Welcome to the Aud ... Welcome to the future!

Official Review by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Regional Correspondent

The Kitchener Rangers are one of the premier clubs in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). Established in its current form in 1963, the Rangers have seen hockey legends grow up wearing Ranger, red, white, and blue. Formerly a feeder team for the New York Rangers, the Kitchener Rangers currently provide a hockey education for pre-draft players getting ready for future careers in the NHL, AHL or other hockey leagues.

The OHL features hockey players from ages 16 to 21. Patrons have the opportunity to see the future of the NHL right now at a good price. Along with Quebec's QMJHL, and Western Canada's WHL, the OHL is a member of the Canadian Hockey League, (CHL) which provides more hockey players for the NHL draft than any other hockey league in the world.

The Rangers call the Dom Cardillo Arena home. Named after a long time Kitchener mayor, the Dom Cardillo Arena is part of the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex, or "the Aud" for short. The Complex features 3 arenas, including the Dom Caridllo Arena, a baseball diamond for local baseball, and a track & field/football stadium. The Aud is also home to local Junior B team, the Kitchener Dutchmen.

Food & Beverage    4

The Aud provides a variety of food options that one may not expect in a junior hockey environment. In the outer concourse the "On the Go" cafe provides patrons with a variety of specialty and regular coffees and hot drinks ($2-$4) as well as a variety of wraps and other food items, perfect for when you need to wait for friends to arrive at the game.

Once inside the Dom Cardillo Arena numerous options remain. At the front of the building, a local restaurant "Subshack" has a stand, selling a wide variety of subs, sandwiches and other food items. There are also two large concession stands on either side of the rink sponsored by Canadian pizza chain "Pizza Pizza." Slices go for approximately $4 and a variety of flavours are available. Pizza Pizza has also paired with "Coyote Jack's Grill" to expand their menu and provide more sporting event staples including hot dogs, burgers, fries, poutine, and chicken sandwiches. Items are available singularly or in combos.

Beer stands in the concourse provide drafts for $5.50 for a small or $7.75 for a large. Other alcoholic products are also available. Patrons must consume their alcohol in the concourse as the seating bowl is alcohol free. This makes for some crowded hallways during the intermissions.

Also available is the Concourse Lounge, which offers standing tables as well as more options. This is a great place to spend your pre-game time catching up with friends, or possibly intermission time if you can find a space.

If you are looking for something a little more local and unique, I would suggest hitting one of the Oktoberfest Beer Nuts stands, which are located throughout the arena. The beer nuts are made fresh on site, and warm for purchase. There are 3 varieties available (peanuts, almonds and pecans) at a reasonable price ($3-$5). It is difficult to walk by one of these stands and not get in line. The smell alone is intoxicating!

Atmosphere    5

The Rangers have done a terrific job of showcasing their rich history. In the seating bowl you can't help but notice the plethora of banners hanging from the rafters which include the numbers of NHL Legends and Hall of Famers (Bill Barber, Larry Robinson, Paul Coffey, Scott Stevens, and Al MacInnis) and local legends (scoring record holders Dwight Foster and Andre Benoit). Also, the ceiling is littered with championship banners, including 2 Memorial Cup Championship banners as the top team in all of Major Junior Hockey.

In the concourses you can find team pictures for each Kitchener Rangers team dating back to the 1960's as well as large murals highlighting the 5 trips the Rangers have taken to the Memorial Cup tournament. Even the steel beams have been painted and dedicated to Rangers who have made significant contributions to the team over the generations.

The outer concourse also features a special memorial to the famous Kraut Line of the Boston Bruins from the 1920s and 30s. Milt Schmidt, Woody Dumart and Bobby Bauer all came from German Descent and all three grew up in Kitchener, Ontario and went through the Kitchener hockey system.

Before the game, the national anthems are almost always sung by a local elementary school, contributing to the strong local community atmosphere.

During the game, the Rangers go with a simple, yet effective presentation. Goals are highlighted with the somewhat unique "Let's Go Rangers" song, similar to the one used by the New York Rangers. Music is a mix of classic and contemporary rock with a mix of traditional organ favourites.

Neighborhood    2

The Auditorium is located not far from downtown Kitchener, but is in essence a community arena. The ample parking lots, and suburban features around the Auditorium make for a lack of bars and restaurants in the immediate area. If you really wanted a hike, you could head up Ottawa Street to the Dairy Queen or Tim Horton's. However, your best bet is probably to hop into the car and find someplace in downtown Kitchener. The short drive downtown will offer more in the way of restaurant options, but don't be fooled, there are not a ton. If you do get in the car, go through downtown to Zeke's Feed and Fuel or hit the highway to Moose Winooski's. Both are good for post-game food and drink.

Fans    5

Friday night in Kitchener, is Rangers night! Locally, the Friday Ranger game is as much a staple as Hockey Night in Canada on Saturday nights! The Rangers are consistently in the top 3 in attendance in the OHL, trailing only the London Knights, and Ottawa 67's who have much larger buildings. Fridays the Aud is almost always filled to capacity, and standing room can be at a premium as well. Sundays offer a little more opportunity for ticket availability, but crowds of 6,000 plus are still the norm.

Fans in Kitchener are knowledgeable and focused. When they react, they react loudly, especially if they are not happy with the referee.

Access    4

Located right at the Ottawa St. exit of Highway 7, the Aud is very easy to get to. There is a large lot on the premises that provides free parking, and street parking is available for those who are a little more savvy about getting out quickly. Getting out of the lot can be a bit of a task and requires a bit more patience, but remember ... it's free!

The restroom facilities are adequate in the Dom Cardillo Arena, but a line-up during intermission is a guarantee.

Return on Investment    5

With adult tickets just over $20 for any seat in the house, the opportunity to bring the family out to a game is still viable. Kitchener falls in the average to high category when comparing to other OHL facilities. With ample free parking, and concession prices that are okay, the return on investment is high, especially when you factor in one of the premier atmospheres for hockey anywhere.

Extras    2

If it's good enough for the Prime Minister, it's good enough for you! The game that I reviewed featured Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper in attendance. He sat near centre ice, and stayed for just about the whole game. What was really impressive, was that with such a significant dignitary at the game, there was very little security hassle for the average fan.

The community feel is very strong. Much like the Green Bay Packers, the Rangers have a similar, community ownership. In fact, the true owners of the Rangers, are the season ticket holders!

Final Thoughts

The Rangers provide a great family environment and have consistently put a strong product on the ice for local fans. If you go anywhere in the OHL, you have to catch the Rangers. With the strong attendance over the last 10 years, there has been talk of the Rangers playing in a new facility with a larger seating capacity. One option on the table is to "raise the roof" of the Dom Cardillo Arena, and build a second tier of seats. Many are hoping that this is the option taken, as to lose the Aud would be a tragedy. At the very least, this is a venue you have to see in its current form.