
Oshawa,
Ontario
OTTAWA
CIVIC CENTRE
Ottawa,
Ontario
GUELPH SPORTS
AND
ENTERTAINMENT
CENTRE
Guelph,
Ontario
GATORADE
GARDEN CITY
COMPLEX
St. Catharines,
Ontario
GENERAL
MOTORS CENTRE
Oshawa,
Ontario
CENTRE
Mississauga,
Ontario
JOHN
LABATT
CENTRE
London,
Ontario
TULLIO
ARENA
Erie,
Pennsylvania
KITCHENER
AUDITORIUM
Kitchener,
Ontario
BRAMPTON
CENTRE
Brampton,
Ontario
OSHAWA
CIVIC
AUDITORIUM
(closed)
Oshawa,
Ontario
OTTAWA
CIVIC CENTRE
Ottawa,
Ontario
GUELPH SPORTS
AND
ENTERTAINMENT
CENTRE
Guelph,
Ontario
GATORADE
GARDEN CITY
COMPLEX
St. Catharines,
Ontario
GENERAL
MOTORS CENTRE
Oshawa,
Ontario
Gatorade Garden City Complex
Niagara Ice Dogs USRT VISIT: October, 2007
It is a creaky and ancient building - opened in the late 30s, and it's been a few years since
junior hockey was played here. But the old "Jack Gatecliff Arena " is a piece of hockey heaven,
with super tight concourses, bench seating, old Memorial Cup championship banners from
their teams of a generation ago, a portrait of the Queen and the stands packed full of fans.
They have made some improvements to the place - basic video screens, clubhouse
enhancements, etc. But with the way things are going in the OHL, it's just a matter of time
before the noise begins for a replacement arena.
Niagara Ice Dogs USRT VISIT: October, 2007
It is a creaky and ancient building - opened in the late 30s, and it's been a few years since
junior hockey was played here. But the old "Jack Gatecliff Arena " is a piece of hockey heaven,
with super tight concourses, bench seating, old Memorial Cup championship banners from
their teams of a generation ago, a portrait of the Queen and the stands packed full of fans.
They have made some improvements to the place - basic video screens, clubhouse
enhancements, etc. But with the way things are going in the OHL, it's just a matter of time
before the noise begins for a replacement arena.
General Motors Centre
Oshawa, Ontario USRT VISIT: April, 2008
This is a shiny and gleaming arena in an area of downtown Oshawa which is trying to make a
comeback, and is the prototype of the new wave of venues in this league - nice entry plaza,
team store near the main entrance, dramatic signage in the seating bowl showing the sides
of streets that face each side of the building. Along the main concourse is an awesome
Oshawa Sports Hall of Fame which is very nicely done and full of great memorabilia. Nice
touches and great fan support make this a must see.
Oshawa, Ontario USRT VISIT: April, 2008
This is a shiny and gleaming arena in an area of downtown Oshawa which is trying to make a
comeback, and is the prototype of the new wave of venues in this league - nice entry plaza,
team store near the main entrance, dramatic signage in the seating bowl showing the sides
of streets that face each side of the building. Along the main concourse is an awesome
Oshawa Sports Hall of Fame which is very nicely done and full of great memorabilia. Nice
touches and great fan support make this a must see.
