Photos by Jim Flannery, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 VisitLethbridge.com Arena 2510 Scenic Dr S Lethbridge, AB T1K 1N2 Lethbridge Hurricanes website VisitLethbridge.com Arena website Year Opened: 1974 Capacity: 5,479 Rock You Like a Hurricane Editor's Note: As of August 6, 2024, the arena's naming rights were acquired by the Lethbrige Lodging Association and will be called the VisitLethbridge.com Arena. ENMAX Centre opened its doors in 1974, in anticipation of the 1975 Canada Winter Games. The Sportsplex (as it was then known) was designed for a multitude of purposes. The stadium converts easily to a number of different applications for curling, concerts, hockey, basketball, banquets, etc. Beginning in 2009, the ENMAX Centre underwent a major facelift, with $34 million in upgrades. New features included new luxury suites, a new scoreboard and sound system, new press facilities, new locker rooms for the teams, and a new restaurant and lounge on upper level of the north end. Now in its 50th year of operation, the facility’s upgrades keep it looking and feeling like a more modern arena. The Lethbridge Hurricanes ice hockey began their history as the Winnipeg Jets in 1967 and have been in operation ever since. They changed their name twice while in Winnipeg before moving to Calgary and becoming the Wranglers in 1977. They remained in Calgary until 1987 when they relocated to Lethbridge and were renamed once again, becoming the Hurricanes, a name they have stuck with now for more than 30 years. They are a member of the WHL (Western Hockey League). Food & Beverage 3 There are five primary concession stands around the arena: two each on the east and west sides and one on the north end. Depending on which concession you step up to, you’ll find some different menu options. The three stands to the north of the building all share a fairly standard arena menu that includes fairly conventional concession fare, including hot dogs ($5.50), popcorn ($6.75 for a regular), and fries ($5.25). Pizza ($7.50) is also available at some spots. If you’re looking for something in particular, you may want to shop around at each stand as the menus do vary from place-to-place. There are also a few other specialty stands, including a concession with specialty cocktails (Pina Coladas, Caesars, etc), one with specialty coffees, a Hawaiian shaved ice stand and a roasted nuts stand. There is also a modest selection of beer on tap ($7.50), coolers, hi-balls and wine ($7.75-$8.50) available at the stands. All things considered, the main concession stands are fairly pedestrian in their pricing, options, and quality, but there’s usually also a feature item on the menu, so you might give that a shot if you’re looking for something unique. Upstairs in the Canadian Western Bank Lounge there is a row of seats right up front allowing fans to watch from the lounge’s vantage point as well as a number of tables that give you a view of the ice surface. Further back, there are more tables for a real dining experience with a detailed and delicious-looking menu. The lounge opens two hours before game time, so this is an excellent option for pre-game dining in a very nice location prior to a Hurricanes game. Atmosphere 3 The vibe at the ENMAX Centre is fairly laid back, as it seems to be at most WHL arenas. There are cheers at the right times but the stadium, typically around two-thirds full, is pretty quiet otherwise. Another issue is the seating. After checking a number of different seating locations around the stadium, one thing that stood out, particularly in the corners, was legroom that can most charitably be called “cozy.” In spite of the seats themselves being new and quite comfortable, the lack of legroom makes it awkward to stay facing forward without having to slide your knees to one side or the other. The legroom is snug for a person who is five-foot-eight; it could be downright unpleasant for a six-footer. Additionally, there are about 50 seats in the upper decks of Sections “AA” and “SS” where about half of the view of the rink is completely blocked off by the luxury boxes. You can still see the game on the video feed on the scoreboard, but it makes this handful of seats less than ideal. Aside from those flaws, sight lines from everywhere else in the building are excellent and the venue’s overall atmosphere is fun and inviting. Also on the plus side, there are a number of touches that help provide a sense of Lethbridge’s hockey history. The rafters at the south end of the stadium are lined with championship banners, including eight earned by the Hurricanes over the years. On the west wall of the concourse is the Hurricanes Hall of Fame, with the names of all the award winners who have earned accolades over the years. ENMAX Centre - Banners Behind the Goal, Photo by Jim Flannery, Stadium Journey Neighborhood 5 You really can’t ask for a better location than that of the ENMAX Centre. Located right on Scenic Drive, one of the major thoroughfares for Lethbridge, the stadium is also just a couple blocks from Mayor Magrath Drive and most of the key shops and services in town. You are within walking distance of fast food, casual dining, bars, pubs, shopping; pretty much everything is right there. From Five Guys Burger and Fries to Boston Pizza to Brown’s Social House and everything in between, there is something for everyone. A few blocks to the east of the rink is Legend’s Pub, with a good selection of beers and excellent pizza. North of the arena along Mayor Magrath you’ll find the Kingsman Alehouse, with an even better beer selection and a menu full of quality English pub-style food. Fans 3 The fans are obviously dedicated, as they supported the team through a six-season playoff drought from 2010 to 2015. But it’s a relatively small group of fans. With the stands only filled to 60 or 70 percent capacity, the place feels a bit empty at times. Still, the people who are there clearly know their hockey, as most Canadian audiences do. They cheer at the right moments, boo at the right moments and appear engaged throughout the game. Access 4 Parking at the ENMAX Centre is outstanding, however, the city has begun to charge $5 per vehicle in the last couple years for non-season ticket holders, which is a hassle and makes the event a little less cost effective. There is also reserved parking for fans attending the luxury suites. If you’re looking for a free alternative—and you’re willing to walk an extra couple blocks—the parking is free in the neighbourhood directly north of ENMAX Centre. Having said that, getting in and out of the parking lot is a snap, with traffic clearing out quickly and easily following the game (you can typically get back on the streets from the middle of the lot in about five minutes or fewer). With the stadium situated on a major artery, next to a second major artery, getting to and from the ENMAX Centre from anywhere in Lethbridge will be a quick trip. After a game, it is possible to get to the extreme north end of town in fewer than 20 minutes. If you’re looking to bus in, there is a stop right in front of the stadium, again making getting to and from the venue simple. Approaching ENMAX Centre, Photo by Jim Flannery Return on Investment 4 With game-day tickets available for $25.50 a seat for adults and $14.25 for youths, pricing for walk-ups is excellent, providing great value for your viewing dollar. There aren’t many better deals out there for this level of competition and entertainment. An excellent value for your money. The two dozen luxury boxes are leased by ENMAX Centre and are a hot item, so if you’re interested, make your inquiries to the facility well in advance. Season ticket sales for the devoted fan go on sale in the spring, with early bird deals as well as loyalty pricing for returning season ticket holders. Extras 5 ENMAX Centre has a number of great touches to add to the experience of taking in a Hurricanes game. The Hurricanes have a souvenir stand in the northeast corner of the main concourse called Top Shelf, where fans can pick up hats, tee-shirts, jerseys, and various knick-knacks, all at fairly typical prices. A nifty feature that I’ve seen in many junior hockey arenas is standing room spots all the way around the perimeter of the concourse, which are sold in the same manner as the seats. Apparently many fans prefer to watch games from these standing positions, rather than the seats, so this gives the audience one more unique viewing option. As a facility and franchise with very close ties to the community, ENMAX Centre makes several community tables available around the concourse, allowing community-based fundraisers and awareness campaigns an opportunity to bring their message to the fans. The Hurricanes also have a mascot, Cane, to keep the kids in the audience entertained and to help out with various promotions and giveaways during the game. Also of note, among the upgrades to the facility are the new scoreboard and sound system. The scoreboard provides a hi-res video feed of the on-ice action which is readily visible to everyone in the stands. The excellent sound system beams music and public address announcements to the audience and has characteristics that put it on par with the systems in NHL-quality stadiums around North America. It’s always nice to see recycling bins at stadiums and ENMAX Centre is no exception, allowing the fans to be green while enjoying a night out. Final Thoughts When all is said and done, this is a great place to see the stars of tomorrow doing their thing. If the team can find ways to draw more fans to games with creative marketing strategies, it’ll bring the energy up in the building and make it that much more entertaining.

Photos by Andrew Kulyk, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Assiniboine Credit Union Place 1175 18th St Brandon, MB R7A 7C5 Brandon Wheat Kings website Assiniboine Credit Union Place website Year Opened: 1972 Capacity: 6,042 Westman Place in Brandon The arena for the Western Hockey League Brandon Wheat Kings is called the Westman Communications Group Place, a mouthful of a corporate name, which is a 6,042 seat arena built as part of a larger convention/exhibition complex called the Keystone Centre. It was built in 1972 and has undergone numerous renovations. Editor’s Note: Since the publication of this review, Westman Place was renamed Westoba Place and then Assiniboine Credit Union Place. The facility is referred to by its former name in this review. Food & Beverage 3 Food presentation is not one of the stronger features here. It is the typical ballpark fare of fresh popped popcorn, hot dogs, smokie dogs, a Pizza Hut stand, soda pop and draught beer (17 oz – $6.25, 12 oz – $5). So weren’t we surprised to find an elaborate and well appointed coffee concession in the place, the menu of which would rival any urban coffee house bistro. Named “Forbidden Flavors”, the stand offered lattes, espressos, mochaccino, various steamed teas and hot chocolates, iced coffee drinks and ice cream. The baristas were working hard behind the counter and doing their thing to move the long line of customers. Atmosphere 2 Considering this is the only game in town, the place seemed a bit dead. Granted, the visiting team rolled over the Wheat Kings on the night of this visit, giving the locals little to cheer about. A nice four sided HD scoreboard shows great videos, but little in the way of cool clips or team montages to get folks into the game. Neighborhood 2 All of Brandon is pretty much a sterile, suburban style bedroom community. The arena complex sits on a six lane highway (18th st), directly across from a plethora of strip plazas and eateries. Casual dining chains Applebees and The Keg Steakhouse are right there, and a Boston Pizza is right around the corner. We were lucky to stumble upon an awesome sports bar, right near the arena, called Joe Beeverz. Their Canadian based menu includes such awesome dishes as “Hangover Poutine,” a poutine loaf topped with fried eggs and bacon. They even add bacon to the maple sauce on the cheesecake. We also heard good things about Gulliver’s Grill on Park Ave. Fans 3 The venue was the host for the 2010 Memorial Cup, and that distinction is awarded to teams that have a solid base of fan support. The team ranks in the upper end of attendance in the Western Hockey League (WHL). This is no small feat considering that the Wheat Kings are the easternmost of the franchises in the WHL, and the only one in Manitoba, depriving them of natural rivalries. Access 4 There are acres of parking lots on the Keystone Centre property, offering ample parking for visitors. There is no public transportation option in Brandon, so getting here via car or by foot is the way to go. At this point we should probably mention the poor entry/exit design of the building itself. The poorly marked main entrance is attached to the larger exhibition hall, but there are multiple sets of doors on the other three sides of the arena, accessed at the top of long stairs. Only problem is, those doors lead directly into the concourse, meaning that every time the doors remain open, blasts of cold air pour into the venue. They control that to a point by stationing guards at the door and they open and quickly close them as guests come into the building. Return on Investment 5 Single game tickets for adults run $17. Seniors and students tickets are $12-$14. Couple that with the free parking and the very reasonable concession prices, and this all amounts to a cheap night out. Extras 1 Small showcases of jerseys and memorabilia can be found in the main entrance lobby. That is also the end of the building where the Wheat King’s championship banners hang in the rafters. **Andrew Kulyk is a stadium travel expert. Follow all of his journeys at The Ultimate Sports Road Trip.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Centre Agnico Eagle 810 Avenue 6E Val-d’Or, Québec J9P 1B4 Val D’Or Foreurs website Centre Agnico Eagle website Year Opened: 1949 Capacity: 2,140 Le pot d’or au nord du Québec With a population of 31,000, the City of Val-d’Or is one of the smallest centres in the entire Canadian Hockey League. However, the Val-d’Or Foreurs of the QMJHL are a throwback experience and almost bring hockey back to a pure state. It took 16 long years for Junior Hockey at the highest level to be brought to the “Valley of Gold.” However, it was in 1993 when local builder Jean-Claude Babin secured a QMJHL franchise that would be owned by local shareholders, including G4 Drilling CEO Daniel Gamache. Earning President’s Cups as QMJHL Champions in 1998, 2001 and 2014, the Foreurs have had a fair amount of success. There have also been a number of NHL players who have worn the green and gold, including Anthony Martha, Antoine Bibeau, Kris Letang, Brad Marchand, J.P. Dumont, Steve Begin and Roberto Luongo. Home for the Foreurs is the city owned Centre Air Creebec. Formerly the Palais des Sports, Centre Air Creebec has been around since 1949 and boasts the smallest capacity in the Q with a mere 2,140. However, what is lost in modern amenities and a large capacity is made up for with what is definitely a small town, old school hockey barn which just oozes charisma. Food & Beverage 4 After first entering Centre Air Creebec, fans will get a certain impression of the venue. Upon venturing into one of the concession areas just off of the concourse fans will be pleasantly surprised by the concession options. Immediately looking at the menu, with a little translation from French, it is clear that Centre Air Creebec is a busy arena and used by more than just the Foreurs. All of the expected arena items can be found including popcorn ($3.25), nachos, hot dogs ($3), pizza ($4.75), and fries. There is also a full breakfast menu which is clearly for those early morning minor hockey practices. Easily the most popular food item on the menu is the Québécois staple, poutine. Beverages available include a wide variety of juices, water, coffee, tea and cappuccino. Soda options are Pepsi products ($2.75). Practically a full bar is also available including rum, wine, vodka and other mixes. Beer options include Budweiser, Molson Export and Molson Canadian ($7.50). Overall a very surprising array of concessions are available. Atmosphere 4 For fans looking for a modern hockey experience, Centre Air Creebec is not that. It is most definitely a small town, throwback hockey barn. Built in 1949, at one time Centre Air Creebec was slightly modernized with a few additions. The main building is the typical rectangular building with the peaked roof. The front of the building, which is on the south side, has a more modern addition with glass. The addition houses some of the expanded seating at the south side as well as giving the arena a clear and attractive entrance. It is probably the only part of the building not covered with what seems to be the Northern Quebec staple building material, aluminum siding. After entering and heading up the stairs to the main entry to the arena, fans are immediately struck with sensory overload. Centre Air Creebec is an old school throwback, which with a paltry capacity of 2,140, probably should not be used for Major Junior hockey. The long, barn-like structure complete with the peaked ceiling is obvious. The ceiling is covered with the old school, silver insulation found in local hockey arenas all over the place. The main concourses are behind the seating area and offer a 360 degree path around the arena in full view of the ice. The concourse features Foreurs team photos from each year back to their inception in 1993 as well as some trivia pages to keep fans interested. A huge mural for the 2014 Foreurs who lost in the Memorial Cup Semi-Final in triple overtime to the eventual champion Edmonton Oil Kings is a spot to see and features Anthony Mantha and Antoine Bibeau. Above the ice level there are a number of banners. The retired numbers of former Foreurs Stephane Roy, Steve Begin, J.P. Dumont, Simon Gamache and Roberto Luongo are joined by the number 93 representing builder Jean-Claude Babin. Also, seven banners hang together commemorating three Coupe du Président as well as Conference and Division championships. Minor hockey banners also hang from the rafters helping with the real community feel of Centre Air Creebec. Capacity is made up of six rows of plastic arena seats. The south end of the arena has more rows, no doubt to raise capacity. The video board has seen better days. The six sided board has three decent, yet outdated video boards and three traditional scoreboards. A horseshoe of hanging corporate boxes dot the perimeter of the arena yet still feature aluminum siding. The game day experience in Val-d’Or is fairly simple. The traditional video packages and music drive the production. However, there are no modern pyrotechnics, lighting, lasers or projections on the ice. Truthfully, any of these things would just not fit as part of Centre Air Creebec. The Foreurs mascot, Dynamit, travels through the arena interacting with fans. Neighbourhood 4 Not being a huge city, the neighbourhood surrounding Centre Air Creebec is a little suspect. However, Val-d’Or does offer a cute downtown which is a few blocks from the arena and although there are not an overwhelming number of food and entertainment options, there are enough to keep fans satisfied. Centre Air Creebec is located south of the main highways 117 and 397 on Avenue 6e (6th Ave). Pre and post game fare is best found on Avenue 3e. Pacini, Habaneros Grill Mexicain and Tim Hortons are all close. Mikes and Valentine are solid options. Valentine specializes in Québécois staples like Montreal Smoked Meat and Poutine. There are not a ton of other entertainment options in Val-d’Or due to its small size. However, it offers a ton of winter outdoor activity options. Snowmobiling and ice fishing are very popular in the area. Being the mining town that Val-d’Or is, a trip to La Cite de l’Or for the mine tour may be something to do. For fans looking to stay over in Val-d’Or, the Hotel Continental and Quality Inn and Suites are solid options that are close to Centre Air Creebec. Fans 3 It is difficult to assess fans of the Foreurs. The sheer numbers don’t flatter the locals. Attendance has been shrinking. The Foreurs averaged over 2,000 fans for the 2016 season but then fell to 1,700 in 2017 and 1,600 in 2018. The Foreurs were ranked 16th in 2016 and last (18th) in 2017 and 2018. Capacity at Centre Air Creebec is small, but the locals are not filling the place and are a little more fair weather than expected. The fans in attendance, however, are solidly into the action that is on the ice. Foreurs fans are more than happy to get on the referee’s case when a call is missed and are loud when the Foreurs put one in the net. However, when the visitors score, it is nearly silent. Access 3 Getting to Centre Air Creebec is not difficult at all. Located south of the main highways, 397 and the Trans-Canada Highway, highway 117, Centre Air Creebec is situated north of downtown Val-d’Or. There are free municipal parking lots around the arena. For fans who want public transit, there are buses available that stop near Centre Air Creebec. Check out the Taxibus website for fares, maps and schedules. The main ticketing windows are in the main entry on the south side of the arena on the right. The entry is not huge and can easily get congested. As to be expected with an arena built in 1949, there is not a ton of space and getting around can be a bit of a challenge. Washroom facilities are also on the cramped side. Return on Investment 5 QMJHL hockey is an absolutely fantastic value. Most spots are more economical than even their sister league in Ontario, the OHL. Foreurs tickets are $19.75 for adults and there are significant discounts for students, children and seniors. Parking is free and concession prices are good also. The product on the ice is top notch as well. The Q tends to feature smaller players than the OHL which tends to lead to a faster, more high scoring game. Combine the on ice product with a throwback, classic barn experience and it can’t get much better than the Valley of Gold Extras 4 An extra mark for the early birds who can catch the players doing their dry land warm ups in the concourse before the game. An extra mark for fan appreciation day with balloons, prizes, games, celebrations and the best attended game of the year. Great time to review the Foreurs. An extra mark for that community feel with minor hockey banners all over Centre Air Creebec. An extra mark for the heated rivalry between the Foreurs and the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies. Those games are the ones to see if possible. Final Thoughts When travelling to Northern Québec, fans should want to get the true feel of the Québécois culture in the north. A trip to see Les Foreurs de Val-d’Or is an absolute must. An old school hockey experience in a gem of a building, the Foreurs will provide a great evening’s entertainment at a cost that will shock fans with how affordable it is. It is truly the pot of gold in Northern Québec! Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and on Instagram.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 TD Station 99 Station St Saint John, NB E2L 4X4 Saint John Sea Dogs website TD Station website Year Opened: 1993 Capacity: 6,308 Maritime City of Champions? The Saint John Sea Dogs were founded in 2005 as an expansion team to the QMJHL, now known as the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League. In 2011 they won their first Memorial Cup as Major Junior Champions across the Canadian Hockey League and in so doing, became the first Atlantic Canada team to achieve the feat. The Sea Dogs would hang a Memorial Cup Championship again in 2022 as well as posting the curious moniker “City of Champions” in the arena. It is undeniable that the Sea Dogs have enjoyed a great deal of success in New Brunswick, but does it warrant the self-proclaimed “City of Champions” title often used in reference to Edmonton, Alberta or Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania? The previous era of hockey in the Maritimes saw plenty of American Hockey League teams take residence, including the Saint John Flames, who brought home a Calder Cup banner in 2001. All of these banners hang in the home of the Sea Dogs, TD Station. Built in 1993 as Harbour Station and owned by the municipally owned Harbour Station Commision, TD Station currently has a capacity of over 6,300. The naming rights were purchased by TD in 2019. TD Station is the central arena for the city of Saint John and has been the home to the local hockey and basketball teams as well as concerts and shows. Food & Beverage 3 Concessions at TD Station are decent for a venue of this size, but they are not overly spectacular. All of the expected arena items can be found including pizza, hot dogs, chicken fingers, poutine, burgers, ice cream, pretzels and popcorn. A Tim Hortons stand offers coffee and Timbits. Pepsi products are the soft drink of choice and local favourite, Moosehead products are the go to beers. Atmosphere 4 TD Station has a very attractive exterior with plenty of brown brick and large glass windows when viewed from the main entrance at the south. A concrete arch gives the main entrance a bit more of a grand feeling. Banners celebrating the Sea Dogs’ 20th anniversary and famous players who wore the blue and silver are found outside of the arena and on the entry doors. Entry into the arena brings fans to a smallish lobby which is dominated by the Saint John Sports Hall of Fame. Some scouring by fans will bring them the entries for former NHL players Randy Jones and Andrew McKim. Further entry brings fans into the main concourse, which wraps around the arena and is a comfortable size. The main seating features two seating levels; a lower level with blue seats and an upper level with less attractive green seats. The ice surface is west to east oriented and the best spot to get that perfect centre logo picture is from the north side. The concourses are open and the ice surface can be seen while traversing around the arena. A four-sided videoboard hangs above centre ice and is of decent quality. The infamous “City of Champions” sign is by the press box on the north side. To go with traditional, plastic arena seats, the Moosehead Light Ice Bar is available at ice level on the east side, and thirteen luxury boxes are found above the upper deck. Three conference championships, five division championships, four regular season championships and the 2011 and 2022 Memorial Cups are memorialized by large banners that hang on the east side, above the ice. There are plenty of markings for former Sea Dogs around the arena as opposed to retired numbers, including Charlie Coyle, Mike Hoffman, Thomas Chabot and Jonathan Huberdeau. The gameday production at a Sea Dogs game is not overly spectacular. The PA system had some issues at the game that was reviewed and was inconsistent at best. The announcements are done in both English and French and the mascot, Fleaburn, can be found on the ice for pre-game festivities, and moving around the arena, interacting with fans. Neighbourhood 3 TD Station is located in Uptown Saint John. There are a number of places for pre and post game food and drink. Some options include Vito’s, Mix Resto Bar, Rocky’s Sports Bar, Saint John Ale House, Churchill’s Pub and Steakhouse, Uptown Pub Down under and Cask & Kettle. The Sea Dogs are really the only game in town. There is not even a USports presence in Saint John, although Fredericton and Moncton are both not too far away. As far as other tourist options go, The Saint John City Market, Partridge Island Lighthouse and New Brunswick Museum are all options. Fans wishing to stay close to the arena may choose the Chateau Saint John or the Delta. Fans 3 Fan support for the Sea Dogs has taken a pretty significant dip in recent years. At the game that was reviewed, the Sea Dogs welcomed over 3,000 fans, a decent increase on the 2,500 average for the 2024-25 season. This ranked the team 11th in the eighteen team QMJHL in a venue that is larger than many in the league. This is also a far cry from the championship years. The fans in attendance are knowledgeable and supportive. It must be noted that the 2024-25 Sea Dogs finished at the bottom of the league and the game that was reviewed was one of the final games of the season. Access 4 TD Station is located in Uptown Saint John. It is found on the north side of Station Street, at the confluence of Main and New Brunswick Route 1. It is not terribly difficult to get to the arena, although the area is very hilly and walking the area can be a bit challenging. There is parking on site. For fans wishing to take public transit, there is a Saint John Transit stop an 8 minute walk away from the arena at Mercantile Centre. Fans should consult the Saint John Transit website for fares, maps and schedules. TD Station is also attached to the Saint John pedway system, which offers tunnels and bridges connecting a number of uptown facilities and protecting patrons from the harsh winter elements. Getting around TD Station is not too difficult and the washroom facilities are adequate for the building. Return on Investment 4 Saint John Sea Dogs tickets start at $20 with discounts for fans under 25 years old and under 9 years old, a clear attempt to lower the age of the fanbase. Concession prices are decent in TD Station. Fans will have a good time and the product on the ice is solid. Extras 3 An extra mark for historic banners remaining in the rafters of TD Station including retired numbers of the Saint John Mill Rats, a former member of the Canadian Basketball League, and the 2001 Calder Cup Championship for the Saint John Flames. An extra mark for the unique name, TD Station. An extra mark for TD Station being connected to the Saint John pedway system. Final Thoughts Whether or not fans agree that Saint John is the “City of Champions,” taking in a Saint John Sea Dogs game is a must for all hockey fans and can easily be paired with catching other QMJHL teams in the Maritime area. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube, Twitter, Threads and Instagram @profan9.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Aréna Iamgold du Centre Dave-Keon 218 Avenue Murdoch Rouyn-Noranda, QC J9X 1E6, Canada Rouyn-Noranda Huskies website Arena Iamgold du Centre Dave Keon website Year Opened: 1951 Capacity: 3,500 Les Cors des Huskies (avec Dave-Keon) The horns, oh the horns! They may not be the horns of justice or the horns of victory. They may only be made of plastic and cardboard, but the horns are a staple of Aréna Iamgold du Centre Dave-Keon. Home for the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of the QMJHL, Aréna Iamgold was built in 1951 and formerly named after the favorite son of the area and former Toronto Maple Leafs legend, Dave Keon. The building is as old school as they come and totally fits the Northern Québec area. However, if there is one thing that the hockey experience in this mining town of 41,000 should be known for, it is the horns the fans play throughout the game. The Huskies originally began their existence all the way back in 1933 as the legendary Montreal Junior Canadiens. In 1982 the team moved to Verdun as the Verdun Juniors before moving again to Saint-Hyacinthe in 1989 to become the Laser. The final move for this franchise was in 1996 when they moved north to become the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies. The team is currently owned by 16 local shareholders and decisions are made through a Board of Directors structure. The area is known for copper mining as they claim to be the Copper Capital of Canada, and hockey players Dave Keon and Jacques Laperriere. When naming rights were purchased by the Iamgold Corporation, a Toronto-based, international gold producer, the arena was renamed Aréna Iamgold but the entire building retained the moniker of the legendary Leaf. Food & Beverage 3 Concessions at Aréna Iamgold are a bit of an adventure. Although there is a decent variety of items that you would expect at a hockey arena of this calibre, there is a distinct lack of modern amenities. Concessions require cash purchases and a clear price list or menu is replaced with piecemeal hand printed and computer printed sheets of paper. Combine this with a distinctly French culture and those already intimidated by the language, will probably steer clear of concessions all together. The north side of the arena has the major concession area, entitled “restaurant.” Poutine remains probably the most popular selection. Soft drink options feature Pepsi products as well as other items. What is of significant surprise is the variety of alcoholic items available. Although the beer selection is of typical nature including Molson Canadian, Molson Export and Coors Light, other alcoholic options are plentiful. Practically a full bar is available including rum, vodka and cognac. What bumps up the food score higher than expected is the absolutely terrific pricing in Rouyn-Noranda. Fans that venture into the concessions will not be upset by high prices. Atmosphere 4 Aréna Iamgold is a classic, Northern Québec, hockey barn, plain and simple. The exterior of the building evokes thoughts of the fifties when it was originally built. The exterior is covered in brown brick with the exception of the top part of the north side of the building which is clearly a renovation and covered in various colours of brown siding. Both the north and south ends of the arena received additions to build up capacity and slightly modernize the arena. Upon entering the arena, fans are greeted by a very small entryway which houses the ticketing windows. A step in past the ticketing area opens to the lower concourse, a decent meeting area for the pre-game which includes a small bar where fans can purchase drinks. There are a couple of interesting displays to keep the interest of fans while waiting for the doors to open one hour before the puck drops. One of which explains the connection between hockey and the area of Rouyn-Noranda. Once the doors open, fans are required to ascend the staircase to where tickets are scanned and fans are welcomed into the arena proper. Inside, the arena oozes charisma and history. All around the main concourses, which are behind the seating, are photos of NHL players from the area or who played for the Huskies. Other photos include Huskies team photos as well as team photos from the area that go all the way back to the fifties. Above the ice are three banners honouring former Huskies. Mike Ribeiro and Jérôme Tremblay have their numbers retired and former coach André Tourigny has a banner honoring his ten years in Rouyn-Noranda. On the opposite side of the video board are the seven banners honouring the Huskies for their successes in the QMJHL, culminating in their 2016 season where they took home the President’s Cup, Jean Rougeau Trophy and were finalists in the Memorial Cup. The perfect accent for the arena hangs at the south end at the top of the arena. It is the Dave Keon number 14 banner directly from the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. The seating area is quite small with seven rows of spacious, plastic stadium seats, on the east and west sides. The north and south ends have more seating as a result of additions in 2011. The roof is white painted hardwood and is arched as opposed to peaked. However, some of the seating is curious and requires some expertise to manoeuvre. There are box seats which hang above the east and west seating ends which obstruct the views of the scoreboard from at least the top row of seating. Also, there are seats right under the diagonal I-beams, which could cause some serious headaches for fans who tend to jump out of their seats. The perfect centre ice photo will be from the west side of the arena. The game day experience in Rouyn-Noranda is fairly simple. Game day lineup sheets are free and hockey cards are often handed out at the door. The music is about what you would expect from a junior game and the PA system is remarkably clear. Upon a Huskies goal, an original Huskies goal song is played. The fans also participate in their own post-goal rituals with their horns. The mascot, Lappy, heads around the arena, greeting fans and making noise by banging two empty plastic jugs together. Neighbourhood 3 Centre Dave-Keon is located just off the path of downtown Rouyn-Noranda. There is a small retail area around the arena and there are a couple of options for pre or post game food and drink. Chez Morasse offers a massive variety of the Québec staple, poutine, but only accepts cash as payment. Other options would be better found in downtown, including Pizzé. Rouyn-Noranda is an outdoor, winter enthusiast playground. Popular activities in the winter include ice fishing, snowshoeing and skiing. It is also very common to see snowmobiles around town and even in the downtown. The theatre may be a consideration while in the area. Cabaret de la Derniere Chance could be considered. For fans staying in the area, the best idea is to head downtown for accommodations. The Best Western Albert Hotel is a good option. Fans 4 The Huskies draw slightly below average for the QMJHL. In the 2018, 2017 and 2016 seasons the Huskies have averaged 2,015, 2,228 and 2,161 fans per game respectively. This has ranked the Huskies between 13th and 15th in the league. Attendance in Rouyn-Noranda is pretty steady and ebbs and flows as any average team would. What bumps the score to the next level for the Huskies is how the fans that are in the stands act. Fans are loud and proud. Home goals get a massive pop and away goals are met with silence. After scoring and the goal announcement, fans take to the horns. One fan leads and others follow with a whole prepped routine for goals. It is something that is definitely unique to Rouyn-Noranda. Access 3 Aréna Iamgold is located east of the main highways 101 and 117. Getting in by car, fans will have to manoeuvre through the streets of Rouyn-Noranda, although that should not be a big issue. Getting out of the area can be a bit challenging after the game, but it is not that big a deal. Parking can be found around the area in local lots or on the streets and is free on Sundays. Fans who desire public transit can check the Ville Rouyn-Noranda website for fares, maps and schedules. The ticketing windows are in the entryway at the north side of the building. There is a self-service, automated machine for printing will call tickets directly across from the ticket window. Getting around the arena can be extremely challenging. Concourses are very narrow and crowded. Washrooms are also pretty small. Return on Investment 4 QMJHL hockey continues to offer great value for the dollar. Huskies tickets go for $18.75 per game with no other discounts. Parking is often free and concession prices are excellent. The product on the ice is excellent. The Q usually plays with smaller players, is faster and has higher scoring. Overall, the return is excellent. The only drop in return is a result of the challenges of getting around the arena and finding a good seat. Also, for fans who do not like the shrillness of the horns, it will be a long game. Extras 4 Extra marks for clinging to Northern Québec hockey history at all levels as well as their favorite son, Dave Keon. An extra mark for the creativity of the fans and their horn sequence. An extra mark for the Huskies’ heated rivalry with the Val-d’Or Foreurs. Just 100 km apart, those are the best games to go to and the house is always packed and loud. Final Thoughts Touring through the QMJHL will bring a diverse group of arena experiences. Aréna Iamgold du Centre Dave-Keon is definitely an older venue that has its quirks. That being said, it is a great experience and totally worth checking out. Maybe even “Les cors des Huskies” will play often for a home win. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and on Instagram.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Boart Longyear Memorial Gardens 100 Chippewa St W North Bay, ON P1B 6G2 North Bay Battalion website Boart Longyear Memorial Gardens website Year Opened: 1954 Capacity: 4,262 The Troops and the Bunker Editor's Note: In January 2025 it was announced that Boart Longyear had acquired the naming rights to the facility. This review refers to the arena's previous name, North Bay Memorial Gardens. In 2013 the Ontario Hockey League made a triumphant return to North Bay, Ontario. After the North Bay Centennials had their run from 1982 to 2002, they left for Saginaw, Michigan under a cloud of mistrust and bad feelings. The hockey light would shine again in the Gateway to the North after the local fans provided next level support for the Nipissing Lakers, a newly formed university team. Brampton Battalion owner and Trivial Pursuit founder Scott Abott would bring his OHL team from outside of Toronto north to the banks of Lake Nipissing in search of greater fan support. Moving the team to a military city like North Bay made the team name and moniker suddenly make a whole lot more sense. Home for the Battalion is the North Bay Memorial Gardens. Originally built in 1954 as a living monument for those who gave their lives in the great wars, the Gardens underwent a significant renovation to bring it up to OHL standards. The Gardens may not be the newest or shiniest venue in the league, but it is a throwback to a previous era and there is nothing in the OHL quite like it. Food & Beverage 3 The concession options at the North Bay Memorial Gardens are fairly pedestrian. The expected items are available with hot dogs, popcorn, pretzels and fries taking centre stage.. Nathan’s Hot Dogs are widely advertised as the hot dog of North Bay and a gourmet hot dog. Poutine, chicken fingers and onion rings are also options. Pizza slices and even whole pizzas are available for fans as well. The item with the most originality that may be the ticket for fans is Dessert Funnel Cake Poutine which can be purchased with strawberry or chocolate topping. Pepsi products are the soft drink of choice and the Battalion also offers a wide variety of hot beverages as well. Beer is available at small stands or in the Hall of Fame Lounge. Atmosphere 3 When the Battalion moved to North Bay, the North Bay Memorial Gardens required a significant renovation. The City of North Bay, owner of the Gardens, would be sticking with the 1954 bones and making improvements from there. The first of those renovations is evident from the main entrance on Chippewa Street. A huge glass enclosure at the top of the rather inconspicuous building gave the building a more striking appearance while adding luxury boxes and office space to the west side of the building. North Bay Memorial Gardens was built as a living memorial for those local residents who lost their lives in World War I and II and it is evident in the concourses. The concourses, along with the exterior of the seating bowl, are dominated by brown brick which brings the fan back to the era in which the Gardens was built. Lists of those residents who lost their lives in the war memorialized in framed glass highlight a number of interesting aspects of the concourse. Mementos for winning The 2007 Kraft Hockeyville contest and NHL hockey sweaters along with team pictures from both the North Bay Centennials and North Bay Battalion will keep the exploring fan entertained. Further exploration can be done in the North Bay Sports Hall of Fame, found at the north end of the Gardens. Fans should search for the likes of CFL Hall of Famer, Mike O’Shea and NHL players Darren Turcotte and Ken Wharram among others. Upon entering the seating area, fans won’t be able to help but notice the unique structure. With the Hall of Fame Lounge at the north end of the north-south oriented ice surface, the east and west sides house the majority of seats in four sections each. The south end also has seating, which was part of the renovation. Choosing the right seat should be more of a conscientious decision at the Gardens. The seating area is not really bowl-like and all of the seats on the east and west sides are at right angles. The ceiling structure features large beams on the east and west sides creating a number of seats where the view of the four-sided video board is obstructed. Fans should consider seats no higher than rows H or I for a clear view of the videoboard at centre ice. Not being able to see the videoboard, however, is not the end of the world. There are a number of TV screens and digital scoreboards to keep fans engaged. Standing room is found at the top of the east side and a few rows of ice level seating is found around the ice surface. Conference and Division banners for the Battalion hang to the south of the videoboard and the lone 1994 Conference Banner for the Centennials has to the north. Unfortunately, the maze of structural steel makes for no really great place to hang any banners. The gameday production is deftly put together and is a happy medium between old and new school experiences. The Gardens does, surprisingly, have LED lights. The Troops enter the ice surface through an inflated tank, after Sarge, the Battalion mascot. The Battalion do have a few little nods to their military motif with announcements of “One Minute to Cease Fire” and playing Edwin Starr’s “War” as their goal song. The military spots have been downplayed over the years, but considering North Bay is a military town, with an air force base in the city, the Battalion production is most appropriate. Neighbourhood 3 North Bay is a wonderful city in Northern Ontario. Known mainly for outdoor activities such as snowmobiling and ice fishing in the winter and cottaging and fishing in the summer months, there are plenty of opportunities for fans to find other adventures that could include a Lakers game. The North Bay Memorial Gardens is located west of the Trans Canada Highway, east of Lake Nipissing on Chippewa Street. The immediate area surrounding the arena is fairly residential with the local YMCA right next door. Access to the highway is easy so it is not difficult to head downtown or other spots to find interesting North Bay highlights. In addition to the many outdoor activities that can be found in North Bay, fans may also want to check out the North Bay Museum. As far as other sporting options go, Nipissing University fields a number of athletic teams. The Nipissing Lakers basketball team plays on campus at the Robert J. Surtees Student Athletic Center. The Nipissing Lakers hockey team also shares the Memorial Gardens with the Battalion. There are a number of options for pre and post game fare in North Bay. Fans will definitely need to hop in the car to get there though. Cecil’s Brewhouse, Wacky’s, Moose’s Cookhouse, Burger World and Arugula are all good options. For fans staying in the city, the Holiday Inn and Hampton Inn are good options that are pretty close to the arena. Fans 3 Fan support of the North Bay Battalion has waned over the years. North Bay received their team after huge support for the Nipissing Lakers hockey team. Initially, the fans came out to support the Battalion, selling out most nights. The 2022 season, which admittedly has been decimated by coronavirus limitations, saw fewer than 2,000 fans per game at the Memorial Gardens, second fewest in the OHL. The 2020 season, pre-covid, had the Battalion averaging just over 2,000 fans, their fewest to date, the lowest in the league. With the Battalion having a strong season on the ice, attendance has picked up a bit. It will be interesting to see what happens in a full, uninterrupted season for the Battalion at the turnstile. The fans that are in attendance are strong supporters of the Battalion and can definitely be heard. Access 5 The North Bay Memorial Gardens is located west of the Trans Canada Highway on Chippewa Street. The highway runs north, right through the city, essentially splitting it. Being very close to the highway and highways 11 and 17, the Gardens is very easy to get to by car. There are 1000 parking spots at the Memorial Gardens and there is no charge for parking. For fans who wish to utilize public transit, there is a bus stop on Chippewa Street directly in front of the arena. Fans can check out the North Bay Transit website for maps, fares and schedules. The box office is located on the west side of the building and lineups are not usually an issue. Getting around the arena is not too difficult, although at times, the concourses can be a bit narrow. The washroom facilities are also adequate. With the protocols for covid and the ever changing security situation at arenas, Stadium Journey encourages fans to check out the North Bay Memorial Gardens and North Bay Battalion websites for the most up to date safety and security information. Return on Investment 5 Taking in a North Bay Battalion game is pretty easy on the pocket book. Tickets for the Battalion are under $25 for the regular season. Parking is free and concession prices are about what one would expect. The product on the ice is as good as anywhere in Ontario and does not feel like a once in a lifetime endeavor as some NHL experiences do. Extras 3 An extra mark for the renewed rivalry with the other Northern Ontario teams in the OHL, the Sudbury Wolves and Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Two extra marks for Remembrance Day celebrations for the Battalion. The game that was reviewed was just before Remembrance Day on the 100th anniversary of the Armistice Treaty. The Battalion did a wonderful job of celebrating the day with the help of the local Legion and the locals that are stationed at CFB North Bay. The Gardens remains a living memorial of those who served. Final Thoughts In a league where more than half of the arenas are now shiny and generic, there is something to be said for the throwback arena. It may not have all the bells and whistles, but it has character and provides for a great time. The North Bay Memorial Gardens is such an arena. Taking in a North Bay Battalion game is a ton of fun and great value for the sporting dollar. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and on Instagram.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Canada Life Place 99 Dundas St London, ON N6A 6K1 London Knights website Canada Life Place website Year Opened: 2002 Capacity: 9,036 These Knights Are Hunters It is difficult to argue with the success that the London Knights have achieved on the ice. Since the Knights were purchased in 2000 by Mark and Dale Hunter and Basil McRae they have earned six J. Ross Robertson Cups as OHL Champions and three Memorial Cups and CHL champions. What is even more shocking is that not long before the Knights set the record for the greatest regular season in the entire Canadian Hockey League (59-7-2 in 2004-05, with a 31-game unbeaten streak), they set the record for the worst season in the league (3-60-3 in 1995-96). The Knights play in one of the premier venues in the OHL. The second-largest venue in the league, Canada Life Place, was built in 2002 and was key to the turnaround of the team. Originally known as the John Labatt Centre, the facility replaced the venerable London Gardens. In 2024, Canada Life purchased the naming rights. Canada Life Place has hosted the Memorial Cup on two occasions, in 2005 and 2014. Food & Beverage 3 Canada Life Place has taken the deep dive into self-serve technology. The vast majority of concession points are self-serve points. This is great for quick pickups like soda or beer. Unfortunately, other food options tend to sit under heat lamps for a while. The expected concession menu items are available including pizza, fries, chicken fingers, hot dogs, sausage and pretzels. Pepsi products are the soft drink of choice and Starbucks coffee is also available. The beer selection is fairly average with Budweiser, Bud Light, Corona and Stella Artois headlining the options. A spot to consider stopping at for alcoholic beverages is the cheekily named Dale’s Finest Penalty Box Bar. Atmosphere 4 The official address of Canada Life Place is on Dundas, however, the vast majority of people will enter the arena from Golden Jubilee Square on the King Street side. The facade on the Dundas side was built to maintain the classic Dundas cityscape, which is depicted in a stone inlay in Golden Jubilee Square. The exterior features light brick with a modern entrance on the south side, while the north side has classic peaked window outlets to maintain the cityscape. Entering from the south, fans are brought immediately into the main concourse, which can get quite congested quickly. The Armoury team store is one of the first stops many fans will make. There is not much that catches the eye in the lower concourse, however, heading to the upper concourse will give fans the opportunity to check out the Don Brankley Knights Hall of Fame. Banners of the honoured Knights hang on the wall, represented on smaller replicas of the banners that hang in the arena. Honoured Knights include Rob Ramage, Dino Ciccarelli, Darryl Sittler, Brendan Shanahan, Brad Marsh, Rick Nash, Patrick Kane, Dave Bolland, Corey Perry and writer Pete James and Trainer Don Brankley. There are also plaques for other Knights who are in the Knights Hall of Fame. Some members include Dennis Maruk, Marc Methot, Dan Maloney, Rob Schremp and Pat Riggin. Team photos of the championship Knights teams make shields as enshrined teams. Inside the arena, fans will immediately be hit with the vast number of banners hanging above the ice surface. Those honoured Knights mentioned above all have banners, along with the division and conference championships, Hamilton Spectator Trophies for the best regular season record, six J. Ross Robertson Trophies as OHL Champions and the 2005, 2016 and 2025 Memorial Cups. The ice surface is oriented from west to east and the best spot to get a picture of the centre ice logo is from the south. Hanging above centre ice is a state of the art, four-sided videoboard with an upper ring. Canada Life Place is one of the few OHL arenas with a full lower bowl, supplemented with an upper deck. The upper deck is a horseshoe with an open standing area at the west. The upper deck fascia is covered with a full 360-degree, LED ribbon. State of the art LED lights provide coloured illumination when needed. The gameday production at a Knights game is fairly simple. The players enter the ice surface from the northwest corner, through an inflatable castle. A school often sings the national anthems and a minor hockey game takes place during the intermission. The 50/50 raffle is the main promotion. The Knights’ mascot, Scorzey, takes part in the player introductions and mingles with the fans. Neighbourhood 4 Canada Life Place is located in Downtown London, right across the road from Covent Garden Market. There are a number of spots for pre or post-game food and drink just steps away from the arena. Some options include Bear & Frankies, Waldo’s on King, The Squire, Fitzroy’s, Thaifoon, The Chef’s Table, Milo’s Craft Beer Emporium, and Hunter & Co. During the winter months, London Nationals and Western Mustangs also take the ice. Western also fields a full complement of university sports teams including basketball and football. The London Majors take to the diamond in the spring and play through the fall. Other tourist options in London include Museum London, Eldon House, Royal Canadian Regiment Museum and Fanshawe Pioneer Village. For fans wishing to stay in London the Doubletree and Delta are short walks from the arena. Fans 5 The London Knights enjoy some of the strongest support in the entire Canadian Hockey League. At the time of writing, the 2025-26 season, the Knights averaged over 9,055 fans per game. They averaged similar numbers in the most recent previous seasons, consistently ranking number one in the Ontario Hockey League. They usually only trail the Quebec Remparts and Edmonton Oil Kings in the CHL, both who play in NHL sized arenas. Fans tend to be on the quieter side, not uncommon for Southern Ontario. Access 4 Canada Life Place is located in Downtown London on the south side of Dundas, north of King, between Ridout and Talbot. It is 8 km north of Highway 401, so some traversing of the city will be necessary. There are a number of parking garages and surface lots Downtown, which come at a cost. For fans wishing to take public transit, there are buses that travel Ridaut. Fans should consult the London Transit website for fares, schedules and maps. The lower concourse can get a bit cramped and travelling during intermissions can be quite slow. Return on Investment 3 It is a little shocking to see the price tag on London Knight tickets. Tickets for the upper bowl begin at $33. Lower bowl seats go for a mind blowing $55. It is a fair assessment that this is the most expensive ticket in the Canadian Hockey League. Tickets regularly make it to the secondary market and can be even more expensive. Concession prices are normal to the OHL and parking downtown will probably run $15. Although the Knights experience is a good one, it is difficult to get past the cost as compared to the rest of the Canadian Hockey League. Extras 4 An extra mark for the return of the Spiderknight! The iconic comic book style logo, which was synonymous with the worst Knights teams, has been brought back as a third jersey for the Knights with an update to reflect the current colour scheme. An extra mark for the unprecedented success the London Knights have enjoyed during the tenure of the Hunters. An extra mark for the serious turnaround on the ice the Knights have enjoyed since the Knightmare season of 1995-96. An extra mark for the London Knights as the gold standard of the Canadian Hockey League. They were awarded the Team of the Century award. Final Thoughts The London Knights are the gold standard of franchise in the Ontario Hockey League and greater Canadian Hockey League. Their home, Canada Life Place, is among the best in the league and taking in a Knights game will provide fans one of the best experiences in Junior Hockey. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube, Twitter, Threads and Instagram @profan9.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.43 Dom Cardillo Arena at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium 400 East Ave Kitchener, ON N2H 1Z6 Kitchener Rangers website Dom Cardillo Arena at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium website Year Opened: 1951 Capacity: 7,777 Ranger History In 1963 Kitchener businessman Eugene George facilitated the move of the Guelph Royals, formerly the Guelph Biltmore Mad Hatters, affiliate of the New York Rangers, west to Kitchener. George purchased the team from the Rangers for $1 when their Rangers sponsorship ended in 1967 and turned them over to the season ticket subscribers in one of the most unique community-based, not for profit ownership models ever. The Rangers maintained the colours and identity of their former parent team and became one of the cornerstone franchises in the current Ontario Hockey League and greater Canadian Hockey League. The Rangers have pumped out a ton of NHL talent, including a number of Hockey Hall of Fame Members, and enjoyed the ultimate success in 1982 and 2003 as Memorial Cup Champions. They have also accumulated four J. Ross Robertson Cups as OHL Champions. Rangers alumni who have made an impact in the NHL include Jeff Skinner, Gabriel Landeskog, John Gibson, Mike Richards, David Clarkson, Dwight Foster, Derek Roy, Brian Bellows and Hall of Fame members Bill Barber, Paul Coffey, Larry Robinson, Al MacInnis, and Scott Stevens. Home for the Rangers is the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium. Built in 1951 as a “mini–Maple Leaf Gardens” The Aud has morphed over time to remain a viable and treasured venue with some of the best reviews for any arena in its class. Rumblings about replacing the Auditorium seem to have dissipated and it is set to become the oldest venue in the OHL very soon. The arena itself, now part of a larger sports complex, is named after longtime mayor of Kitchener, the late Dom Cardillo making the official home of the Rangers Dom Cardillo Arena @ Kitchener Memorial Auditorium. Food & Beverage 4 Dom Cardillo Arena offers a good selection of concession options. At the time of writing, a new, full-service restaurant was still under construction. Expected concession options can be found throughout the arena including fries, poutine, burgers, hot dogs, popcorn, pretzels and candy. Pizza Pizza provides pizza slices. Unfortunately, with the new restaurant opening in the future, Beaver Tails has vacated the Aud. In the upper concourse, freshly carved roast beef sandwiches are available. Pre-game buffets may be an option and need to be purchased with tickets. The soft drink selection for Dom Cardillo Arena are Pepsi products, which can be found in both bottle and fountain form. Baden Coffee Company provides the java. Molson Canadian, Heineken, Miller Lite, and Coors Original and Light round out the beer selection. Rangers Lite Lager provided by Four Fathers Brewing may be the best local, choice. Atmosphere 5 The Kitchener Memorial Auditorium is one of the most unique facilities in hockey. The front facade on East Avenue is striking, grey concrete with some windows and the name of the Aud etched at the top. Although this is the front entrance, most people do not enter this way, and doing so will have fans missing some interesting pieces. The main concourse of the complex, which joins the three arenas, is best accessed from the south, along Eugene George Way, which links Ottawa Street and East Avenue through the Auditorium grounds. Through that main concourse fans will find a number of interesting items to look at. Unfortunately, recent renovations have removed the wooden signs which were carved for previous events at The Aud and replaced them with bland decor with names of entertainment acts that have played over the years. A concession is available for a coffee or quick snack before entering Dom Cardillo Arena. The highlight, however, of this area is the Kraut Line display. The Kraut Line was one of the most productive lines in Boston Bruins history consisting of Hockey Hall of Fame members Bobby Bauer, Woody Dumart and Milt Schmidt, who were all products of the Kitchener Minor Hockey system and were of German descent. Fans will ascend the staircase to the main concourse and are met with a mural welcoming them to Dom Cardillo Arena. The concourse is littered with items to look at. It seems that every piece of real estate in the concourse has a purpose. A large mural honouring the career of longtime radio broadcaster Don Cameron is of note. Murals for the four championship Ranger teams can be found as well as a Captain’s Wall, and team photos from every team. The most unique feature in the concourse is definitely the support beams, which are numerous, and are painted with the names of past Rangers who have made a significant contribution to the team. Not only are those Rangers who have had significant NHL careers here, but so are local legends such as Steven Rice, Boyd Devereaux, David Latta, Mike Eagles and a whole host of others. Continuing with the Rangers history is McClellan Hall, which is inside the Rangers Authentics team store. This is where many artifacts are found including the original championship banners, trophies, jerseys and a terrific display of goalie masks. The awe continues inside the seating area. The ice is west-east oriented with the south side being the best spot for a centre ice logo picture. Seating is divided by colour with golds being the bottom and reds being the top. Blue seats on the south side are the newest and are part of the latest arena expansion. The north and east sides are where the luxury boxes are and the Blueline Club is at the top on the west side. A state of the art video board is found above centre ice with two rings at the top. Seating is on the steep side and offers terrific sightlines. The blue seats on the south side may have an obstructed view of the videoboard due to the massive support beams, however, large TV screens provide all of the videoboard info so fans don’t miss out. The sheer volume of banners that hang above the ice is daunting as well. The east side is for players. Honoured numbers for Barber, Robinson, Coffey, Stevens and MacInnis are found here. Jim McEachie and Gary Crosby, who died while with the Rangers also have honoured numbers. A banner hangs for broadcast legend Don Cameron as well as franchise scoring leaders Dwight Foster and Andre Benoit. New for the 2025-26 season is the Level of Legacy, for Rangers who are not members of the Hockey Hall of Fame but elite contributors to the Rangers franchise. Coach Peter DeBoer and Brian Bellows were the first enshrined. The west side is where the team accomplishments can be found. OHL Championship banners for 1981, 1982, 2003, and 2008 are found here along with the 1982 and 2003 Memorial Cup banners. Sprinkled in with these are various conference and division title banners. The gameday production at a Ranger game is not too over the top. The pregame festivities are full of lasers and video projected on the ice. During the play, a more classical production is found with typical music and promotions. The Rangers mascot, Tex, is often interacting with fans. The Rangers goal song is very similar to the original song used by the New York Rangers. Neighbourhood 3 The Aud is located in the Auditorium neighbourhood, just east of Downtown Kitchener. For the most part, the Aud is a community arena. There are almost no pre and post game meal options within walking distance. Fans could hike up Ottawa Street to the Tim Horton's or Dairy Queen. Strykerz Kitchen and Bar in the same plaza may be an option, but it is pretty small. The best bet would be to head downtown or take the highway out to Sportsworld. Downtown, fans might want to try The Grand Trunk Saloon, TWH Social, or Bobby O'Brien’s. Out by Sportsworld, The Moose is a terrific option, as is Borealis. For a truly genuine Kitchener experience, fans should look into eating a pre-game meal at the Concordia Club or The Metro. Kitchener's Oktoberfest is the largest Bavarian festival outside of Germany and these options provide the best schnitzel in the city. The Aud is shared with the KW Titans of the BSL and Kitchener Kodiaks. The summer months find the Kitchener Panthers at Jack Couch Park, also part of the Auditorium Complex. Other sporting options locally would include hopping over to Kitchener’s twin city, Waterloo to catch some local university action. The Waterloo Warriors call the PAC home to basketball, Warrior Field home to football and Columbia IceField Arena home to hockey. The Laurier Golden Hawks play their football games at Knight-Newbrough Field at University Stadium, their hockey games at Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex, and their basketball games at WLU Athletic Complex. The Waterloo Siskins of the GOHL are another hockey option. Other tourist options include The Museum, Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum, Bingeman Park, and Schneider Haus. Kitchener is most well known for Oktoberfest, which takes place starting with the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend. Fans who are staying in town overnight should head downtown. The Walper Hotel and Crowne Plaza Kitchener-Waterloo are good selections. Fans 5 The Kitchener Rangers enjoy some of the strongest support in the entire Canadian Hockey League. At the time of writing, in the 2025-26 season the Rangers averaged more than 6,500 fans per game. This is the normal attendance the Rangers enjoy. This ranks them 2nd in the Ontario Hockey League, a spot that the Rangers seem to have a lock on. London, Halifax, Edmonton and Québec usually have higher attendance than the Rangers, however, all four teams play in larger buildings. Friday nights are definitely Rangers night in Kitchener, with the biggest attendance on those dates. Midweek and Sunday games still have high sales, but often have more empty seats as compared to Fridays. Ranger fans are loud and proud and help add to the Auditorium mystique. Access 4 The Aud is located in the Auditorium neighbourhood, which is east of Downtown Kitchener. Getting to The Aud is not difficult. It is immediately west of Highway 7, which is the main artery through Kitchener. Parking is on both the north and south sides of the complex, which should be entered from Ottawa Street or Stirling Avenue. Getting to the Aud early is a good idea as parking can fill up quickly. The west lot from Ottawa Street is designated a car pool lot and there must be three fans in the vehicle for the ability to park here. For fans wishing to take public transit to the Ranger game, there are buses that travel both Ottawa and Weber Streets. The light rail Ion train is a fair hike from the nearest station, so that may not be the best option. Fans should check out the Grand River Transit website for maps, fares and schedules. Traversing the concourses during intermission is definitely a challenge as the concourses are definitely not large enough for that kind of traffic. Expect long lines at concessions and washrooms around intermission time as well. The blue seats inside the arena are the newest and provide the most space and legroom, which can be a bit of an issue for some in the red and gold seats. Security protocols are not too intrusive, however, bags will be checked and there are some restrictions on bag sizes. Stadium Journey strongly encourages fans to check the Auditorium and Kitchener Rangers websites before heading out for the most up to date information. Return on Investment 4 The price of Kitchener Ranger tickets have definitely increased over the years. Adult tickets now go for $32 with tickets at $28 for kids under 12. All seats are the same price regardless of location. Parking at the Auditorium Complex remains free and concession prices are not terrible. Although the investment continues to rise, as it seems to be across all sports, the return remains high. The Rangers are one of the top experiences in the entire league and the opportunity to see a historic franchise on the ice with just the right amount of gameday production in a truly unique building is not one that should be passed up. Extras 5 An extra mark to the City of Kitchener in recognition of the contribution of the late Eugene George. The city has renamed the street travelling to the west of the Aud, from East Ave to Ottawa St, Eugene George Way. His gifting of the Rangers to the subscribers created a unique ownership situation that galvanized the bond between city and team. An extra mark for the special events the Rangers run, specifically Teddy Bear Toss Night and Don Cameron Potato Night. Seeing thousands of stuffed animals strewn to the ice just before Christmas is an experience in and of itself. Potato Night is a unique evening run by legendary retired Rangers broadcaster Don Cameron where fans bring in donations of bags of potatoes. An extra mark for the long and illustrious hockey history of the Rangers and the Kitchener-Waterloo area, and the great job the Rangers do of putting that history on display. An extra mark for the City of Kitchener and the Rangers in not abandoning their classic arena and instead improving upon it to bring it up to today’s technological and luxury standards. An extra mark for all of the Kitchener Minor Sports history on display at the Auditorium Complex Final Thoughts The Kitchener Rangers offer one of the elite experiences in all of Junior Hockey. Dom Cardillo Arena and the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium provide one of the greatest spots to watch a hockey game in the world. It would behove hockey fans everywhere to make the trip to Kitchener to catch hockey history in action. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube, Twitter, Threads and Instagram @profan9.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Slush Puppie Place 1 Tragically Hip Way Kingston, ON K7K 0B4 Kingston Frontenacs website Slush Puppie Place website Year Opened: 2008 Capacity: 5,614 Hip at the Fort Editor's Note: Leon's Centre was renamed as Slush Puppie Place in February 2024 The Kingston Frontenacs were in serious trouble. The writing was on the wall. If the City of Kingston would not partner with the Frontenacs for a new arena to get them away from the aging Kingston Memorial Centre, then the Ontario Hockey League franchise would be forced to find greener pastures. Fortunately, the City of Kingston stepped up and in 2008, the K-Rock Centre opened to the public. With much fanfare, the arena opened on the site of the original Fort Frontenac, a 17th century trading post, right in beautiful downtown Kingston. Hockey personality and Kingston native, Don Cherry would drop the first puck for the Frontenacs and the next chapter in Kingston hockey was born. In 2018, the city would sign a naming rights deal with Leon’s Furniture Ltd. for five years. Although many would point to Cherry or team president and former Toronto Maple Leaf legend Doug Gilmour, as the first sons of Kingston, what is currently known as the Leon’s Centre would open to a set of even bigger Kingston legends. The first performance at the arena would be a concert by the iconic Canadian band, The Tragically Hip. So iconic and revered in the community are The Hip, that the address of the Leon’s Centre has since been changed to 1 Tragically Hip Way. Perhaps the most significant date in the young lifespan of Leon’s Centre was August 20, 2016. Before succumbing to brain cancer, Gord Downie and the Tragically Hip would perform in a nationally televised concert, the final one for the band. Junior hockey in Kingston dates back to the forties with the Kingston Victorias, who were eventually renamed the Frontenacs, after Louis de Buade de Frontenac, Governor General of New France in the 1600s. The current franchise would join the OHA as the Kingston Canadians. They would be renamed the Kingston Raiders for one season before being sold. After the sale of the team, the return of the Frontenacs would usher in a new era for the team. Current owner Doug Springer would purchase the team in 1998. Although the Fronts have not enjoyed a ton of success on the ice, with only two East Division Championships to show for their efforts, the Frontenacs experience has improved significantly and remains a great option for sports fans. Food & Beverage 4 The concession options at Leon’s Centre will not leave fans hungry. The nine concession stands that are on the 100 and 300 levels offer a wide variety of culinary treats. All of the expected items can be found including popcorn, hot dogs, burgers and chicken fingers. Smoke’s Poutinerie has a presence at Leon’s Centre to treat fans with a variety of poutines, fries, hot dogs and burgers. The Craft Brew & BBQ stand offers fresh BBQ options like pulled pork and the Pizza Pizza stand offers slices. Coca-Cola products are the soft drink of choice at Leon’s Centre and bottled water, coffee, tea, hot chocolate and slushies can also be found. A pregame spot to stop for a drink inside the Leon’s Centre would be the Molson Brew House which offers a full bar as well as wine, beer and ciders. Prices are not out of line for an OHL venue. Atmosphere 5 Leon’s Centre offers an atmosphere for Frontenacs hockey that is among the best in the OHL. Outside of the arena, in the northwest corner sits actual ruins from the original Fort Frontenac. Across Ontario Street is the current Fort Frontenac, which is a Canadian Military venue. The exterior of Leon’s Centre is attractive with light coloured brick. The south side of Leon’s Centre is Tragically Hip Way, a portion of Barrack Street that Kingston City Council renamed in honour of the famous Kingston band. Inside the concourses of Leon’s Centre fans will have the opportunity to check out some of the local flavour. The pillars in the concourses are all wrapped with photos of big shows in Leon’s Centre history. Bryan Adams, Russell Peters and Gord Downie all have a presence here, just to name a few. A number of local displays and tables are found throughout the concourse, but the Kingston & District Sports Hall of Fame will require a few minutes look. Don Cherry, Doug Gilmour and Kirk Muller all have a presence and more can be found. The exterior of the team store, Frontenacs Originals, features classic jerseys from the original Frontenacs, Canadians and Raiders on display. Team photos for all of the modern era teams can also be explored. Inside the seating bowl, fans will notice the single seating bowl circled by an upper level concourse. The ice surface runs from west to east with the best view of the centre ice logo coming from the south side. A banner on the east side of the building memorializes the final Tragically Hip show in Kingston. On the west side the honoured numbers of Mike O’Connell, Tony McKegney, Brad Rhiness, Ken Linseman, David Ling, Mike Zigomanis and Keli Corpse hang proudly. When the Toronto Maple Leafs replaced their honoured numbers banners the old ones were distributed across the country. It is no surprise that the number 93 of Doug Gilmour from the Air Canada Centre hangs on the west side. The Frontenacs have started a new program where on Remembrance Day, they honour a local veteran. They are memorialized with a banner on the west side entitled the Honourary Captains. Having such a significant military presence as Kingston does, it is another excellent way for the Frontenacs to connect with the community. The game day experience at Leon’s Centre has improved significantly. Much research and work has gone into an improved experience which begins with the pregame rituals. The video presentation is solid and captures a local flavour unlike any other OHL venue. It is clear that the Frontenacs have forged a relationship with Fort Henry as the historic, military motif is felt throughout the presentation. Some of the clips are even filmed at the fort. Live mascot Cap’n Frank pontificates the importance of the city and the game on the ice before The Battery, the local drumline, welcomes the Frontenacs on the ice as they enter through an inflatable fortress. The Trevor Walsh Group plays during intermissions and before games and Barrack, the Frontenacs mascot, can be found interacting with fans around the arena. The Frontenacs should complete the local feel with a goal song which is original and local, probably one by The Hip. Neighbourhood 5 You can’t find a neighbourhood in junior hockey better than the surrounding area in downtown Kingston In just the immediate area alone there are a ton of food options. All are easily within walking distance of the Leon’s Centre. Head to Princess Street and you will find what you are looking for. In recent years the Kingston downtown has been hit with the major restaurant chains and those are easy to find right nearby. Jack Astor’s, The Keg, Milestones and Lone Star Texas Grill are all right there and all safe, well-known bets. If you are looking for something a little different, and something uniquely Kingston you will not have to venture far. Some options to consider include The Toucan, Chez Piggy, The Merchant Tap House, Wooden Heads, Grizzly Grill, and The Public House. This is just a small sampling of what is available to you. Make sure that you save time either before or after the Fronts game to do some investigating and check out the food options downtown. Kingston is a bit more of a summer tourist city, but there are plenty of things to do here. The Leon’s Centre is right across the street from the waterfront. The ferry to Wolf Island Provincial Park is right there as are the meeting spots for the Kingston Trolley Tours and Kingston 1000 Island Cruise tours. Confederation Park is also right downtown and is a terrific meeting spot when waiting for friends. Across the water you can see the campus of the Royal Military College of Canada and just beyond that is Old Fort Henry. The college influence is not lost on Kingston and there are a ton of spots to catch some live music on Princess Street. If you are looking for other sporting options in Kingston, there are a few. Other cultural endeavours you may wish to consider include the Pump House Steam Museum and the Kingston Penitentiary Museum. The RMC Paladins play hockey at Constantine Arena, which is just across the bridge from Leon’s Centre. The other main options would be found with the athletic teams from Queen’s University. The Queen’s Gaels football team plays at Richardson Memorial Stadium, which was recently renovated. The Gaels basketball team plays on campus in the Athletics and Recreation Centre and the hockey team plays in the former home of the Frontenacs, the Kingston Memorial Centre. There are also a ton of places to stay downtown. Three you may wish to consider include the Delta, Holiday Inn and Confederation Place. All are mere steps from the Leon’s Centre and the heart of downtown Kingston. Although there remains a lot to do in Kingston throughout the year, the best time to catch a game and enjoy the city would definitely be during the opening month. Fans 3 The Frontenacs have felt the sting of not having a great amount of success on the ice. Kingston has welcomed between 3,000 and 4,000 fans on average since 2016. The 2018-2019 season has been a rebuilding one for the team after making a strong run the previous year. As a result, the attendance has fallen significantly and the game that was reviewed was scarcely attended. It is unfortunate as the Frontenacs are working diligently to put together the best possible game day experience. Hopefully some more success on the ice will translate into steadier crowds and a stronger following. Access 3 The Leon’s Centre is located at the St. Lawrence River in downtown Kingston. Getting to this point can prove challenging from those coming from out of town. Downtown is a significant distance from Highway 401, the major highway connecting Southern Ontario. It is near Highway 2, but it is not a really significant highway. Therefore, travellers will have to travel a significant distance through the city of Kingston to get downtown. Be prepared for a plethora of traffic lights. There are Kingston Transit buses that travel along Princess, Brock and Ontario Streets. For those who are interested in public transit, check out the Kingston Transit website for maps, schedules and fares. The Leon’s Centre does not have any parking of its own. Fans who drive to the game will be required to find parking in one of the surface lots near the arena. There is a decent sized parking lot across from the arena, on the other side of The Tragically Hip Way, however it is pretty much a dirt lot and is extremely messy during mild temperatures. Surfaced lots will probably run around $5 for the event, which is not terrible. There are a few entry gates around the arena. They are not huge but do the trick. Ticketing windows operate outside for the most part. If you are needing to wait a bit before the gates open, then waiting in the gate on the northeast side of the arena is probably best. There is early entry for season ticket holders. The concourses are not huge in the Leon’s Centre, however considering the crowd size is normally well below capacity, there is ample space to move around. The lower concourses do not travel 360 degrees and at either end of the arena you will have to turn around. The washroom facilities in the Leon’s Centre are also adequate for the experience. Return on Investment 4 As with other OHL experiences, Kingston Frontenacs hockey offers terrific value for the sporting dollar. Tickets for the Fronts will go for between $19 and $22.25. Concession prices are not too troublesome and parking isn’t awful either. Junior hockey offers a terrific product on the ice. Although the Frontenacs aren’t terrific on the ice in 2019, the cyclical nature of Junior Hockey ensures that the Fronts will be back challenging for the post season soon enough. Extras 3 An extra mark for the best neighbourhood in all of Junior Hockey. There is not really a better spot to be than downtown Kingston. A great tourist spot with a terrific nightlife and a grand history. An extra mark for the Leon’s Centre being built on the site of the original Fort Frontenac and incorporating the ruins as part of the site and maintaining the heritage. An extra mark for the work the Fronts have done in their pregame show. Definitely unique in Junior Hockey, the Frontenacs are pushing the entertainment envelope in the OHL. Final Thoughts Kingston is one of the truly great places to visit in Ontario. The Kingston Frontenacs can be a part of a stop in Kingston and the Leon’s Centre is a solid facility. The Fronts are pushing the envelope in what fans can expect for a game day experience and the product on the ice can only get better. Hockey fans should definitely take a trip to Eastern Ontario to the historic, vibrant city of Kingston and make plans to catch the Fronts in action. There will be no regrets. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and on Instagram.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 TD Civic Centre 79 Market St. S. Brantford, ON, N3S 2E4 Brantford Bulldogs website TD Civic Centre website Year Opened: 1967 Capacity: 2,952 The (Temporary?) Dog House Editor's Note: On September 16, 2025, the Brantford Bulldogs, the City of Brantford and TD announced a multi-year naming rights agreement that changed the name of the Bulldogs' home arena to TD Civic Center starting with the 2025-2026 season. New to the 2023-2024 Ontario Hockey League landscape is the Brantford Bulldogs. The franchise was established in 1981 as the Belleville Bulls. With his AHL Hamilton Bulldogs facing losing their affiliation agreement with the Montreal Canadiens, owner Michael Andlauer purchased the Bulls in a shocking transaction. The Bulls were rebranded as the Hamilton Bulldogs and played out of the FirstOntario Centre in the OHL from 2015 to 2023. After numerous battles over an appropriately sized arena for the Bulldogs, Andlauer found out that his team would be homeless for at least two seasons as massive renovations to the FirstOntario Centre would commence in 2023. Andlauer found a landing spot in Brantford, Ontario, famously the childhood home of Wayne Gretzky, and signed a lease with the city for at least three years. The new doghouse is the Brantford and District Civic Centre. Commonly referred to as the Brantford Civic Centre, the city-owned arena was built in 1967 and is the former home of the Brantford Alexanders of the OHL. The Alexanders would move from Brantford in 1984 and are currently the Erie Otters franchise. With the move of the Bulldogs, the Brantford Civic Centre received $9 million in renovations split between the Bulldogs and the city. Speculation is running rampant in the OHL that the move to Brantford may be permanent for the Bulldogs. Food & Beverage 3 The concession options at the Brantford Civic Centre are fairly pedestrian. Hot dogs, chips, and chocolate bars can be found at some of the concession stands underneath the grandstands at the ice level. Pizza Pizza slices are also available. Pepsi beverages are the soft drink of choice at the Brantford Civic Centre and a small selection of beer includes Budweiser, Bud Light, Stella Artois, and Michelob Ultra. Two concession stands can be found on ice level at the front of the building while four smaller concession stands are found in the corners of the concourse level. Atmosphere 3 Approaching the Brantford Civic Centre, fans will not be blown away by an elaborate exterior. The main entrance is at the east side and does feature a tree-lined path from the road. The exterior is dominated by black siding with yellow trim and the city’s coat of arms on the north and south corners. Immediately there is a feeling that this is the home of the Bulldogs with the colour scheme and front sign. Upon entering at the south end, fans enter at ice level and are greeted by a new mural featuring important Bulldog moments. Fans won’t be able to stay in this area very long as it is very crowded, a theme throughout the arena. Fans then ascend to the concourse level, which empties out to the seating area. The main concourse wraps a full circle behind the seating bowl, with small, elevated concession stands in the corners. The ice is oriented from east to west and for fans who want that perfect center ice picture, it can be taken from the south side of the arena. On the far east wall, the 2018 and 2022 J. Ross Robertson Cup banners hang, both won while the team played in Hamilton. Making its way from Hamilton to Brantford is the large, three-dimensional “Bulldogs” sign with faux flames, which is found on the west wall. The single tier of red and blue arena seats is enough for nearly 3,000 fans. There are also a number of designated and reserved standing spots along high railings behind the seating bowl. Sightlines are excellent in the Civic Centre. Above the centre ice logo is a brand new, small but clear, four-sided video board. A traditional hockey scoreboard splits the championship banners on the east wall. It seems that upgrades at the Brantford Civic Centre include new LED lights and a new sound system. The gameday production is on par with other OHL experiences. The Bulldogs make good use of their new sound system, coloured projection lights, and video board. The Bulldogs’ mascot, Bruiser, can be found moving around the arena, interacting with fans, and posing for pictures. The Bulldogs feature a large Canadian flag which is passed along by the fans in the stands, in a practice that is not unique, but not overly common either. Neighbourhood 3 The Brantford Civic Centre is located in the north corner of the Eagle Place neighbourhood in Brantford, just south of downtown. Several places are closed for a pre or post-game meal. There are a number of fast food and chain restaurants on Icomm Drive, including Boston Pizza, Sunset Grill and Tim Hortons. Fans who are looking for something a little more unique can head north into downtown. The Rose & Thistle, Hudson Public, and The Works are all good options. The best option might be Uncle Sam’s BBQ Smoke House. For fans looking for other sporting options, there are a few in Brantford. There are other junior hockey options in town with the Brantford 99ers of the OJHL and Brantford Bandits of the GOJHL, both of whom play in the Wayne Gretzky Sportsplex. The summer finds the Brantford Red Sox of the Intercounty League taking up residence at Cockshutt Park. Other tourist options in Brantford include Elements Casino Brantford, directly across the parking lot from the Civic Centre, and Earl Haig Family Fun Park. For fans wanting to stay in Brantford, they will have to head to Highway 403 where they will find a Comfort Inn and Best Western. Fans 4 For the inaugural campaign, the Brantford fans have turned out to support the Bulldogs. For the 2023-2024 season, the Bulldogs have averaged over 3,000 fans per game as of this writing. This puts them in 16th place in the 20-team OHL for attendance, however, the meager capacity of the Brantford Civic Centre shows that the Bulldogs are averaging over capacity. The fans in Brantford are loud and right into the game. The only factor that keeps this from being a perfect score is the lack of longevity in Brantford. A few more years of this and the mark will improve. Access 3 Getting to the Brantford Civic Centre is not difficult at all. The Brantford Civic Centre is located in the north corner of the Eagle Place neighbourhood, just south of downtown. It is surrounded by Icomm Drive and Market Street, with the Grand River just to the west. It is located significantly south of Highway 403 and fans will have to traverse the city a bit to get to the arena. However, the drive through Brantford is not difficult and traffic moves smoothly. There is plenty of parking in the immediate area, which is free. For fans wishing to take public transit, there are bus stops near the arena. Fans should consult the Brantford Transit website for schedules, fares and maps. Inside the Brantford Civic Centre is a bit of a different story. Getting around the arena can be difficult and it is very crowded. Fans will be required to traverse stairs to get up to the concourse level. The washroom facilities are at ice level, forcing fans to traverse more stairs. Return on Investment 4 The return on investment for OHL hockey is excellent and Brantford falls right into place along its brethren in the league. Tickets for the Bulldogs are $28 each and $23 for standing room. This is a bit on the expensive side for the OHL, but not over the top. Parking is free and concession prices are what one would expect. The product on the ice is top notch and the fans help create a great hockey environment that new fans will love. Extras 2 An extra mark for the history of the Brantford Civic Centre. In the eighties, the Brantford Civic Centre was the regular venue for WWF tapings and the home of the “Maple Leaf Wrestling” program which aired each weekend. An extra mark for Brantford as the hometown of Wayne Gretzky. Final Thoughts The Brantford Bulldogs are enjoying a strong initial outing at the turnstile as of this writing and the fans in Brantford have embraced the team as their own. Time will tell if the Bulldogs return to Hamilton once the renovations there are complete, or if they find a new, permanent doghouse in Brantford. ----- Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube, Twitter, Threads and Instagram @profan9.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Sadlon Arena 555 Bayview Dr Barrie, ON L4N 8Y2 Barrie Colts website Sadlon Arena website Year Opened: 1995 Capacity: 4,195 Colts Country In a mind-splitting thirteen months, the City of Barrie built the home for the Barrie Colts. Granted an expansion team for the 1995 season, work frantically began for what is now known as Sadlon Arena. Opening its doors in 1995, Sadlon Arena also became the home of the Colts, who have played nearly all of their home games just west of Highway 400. The Colts were originally a Junior B franchise established in 1946. The Colts have come a long way, earning a Hamilton Spectator Trophy for the best record in 2010 and a J. Ross Robertson Cup in 2000 as OHL Champions. Barrie was not foreign to top-level junior hockey either, as the Barrie Flyers took the ice from 1945 to 1960, earning a pair of Memorial Cups. The franchise line leads them to the current Sudbury Wolves. The Colts are currently owned by Howie Campbell and are also known as the final hockey stop for Hockey Hall of Fame member Dale Hawerchuk, who was the coach in Barrie before his tragic death in 2020 after battling stomach cancer. Food & Beverage 3 The concession options at Sadlon Arena are fairly limited. The two main concession stands at the east and west ends of the arena are not typical arena options. Hot dogs, sausage, poutine, fries, nachos, and cold options are available. Topper’s Pizza provides a variety of pizza varieties, including a Colt Feature. Pepsi products are the featured soft drinks, and Budweiser and Michelob Ultra are among the tall-boy beer options. The Bailey’s stand combines Madison County Coffee options with the option of a Bailey’s shot, and some State Fair Mini Donuts is the most unique option available. There are plenty of vending machines for fans who wish to grab a quick soda without standing in long lines. Perhaps the best plan is to grab something to eat at Horsepower Grill before the game. Reservations are not required, but would be appreciated, and a full sit-down restaurant experience with a full bar is the result. Atmosphere 3 Sadlon Arena offers a solid junior hockey experience that is not uncommon in many other markets. From the exterior, Sadlon Arena has a bit of a barn-like appearance with a rounded, elongated roof, which can be seen from Highway 400. Oriented from west to east, the most eye-catching feature of the arena is the Horsepower Sports Bar, which offers a unique brick facade to the front of the building with awnings. Although the west side of the building, on Bayview Drive, appears to be the front, there is no real main entrance or atrium. Entrances empty immediately into the concourse. Concourses at Sadlon Arena are decorated with as much Barrie Colts history as possible. Entrances to the seating bowl feature murals, complete with statistics and highlights, of former Colt players, including Mark Scheifele, Bryan Little, Kyle Clifford, and Alex Pietrangelo, among others. Fans should make sure to look for the Dale Hawerchuck mural for the winningest coach in franchise history. Banners hanging from the ceiling also emphasize former Colts in their NHL garb. The Captain’s Wall shows all those honoured enough to wear the ‘C’ on their jersey, and the championship wall shows Barrie teams that have participated in the Memorial Cup, J. Ross Robertson Cup Finals to crown the OHL Champions, and Bobby Orr Trophy winners as Eastern Conference Champions, including the old Barrie Flyers. Entering the seating bowl, fans will find a single-level seating bowl with an east-west orientation and suites at both the top of the seating bowl and at ice level. The west side of the arena has the Horsepower Sports Bar, which has some tables that view out onto the ice as a ticketed seating option. The press box is small, and along the north side, the side fans should be on for the perfect picture of the centre ice logo. Above centre ice, the videoboard is newly updated and clear with a ribbon under the four-sided screen. Along the centre, the Colts hang their banners for division and conference championships. The 2000 OHL Championship banner is far too inconspicuous given its relative importance. The Colts also have some “Leaderboard” banners along the north and south sides to give fans some statistical history for the team, including season goals and points and goaltender wins to go with career leaderboards for those categories, among others. Finally, hanging in the east end are the retired number banners for Bryan Little, the all-time leading scorer for the Colts, Kyle Clifford, and Dale Hawerchuk. The west end has banners for each former Barrie Colt who has won a Stanley Cup. The best spot to check out some Barrie Colts artifacts is definitely the Horsepower Grill, where the walls are adorned with old jerseys, framed photos of former Colts who have gone on to the NHL, and other artifacts. The gameday atmosphere is about what one would expect from an OHL game. The presentation is fairly traditional with the expected playlist, announcements, and promotions. The Timbits minor hockey game takes place during the second intermission, giving local kids the opportunity to skate on the same ice as their local heroes. The Colts mascots, Charlie Horse and Carley Horse, take part in the pregame ceremonies and interact with fans around the arena. Neighbourhood 4 Sadlon Arena is located in South Barrie near Highway 400, at Mapleview and Bayview. Mapleview has plenty of shopping and eating options and is quite a busy area. Fans looking for something to eat before or after the game will not have to wander far. There are plenty of chain restaurants in the immediate area, including Lone Star, Milestones, Panera, and The Keg. Expanding the search to the opposite side of Highway 400 will provide another whole set of options. Some original options include the Spoon & Fork, the Simmering Kettle, and The Burger’s Priest. However, making a reservation at the Horsepower Bar & Grill may be the best selection to round out the day. Right in the Sadlon Arena, it provides the full Barrie Colts experience. If in Barrie during the summer months, fans may want to head to Minesing to see the Barrie Baycats of the Canadian Baseball League, or the Barrie Lakeshores of Major Series Lacrosse. Otherwise, Barrie is very much an outdoor city. Barrie is on the doorstep of Ontario’s Cottage Country. Barrie itself is on the banks of Lake Simcoe. In the winter months, there are plenty of ski resorts around, including Snow Valley, Horseshoe Valley, and Mount St. Louis Moonstone. Just south of Barrie, in Innisfil, fans could head to Georgian Downs during the racing season or catch the Innisfil Spartans of the PJHL. Fans who require a place to stay close to Sadlon Arena may choose the Holiday Inn, Fairfield Inn, or the Comfort Inn, all which are within a two-minute drive from the arena. Fans 4 The Barrie Colts have enjoyed very strong fan support for the duration of their stay at Sadlon Arena. For the 2025-26 season, at the time of writing, the Colts averaged over 3,400 fans per game, which ranked them 11th out of 20 in the OHL. The previous season, the Colts averaged over 3,700 fans per game. Although they do not rank high compared to other OHL teams, there is little room to grow with a capacity at Sadlon Arena of just over 4,000. Once viewed as one of the quietest rinks in all of hockey, even given the tongue-in-cheek nickname “The Library,” Sadlon Arena now seems to have more life, with the fans providing more excitement. Access 3 Sadlon Arena is located in the 400 East neighbourhood in Barrie, on the east side of Bayview at Mapleview Drive. It is less than ½ km east of Highway 400, so getting to Sadlon Arena is very easy. There is plenty of parking available on site, which is free. For fans wishing to take public transit to the game, there are Barrie Transit bus stops on Bayview. Fans should consult the Barrie Transit website for maps, fares, and schedules. The concourses in Barrie are the true drawback of the arena. Concourses are very narrow, and washrooms are pretty small, so getting around the arena can be a challenge. Although security protocols at Sadlon Arena are relatively simplistic, the nature of spectator sports is that security protocols can change quickly. Before heading to the game, Stadium Journey highly recommends consulting the Barrie Colts website for the most up-to-date information. Return on Investment 4 Tickets for the Barrie Colts begin at $27.50. Seating in the Horsepower Grill for a game is $30. Parking is free at Sadlon Centre, and concession prices are about average for the OHL. The product on the ice is very high quality, and a Colts game is a great opportunity to get the whole family out for some entertainment, without dropping a mortgage payment. Extras 3 An extra mark for the Barrie Colts honouring Dale Hawerchuk, who coached the team until his illness required him to leave the team. A street outside of the Sadlon Arena is also named Dale Hawerchuk Way. An extra mark for the Sadlon Arena, originally Barrie Molson Centre, being built in a lightning-fast 13 months. An extra mark for the Colts rivalries with the Sudbury Wolves and North Bay Battalion. Final Thoughts The Barrie Colts are a franchise worthy of the memory of Dale Hawerchuk, and Sadlon Arena is a solid arena for Junior Hockey. What was once one of the quietest experiences now has a bit of life to it, and a Colts game is a great experience. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube, Twitter, Threads, and Instagram @profan9.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Vibrant Arena at The MARK 1201 River Dr. Moline, IL 61265 Quad City Storm website Vibrant Arena at The MARK website Year Opened: 1993 Capacity: 12,000 Still, the Mark in the Quad City Vibrant Arena at The MARK, known previously as TaxSlayer Center, iWireless Center, and The MARK of Quad Cities, opened in May 1993 under the name Mark of the Quad Cities. Its current name went into effect in September of 2017 for $3.3 million for over ten years. The 9,200-seat facility is located in Moline, Illinois, and was constructed at $33.4 million. Since 2018, the arena has been home to the Quad City Storm of the SPHL after local ownership consisting of Ryan Mosley and John Dawson purchased a team in the league to replace the recently departed Quad City Mallards of the ECHL. The Storm kept hockey alive on the banks of the Mississippi River and hopes to bring back the success of its days as the original Mallards franchise. The original Mallards hockey club operated from 1995 to 2007 in the Colonial and Central Hockey Leagues, ceasing operations to make room for the Quad City Flames of the American Hockey League, who operated for two seasons before being relocated by the parent club to Abbotsford, British Columbia. With the Quad City suddenly vacant, the Mallards were reborn in the CHL in 2009. The new Mallards were saved from folding again in 2011 and operated in the league until being absorbed into the ECHL for the 2014-2015 season after the CHL ceased operations. In 2017, the club signed a multi-year affiliation with the NHL Vegas Golden Knights and its AHL affiliate Chicago Wolves, for the 2017–18 season. However, after the ownership reported that it lost $4 million in five years, the club ceased operations. The arena offers the perfect size for a minor league hockey arena, and the surrounding neighborhood provides enough activities for both families and weekend getaways with friends for a night of fun and excitement. Food & Beverage 3 The arena has an abundance of menu options, from pizza, spicy chicken sandwiches, pulled pork, hot dogs, and hamburgers. The potato bar at the Brewhouse Lounge & Patio offers tailor-made potatoes topped with cheese, bacon, or barbecue brisket for $6. The lounge is a nice place to hang out with large windows overlooking downtown and pints of Green Tree Brewery for $7.25. If you like the usual, enjoy domestic for $6.75, imports for $6.50, mixed drinks for $6, and Woodbridge wines for $7. Pepsi products are available throughout the arena. Atmosphere 3 The seating area is broken into two sections in a horseshoe shape configuration. The views are unobstructed due to the absence of a middle scoreboard hovering above the ice, and there is not a bad seat in the arena. The team has banners of previous championships won by the Mallards, along with the retired numbers of four former players. There is one large video screen at the end of the arena that posts scores, information, and other activities for the audience, similar to the setup at the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio. The concourse offers a stand with team merchandise and a 50/50 raffle adjacent to the stand. A larger team store is located downstairs inside the main lobby of the arena. The colors of teal and purple give the main concourse a 1990’s feel, but it is spacious, clean, and wraps around the entire building. The nightly promotions offer $1 beers on Wednesdays, $2 beers and hot dogs on Fridays, and $1 sodas and post-game skating on Sundays. There are also 19 promotional nights throughout the season, including Teddy Bear Toss, Vegas Trip Giveaway, Post-Game Fireworks, and Pucks and Paws Night. The team also employs the Mallards Bud Ice Girls, who perform during the night at intermission. Neighborhood 4 The arena is located in Moline, Illinois, which makes up 25% of the Quad Cities, with neighboring Rock Island down the street and Davenport and Bettendorf, Iowa, across the Mississippi River. The distances between these four cities are relatively close, and all offer a little bit of everything to enjoy before or after the game. The John Deere Pavilion is across the street from the arena, offering interactive exhibits from the company’s history. The Rock Island Arsenal Museum has been in operation since 1862 and features an impressive amount of weaponry. The Jumer’s Casino and Isle Casino are two great ways to spend the night without the kids. There are also a few great places to eat within a few blocks of the arena, including Nico’s Hispanic Fusion, offering cuisine from various Latin American countries like mofongo, mondongo, and fried plantain sandwiches. Bent River Brewery has a fine selection of beers on tap: Mississippi Blonde, Jalapeno Pepper Ale, and seasonal favorites Sweet Potato Ale and Jingle Java Holiday Stout. Quad City is known for its style of pizza that is found at various locations, including Uncle Harris, Harris Pizza, and Pizza Shack. The style differs from varieties in Chicago and New York in that the dough is somewhat maltier and nuttier, and the pizza sauce is spicier. The pies are cut by large scissors into strips instead of slices to further add to their uniqueness. Fans 3 The Mallard fans have strong, loyal fans who have been with the team since its initial inception in 1995. There are plenty of younger fans out at the arena for a good time and cheering on goals and hits on the ice. Average attendance hovers above the 3,000 mark, and most weekend night games pack in the highest attendance figures. Access 4 The MARK sits along the Mississippi River and is easily accessible from I-80 and I-74; there are numerous parking lots adjacent to the arena that will run you no more than $5 a car. Once inside, there is plenty of room to roam around with concessions, restrooms, and exits marked inside the building. Mallards games do not necessarily draw capacity crowds, but a parking map can be useful just in case. Return on Investment 4 Tickets for Mallards games start at $10 for upper-level seating, with $16, $20, $24, and $30 tickets rounding out the price points for each game. The closer you are to the ice, the higher you will pay for a ticket, and I would suggest thinking about the price that works best for you. The cost of parking is $5; you can also park on the street for free when applicable, and concession prices are affordable–loaded potatoes for $6 and craft beer for $6.75. Extras 3 An extra for the loaded baked potato, which seems to be popular in this part of the country. You do not usually find this type of cuisine at most sporting events, but Abby good way to fill you up during those cold winter nights at the old hockey game. Secondly, the downtown location along the Mississippi River provides fans easy access on foot to bars, hotels, restaurants, and the John Deere Pavilion. Whether you’re with family or friends, you should be able to entertain yourself while in the Quad Cities. Lastly, for dollar beers on Wednesday night. I have heard of Thirsty Thursdays, where dollar beers are the norm, but never on Wednesday night. I really cannot complain, since the beers are $2 on Friday nights.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Macon Coliseum 200 Coliseum Drive Macon, GA 31217 Macon Mayhem website Macon Coliseum website Year Opened: 1968 Capacity: 9,000 Macon Mayhem – Southern Professional Hockey League Montreal, Toronto, Boston, the entire state of Minnesota – these populations are often instantly associated with hockey. Macon, Georgia on the other hand, not so much. “The Heart of Georgia” has a modest, yet very passionate hockey fan base. The Macon Mayhem are the fourth organization to play at Macon Coliseum. Hockey at the Coliseum dates back to 1973 with the Macon Whoopees, and has been the home to two other hockey organizations, the similarly named Macon Whoopee and the Macon Trax. One thing to keep in mind – when it comes to a facility such has Macon Coliseum, the team is leasing the facility and does not have control over some aspects of the overall experience. Food & Beverage 3 Food at Macon Coliseum is not going to be one of the more memorable parts of the visit. It’s not that it would be classified as bad; it’s just what you’d get at any stadium event you’d go to (hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken tenders, popcorn, candy, nachos, and fountain drinks). These entrees can be combined with a drink and chips for a combo meal. Prices range from $13 for chicken tenders or bratwurst, $11 for a burger, or $9 for the hot dog combo meal. Cocktail stands are also located on the concourse; well drinks can be had for $10 while premium cocktails start at $15. Wine and 16 oz domestic beers are also available for $8. Local brewery Fall Line has a selection of their line of beers, but one of the most unique beer options is Dry County Brewing’s Macon Mayhem branded beer, Mayhem Lager. Atmosphere 4 From the outside the Coliseum has the appearance of a pyramid under construction. The main building looks similar to what it did when it was first built in 1968, but a more modern entryway was recently added, which uses a cradled M as part of the architecture. Once inside, the soaring roofline creates a very open feel to the arena. Within this vast openness an updated video scoreboard hangs over the playing surface where a much smaller one had previously been. The larger videoboard does a much better job at filling the void created by the very high roof. Seating is divided into rink side and an upper tier of seats. The far end of the arena provides for some group seating at ice level. The most popular seats appear to be toward the front of the second level of seating – these seats provide for a view with limited obstruction from the glass along the side boards. During the game the in-house MC does a good job engaging the crowd following penalties or other stoppages in play. He also provides commentary on the ebbs-and-flows of the action on the ice to help keep the fans energy up. Mac, the team mascot, is also very active throughout the game, either interacting with fans throughout the stands or riding his three-wheeler though the lobby area. While the Coliseum defiantly is not packed, there is a fun hockey atmosphere throughout the venue. Neighborhood 3 Macon Coliseum is located just across the Ocmulgee River from downtown Macon. Downtown Macon has several restaurants for many different tastes; just over a mile from the Coliseum is Cox Cafe. While the area is more industrial than a restaurant district, the food is undeniable. A bit closer to downtown is the locally renowned Rookery which is known for its burgers. Also, local brewery Fall Line Brewing Co. is just a 5-minute drive from the Coliseum. If looking to make a stay in Macon the most convenient location is the Macon Marriott at City Center. The hotel is located directly next to the coliseum and makes for a short walk. If proximity from the venue is not a priority, either the Hilton Garden Inn or Courtyard by Marriott adjacent to the Mercer campus would be good options. There is plenty to make a full sports experience from a visit to Macon. Mercer University is within a 10-15 minute drive, and the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame is just 5 minutes away, as is Luther Williams Field, the current home of the Coastal Plain League’s Macon Bacon. History buffs may find the Harriett Tubman Museum of interest, while music enthusiasts can find museums for local artists The Allman Brothers, Otis Redding, or Little Richard. Fans 4 Hockey is not typically associated with being massively popular in the southern states, and might even take a backseat to soccer. Despite the level of statewide interest in hockey, there is a very passionate fanbase for the Mayhem in Macon; many of fans come clad in game used Mayhem sweaters. Mayhem fans defiantly make their presence felt throughout the game. Many of them come equipped with cow bells that they rattle following each save from the goalie, or each time the team kills off a penalty. Even though the Mayhem’s attendance does rank toward the bottom of the league, it does not impact the overall excitement. While larger attendance numbers defiantly would increase the positive atmosphere, the current smaller crowd doesn’t create the feel of an arena lacking interest. Instead, the passion shown by the fanbase paired with the lower attendance numbers makes visitors feel as they are part of a special group of fans. Accessibility 3 The coliseum is located directly off I-16, with just one turn to make within a quarter mile of the parking lot. The area is currently undergoing major construction, however, which can make navigating the highway a bit challenging. Making your way around the venue can be a bit of a challenge at times. The walkway is a bit narrow and can be a bit confusing to navigate once the game has started, since the handicap seating area gets blocked off. The arena is set up to encourage fans making their way around the arena to use the inner concourse, but this area does not provide views of the game. Return On Investment 4 Taking the family to a Macon Mayhem game is definitely an affordable event. Parking at $5 is comparable to what you’d pay for parking at most minor league sporting events. Most tickets range from $9 for upper-level seats to $14 for the lower level. Tickets against the glass are a bit more on the higher end at $34. Pricing is also dynamic, though, so it is all subject to change. Where affordability is lost is with the food prices – while prices are pretty much in line with what you’d expect to pay at most sporting events, the cost for what you’re getting just doesn’t seem to match the expense. This though is not on the Mayhem, as they are not the ones setting prices. Extras 3 It’s hard to put a finger on exactly what it is that makes a Macon Mayhem game such a good experience. The fans who would be considered regulars show a great deal of passion for the team and the game. Players fight tooth and nail, figuratively and literally, which goes a long way in sustaining the support and admiration from the regulars. The organization also has a great mix of entertainment to complement the game; all these factors combined create a feel for visitors that many organizations miss on. The Mayhem have specialty nights for each home game, so every visit should have a certain theme or special event associated with it. Also, over the course of the season there are 7 jersey auctions, which is part of what creates a great connection between fans and players. The Mayhem Lager adds a small, but special touch to the experience. While specialty branded beers have started to become more popular, there are not a lot of organizations who have their own brew like the Mayhem have with Dry County Brewing. One thing that seemed to be missing was any acknowledgement of the teams from the past. There are no banners to recognize any of the teams who had previously played and won championships. Part of this might have to do with recent ceiling renovations the venue underwent during the summer of 2022. Final Thoughts It’s understandable why some would be skeptical about hockey in Central Georgia. The reality though is it’s difficult to go to a Mayhem game and not have a good time. There might be some shortcomings as it relates to the arena, but the entertainment the Mayhem provide combines with the game and fan involvement, create a fun evening of hockey for all.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 WesBanco Arena 214th St Wheeling, WV 26003 Wheeling Nailers website WesBanco Arena website Year Opened: 1977 Capacity: 5,406 Nail City Hockey The Wheeling Nailers are the longest-tenured minor league hockey franchise outside the American Hockey League, having competed in various lower-level leagues since 1981. The team began to play in the Atlantic Coast Hockey League as the Carolina Thunderbirds, based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The Thunderbirds won three league championships in the ACHL. After a season in the All-American Hockey League, the Thunderbirds were one of the five founding members of the East Coast Hockey League, which was later rebranded as the ECHL. The Thunderbirds relocated to Wheeling, West Virginia in 1992. After a trademark dispute with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League, the team held a “name the team” contest. The moniker “Nailers” was chosen to honor the city’s long history of nail manufacturing. While the Nailers have had some success on the ice, including conference championships in 1993 and 2016, they have yet to win the Kelly Cup. The Nailers play at the WesBanco Arena, previously known as the Wheeling Civic Center. Built in 1977 at a total cost of $7 million, the facility entered into consecutive ten-year, $2.5 million naming rights deals in 2003. Food & Beverage 5 Concessions at WesBanco Arena offer some unique choices you wouldn’t expect to find at an arena of this size. Permanent stands are located on either side of the arena. Burgers, cheesesteaks, grilled chicken sandwiches, and buffalo chicken sandwiches can all be found at the Lunch Box stand. For something a little different, check out the Mac and Cheese Bacon burger, quesadillas, or chicken and waffles here. The River City Grill offers fried Mac and Cheese Bites, walking tacos, nachos, and funnel cake fries. Chicken nuggets, wraps, and pretzels round out the menu. Instead of boring old french fries, hungry Nailer fans can choose tater tots. Nailers fans flock to the Vocelli’s pizza stands for fresh slices from this local favorite. Tito’s Sloppy Doggs offers a variety of hot dogs with assorted toppings, as well as chicken tenders and seasoned french fries. Fans with a sweet tooth should head over to Flurry’s Ice Cream stand, where a variety of homemade flavors are available. Coca-Cola products are featured at WesBanco Arena. A good selection of beer is available. At selected games, cans of Yeungling can be purchased for a dollar. Generations Pub, a full-service bar/restaurant located on the east side ground level (below sections 205-208) opens two hours before the opening faceoff. Generations Pub offers a basic bar menu such as sandwiches, burgers, and pizza. Reservations are not needed. A full listing of available concessions can be found here. Atmosphere 3 Veteran hockey fans will find a lot that is familiar here at WesBanco Arena. There’s an in-house DJ who orchestrates giveaways and promotions during play stoppages. The team sponsors jerseys and 50/50 raffles at all home games. There’s a mascot who roams the stands interacting with fans, and the team runs promotional nights throughout the season. The Nailers play to a dedicated fan base, while not the largest you may find in the ECHL, is certainly knowledgeable and passionate about their team. Neighborhood 2 WesBanco Arena is located in downtown Wheeling, West Virginia. This downtown area has seen better days, and there is little activity in the area around the arena before or after Nailers games. Most fans will not stick around the downtown area after games and will head elsewhere for food or lodging. A couple of places of note near WesBanco Arena are DiCarlo’s Pizza, located a block from the arena, which is a popular gathering spot before games for its delicious cuts of pizza. It is a regional style where the cheese is sprinkled on the cooked sauce and bread as it comes out of the oven. Wheeling Brewing Company is located about a five-minute drive from the arena in Centre Market. Stadium Journey recommends the Panhandle Ale. Fans 3 Wheeling is the oldest continuously operating team in the ECHL, entering its 30th season. The team is averaging just under 2,200 fans before the pandemic, which is the lowest total in the league. This figure represents a marked decline from previous seasons, which generally average between 2,400-2,700 fans per game. Typical to most minor league teams, the Nailers market their game day presentation towards families. The crowds at WesBanco Arena are a mix of families, casual fans, and die-hards. There’s a good mix of the old-time hockey vibe and the energy younger fans bring to an arena here. Access 4 WesBanco Arena is located on the banks of the Ohio River and is easy to get to from Interstates 70 or 470. Parking is readily available in a parking garage next door to the facility or a pair of surface lots less than a block away. There is limited on-street parking available for fans arriving early. Directions to the facility can be found here. Fans will enter WesBanco Arena into a large lobby, which contains the ticket offices and a pro shop. From here, stairs take fans up to the main concourse which circles the arena. The ice is not visible from the concourse and features a great many stairs to access all areas of the arena. It’s readily apparent that this building was constructed before the advent of the ADA, but the team does offer accommodations to those fans who require them. All seats in the seating bowl are gray folding stadium-style chairs. A walkway circles the ice about halfway up the seating bowl, splitting the seating bowl into upper and lower levels. A small video board hangs at center ice, utilized for replays, crowd shots, advertisements, and game stats. Smaller boards hanging at either end of the rink display scores and time. Return on Investment 4 Tickets for Nailers game range in price from $15-$25, with the majority of tickets in the arena available for $20 or less. Active members of the military can purchase tickets for between $13 and $18, and children’s tickets cost $11-$15. Visitors to Wheeling may want to check out one of the Nailers’ overnight packages, which include a night’s stay at one of several local hotels and game tickets. Contact the Nailers box office for further details. Parking costs five dollars in the garage right next door to WesBanco Arena. Concession prices are in line with other facilities in the area. Extras 3 A pair of extra points are awarded to the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference Hall of Fame and Museum, located at WesBanco Arena. Among the displays tucked into virtually every corner of the concourse are displays honoring local athletes who have achieved notoriety on the local, national, and international stage. Among the many honorees are such notable names as John Havlicek, Phil Niekro, and Lou Groza. It’s worth arriving early at WesBanco Arena to check out all the memorabilia displayed on the concourse. Also worth a mention is the 70s-era paint job on the concourse that is visible behind the many displays at WesBanco Arena. Final Thoughts It may be surprising that the longest-tenured ECHL franchise resides in Wheeling, West Virginia, a town of only 28,000. But therein may lie the secret of this franchise’s success. Perfectly blending a small-town atmosphere with a lower-level minor league hockey experience, the Nailers and WesBanco Arena have survived where so many other franchises at this level have failed. ---- Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 The Monument 444 N Mt Rushmore Rd Rapid City, SD 57701 Rapid City Rush website The Monument website Year Opened: 2008 Capacity: 5,132 Welcome to Rush Nation The Rapid City Rush are a minor league hockey team currently playing in the ECHL. The ECHL used to be the East Coast Hockey League but they rebranded to just the initials ECHL after the league expanded across North America. The Rapid City Rush originated in 2008 as part of the now defunct CHL (Central Hockey League). When that league folded in 2014, the Rush transitioned to the ECHL. While in the CHL, the Rush won the Ray Miron President’s Cup in the 2009-2010 season, and the division championship in 2010-2011 but they have not seen any championships yet since moving to the ECHL. Their time is due. The Rush are currently affiliated with the NHL Calgary Flames. They play their home games at the massive Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. The Civic Center is a hubbub of activity in Rapid City and it includes a banquet hall, large meeting rooms, basketball court, ice arena (which can be set up as a concert hall), and theatre. Stock shows, rodeos, concerts, plays, truck monster jams, auctions and a variety of other entertainment and activities are provided at the Civic Center. The ice arena in the Civic Center is a splendid venue in which to watch a minor league hockey game and one worth visiting if in the Black Hills area of the country. Editor’s Note: The venue was remodeled in 2021 after this review. The name changed from Rushmore Plaza Civic Center to The Monument after a naming rights agreement with Monument Health Rapid City Hospital. Food & Beverage 4 A good variety of food choices are available at standard prices for Rush games at the Civic Center. Several permanent stands are installed and a wide variety of portable carts line the concourse. Entree combos (choices of pretzels, hot dogs, cheeseburgers, chicken strips, fries, soda, beer, popcorn) range from $6 – $18. Tacos and chips and guacamole are on hand ($3.50 – $9) as well as pizza from Pizza Ranch ($3.50/slice). Snacks include shaved ice, caramel apples, frozen bananas, and funnel cakes. Other goodies include popcorn, soft pretzels w/cheese, homemade chips, pickles, and candy ($3 – $6). There’s an interesting mini-donut concession stand where you can watch the donuts being formed, then dipped for frying, and watch as they travel through the frying process to an output tray where they are flipped and ready to be packaged for a fan’s purchase. Subway make its presence with 6″ sandwiches for $5.75 and a foot long for an additional $3.50. The best or recommended dinner choice comes from The Carvery. This stand offers hand carved sandwiches on a variety of breads along with a side of homemade chips and runs $8 – $10. Beverages include Coca-Cola fountain drinks ($3.25/$4/$4.75), bottled water ($3), and coffee, hot chocolate, lemonade, iced tea ($2.50 – $3.50). Domestic beers are available for $6 and include brands like PBR, Bud, Coors, Michelob, and associated light varieties. Mixed in are Mike’s Hard Lemonade, Henry’s Hard Soda and Redd’s Apple Ale. Angry Orchard cocktails are also available. An alcohol special at a Rush game is a Miller Lite or Henry’s Hard Soda for $4 from when the gate opens to the first puck drop. Beers from two local Rapid City breweries (Lost Cabin Beer Co and Firehouse Brewing) are on sale providing an unexpected, nice surprise for craft beer lovers. One thing that is different (not bad; just different) is in front of every concession stand selling alcoholic beverages, several individuals in blue shirts request IDs and place a wristband after ID has been examined. I’m used to venues where fans go to a centralized table on the concourse to get a wristband to purchase alcoholic drinks. Atmosphere 4 The ice arena at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center is a fine facility in which to watch a minor league hockey game. The seating area is U-shaped. There is no center hung scoreboard allowing the passionate Rush fans the ability to see each other throughout the arena. A large, flat-screen video scoreboard is posted on the wall on the top end of the U and provides basic scoring stats and a visual broadcast of the game along with replays. There is one level of seating. Depending on section, rows go up to 14 or 16 with entry beginning at the bottom from rows 3 or 4. Hand rails are available when walking up/down the steps. Suites are above sections R through M on the player’s bench side of the rink. The Bankwest Club Level is above sections K – L behind one of the goals. To sit center ice facing the benches, section C, row 16 is the best bet. I’d recommend sitting high in this arena as people’s heads often get in the way when sitting in lower rows. The sound system is average; fortunately the volume is not excruciatingly loud making it easy to converse with neighbors. It is hard to understand the announcements as they are muffled. The temperature in the rink is surprisingly warm; a long sleeve t-shirt or hockey jersey would do the trick. NOTE: I was told this is not always the case as it is hit or miss with the temperature and to come prepared with warmer clothing. Lots of promotions are implemented at Rush games: Pink at the Rink (including paint the ice pink the night before the game) (fight against cancer), Zombie night, Military appreciation, Star Wars, and more. The night I attended was Slap Shot night and the Rush players all wore the Johnstown Chiefs jerseys as depicted in that famous hockey movie. Neighborhood 5 The Rushmore Plaza Civic Center is only two blocks north of downtown Rapid City and is well within walking distance of the downtown area and all that has to offer. In addition, Rapid City is close (25 – 50 miles) to many national monuments. For places to spend the night, a Holiday Inn is adjacent (a couple hundred yards) from the entrance to the ice arena. A Howard Johnson’s is right across the street from the Civic Center and offers Rush packages that include tickets, shuttle to arena and pre-game tailgating at the hotel. The shuttle is available to all hotel guests. But honest, the HJ is so close a shuttle isn’t really needed on most but the brutally cold evenings. Two hotel choices directly in the downtown area are Hotel Alex Johnson (a historic hotel) and the Rushmore Hotel (a bit pricier than the others). I’ve stayed at both the Howard Johnson’s and the Alex Johnson’s and both are comfortable, safe hotels. Life size US President statues dot the downtown Rapid City intersections and are well worth checking out. All 43 presidents are represented with President Obama’s (#44) statue location and sculptor to be determined (the weekend of this Rapid City Rush review was the first weekend of the transition of presidency from President Obama to President Trump, so a 45th will eventually need to be placed, as well.) Places to eat within walking distance before a hockey game include Historic Freight House (Cajun), and Murphy’s Pub and Grill. Three breweries take residence in Rapid City: Lost Cabin (marvelous brews with a food truck outside to get a bite to eat), Firehouse Brewing Company (brews and food), and Hay Camp (they were in the process of relocating closer to downtown – so I didn’t get to taste their hops on this visit). When visiting the mid-western border of South Dakota (besides a Rush game) be sure to include these remarkable parks and monuments as places to see during your visit: Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Badlands National Park, Crazy Horse Memorial, and Minuteman Missile National Historic Site. And for something local in Rapid City, the Journey Museum is a worthwhile visit exploring the heritage of the Black Hills region. Fans 5 Fans are genuinely passionate and loyal. And, they are welcoming and easy to converse with. And, they love their cowbells. When the Rush played in the CHL, average attendance was 4,600 – 4,900 and they were generally in the top third of attendance ranking in that league. That has dropped a bit since moving into the ECHL as the average attendance in 2015 and 2016 ranges from 3,700 – 3,900 per home game. Except for a few more empty seats, it’s hard to tell as the noise and compassion are still very evident. About every third fan has a cowbell and every fan uses it well. That means… they ring it at appropriate moments but for not too long. Yes, it can cause a slight headache but this is part of the architecture, beauty, and character of minor league hockey and the Rapids fans do it so well. And there’s a non-offensive ribbing remark shouted after each goal scored by the opposing team is announced: “We don’t care!” The Rapid City Rush fans are just classy. I rank them up there with the St Louis Cardinals fans. They love the game, love their team and even appreciate stellar performances from opposing teams. They root for their team to win and not so much for the opposing team to lose as is noticeable at some ECHL venues. Access 3 Getting to Rushmore Plaza Civic Center is relatively easy. Moving around inside the ice arena concourse can be a tad difficult as the single concourse is narrow and lots of Rush fans congregate there pregame and between periods. There is a Rapid Ride bus service in Rapid City but the schedule times are not conducive to hockey game start and ending times so car is the best bet. Of course, if staying downtown or near the facility, walking is the recommended choice. Plenty of free parking is available on the Civic Center property (from Mt Rushmore Rd and 5th Ave). The parking lot of Central High School just across 8th Ave (Mt Rushmore Rd) is available as well (approximately 1,000 ft from entrance). The nearest airport is Rapid City Regional Airport, approximately a 15-min drive to the Civic Center. Since it’s a regional airport, flight choices may be limited. It does not appear Lyft or Uber are available in Rapid City. There are several taxi companies that can be used if desired or needed. Multiple entrances are handy to get into the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. The closest to the ice arena is the 5th Ave entrance. Return on Investment 4 Parking is free, food and drink prices are reasonable, tickets range from $7.50 – $37.50 depending are where the seat is located. Nearby hotels are affordable. Combine all of that with a good hockey atmosphere, seeing a Rush game is a great value. Extras 3 A couple of other things are worth mentioning or reiterating. A piece of the Berlin Wall is located on the grounds of the Civic Center. When visiting a Rush game be sure to visit this monument just outside the venue. Be sure to check out the Booster Club table on the concourse. These folks sell some items and trinkets to help with their goal to make the Rush players comfortable in a new town and team. They’ll gladly discuss the efforts they perform and provide for the players and events they try to coordinate for players and fans alike. I can’t say enough about the fans and their use of cowbells to cheer good plays, blocks, saves and goals. Final Thoughts People give me a puzzled look when I say I’m going to Rapid City to see a hockey game. Most haven’t been to Rapid City or witnessed a hockey game there. If travels bring you to western South Dakota, check out a Rush game and all the other attractions in this part of the country.

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.43 Kia Center 400 W Church St Orlando, FL 32801 Orlando Solar Bears' website Kia Center website Year Opened: 2010 Capacity: 17,353 Hockey Night in Orlando The idea of hockey in Florida should no longer be a foreign one to sports fans – the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning have been in the league for several decades with their respective successes in the NHL. The ECHL also has several Florida teams, including the Orlando Solar Bears. Perhaps unfairly forgotten by most in the Central Florida sports landscape, this hidden gem provides a perfect opportunity to see some great hockey in an A-plus facility that won’t break the bank. In the last few years, Orlando’s sports revival has seen the stock of the Solar Bears experience rise exponentially, with fans packing the house on a nightly basis for Orlando hockey. Food & Beverage 4 The concessions at Kia Center are impressive. The home of the Solar Bears combines standard stadium concessions and local favorites with known brands from around the country. Among the popular spots are PDQ Chicken ($15.99-$19.99 for chicken tenders, $15.99 for chicken sandwiches) and Papa Johns ($10.99-$11.99 per personal pizza); local favorites come in the form of 4 Rivers BBQ ($15.99 for BBQ chicken nachos, pulled pork nachos, or carved turkey sandwiches) and Gringos Locos Tacos ($12.99-$15.99 for nachos, $6.99 for tacos). Stadium favorites like popcorn ($6.99), jumbo pretzels ($4.99), hot dogs (9.99), and even Brazilian meat bowls and burritos ($14.99) are available. Drinks include soda ($6.49-$7.99) and beer ($11.99-$13.99). Smaller food vendor carts are also scattered around the arena, including coffee stands and Dippin’ Dots ice cream. The downside of Solar Bears games is that some of these concessions may not be available at all games, as the upper level is closed off and some of the stands are only open when demand requires. Perhaps the coolest thing about the concessions at Kia Center, though, is the Ultra Club bar, an outdoor location that overlooks the downtown skyline, while also providing a beautiful gathering space for some fresh air, good drinks, and TVs that show the action inside. Another great spot is the Big Storm Brewing location on the event level near the main entrance – this bar and restaurant is open from 11 am to 7 pm on weekends, as well as during Kia Center events, and features its entrance to the arena for fans with tickets. Atmosphere 5 Kia Center is stunning; from the vibrant and colorful concourse lighting that extends to the main entrance lobby to the unique arrangement of the court’s flooring – everything here is visually beautiful. The arena looks like it is a new facility, not one that has been open for over seven years. The acoustics are also great, making the crowd roar loud and noticeable. Solar Bears seats are routinely full when it comes to ticket sales on the weekends, or for certain theme nights, meaning you have the feel of a big game depending on when you go. But perhaps the best thing is that Solar Bears games feel like they are a family affair; there are young fans at every game, and the team works to engage with younger fans like few others. The family-friendly atmosphere penetrates everything you see and do at Kia Center. Neighborhood 5 What can you say about downtown Orlando? Kia Center is steps away from Church Street, the hub of Orlando’s rebirth as a foodie and entertainment destination. The City of Orlando has become a sports-thirsty destination over the last few years; with the explosion in popularity of Orlando City SC and a renewed interest in the Orlando Magic, the City Beautiful loves sports. The immediate area around Kia Center includes suburbs to the west and the downtown city center to the east. There are tons of hotels nearby, and since the arena sits next to I-4, getting to other resorts and hotels in the greater Orlando area is not hard to do either. Fans can easily stay at the Crowne Plaza Orlando-Downtown, Grand Bohemian Hotel Orlando, or the Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando Downtown, and still walk to the arena with ease. For local restaurants, AC Sky Bar is one of the most popular sports bars in the Church Street area. Fans also visit Aku Aku Tiki Bar, World of Beer, and Tin & Taco, and if you want to see the sights, Lake Eola Park is just a few blocks away; this park is an Orlando landmark that is also home to a weekly farmer’s market on Saturday mornings. Being in Orlando you are also just a short drive from Walt Disney World, Sea World, and the Universal Studios theme parks. Fans 4 The fans who come to Orlando Solar Bear games are passionate, to say the least. Not only do they love their hockey team and cheer them on with fervor, but attendance has grown in recent years. A lot of fans can be seen sporting t-shirts and jerseys from the team, an impressive feat for any minor league or lower-division professional sports franchise working in the shadows of other, larger pro teams in the city. The disappointment here, however, is the closed upper level. While bigger games do draw larger fan totals, such as on opening night, themed nights, and during playoff games, your run-of-the-mill mid-week games only draw about half capacity, which can leave the arena looking bare in some places. Even during playoff games the upper-most deck of Amway Center is covered by large curtains. That said, the attendance has been growing as of late, which is encouraging for the Solar Bears and their quest to return to prominence. Access 5 How much easier can an arena be to get to? Driving on I-4 you pass within a few yards of Kia Center itself, so not finding the venue is quite arguably an impossibility. But if you do somehow get lost, signs all around downtown point the way to the facility, and both the South Street exit and the South Street Express Lanes exit drop you off right next to the arena. Also, when leaving there is an I-4 express lane entrance on South Street well. Once you get to Kia Center, the Geico Garage is your best option for parking, and the best part is that the garage connects to the arena through a sky bridge across the street. There are also numerous other parking options nearby in parking lots and garages in the area; the only downside of late is the continuing construction in and around the I-4 corridor throughout the greater Orlando area. Return on Investment 5 Tickets are not expensive for Orlando Solar Bears games, and neither is parking. Add to this the quality and quantity you get for food when at the game, and you have one of the best values when it comes to taking your family out for some hockey. With the ease of getting to the arena, parking, getting into the game, and finding something to eat inside, it is hard to argue against the Solar Bears when comparing them to other hockey teams around the minor leagues, and maybe some pro hockey teams as well. Extras 3 Fans can also enjoy the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame and other team memorabilia on the main concourse – these displays pay tribute to some of Orlando’s sporting heritage, community connections, and their best players of years past. Like other stadiums, the Solar Bears have their championship banners hanging in the rafters for all visitors to see. Finally, Kia Center has also partnered with Disney, meaning there are various displays and nods to the Orlando theme park throughout the facility, including large painted Mickey statues in the main lobby, and an entire suite inside sponsored by the theme parks. Final Thoughts The Orlando Solar Bears are a great choice when looking for a quality addition to your Central Florida visit. Whether you’re a hockey fanatic, a sports junkie in general, or just want to find something to take the family to that won’t cost you $100 a head to get in the door, hitting up a Solar Bears game is a great option for you to consider. Between the low cost and the high entertainment value, it is easy to see why the Orlando Solar Bears are on their way up from here.

Photos by Dennis Morrell, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Cable Dahmer Arena 19100 E Valley View Pkwy Independence, MO 64055 Kansas City Mavericks website Cable Dahmer Arena website Year Opened: 2009 Capacity: 5,800 Pro Hockey in Western Missouri Cable Dahmer Arena is the current home of the KC Mavericks, the premier ECHL team in Kansas City. It was built in 2009 in Independence, Mo to serve as the home and front office of the Mavericks as well as the KC Comets of the Major Arena Soccer League. It hosts more than just sporting events, as concerts, festivals, and trade shows are held here as well. The Mavericks organization was founded in 2009 as the Missouri Mavericks of the CHL. They got off to a strong start in the league, qualifying for the playoffs and making it past the first round for their first 5 years. In 2014, the team transitioned to the ECHL, where they made the postseason in the 2015-16 and 2018-19 seasons. The city of Independence has a few notable historical distinctions. It was known as the “Queen City of the Trails” since it was the start of the Oregon, California, and Santa Fe trails. Independence was also the hometown of US President Harry S. Truman, and the Truman Presidential Library and Museum is in the city. Food & Beverage 4 Cable Dahmer Arena offers a nice selection of concession options with a few unique items worth trying. The typical cheeseburgers ($13), hot dogs ($5), and nachos ($6) are all available along with Bavarian Pretzels ($7) and grilled chicken ($13) at the main concession stands. Pie Five Pizza Company has two locations in the arena that serve up fresh pizza ($7 per slice), souvenir sodas ($8) and hot cocoa ($4). Scattered around the outer concourse, you’ll find several Dippin’ Dots and Bavarian Pretzel stands. The most unique offerings come from The Chocolate Fountain, where you could get chocolate coated cheesecake ($7), bananas ($6), marshmallows ($3), pretzels ($3) and Rice Krispies ($3). Alcohol is available at Biergarten, Jack Daniels and the main concessions. Pepsi and Coke Products are available inside the arena. Prices are a bit higher than other sporting events, but The Chocolate Fountain is a nice touch, and you should be able to find something to eat if you get hungry during the game. Atmosphere 4 The arena is built like most hockey stadiums, with 20 minor seating bowls surrounding the edge of the rink. VIP and box seating is located above the general admission area on the second floor. Concessions are dotted around the fringe of the arena with some vendors selling soda and cotton candy among the bleachers. The interior features of the arena feel more modern than other minor league rinks with a sleeker look that resembles newer NHL arenas. You can see all the action on the ice from any point, so you won’t need to fret over seating locations. The score is displayed on jumbotrons above each goal. The screens also show replays, player closeups and promotions. They are a nice touch over a traditional scoreboard and add to the overall experience. Music is played in between the action but is cut out once play begins. The mascot, Mac, is usually in the stands engaging with fans or making noise with his drum. When the Mavericks score a goal, all the lights are turned off and loud train whistles are played, along with strobe lights. All the extra effects are a nice touch that make the game more exciting without getting in the way of the action. A Mavericks game feels like a smaller version of what you would find in the NHL and a step above most minor league venues. If you’re looking for a professional hockey experience, Cable Dahmer Arena has you covered. Neighborhood 4 The arena is in Independence, Mo and is situated near Independence Commons, a shopping center that has an AMC theater and some major retailers. The Kansas City Symphony at Union Station in only a few miles away and features world class performances. It is 15 minutes away from Arrowhead Stadium and less than 10 from Coco Waterpark and Cool Crest Family Fun Center if you want more to do on your visit. There are several chain restaurants nearby along with some local eateries like Salvatore’s and V’s Italiano Restaurante. Independence is mostly known as the home of the United States 33rd President, Harry Truman. There are several museums and sites honoring this President in the city that are very worthwhile checking out when in town. If time permits, do visit the Harry Truman Library & Museum. There is a #33 Truman banner hanging from the rafters at the arena – nicely done in honor of this US President. Independence has plenty of things to do outside of the KC Mavericks and if you’re still looking for more, you can always take a short drive to Kansas City. Fans 3 Attendance has been significantly lower this year due to the pandemic, but the fans present were still loud and energetic. Most sport a jersey along with team gear and many stayed till the final seconds. There may not be a lot of fans, but the ones that do show up care about the team and are engaged with what is happening on the ice. Access 4 The rink is less than one mile from the nearest I-70 exit and a 45-minute drive from KCI airport and public transport is available. Parking is free and the lots directly surround the building. Four restrooms are on the first floor, located at each corner of the arena. There is handicapped access to restrooms and exclusive seating area. Return on Investment 3 Ticket prices for the lower seating area range from $12-$65 depending on the section. Premium access cost varies depending on the event, but usually ranges around $150-$350 for suites. Parking is free but concession costs are a bit high. This is about average for the ECHL. Extras 3 There are nightly promotions and there is usually something for the kids, like Chuck-a -Puck or small contests during intermission periods. There is a raffle where you can win signed jerseys and other player gear. There are a few nice extras, but they aren’t going to bring you to the game. Final Thoughts Cable Dahmer offers an above average experience for the ECHL. The arena feels sleek and new and has nice selections available at the concessions. Independence also has plenty to do after the game and is close to Kansas City if it’s not enough. If you’re looking for an NHL experience on a budget, a Mavericks game is well worth it.

Photos by Meg Minard Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Idaho Central Arena 233 South Capitol Blvd Boise, ID 83702 Idaho Steelheads website Idaho Central Arena website Year Opened: 1997 Capacity: 5,002 Noisy in Boise The Idaho Steelheads play in the ECHL (formerly known as the East Coast Hockey League) at the CenturyLink Arena in beautiful downtown Boise, ID. The team name comes from the rainbow trout that provides fisher-people in Idaho ample angling activity late summer or fall in Idaho, if not most of the entire year. Note: The CenturyLink Arena was renamed Idaho Central Arena in Sept, 2020. The hockey Steelheads are an affiliate of the Dallas Stars NHL team. They began their history as part of the West Coast Hockey League in 1996 and transferred to the ECHL beginning the 2003-2004 season. They have been quite successful on the ice winning the Kelly Cup their first ECHL season and again in 2007 with additional division and conference championships in other years for both leagues. The CenturyLink Arena also hosts the Idaho Stampede (NBA Development League), as well as other entertainment events such as the Harlem Globetrotters, Front Street Fights, and concerts by Judas Priest, Godsmack, Luke Bryan, and more. It is part of a thriving downtown environment in Boise, ID and even the city itself is worth a visit if in or near the area. A hockey game just adds something extra. Food & Beverage 4 There’s a wide assortment of food and drink available at a Steelhead’s game. Papa Murphy’s pizza is open with slices going. or you can get a two slice special for $8 or $9. Beer includes Bud Light and Coors Light and wine is available at the Papa Murphy’s stand. There’s a Double R Ranch concession stand open that provides burgers, fries, popcorn chicken with fries, chicken Caesar wraps, hot dogs, nachos (they call it chips and cheese), pretzels, and candy at prices. There’s also a Mexican food stand that offers tacos, super nachos, burritos, fajita wrap, and churros. Another stand offers the basics: hot dogs – grilled, nachos (chips and cheese), pretzels, candy , and popcorn. Beers on offer are Bud Light, Coors, Coors Light, 90 Shilling, and an exceptional IPA called City of Trees IPA from local Boise brewery Woodland Empire. Beers differ in pricing depending on size and offering. There’re also subs and salads available at another concession. The building is a Pepsi venue and offers soda . For dessert, there’s a stand that has Dreyers ice cream selections with snacks, helmets, cones, and fizzes. Three cocktail stands are along the concourse serving beer, wine, and mixed drinks. My recommendation is to walk around the concourse first to see what’s available and then make your selection. Another recommendation – eat at any one of the fine pubs or restaurants within a couple blocks walk of CenturyLink Arena prior to attending a game. Atmosphere 3 There are two levels of seating at CenturyLink Arena with suites above the second level. There are no cup holders provided on the first level (those seats do not appear to be permanent as it is a multi-use arena). There is no concourse or restrooms on the second level, though cup holders are available in most of this area. There is low to average legroom in the seating areas. A new center hung video board was installed prior to the 2014-2015 season at CenturyLink Arena. It shows the play in action, replays, scoring. During breaks in action, tweets from fans are displayed. It is placed very high on the ceiling so it isn’t a distraction when watching the game. Those seated on the lower level may have to look up a bit to see what is being shown. The time, shots on goal and penalties are not displayed on the center hung board. Other scoring displays include a corner video board which is not very clear and two dot matrix boards on the upper level that show period, time, shots on goal, scoring, and penalty infractions (the # of the player and time left). One downside when the game is over, is they immediately shut down the scoreboards and matrix boards so you’re not able to get the final shots on goal and score, take a photo, etc. It’d be nice if they left those displayed for at least 5 – 10 minutes after the game. To sit center ice, above the glass, facing the players’ benches choose section 212 in the upper level. On the lower level shoot for section 113 for center ice and choose a higher row (above G or H) to be above the glass. On the concourse behind one of the goals near section 108 is a small souvenir area that offers jerseys, t-shirts, sweatshirts, and caps. No hat pins or pennants are for sale. There was a flurry of activity going on at the stand the game I attended. It did stifle some pedestrian traffic on the concourse. The souvenir area is gone at the end of the game so get your merchandise before or during the game. There is a wide array of banners for the Steelheads placed on one wall of the rink from both their days in the WCHL and now the ECHL. Two autographed retired numbers are displayed as well; # 22 Cal Ingraham (a leading scorer for the Steelheads and now the coach for the hockey club at Boise State) and # 4 Jeremy Mylymok (a three-time captain and defenseman of the Steelheads). The PA announcer’s voice is muffled and a fan who is not familiar with the players cannot understand who scored a goal or an assist. The music level is fine in this arena. They do turn the lights off pregame and between periods which is quite annoying, but not uncommon. The temperature in the venue is comfortably warm; not too cold. A heavy sweater, jersey, or sweatshirt should do the trick. Neighborhood 5 Downtown Boise is great! There are lots of restaurants, bars, coffee and tea shops, and the Capitol Building. There’s a Basque Museum, a couple breweries, a Trader Joe’s, and several hotels within walking distance. In the winter, it’s cold but if the sun is out, you’ll have a perfect afternoon to explore this delightful downtown. The sidewalks and roads can get icy so be careful where you step. The Grove Hotel (an upscale lodging) is attached to CenturyLink Arena. In fact, there’s an entranceway from the hotel into the arena. New glass doors were installed in 2014 so that one can see the hockey rink from the hotel lobby which is a nice treat. They do close those doors prior to the game. Two blocks from the arena is a Hampton Inn & Suites and four or so blocks away is a Safari Inn. Local breweries downtown Boise include: 10 Barrell Brewing (Good beer – try the Rye IPA – food is served at this location), Boise Brewing, and Woodland Empire Brewery (they specialize in IPA’s). A recommended place for a hearty breakfast is Goldy’s Breakfast Bistro (a few steps from the arena). For a pint and a bite before (or after) the game, check out Bittercreek Alehouse which offers local brews and delicious pub food, is just two blocks away, and service is excellent. The Piper Pub & Grill (a traditional pub atmosphere) may also suit your fancy and is .1 mile away from CenturyLink Arena. There are a wide variety of tea and coffee shops located in the downtown area. I tried the Dawson’s Downtown Coffee House and it offers a nice hot, bold cup of joe for a chilly morning stroll. For places to tour, there’s nothing better than visiting a state’s capitol building and Idaho’s is an impressive one. There are self guided tours as well as guided tours. Check out the Basque Museum located one block from the arena for some enriching history lessons of this culture. Around the winter solstice, the sun doesn’t begin rising in Boise until about 8am so if you’re an early bird, you’ll be taking your steps in the dark. Fans 4 The team has consistently averaged at least 4,000 fans per game and average 80% of capacity. All fans (except the lady in front of me at the game I attended) demonstrate hockey etiquette by remaining in their seats while the puck is in play. It’s mostly adults and couples; not a whole lot of kids, though the environment is quite family friendly. And, the fans stay till the end of the game. They are dedicated, vibrant, and very conversant with their players and the game of hockey. Access 4 Because the arena is located in the downtown area, there is plenty of parking available very close to the arena. Free parking, however, is pretty much non-existent. According to the City of Boise’s website, there are 3,500 parking spaces in the city-operated downtown parking garages. Visitors receive the first hour free in all garages except the Grove Street Garage, and each additional hour is $2.50. In addition, there are several privately owned surface parking lots available. Most of these lots charge a $5 flat fee for event parking. There is construction going on in front of the CenturyLink Arena and this will be a new public transportation/bus transit depot and is expected to be completed in 2016. Currently, there are a few bus stops close to CenturyLink Arena. Check the Valleyride site for current bus transportation information. The concourses can get a bit congested especially between periods. One point of note is the stadium doors only open 40 minutes prior to the first puck drop. Though it’s not a big arena, it doesn’t give stadium journeyers a whole lot of time to check out the arena and offerings. If flying in for a game, the closest airport is Boise Airport – BOI (it’s a nice airport) and is a 10 – 15 minute vehicle ride to the CenturyLink Arena. Return on Investment 3 Ticket prices range from $17 to $50 and they do tack on an additional convenience charge regardless of how/when they are purchased. The Steelheads do offer ticket promotions such as four tickets for $44 or a flex any day ticket plan. Concession prices are a bit less than other ECHL venues. They provide a roster sheet (though it’s really too small to read especially when the lights are turned off/down which is much of the time) and a ‘Hockey makes downtown come alive’ magazine both free of charge. For a day and evening of entertainment, a Steelhead game is worth the price especially being in downtown Boise. Extras 3 Having an arena right in a hotel is worth a visit. Having a winning team year in and year out makes being a Steelhead fan enjoyable and satisfying. I can’t say enough about downtown Boise and what a fantastic area it is to visit. Final Thoughts Do check out the delightful downtown Boise area for a fun filled day. The Steelheads put on a good show, provide valuable sports entertainment, and it’s a rewarding place to watch and enjoy an ice hockey game.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Sports Illustrated Stadium 600 Cape May St Harrison, NJ 07029 Gotham FC website Sports Illustrated Stadium website Year Opened: 2010 Capacity: 25,189 Gotham Is In New Jersey NJ/NY Gotham FC are members of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) representing the New York/New Jersey market. The club started in 2009 as Sly Blue FC in the Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) and later joined the NWSL for its inaugural season in 2013. The team’s former home was Yurcak Field on the campus of Rutgers University in Piscataway, New Jersey home. In April 2021, Sky Blue FC officially changed its name to NJ/NY Gotham FC. The owner of the team is Phil Murphy, who is also the current Governor of New Jersey. WNBA player Sue Bird, NBA player Kevin Durant, and NFL great Eli Manning are members of the ownership group along with former Sky Blue / NJ/NY Gotham player Carli Lloyd. In 2023 Gotham FC won the NWSL Championship. The stadium opened as Red Bull Arena in 2010 after a lot of political activity and is now the home to the Red Bulls. Located in Harrison, New Jersey, just on the other side of the Passaic River from Newark, SI Stadium seats 25,000 seats and is owned by the Hudson County Improvement Authority and operated by Red Bull GmbH, which also owns the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer (MLS), the stadium’s main tenant. The stadium has also been home to other events such as the Premier Lacrosse League, local commencements, and many concerts. Food & Beverage 4 SI Stadium offers a variety of food options at a variety of concession locations. You will find that only about half of the stands are open for Gotham FC matches but you will still find plenty of food options.vSoft Drinks can be found at most stands and you can fill and refill your drinks fairly easily on your own for $8.50. A season-long free refill cup can be purchased. Red Bull Energy Drinks are also found throughout the stadium and are sold at the same general price as outside of the stadium. There is a wide variety of beer available at the concession stands of the building. Atmosphere 3 SI Stadium offers a great atmosphere for fans. The enclosed nature of the stadium offers decent protection from the weather for fans, as well as keeping the sound loud and enclosed. Gotham FC only uses the lower bowl of the building and the atmosphere is not quite as loud and rowdy as at a Red Bull match but is still a great place to watch soccer action. On the west side of the venue before the gates open, there is a place for kids to get their energy out. There are stairs that will immediately take you up to the tight concourse as soon as you enter. There are elevators also available, but not escalators. There is a great deal of Red Bulls and MetroStars team history displayed along that concourse, but little of Gotham FC. There is still a lively supporter section that keeps the sounds loud. Neighborhood 3 The area of Harrison that the stadium is located within used to be solely an industrial area, but it has become better over the years. That is partially due to the stadium, but also due to its proximity to Newark as well as a nice, new PATH train station that can get you to New York City in minutes. In the local area, there is a Five Guys Burger and a good Korean taco restaurant, named Takorea, that are worth a stop before or after the match. There are a few other restaurants in the area, as well as an Element Hotel. Newark is also a quick walk away via a bridge. You could even park there at a place like Iberia Tavern & Restaurant and walk over after enjoying a nice meal. The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) and the Prudential Center are also close by. Fans 3 Gotham FC has a nice following and has decent attendance at SI Stadium. The main supporter group is called Cloud Nine, which is a leftover name from when the team was Sky Blue FC. Access 4 This writer was expecting the worse in regards to accessing the Harrison area, but it was better than expected. Parking in Harrison is pretty easy if you follow to this exact address on your GPS: 890 S 3rd St, Harrison, NJ 07029. This will take you to the back way into the Harrison Parking Center where parking is a decent $15. Walking from the garage to the stadium is a little funky due to construction but it will be easy to figure out. There are closer lots for $20 but expect to wait in them as traffic is worse closer to venue. There is one cash lot and one cashless lot with good signage getting you to the right spot. The PATH train station is located between stadium and the Harrison Parking Center and is a great option to get to the stadium. The construction in the area is mainly because of the updated PATH station but it looks like that will all be worth it when finished. As mentioned before, parking in Newark at one of the many public lots or the Iberia Tavern & Restaurant lot is an option. We would recommend you check the Prudential Center or NJPAC calendar of events before doing so. The game we attended at SI Stadium was when the MTV Video Music Awards were being held that same night at the Prudential Center, so downtown Newark was a bit of a mess. Return on Investment 4 Tickets can be had for under $40 making Gotham FC a great value. With parking for as little as $15, this is shockingly a great value for a sports event in the New Jersey/New York area. There are more expensive seats, depending on the experience you desire from the SI Stadium experience. Extras 3 The supporter section, Cloud Nine, while small was very active and loud. Gotham FC has been around for a while in the league and has a great amount of history that hopefully, the team will be able to add to SI Stadium experience. Watching Harrison, NJ change to a different city is a bit fascinating on its own. Final Thoughts A trip to Sports Illustrated Stadium for an NJ/NY Gotham FC is a great way for a sports fan to see high-level teams at a decent value.

Photos by Michael Rusignuolo, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 American Legion Post 219 Veterans Field 3197 US Route 11 Malone, NY 12953 Malone Border Hounds website American Legion Post 219 Veterans Field website Year Opened: 2023 Capacity: 3,000 Northern Exposure ​ The Empire Professional Baseball League is an independent league that was birthed from the ashes of previous area indie leagues in 2016. They play a summer schedule of games in the upstate New York area as an official MLB partner developmental league (and functionally, a league of last resort). After a nearly constant shifting of franchises, the Empire League has settled into the same four upper NY teams for the last few seasons and is expanding with a west-coast circuit this year. ​ The Malone Border Hounds came into being after the 2022 season, when the final reshuffling from the pandemic finally ended. They currently play in American Legion Post 219 Veterans Field, a park outside of central Malone that underwent several upgrades to host the team, adding covered seating, clubhouse facilities, and a digital scoreboard. ​ While among the cream of the Empire League facilities, you aren't going to get a lot beyond the basics, but the basics have their own appeal. ​ Food & Beverage 3 ​ In a budget league that still uses some high-school fields that don't even serve food, Veterans Field stands out in at least having victuals on offer. ​ A small clubhouse by the entrance provides all the catering you'll get, cooked up in front of you by a friendly staff of volunteers. It offers hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza, wings, and an array of sides. While there's no alcohol available, the clubhouse serves up reasonably priced bottled Coke products. ​ The Empire League is all about a small-time feel, and a local Glazier hot dog ($3.50) and a Coke ($3) at the game is about as classic as you can get, and cheaper than a soda at even some minor-league parks. ​ Atmosphere 3 ​ The park is literally an American Legion field with a bit of extras. The field is cordoned off with a chain-link fence all around. A small covered bleacher area sits behind home plate, with additional uncovered bleachers down the baselines and in the outfield. Two small reserved areas are on either side of home plate, just in front of the modified sheds that make up the dugouts. The digital box-score scoreboard sits in left-center, and the wide, flat horizon fading off to Canada (and the local airport just beyond the outfield wall) forms the backdrop for the outfield. The between-inning entertainment is just some music, the PA announcer, and a picturesque country view. ​ The park also lacks lights, so if a game goes long, they can be called for darkness. ​ Sit where you want. Locals often bring their own lawn chairs to sit in the covered home plate area or wherever they desire around the field. Savvy fans bring clip-on seat backs for the bleachers. Suit yourself, but the covered main grandstand gets very popular during any sort of weather. ​ Neighborhood 2 ​ The park is located west of downtown, across the way from the local airstrip and a Walmart. And that just about gives you the lay of the land for Malone. ​ The small border town has a decent array of places to eat (all along Route 11). Closest to the park is Mo's Pub & Grill, as well as an array of local pizza shops, bar & grills, and even plentiful Chinese restaurants, but the place to eat is local favorite Bookie's Drive In, just east of downtown, sporting 50s decor and a menu of classic diner excess, with homemade ice cream and fountain drinks and as much free popcorn as you can handle. ​ There's a small local history museum and some parks, but that's about it. The appeal of the city lies in the wilderness (and golf courses) around it, not in town proper. ​ There are exactly four hotels in town, all along 11: The Foothills Lodge & Cafe, the Red Roof Plus+, The Malone Inn, and the Holiday Inn Express. ​ Fans 3 ​ The Empire League doesn't publish attendance figures, but nearly all the clubs have a core of local fans, ranging from the dozens to the low triple digits. ​ The Border Hounds are well-received by the local farming community. You get a hundred or so people in the stands for a game, and that may not sound like much, but in tiny Malone, that is several percent of the total population. ​ The local boosters are loud and involved in the games, and a deep dog bark is the fans' rallying cry for the team. Veterans Field is serving double duty as a home field for the North Country Thunderbirds, so when the two teams play, you get a diverse rooting crowd. ​ Access 3 ​ Located less than 20 miles from the Canadian border, Malone is smack-dab in the middle of the Adirondack wilderness, aka nowhere. ​ There's a Trailways bus stop in the center of town, and that is the beginning and the end of mass transit, though there is a small regional airport right across from the park. Driving is going to be your best and only bet, and State Route 30 and US-11 bisect the west-end town, with State Route 37 originating here and heading northwest to the border. ​ A large, free parking lot sits outside the park. Be sure to park away from the grandstand to avoid any well-hit foul balls. ​ A small shed serves as the offices and entrance to the park. There are no defined walkways, and you can wander around the field fences as you see fit with no particular constraints. ​ Return on Investment 5 ​ Indie leagues like this live and die on offering an affordable night out for families, and Malone does not miss on that account. ​ A payment of $7 per adult gets you into the gates and lets you sit anywhere you want, except on the field of play. Drinks are $3; most food (besides a huge order of wings [$10]) is $5 or less, and there are even $8 deals for entrees and sides. Try that anywhere but the lowest of the minors. Parking is free. ​ Extras 2 ​ The small park manages to sneak in a few extras. The scoreboard has the team's name on it, there's a memorial plaque on the clubhouse, a Veterans Field Wall of Honor for sponsors of the park renovations by the entrance, and a memorial POW bench behind the grandstand. The ticket booth also sometimes sells team merchandise as available. ​ Final Thoughts ​ You're not going to get a ton of niceties or a bustling nightlife outside the game, but for an affordable evening of baseball, you won't go wrong at Veterans Field.

Sometimes when you’re on a Stadium Journey, you come across an interesting venue where you least expect it. How many travelers have visited the Stickball Hall of Fame in Manhattan? Or stumbled across the Roger Maris Museum while walking along in a shopping mall in Fargo, North Dakota? A similar surprise may await you if you find yourself walking through Level 0 of the South Terminal in the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. Because it is there you will discover the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame. The first question you may ask yourself is; why is this hall of fame in an airport? The Hall’s presence in an airport is the result of a partnership between the Hall of Fame and Stevens International Airport. The collaboration provides a permanent home for the display without the need for a separate facility while enhancing cultural opportunities for travelers at the airport. It increases visibility and awareness of Alaska’s rich and unique athletic history, which includes both mainstream and more niche sports, such as dogsledding and lesser-known Olympic sports. The Anchorage airport is equidistant from New York and Tokyo, serving millions of travelers annually, ensuring high visibility for the exhibit. The Gallery of honorees is located on Level 0 of the South Terminal of the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. You will come across the exhibit if you are making your way to the terminal from the parking garage or car rental area, and it is accessible via escalator from level 1 in the baggage claim area. Photos and plaques of the enshrinees are displayed along a long hallway, with video displays of new inductees located at the entrance to the exhibit. If you take some time to browse the exhibit while waiting for your flight to arrive, you’ll be sure to find recognizable names from the four major sports, such as NBA alumni Mario Chalmers and Carlos Boozer, NHL players Scott Gomez, Matt Carle and Brandon Dubinski and NFL alumnus Mark Schlereth. But it is in lesser-known sports where the true story of Alaska is told. Sure, you might recognize names such as gold medal skier Tommy Moe and Olympic medalist snowboarder Rosey Fletcher, but the greatest stories here at the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame come from athletes such as Iditarod legends Susan Butcher, Rick Swenson and Jeff King along with the numerous Olympians, runners, skiers, Arctic Gamers and mountain climbers. Also enshrined here are notable events and moments in Alaskan sporting history. Take it from a sports fanatic who has taken a road trip through America’s final frontier. Alaska may be not be your traditional Stadium Journey, but it certainly makes for a memorable road trip. Visiting a Hall of Fame in the airport on your way out of town makes for a perfect cap to any trip to the 49th state. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Meridian Centre 1 David S. Hawes Way St. Catharines, Ontario L2R 0B3 Niagara River Lions website Meridian Centre website Year Opened: 2014 Capacity: 4,030 The Founding Lion The Niagara River Lions were founded in 2015 as part of the National Basketball League of Canada. The league dissolved in 2023, and the remaining teams were absorbed into the Basketball Super League. However, before that, one of the first dominoes to fall leading to the demise of the league was the Niagara River Lions. In 2019, the River Lions became the only established team to help found the Canadian Elite Basketball League and leave the NBL. Niagara became a cornerstone for the league. The River Lions became a huge part of the new CEBL as it was the only franchise with an established fanbase. Richard Petko was the owner of the River Lions when the big move to the CEBL was made and was truly a founding father of the CEBL. Petko would later be joined by Michael Skrtich and Darren Peters to form the current ownership group. The ultimate success came for the River Lions in the 2024 and 2025 seasons as they were CEBL Champions. Home for the River Lions is the Meridian Centre in St. Catharines, Ontario. Known mostly as the home of the OHL’s Niagara IceDogs, Meridian Centre opened in 2014 and offers a capacity of 4,030 for basketball. The arena is owned by the City of St. Catharines. Food & Beverage 3 Meridian Centre has a decent selection of concession items. Simple concession selections including pizza, popcorn, nachos, hot dogs, and burgers are available. Probably the most unique items on the menu are the Montreal Smoked Meat and Jamaican Patties. Concessions are “Grab and Go” style. Coca-Cola products are the soft drink of choice at the Meridian Centre. There is a decent selection of alcoholic beverages available, including local Bench Brewing items, Landshark, Carlsburg, Kronenburg, and Happy Dad seltzers. Atmosphere 4 The exterior of Meridian Centre is fairly simple, with silver siding on the upper portion, brown brick on the lower portion, and blue Meridian Centre highlights. Entry into Meridian Centre from St. Paul Street will take fans across the Rankin Gateway bridge, and bring them into the fifth level of the building. Fans will descend a couple of staircases down to the third level for the main concourse. The main concourse is typical of many OHL arenas with an open concept behind the main seating bowl. Upon entering the concourse, fans are enthusiastically welcomed by the River Lions Dance Pak. The court is oriented from south to north, with the centre court logo best viewed from the east. Meridian Centre is decorated with plenty of Niagara markings, with green highlights everywhere. Curiously, the court has baselines that are red, typically the colour of the Niagara IceDogs. Banners for the IceDogs and historic hockey players linked to St. Catharines hang in the north end, along with the River Lions’ 2024 and 2025 CEBL Championship banners. A nice-sized, four-sided videoboard hangs above centre court. The Kid Zone can be found in the south end concourse, complete with sign-making and inflatable games. The south concourse also houses the St. Catharines Sports Hall of Fame. At the time of writing, the Hall of Fame featured many local lacrosse artifacts on display. Previously, the court was pushed to one end of the arena; however, it has recently been centred. Both the north and south end seats are tarped off. The VIP Bar is located on the floor at the south side, and the north side features the Fan Deck with a summer motif and comfortable lawn chairs on a raised turf-covered deck. The gameday experience at a CEBL game is described as a basketball game surrounded by a party. The River Lions go all out to pump up the fan experience. The mascot, Dunkin, can be found roaming the floor and takes part in the pre-game festivities and the announcement of the target score. Player entrances come from the northeast corner and are complete with sparkler machines, lasers, and green spotlights, then through the High Five Alley. Torches light on the back of the basket standards at big moments during intros and on 3-pointers made by the home side. Fans are asked to stand and remain standing until the River Lions score their first points after being led in a Viking Clap by a fan on the floor with a drum. The evening wraps up with an autograph signing at booths in the concourse. Neighbourhood 4 Meridian Centre is located in Downtown St. Catharines. Although not the most photogenic area, there are several spots for pre- and post-game food and drink. Some options include Merchant Ale House, Brass Monkey Local, The Office Tap and Grill, 194 Bourbon and Smoke, and Fiddler’s Pour House. Meridian Centre is the regular home of the Niagara IceDogs. Brock University annually plays its special “Paint the Meridian Red” and “Steelblade Classic” games at Meridian Centre as well. Other sporting options in the area include the St. Catharines Falcons of the GOHL, Niagara Ironbacks baseball, St. Catharines Athletics lacrosse and Brock Badgers hockey and basketball. Other tourist options include the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, Welland Canal, Centennial Gardens, Happy Rolph’s Animal Farm and the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame. There are a ton of other options in nearby Niagara Falls and many wineries in the Niagara Region. For fans wishing to stay in the area, the Holiday Inn, Comfort Inn and Best Western are all short drives away. Fans 3 For the game that was reviewed, the Niagara River Lions welcomed over 1,700 fans to Meridian Centre. The average for the 2026 season, at the time of writing, is just over 1,800 fans per game. This is down from the previous season, where the team averaged almost 2,400 fans per game. Both seasons, the River Lions ranked 6th in the CEBL in attendance. The drop in attendance for the 2026 season is most likely due to the team being at the bottom of the standings after the two previous seasons where they won the title. The fans in attendance are louder than expected and supportive of the home squad. Access 5 Meridian Centre is located in Downtown St. Catharines on David S. Hawes Way. The Meridian Centre location is unique in that it is not at the same elevation as St. Paul Street. The majority of fans will park downtown and take the Rankin Gateway bridge to the fifth level of the Meridian Centre. It is not advised that fans attempt to park in the Meridian Centre parking lot as it is mostly for staff and is difficult to get downtown. Meridian Centre is immediately west of Highway 406, so it is not difficult to get to. There are a few surface lots and parking garages downtown. For fans that wish to take public transit, there are Niagara Transit buses that travel St. Paul Street. Fans should consult the Niagara Transit website for fares, maps and schedules. Getting around Meridian Centre is not difficult, and washroom facilities are good. At the time of writing, patrons were required to walk through metal detectors as part of the security protocols. Stadium Journey highly recommends consulting the Meridian Centre website for the most up-to-date security information, including bag policy and prohibited items, before heading out. Return on Investment 4 Tickets for the Niagara River Lions start at $26 for bronze level seating and go up to $50 for gold level. Courtside seats are just over $100. Parking downtown will cost a few dollars, and the concession prices are what one would expect for an OHL-level venue. The gameday experience at the River Lions is top-notch with a focus on families. The CEBL product is exciting and fast-paced. Most games are around two hours. The “Elam Ending” scoring target system makes the end of the game very exciting and not as tedious and long as a traditional basketball game. Overall, a trip to the Niagara River Lions offers great value for the sporting dollar. Extras 2 An extra mark for the Niagara River Lions as one of the inaugural teams in the CEBL. An extra mark for the River Lion moniker. A river lion is a mythical creature featured on the Niagara Region Coat of Arms. Final Thoughts The Niagara River Lions were integral to the creation of the CEBL and remain one of the cornerstone franchises to this day. Summer basketball in the Niagara Region at Meridian Centre is a great way to enjoy some family entertainment and not blow the bank. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube, Twitter, Threads and Instagram @profan9.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park 201 Soccer Park Dr Cary, NC 27511 North Carolina Courage website First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park website Year Opened: 2002 Capacity: 10,000 Carolina Courage Country The North Carolina Courage have been playing in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) since 2017, when the Western New York Flash relocated to Cary. The Courage play their home games at First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park, a 10,000 seat stadium that is surrounded by various back fields which are also part of the Soccer Park. The Courage have won two NWSL Championships in less than a decade of existence, as well as three NWSL Shields for topping the regular season standings. However, all of these titles came in their first three seasons of existence - they have not won any since 2019. Food & Beverage 5 There are several permanent concession stands scattered throughout the concourse at First Horizon Stadium, offering an above average variety of options. Burgers, chicken tenders, Pizza Hut pizza, Chick-fil-A sandwiches, and more are available. For those looking for a sweet treat, Two Roosters Ice Cream is a local favorite as well, and there is also frozen lemonade available. However, what earns the Courage the top score is the food trucks at Fan Fest. We will discuss Fan Fest some more in the next section, but there will be several food trucks parked behind the north goal at every home game. The selection varies by game, but there is usually a taco truck as well as several others. When we visited, food trucks were selling acai bowls, mac and cheese, barbecue, Aussie meat pies, tacos, and more. If you buy your tickets in advance, you will get an email at 5 PM the day before the game listing the food truck vendors. The taco truck at First Horizon Stadium, with several other trucks to the left of it Atmosphere 4 The atmosphere at a North Carolina Courage game is electric from the moment you walk into the stadium. If entering through either of the gates on the north side, this will put you right in Fan Fest. In addition to the food trucks we mentioned in the last section, you will find face painting, games, inflatables, giveaways, and more. It is a great place to hang out and have some fun before the match starts. Be sure to be in your seats shortly before kickoff, as the team anthem "Higher Love" plays over the PA system and fans are encouraged to sing along. First Horizon Stadium is more intimate than most NWSL venues, seating just 10,000 fans, the smallest capacity in the league. Seats surround the field on all four sides, all running parallel to the sidelines or endlines. There are no diagonal-facing corner seats like at some venues. The 100 sections are on the west sideline, and then the numbers increase going counter-clockwise. The 200s are on the south endline, the 300s on the east sideline, and the 400s behind the north goal. There is a second deck numbered in the 500s above the 300 seats. Pretty much every seat in the building has an outstanding view of the action. Most seats are metal or plastic bleachers without backs, although Sections 103-108 do have backs. Much of the atmosphere at a North Carolina Courage game is created by the Supporters Section and other fans. We will have more on that in the appropriate section. The Supporters Groups are in Sections 204 and 205. If buying tickets here, expect to be standing for the entire match, surrounded by loud drums and waving flags. If this is not for you, simply buy seats anywhere else in the stadium. Fans of the visiting team should stay out of the Supporters Section in any case, although they will encounter no issues in the rest of the stadium. Given the constant pace of action in soccer, there is very little going on during the game other than the match itself. However, there are contests on the field and videoboard pregame and at halftime. The Courage mascot is Roary the Lion, who can be seen on the field pregame and roaming the stands during the match interacting with fans. Neighborhood 3 First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park is located in Cary, a smaller city in the Raleigh-Durham area. The neighborhood surrounding the stadium is somewhat limited by the railroad tracks along Chatham Road to the north. If you're willing to drive a short distance, there are many good Indian and Asian places within a couple mile radius. You may pass some on your way in depending on how you get here. You can also find sports bars, tacos, and more. Most of these businesses are near the train station to the west of the soccer stadium. Fans 4 As is often the case in soccer, the fans bring a tremendous amount of energy to North Carolina Courage games. Although the team ranks in the bottom third of the league in attendance, this is mainly due to the small size of the stadium and the crowd is regularly filled to 80% or more of capacity. The Courage have had several sellouts this year and never fell below 70% full in 2026 as of the time of writing. A lot of the energy is brought by the two Supporters Groups, Uproar and AmbushNC. These fans stand in Sections 204 and 205 for the entire match,, cheering, chanting, singing, waving flags, and banging drums. It can be quite the atmosphere. However, even non-Supporters will get loud to support their team. Chants of "Let's Go Courage" regularly ring out through the stadium. Before Courage corner kicks, fans will "Feel the Steel" by stomping on the metal bleachers to make some noise. When the Courage's opponents take a corner, the fans will chant "Keep It Out". Overall, the Courage have an outstanding and rapidly growing fan base. Access 2 This is unfortunately the one area in which the Courage do not score highly. Just getting to WakeMed Soccer Park can be challenging. There is no exit directly off I-40 for Chatham Road, so you will need to get off nearby and go around the block. These local roads can get backed up, especially close to gametime, and if coming from the north, you also have to navigate a railroad crossing and hope a train does not come by and delay things. If coming from the east, your best bet is to get off I-40 at Cary Towne Boulevard. From the west, get off at NC 54. Note that some GPS apps will have you take NC 54 to Trinity Road. However, Trinity Road will be closed off at the railroad crossing just north of the stadium, so you will be unable to go straight across Chatham Road into the stadium. You will need to take Chatham Road itself. If you are a VIP, Season Ticket Holder, or require ADA parking, you will enter on Soccer Park Road. Everyone else will enter on Trinity Road, across Chatham from the closed off crossing. Fortunately, there are signs directing you. Parking is in several grass or gravel lots, which then require walking across more gravel and literally over a river and through the woods to get to the stadium. (Well, it's a small creek anyway.) If these lots fill up, which they will, overflow parking is available in the Orange Parking Deck at Fenton, about a half mile walk from the stadium, again on unpaved gravel. This walk can be difficult in the Carolina summer heat, but is not actually as long as it may feel at first. Once you are in the stadium, there are some steps to go up and down, especially on the 300/500 side of the field. Fortunately, there are ramps and/or elevators for those who require them, but it is still unnecessarily complicated. The good news is that there are plenty of restrooms and you should not need to wait. Getting out after the game can also be tricky as traffic backs up much as it does on the way in. It can take about 15 minutes to get out of the lot, but once you do, you should encounter no further issues. Return on Investment 4 The price of Courage tickets can vary by about $5 to $10 depending on the game, but generally start at around $22. However, most of these lowest-price seats are either obstructed view or in the Supporters Section. Other seats behind the goal go for only a few dollars more. Sideline seats on the east side will typically cost between $30 and $70 depending on how close to midfield you are and which game you attend. Seats on the west sideline, where many seats have chairbacks, the sun will be at your back, and you will be in the shade for evening games, go for about $10-$20 more. There are also some pitchside seats which are primarily for season ticket holders but you may be able to get some on the secondary market if you're willing to pay a lot. Concessions at the permanent stand are not too expensive. The food trucks cost more but are much better quality so are well worth it.. Overall, a North Carolina Courage game is an outstanding value. Extras 5 Fan Fest is worthy of an extra star here, with the food trucks and all the activities. The pregame singalong of "Higher Love" is also worthy of a bonus star. Be sure to check out the Ring of Honor behind the 300 seats, honoring Courage legends Sam Mewis, Jessica McDonald, and the most recent inductee, Crystal Dunn. The only downside is that you cannot see it from the 300 seats themselves. Look for the Home of Champions Banner behind the 100 sections honoring the Courage's regular and postseason NWSL championships as well as other trophies they have won. A fifth and final star for the wide variety of Courage merchandise available for sale. Final Thoughts A North Carolina Courage game is an outstanding experience from start to finish. From fans tailgating outside before gates open, to Fan Fest and other pregame fun, to the game itself, you will enjoy yourself here from the moment you arrive. Soccer fans in North Carolina will definitely want to head to the WakeMed Soccer Park to see a Courage game.

Photos by Richard Smith and Jennifer Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 Oriole Park at Camden Yards West Camden St Baltimore, MD 21230 Baltimore Orioles website Oriole Park at Camden Yards website Year Opened: 1992 Capacity: 44,487 “O” Say Can You See When Oriole Park at Camden Yards opened in 1992, it quickly became known as one of Major League Baseball’s premier stadiums. Before its debut, many professional baseball venues were uninspired, multipurpose arenas. Oriole Park helped usher in a new era of baseball-only stadiums designed with the fan experience in mind. Its success set a new standard, and now, nearly every team has a distinctive ballpark. Had Baltimore chosen to build a conventional, uninspired facility, the landscape of modern baseball might look entirely different. The current Baltimore Orioles franchise was established in 1954 when the St. Louis Browns relocated to the city. For decades, the team played at the beloved Memorial Stadium. As Memorial Stadium neared the end of its lifespan, plans for a new, state-of-the-art ballpark began to take shape, leading to the creation of Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Over their history, the Orioles have won three World Series championships (1966, 1970, and 1983) and seven American League pennants. The team has been home to many legendary players, including Roberto Alomar, Luis Aparicio, Reggie Jackson, Eddie Murray, Jim Palmer, Cal Ripken, Jr., Brooks Robinson, and Frank Robinson. Manager Earl Weaver is often considered one of the most beloved figures in franchise history. Food & Beverage 4 While Oriole Park offers a diverse range of food options, some fans have noticed a change since the park switched food service providers in 2023. While certain offerings may have been altered, we haven't personally observed a drop in quality, but it's a topic that has generated some discussion. Concession prices are not cheap, but they are generally on par with other major league stadiums. For example, a standard hot dog costs around $6, while a beer-soaked bratwurst is only slightly more expensive. One of the park's biggest draws is Boog’s BBQ, located on the famous Eutaw Street. Overseen by Orioles legend Boog Powell, the stand offers generous portions for the price. Atmosphere 4 The one significant issue with Oriole Park is that its concourse is not open to the field, a common feature in newer ballparks. Instead, it has a traditional concourse located behind the seating. While this design choice feels a bit dated compared to more modern stadiums, it doesn't detract from the overall experience. The concourse remains a great area for exploring, and you never feel disconnected from the game, thanks to numerous television monitors and constant play-by-play announcements that keep you informed. The Star-Spangled Banner was written very close to where the stadium is located. The Orioles fans commemorate this and their love of the home team by shouting a loud “O!!!!!!” during the appropriate spot during the anthem. In other places, this would seem to be disrespectful, but in Baltimore, it shows the love of the country and the team. If you hear that yell at other parks throughout the country, rest assured that there is a Baltimore fan in the house. A very unique Baltimore tradition is the playing of John Denver’s 1974 classic song, “Thank God I’m a Country Boy,” during the seventh-inning stretch. It all started a couple of years after it was released when the Orioles were trying to add pop music into the lineup. For some reason, the song stuck. Even when then-owner Eli Jacobs tried to change songs during the late 1980s, the fans demanded it back. The traditional “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” is played as a warm-up to ‘Country Boy.’ Many a local fan still talks about Denver’s surprise September 1997 visit when he appeared on top of the dugout mouthing the song’s lyrics. He was in town for a concert at the nearby Baltimore Arena and decided to pop over. Sadly, he died in a plane crash less than a month later. The Kids Zone is a nice, popular feature. The sound system and the scoreboard are both going to be replaced in the near future, which will help as both are aging poorly. Neighborhood 3 While Oriole Park itself is exceptional, the surrounding urban environment of Baltimore requires visitors to be mindful of their surroundings. Using common sense and staying aware will ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Across the street from the stadium, you'll find a lively, party-like atmosphere. For a more relaxed option, consider exploring the restaurants in the nearby Harbor East neighborhood. The Inner Harbor is a popular tourist area and is just a short walk from Camden Yards. While it offers countless choices for dining and entertainment, these options can be expensive and tend to cater to a tourist crowd. The long-standing Harborplace buildings are going away and are only lightly used at this point. The new development of the area is just at the starting point. Another good option is the nearby Federal Hill neighborhood, which features several enjoyable restaurants and bars. For those interested in gambling, the Horseshoe Casino is located just south of the ballpark and offers a variety of dining and drinking establishments. The casino also has a large parking garage that often provides game-day deals. Baltimore is also home to many other popular attractions, including Harborplace, Fells Point, and Fort McHenry. The American Visionary Art Museum on Key Highway is a uniquely curated museum that's worth a visit, though its collection may not appeal to everyone. Additionally, sports fans should consider visiting the Babe Ruth Birthplace to experience a piece of the city's rich athletic history. Fans 3 The team's performance has led to a much more vibrant and enjoyable atmosphere at the ballpark. While fan support has always been strong, a period of inconsistent management has affected morale. The current ownership situation is much better than in the past, and the positive response from the fans is likely to continue. Orioles games draw a very knowledgeable fan base, and it's common to see families making it a day out. These fans are actively engaged in the game. It’s a place where you'll often see parents teaching their children about the nuances of baseball and the history of Orioles legends like Robinson, Robinson, Palmer, and Ripken. The fans are supportive and cheer at the right moments; booing is rare, though anything can happen when the Yankees are in town. Access 5 Oriole Park is extremely close to I-95, with only a couple of turns putting you on the highway home. Parking garages can be found in all directions from the stadium. Street parking is not a great option. Parking near the Inner Harbor is a good option. Check parking websites and apps to find bargains that are a pretty close walk away. If you’re not driving to the game, the other primary mode of access is the MTA Light Rail. From points north and south of downtown Baltimore, you can take the train to the ballpark. Return on Investment 5 Prices are generally pretty reasonable, although they do vary by opponent. The ticket aftermarket is always a good bet here. Prices can be found at a very reasonable rate for almost all games, except for maybe the Red Sox and Yankees. Extras 5 Babe Ruth's connection to Baltimore is profound; his childhood home is located just a few blocks from the ballpark. He also attended the old St. Mary's Industrial School for Boys nearby and is said to have spent time on the very grounds where Oriole Park at Camden Yards now stands. The B&O Warehouse is not a modern stadium addition but a true historic structure. Built in 1899, it was used as a storage and distribution center for the adjacent railroad. Camden Station, also next to the park, is one of the longest-running train terminals in the United States. In recent years, the Orioles have improved the center field area by adding a statue garden dedicated to team legends, which also makes it easier for fans to walk a full circle around the stadium. Eutaw Street provides a vibrant fan experience. Besides offering great food, it’s an excellent place for people-watching and shopping. Fans can also get great views of the field from the flag court, located above the right-field scoreboard. A unique feature of the park can be found on the walls of some open stairwells, which display the lyrics to classic Orioles songs like “Orioles Magic” and “Thank God I’m a Country Boy.” Final Thoughts Despite opening more than three decades ago, Oriole Park at Camden Yards remains one of Major League Baseball's most beautiful and beloved stadiums. Its timeless design, which was revolutionary in 1992, has aged gracefully and continues to be a benchmark for modern ballparks. The stadium's architecture seamlessly blends classic baseball aesthetics with a contemporary, fan-friendly layout.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Wilson Ballpark 305 Hines St SW Wilson, NC 27893 Wilson Warbirds website Wilson Ballpark website Year Opened: 2026 Capacity: 4,500 Take Flight With The Warbirds Baseball has a long and storied history in Wilson, North Carolina. The game has been played here since 1908, when the Wilson Tobacconists joined the Class-D Eastern Carolina League. Minor league baseball had an on-and-off history in Wilson until 1973, when affiliated ball left the city for over half a century. That was not the end of the story, as summer collegiate ball returned to Wilson in 1997, with the Wilson Tobs of the Coastal Plain League playing at Historic Fleming Stadium. Finally, in 2026, professional ball returned to Wilson. The Carolina Mudcats, who played about 25 miles away in Zebulon, found themselves in need of a new stadium because their home, Five County Stadium, no longer met Major League Baseball standards. The new team was named the Wilson Warbirds, a nickname derived from vintage military aircraft in homage to the city’s aviation history. Fleming Stadium was far too outdated by this point, so the team moved into a new ballpark, which at least for now is simply known as Wilson Ballpark rather than by a corporate name. The Tobs, for their part, are not playing in 2026 as the city did not renew their lease, and will move to nearby Smithfield in 2027. The Warbirds compete in the Class-A Carolina League as the affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. Food & Beverage 4 There are two main concession stands at Wilson Ballpark which serve the same menu. All the typical items are available - burgers, hot dogs, chicken tenders, pizza - not to mention peanuts and Cracker Jack - but nothing beyond the standard. However, if you head up the right field foul line to near the foul pole, you will find several food carts selling a better variety of items. Sausage and peppers, cheesesteaks, barbecue nachos, and barbecue mac and cheese are all available. To fans looking to indulge their sweet tooth, funnel cake fries and Dippin' Dots are available in the ballpark. To drink, fans can find bottled water, Pepsi products, and Cheerwine, a cherry soda local to North Carolina. Beer is also available to fans of age. The one problem here is the prices, which are high for this level of the minors, though still less than you would get at a big league ballpark. Atmosphere 4 The vast majority of seats at Wilson Ballpark are chairback seats in foul territory behind home plate or down the lines. There are some rail seats and group areas in the outfield and in the right field corner, which have a different layout. The stadium has an intimate feel at just 4,500 seats, and there are only about 15 rows of seats in any given section. This means that wherever you sit, you will be up close to the action. Unfortunately, the first couple of rows in each section are reserved for VIPs and are separated by a wall from the rest of the stands, so it is hard to get too close. Still, any seat in this ballpark will be a good seat. The Warbirds have a mascot named Wilt, a bird wearing a Warbirds uniform and hat, who rides in on the back of a custom-made pickup truck before the game. Unfortunately, we did not see much of him after that. As is typically the case in the minors, you will find many between-innings promotions, including t-shirt tosses and the Dress Like a Warbird contest where kids have to put on a uniform and race to the finish line. A Warbirds game can be a great entertainment value and a chance to see baseball up close for a full night of fun. Neighborhood 3 Wilson Ballpark is in a bit of an odd neighborhood. There are businesses in the vicinity, but most of them are not the kind visitors would want to visit - a post office, a car wash, or an insurance agency will likely be of little interest to fans. There are some places to go within walking distance, however. Your best bet is to head a few blocks to the train station, which is a much more visitor-friendly area. You will find some bars, restaurants, cafes, and even a Japanese hibachi place. However, the real attraction of this neighborhood is just beyond the left field fence. Whirligig Park features tall, colorful sculptures that spin in the wind and are perhaps the best-known tourist site in Wilson. In fact, the team was originally going to be called the Wilson Whirligigs, but it was thought that reference was too obscure for people who did not live in the area. Fans 4 Despite being a new team in a small stadium, the Warbirds rarely sell out their home games. They will draw a few thousand fans, but there will still be lots of empty seats. That being said, those who do come to the games are unusually passionate and loud for minor league fans and can rival even major league fan bases in terms of the energy they bring. Chants of "Let's Go Warbirds" and the like can be heard loud and clear throughout the game. Fans will urge the team to make big plays, and some have been known to heckle the other team, though nothing is said that isn't family-friendly. If the team managed to draw bigger crowds, the energy here would be even better, but it is still pretty impressive. Access 3 Finding your way to a Wilson Warbirds game can be somewhat difficult. Although it is easy enough to get to the City of Wilson itself, finding your way to the ballpark can be challenging. Instead of having one main lot in front of the ballpark, there are many smaller lots throughout Downtown Wilson. The biggest and closest lot is the Water Tower Lot, also known as Lot 22. You will need to access this lot off of Jackson Street, even if your GPS tries to take you some other way down closed roads. The signage to access this entrance is not the greatest. Although they do place some signs, they are in places most drivers won't see them, and in one case, placed outside the closed entrance to the lot on a road that was open only to pedestrian traffic, so you wouldn't see it until you parked and were walking to the ballpark. The walk from the lots is only a few minutes, and golf cart shuttles will pick up and drop off fans who need assistance. Parking is free no matter where you park. The ballpark has a beautiful brick facade, but you will probably never see it getting into the stadium since only VIPs can enter through the gate that is built into it. Everyone else has to enter through the much less picturesque gate in left field, which is a disappointing architectural choice. The good news is that this gate is right by the Whirligigs. You should encounter no such problems once you are in the stadium, however. The concourse is more than wide enough to accommodate everyone, and the restrooms throughout the stadium are clean and capable of handling the crowds that show up. When getting out after the game, there may be a wait for the shuttle, so you are better off walking to your car if you can. Return on Investment 4 Standard admission to a Wilson Warbirds game is $18.50 including fees. The four-top table seats in right field cost $33.50 a seat but include a hot dog, drink, and novelty ice cream. If getting the tables, you must buy all four seats at once. Parking at a Warbirds game is also free. However, the high price of concessions brings this score down a notch. Extras 2 Be sure to check out the team store down the left field like which sells a wide variety of Warbirds merchandise. A second and final star for the view of the Whirligigs beyond the left field fence. Final Thoughts After over half a century, professional baseball is finally back in Wilson. The Warbirds have a fine new ballpark with a passionate fan base, and there is opportunity for the experience here to get even better over the next few years. While Wilson Ballpark doesn't have the history or charm that Fleming Stadium had when the Tobs called Wilson home, it makes up for it with its modern amenities and outstanding fans.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Jefferson Elora Community Centre 29 David Street West Elora, Ontario N0B 1S0 Elora Hawks website Jefferson Elora Community Centre website Year Opened: 1976 Capacity: 600 New Hawk on the Floor For some, when competing at the Junior B level, the goal is to make it up to Junior A. The Elora Hawks have accomplished that. In the 2026 season, Elora debuted at the top level of Junior Lacrosse, the Ontario Junior Lacrosse League. The Hawks’ lineage dates back to the Fergus Thistles, who played Junior A lacrosse in the fifties. In 1963, the team moved to Guelph to become the Mohawks. They dropped to Junior B in 1967 and moved to the Historic Village of Elora. The Elora Mohawks were a very successful Junior B franchise, although they bounced back and forth from A to B and back over the years. The Mohawks earned the Founders Cup as Canada’s Junior B National Champion in 2005 and 2018 and were Silver Medalists in 2004. For the 2025 season, in keeping with the trend of dropping Indigenous nicknames, Elora rebranded as the Hawks and the very next season made the jump up to Junior A. Elora is part of Centre Wellington Township, and the home for the Hawks is the Jefferson Elora Community Centre. Built in 1976, the community hub has undergone a couple of renovations, the latest included the naming rights to the facility, now owned by the Jefferson Elora Corporation, a local auto parts manufacturer. The JECC is a small facility with a seating capacity of just 600, but lacrosse is not an afterthought here. Food & Beverage 1 The concession options consist of what is contained within the two vending machines in the lobby. One vending machine sells snacks while the other sells cold soft drinks. Bottled water is not sold at the JECC, but a water filling station is on site, and empty water bottles are sold in the vending machine. Atmosphere 2 Jefferson Elora Community Centre is a pretty simple facility. The exterior at the north end of the building, clearly the lobby, has an attractive, dark grey brick exterior with updated signage. The lobby is attached to a long, low peaked structure with brown siding and light accents. The main entrance to the lobby is on the east side and under an updated canopy. Inside, the lobby is very small, and although it has a fairly clean and modern appearance, there is nothing really interesting in it. Fans are met at the door with temporary tables selling tickets, 50/50 tickets, and merchandise. There is a viewing area on the north end that looks right into the arena. This is key as the lobby is the only spot with air conditioning. Inside the area, the floor runs from south to north with all of the seating on the east side. Seating consists of six rows of blue, wooden benches, with standing room behind. The benches have a steep incline, which provides better sightlines. Protective mesh encircles the floor. Massive arched, blue support beams stretch over the floor and hold up the silver insulated ceiling. A simple score clock hangs on the southern wall. Inside the arena, it is clear that lacrosse holds some sway in the Elora community. The west side of the arena has the typical minor hockey banners that are found in arenas of this nature. However, on the north wall, there are many lacrosse banners. Banners for the Junior B Mohawks and some minor lacrosse teams hang proudly, as well as the honoured number 29 of Austin Whittom, a Mohawk goaltender who tragically passed away due to cancer at age 13. The gameday production at a Hawks game is very simple. The speaker system is solid, and announcements are easy to understand, unlike in many similar arenas. The highlight of one of the intermissions was a minor lacrosse game. Neighbourhood 5 The Jefferson Elora Community Centre is located in the west end of the Historic Village of Elora. For a town of under 8,000 people, Elora is renowned as a bit of a foodie paradise. There are several unique spots fans can go for pre- or post-game food and drink. Some options include Handsome Devil Bistro, The Friendly Society, The Bluebird Bistro, Elora Mill, The Evelyn, Gorge Country Kitchen, Cellar Pub & Grill, and Elora Brewing Company. The Elora Hawks are really the only game. During the winter months, the Fergus Whalers play hockey just northeast of Elora. Fergus also has a Junior C lacrosse team that goes by the legendary Fergus Thistles name. Grand River Raceway is a short drive from the arena and has summer harness racing. For other entertainment and tourist options, fans should consider the Wellington County Museum, Elora Quarry Conservation Area, Elora Centre for the Arts and Elora Gorge. There is also an Elements Casino inside Grand River Raceway. For fans wishing to stay in Elora, The Village Inn and Elora Mill are good options. Fans 4 Assessing fans in the OJLL is very difficult as attendance figures are not published. Many OJLL franchises routinely welcome “friends and family” crowds of between 100 and 200 fans. However, for the game that was reviewed in Elora, a Hawks game is clearly an event. There were probably between 400 and 500 fans in attendance. Combined with the small capacity, the Elora Hawks offered a unique experience. The fans in attendance were supportive of the Hawks even though the team was not very good in their first OJLL season. Access 3 Jefferson Elora Community Centre is located on the west end of Elora in the Township of Centre Wellington. It is found on the southeast corner of David Street and Wellington Road 7. The JECC is approximately 6 km from Highway 6, the largest highway in the area. The summer season and small town features of Elora will make getting to the arena an easy drive. There is plenty of parking on site. For those interested in public transit, there is an extremely limited summer shuttle that travels between Fergus and Elora. The closest stop is a 10 min walk from the JECC. This is probably not a great option for travelling to lacrosse. The JECC offers fairly tight quarters, and getting around can be a bit of a challenge. The seating area offers plenty of stairs, and the lobby is pretty small also. Comfort is at a premium at the JECC. The seating area offers little in the way of airflow and can be very warm for the lacrosse season. Partway through the game that was reviewed, an exterior door was opened at the south end, and a large fan was put into use at the north to offer some airflow. The washroom facilities are decent for the arena. Return on Investment 4 Tickets for the Elora Hawks are $10 for adults with discounts for students. Cash or card are accepted. Fans will not have to pay for parking or spend a ton on concessions. The product on the floor is good, and events are well attended. A more comfortable experience would offer a perfect ROI score. Extras 2 An extra mark for the community support of the Elora Hawks, the only game in town. An extra mark for the Hawks making the jump to Junior A lacrosse. Final Thoughts The 2026 OJLL season saw a new addition to the ranks of Junior A lacrosse with the Elora Hawks making the jump. The support the Hawks have received in Elora has been pretty remarkable, making a lacrosse game a community event rather than just a “friends and family” affair. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube, Twitter, Threads and Instagram @profan9.

Photo by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey If you ever attend a sporting event at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Virginia, you can walk down the street and find another piece of sports history in town, namely a tribute to one of the greatest racehorses of all time, Secretariat. To celebrate the birthday of the horse known as Big Red, March 30, 2024 was proclaimed as Secretariat Day, and a plaza honoring the Triple Crown-winning equine was dedicated. The ‘Racing into History’ monument, created by Jocelyn Russell, includes a statue of Secretariat racing at full speed, as well as brick facades on two sides showcasing the horse’s successes. The monument is located at the corner of Railroad Avenue and England Street in downtown Ashland, about 10 miles from Meadow Stable, where Secretariat was born in 1970. Penny Chenery, Secretariat’s owner and manager of his racing career, operated Meadow Stable at the time, and with the help of her father, Chris, bred the horse through a match between the 1957 Horse of the Year Bold Ruler, and the 1973 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Somethingroyal. Chris Chenery grew up in Ashland, attended Randolph-Macon College, and later founded Meadow Stable. The operation was sold in 1973 after Chris passed away, but visitors are still welcome to tour the historic barns and pastures – the site is now known as Meadow Event Park, and also hosts the annual State Fair of Virginia. Secretariat won 16 races out of 21 starts in his career, including most famously all three races in the 1973 Triple Crown – the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont. Secretariat was the first horse ever to run the Derby in under 2 minutes, a feat that has only been accomplished once since. More impressively, however, his records in all 3 races still stand today, over 50 years later – Secretariat’s largest margin of victory was winning the Belmont by 31 lengths. Secretariat was retired to stud at the end of his three-year old year, and his name now appears in the pedigrees of many modern champions, and he has also sired many leading broodmares. The great horse passed away in 1989 from laminitis, but thanks to the efforts of his fans, Secretariat’s memory can now live on forever in Ashland.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 INTENNSE Arena at Assembly Studios 2582 Assembly Boulevard Doraville, Georgia 30360 INTENNSE Tennis website INTENNSE Arena at Assembly Studios website Year Opened: 2023 Capacity: 700 Tennis Turned Up A new form of tennis has arrived in the Atlanta area: INTENNSE, a coed team tennis league, debuted in 2025 and has quickly expanded. Entering its second season in 2026, the league has grown from six to ten teams and has continued to push the traditional norms of what professional tennis has been. Played inside a soundstage on the campus of Atlanta’s Assembly Studios, INTENNSE takes many of the traditions associated with tennis and flips them on their head. The league is built around a faster-paced, fan-focused experience where spectators are encouraged to be part of the action rather than simply observe it. Marketed as fast-paced, dynamic team tennis, INTENNSE condenses the sport into a more accessible format. An arc, the league’s term for a match, consists of seven 10-minute blots. More than 80 professional players compete across the league, bringing a high level of talent to a format designed to keep fans engaged from start to finish. Unlike traditional tennis, where silence is often expected during points, INTENNSE encourages fans to cheer, celebrate, and even boo the league’s “villains” from the coin toss through the final point. The atmosphere is closer to a live entertainment event than a country club tennis match. The goal is simple: transform fans from spectators into participants. Food & Beverage 4 The concessions menu takes a major detour from traditional tennis fare. While staples such as hot dogs and popcorn are available, quality is clearly a priority. Fans can choose from an extensive sandwich menu featuring items such as a portabella and edamame panini, smoked turkey Reuben, flatbread grilled cheese, cranberry almond chicken croissant, steak churrasco sandwich, and grilled chicken sandwich. Salads include Mediterranean and vegan garden options. Additional offerings include chicken tender bites served with garlic parmesan, sesame, buffalo, or barbecue flavors, along with Wagyu cheeseburgers and crispy steak fries. The emphasis on quality begins the moment fans enter the venue. An espresso station greets visitors with a menu that would feel at home in many neighborhood coffee shops. Dessert options include macarons, tiramisu cups, tres leches cups, Ghirardelli brownies, cookies, chips, and candy. Beverages feature Coca-Cola products, Vita Coco water, and multiple flavors of Red Bull. The beer selection may be limited, but quality remains a focus — Creature Comforts’ Bibo Pilsner, Classic City Lager, and flagship Tropicalia are all available, along with Guinness. Wine, well cocktails, and specialty cocktails round out the beverage menu. Atmosphere 4 INTENNSE is marketed as fast-paced, dynamic team tennis, and it largely delivers on that promise. The format condenses a sport that can often stretch for multiple hours into a 70-to-90-minute experience that places a greater emphasis on entertainment and fan engagement. What immediately stands out is the speed and power of professional tennis. Players have just 14 seconds to serve after a point concludes, creating a constant flow of action. Each blot operates on a 10-minute clock, with teams earning one point for winning a rally and two points for hitting a winner. The format creates a strong opening burst of excitement, though some arcs can experience a lull in the middle when one team builds what appears to be a comfortable lead. Fortunately, the closing blots often restore the drama as trailing teams scramble to make up ground before time expires. An in-house DJ provides a constant soundtrack throughout the evening, while choreographed lighting effects add to the entertainment value. The 30,000-square-foot soundstage places fans close to the action, creating an intimate atmosphere that allows spectators to appreciate the speed and athleticism of the players. Neighborhood 4 Assembly Studios sits just around the corner from Atlanta’s famed Buford Highway corridor, one of the region’s premier destinations for international cuisine. The area is filled with everything from food trucks and hidden gems to long-established restaurants representing cultures from around the globe. Nearby options also include Bluetop Restaurant & Bar and the Baby Blue Pizza trailer, which was recently rated by Barstool Sports as one of Atlanta’s top pizza spots. With a MARTA station within walking distance, visitors can easily access many of Atlanta’s other attractions without needing to drive across the city. Fans 3 Fan support remains a work in progress as INTENNSE continues to establish itself. The league has gained exposure through events such as the Atlanta Cup winter exhibition, while partnerships with organizations like Atlanta’s amateur tennis organization, ALTA, help introduce the concept to local tennis players and fans. As the league matures, the personalities of individual players will likely become a larger part of the experience. The development of recognizable “heroes” and “villains” should help create stronger emotional connections for spectators. One challenge is that the league’s team structure does not necessarily provide a hometown club for local fans to rally behind. Building stronger team identities may be key to creating larger and more passionate fan bases in future seasons. Access 4 Assembly Studios benefits from a convenient location directly off Interstate 285, making it relatively easy to reach despite Atlanta’s well-known traffic challenges. For those utilizing public transportation, the venue is just a short walk from the northern end of MARTA’s Gold Line. Parking is located directly outside the venue entrance. Unlike most of the soundstages located behind Assembly Studios’ security gates, Stage 5 can be accessed from outside the main studio complex, simplifying arrival for visitors. Once inside, some of the walkways can feel a bit narrow during peak periods, but nothing that a little patience cannot overcome. Return on Investment 3 Tickets start at $25 for upper-level Arena Pass seating. While not unreasonable, the price might give casual fans a reason to second-guess the decision. One factor working in the league’s favor is that admission includes two arcs rather than a single match. Viewed that way, the experience effectively costs about $12.50 per arc, making the overall value easier to justify. Concessions prices trend toward the higher end as well, but the higher quality food and beverage offerings live up to the higher prices. Extras 3 Several interactive elements help enhance the experience. Swing Shot allows fans to test their tennis skills by hitting a stationary ball toward targets displayed on a screen. The venue also includes numerous photo opportunities throughout the studio, beginning at the entrance and continuing around the concourse. Celebrity involvement has become another notable part of INTENNSE. Depending on the evening, fans may spot personalities such as NFL Hall of Famer Terrell Owens, NHL Hall of Famer Martin Brodeur, or reality television star Shep Rose in attendance. Final Thoughts INTENNSE successfully reimagines tennis for a generation accustomed to shorter attention spans and more interactive sporting experiences. While the league is still developing its fan culture and team identities, the combination of high-level professional tennis, entertainment-focused presentation, and quality concessions creates a unique experience unlike anything else currently available in the sport. For tennis fans looking for something different, or sports fans who have never considered attending a tennis event, INTENNSE offers an entertaining alternative that is more rock concert than country club.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Credit Union of Texas Event Center 200 E Stacy Rd Allen, TX 75002 Allen Americans website Credit Union of Texas Event Center website Year Opened: 2009 Capacity: 6,275 Red! Red! Red! Red! Red! Red! Red! Allen Americans The Allen Americans are a minor league ice hockey team currently playing in the ECHL (every coast hockey league – I made that up; it used to be the East Coast Hockey League but they rebranded to just the initials ECHL after the league expanded across North America). The Allen Americans began their play in 2009 as part of the now defunct CHL (Central Hockey League). When that league folded in 2014, the Americans transitioned to the ECHL. The Americans have a rich history of success in their short existence winning the Ray Miron Presidents Cup twice in the CHL and the Kelly Cup the two seasons they’ve been in the ECHL so far (both cups are comparable to the NHL’s Stanley Cup). They have always played in the Allen Event Center, in Allen, TX (30 or so miles north of Dallas, TX). The Allen Event Center also hosts indoor soccer Dallas Sidekicks as well as a variety of other concerts and entertainment shows. Editor’s Note: In Fall 2021, the arena name changed from Allen Event Center to Credit Union of Texas Event Center. Food & Beverage 4 The Allen Event Center provides a decent fare and then some. The concession stands each offer the basic snacks (hot dog, popcorn, pretzels, candy, peanuts, etc.) but each stand has different main entrees so be sure to walk the concourse and check them all out before ordering. One offers pulled pork and chopped brisket sandwiches, turkey leg, sausage on a stick, baked potato or a loaded spud ranging from $5 – $8. Another has Philly cheesesteak or chicken fried steak baskets, corn dogs and a variety of fries; and still another presents a diverse range of burgers and chicken sandwiches $6.50 – $7.75, and for $3 more add some fries. A CiCi’s Pizza provides slices, a whole pie, and garlic cheesy bread. Try the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory or a Nestles Toll House cookie stand ($2.50 a cookie) for sweets. Even with all these choices, the recommended place is Savour Cantina serving delicious items such as fajita nacho grande, empanadas, crackling pork shank, taquitos, elote, and burritos ranging from $6.50 – $10. Across from the stand on the concourse, ambiance is provided with lights strung up and tables with red table cloths and chairs and umbrellas. Coca-Cola is the soda preference. Domestic draft beers go for $6/$8.25; a 24 ounce can is $9.25 and are sold at most concession stands. One beer stand (near Savour Cantina) has a variety of craft brews in a can. The souvenir/merchandise area is set up on tables on the concourse and has plenty of red hats, red shirts, red jerseys, some novelties like earrings and pucks but no hat pins or pennants. Atmosphere 3 The Allen Event Center is a fine facility to watch an ice hockey game; it has some nice features and others that can be improved upon. One level of seating is available with suites on a second level. It is a smaller arena so one can get a good view of the ice from all seats. Entering the seating area brings a visitor to row E or so, fans will walk up or down depending on their row level; the highest row is S. The steps are a tad steep but there are handrails for those who might have unsteady footage. To sit center ice facing the player benches, choose sections 116 (seat #’s 1 to 7) or 115 (seat #’s 11 – 18) or so to be within the blue lines. No center hung video board blocks the view of the other side (nice!); instead two huge flat screen displays are mounted above the seating areas on each side of the ice. Smaller score lines are located on the wall behind the goals. Pretty, young cheerleaders hand out game day rosters (the print is too small to read…) when entering the arena. To me, cheerleaders feel out of place at hockey games. Unless, they can ice dance, save them for basketball and football games. It is dark in the area so said rosters can’t be read. I, personally, don’t like the darkness but that’s a fans preference. It can get chilly at Allen Event Center for a hockey game (but not as bad as some ECHL arenas in the league). Bring extra layers if you’re one who tends to be cold. The music and announcements are way too loud to have any kind of conversation with neighbors between play of game. At the game of this review, one exceptionally nice between-period entertainment was displaying a full rendition of John Denver and his band actually performing ‘Thank God I’m a Country Boy’ on the video boards interposed with fans in the stands. Neighborhood 3 If you or your significant other likes shopping, you will be a happy camper. Otherwise, there’s not a heck of a lot of things to do within walking distance of the venue. The arena is located within and close to three shopping outlets / malls. There are plenty of restaurants within the shopping mall closest to the Allen Event Center which include: BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse, Dodie’s Place Cajun Bar & Grill, Pane Vino, Pluckers Wing Bar and more. If a beer before or after the game is desired, Kelly’s at the Village Craft Tavern is recommended. It is steps from the arena and has a huge variety of beers on tap (30+) many local to Texas, as well as a complete menu. There’s seating inside and outside at Kelly’s. Both Kelly’s at the Village and Dodie’s Place Cajun Bar & Grill seem to be the most frequented by Allen American fans. For places to stay, a Courtyard Marriott is spitting distance from the entrance. A Hampton Inn is right under the highway (walking distance) but currently (Fall 2016) the sidewalks are closed due to road construction so walking from there is not an option. On a side note, the Hampton Inn is where the visiting team players stayed (during the weekend of this review). Fans 4 Fans are strong and ardent and show up in team jerseys and colors and are respective of the visiting fans and players. For the most part, no ‘make some noise’ prompts are needed. A select group of fans with drums sit behind one of the goals and get the fans cheering. The coolest tradition and chant the fans execute is when after an American goal, all fans stand up and pump their arms and shout Red! Red! Red! Red! at the appropriate time during the goal song, “Don’t Stop Living in the Red” by Andrew W.K. Average attendance is steady and near or above the 4,000 mark for both their CHL days and their current ECHL league. Allen American fans have a lot to be proud of. Access 3 Allen, TX is about a 40 minute drive from Dallas. And Dallas traffic is always horrific and roadways always seem to be under construction. Public transportation from Dallas Love Field Airport will take 3 – 4 hours depending on arrival time and day, so the Allen Event Center is not the easiest to get to for a sports stadium traveler. The arena is just east off of US-75 between McKinney and Plano, TX. Traffic is congested around the Event Center as it is in the midst of huge shopping centers/outdoor malls – The Village at Allen and The Village at Fairview. Exiting the area after the game will take some time. The concourse is not overly crowded except at the two entrance areas. Not unique in minor league venues, one cannot walk the entire concourse but must circle back after a certain closed off area. It appears the only wheelchair accessible seating is on the glass level – this may or may not be a good thing depending on preference. Restrooms are plenty with no lines and are clean. Return on Investment 3 For a Saturday day game, tickets run $20 – $42 with an additional $2 – $8 charge when purchasing on game day. Ticket prices run a little less for weekday games (starting at $14). Parking is free; concession prices are not out of this world. There’s no need to purchase tickets beforehand (unless you’re particular about where you sit and/or want to save a few extra game day purchase fees). This recommendation could change when the Americans make it to the Kelly Cup playoffs in early spring. It’s a winning team and a decent facility so it’s worth the investment. Extras 2 If planned properly, a stadium journey traveler may find several doubleheader weekends of hockey/soccer at the Allen Event Center. The John Denver video delivery of ‘Thank God I’m a Country Boy’ and the ‘Living in the Red’ goal celebration are worth an extra mention. Various jerseys the Allen Americans have sported are displayed on the walls behind the suites on the second level. Final Thoughts The Allen Event Center is a respectable venue in which to watch an ECHL game. It has above average food choices, is in the midst of an outdoor shopping mall and has hotels within walking distance. And the team wins. Check it out if in the area north of Dallas.

Photos by Dennis Morrell and James Hilchen , Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Casey's Center 233 Center St Des Moines, IA 50309 Iowa Wild website Casey's Center website Year Opened: 2005 Capacity: 8,162 Wild Hockey Casey's Center is the biggest of three different arenas that comprise the Iowa Events Center. Opened in 2005, as the Wells Fargo Arena, it is located on the banks of the Des Moines River. The arena is a multi-purpose venue and home to three sports teams as well as concerts and other events throughout the year. The midern building replaced Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium as the main sporting and concert venue in the Des Moines area. Prior to the 2015-2016 season, the arena spent $1.6 million on a brand new video board. The HD board (sitting above center ice) has curved screens for easier viewing by fans all over the arena. The Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League began play in the 2013-14 season at the arena. The Wild were previously known as the Houston Aeros and are affiliated with the Minnesota Wild of the NHL. The inaugural game for the Wild was a 1-0 victory over the Oklahoma City Barons on October 12, 2013 before a crowd of 10,200. The Wild broke their attendance record on November 9, 2017, when 13,422 fans watched Iowa defeat the Rockford IceHogs, 5-3. Generally the arena set up for a hockey capacity of 8,162, but can hold about 17,000. The venue is also home to the Iowa Wolves of the NBA G League and the Iowa Barnstormers of the Arena Football League. The arena is not new to hockey, having been host to the AHL’s Iowa Chops from 2005-2009. *As of July 1, 2025, the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa, was officially renamed Casey's Center. The 10-year, $18.3 million naming rights agreement with the Iowa-based convenience store chain includes upgraded concessions, such as Casey's pizza and a "Grab & Go" location inside Food & Beverage 3 The arena offers a decent variety of food and drinks. Stu’s Bar-B-Q is a popular spot to grab some good BBQ. The brisket sandwiches are tasty as are the Gaziano sausage sandwiches. Local restaurant Bordenaro’s serves pizza slices for $5. Cheeseburgers, grilled chicken sandwiches, grinders, and Philly cheese steak are available for purchase,. Hot Dog Nation has numerous types of hot dogs. Snacks including popcorn and candy are also available. Coca-Cola products are the choice of soda (souvenir cup) depending on size. The recommendation for Cokaholics, such as myself is the souvenir cup; they come with $2 refills. Also available are Red Bull, water, and coffee. If you fancy ice cream and shakes, Moovers and Shakers has you covered with numerous flavors and options in the building, There are $9 cans of beer available (25 oz). Budweiser, Bud Light, Michelob Ultra, Busch, Miller Lite, Coors Light, Corona, and Mike’s are your choices. Head over to section 108 for the Bud Light Bar. It offers a full-service bar and a nice place to watch the game. Atmosphere 4 Stadium seating surrounds the ice and there are luxury boxes available as well. The brand new scoreboard hangs above the middle of the ice, making it very easy to see the score, statistics, and replays. There are no hindered views anywhere in the arena. Getting in and out of your seats to get something to eat or use the restroom is an easy task. Lines at the food concessions are usually very short but if you are in line for a moment, there are HD monitors near the concession areas so you won’t miss any action. The arena is set up for a capacity of 8,162 for hockey with other areas tarped off. It makes for a better, more exciting atmosphere. One note for larger fans; the upper deck has seats that aren’t as wide as the lower seating bowl. Generally, getting seats in the lower bowl isn’t an issue but if purchasing tickets in the upper bowl, make sure to get one on an aisle. Most aisle seats have arm rests that are adjustable, giving a little more room. Neighborhood 5 Downtown Des Moines is fabulous. The area surrounding the arena has every type of food imaginable and plenty of places to have a drink. One block south of the arena is Buzzard Billy’s. Serving Cajun food as well as some traditional bar fare, Buzzard Billy’s is a great place to go before or after the game. The catfish is great, there are plenty of drink specials and if you haven’t tried alligator before, this is your chance. A few blocks farther south, there is a litany of places for any type of food. If pizza is your thing, it doesn’t get much better than Fong’s Pizza. Fong’s is quite an eclectic place. A former Chinese restaurant, Fong’s kept all the ambiance of the former tenant, but with a pizza flair. The egg rolls are recommended as an appetizer and the pies range from the traditional to unique combinations such as crab Rangoon pizza. It is a popular hangout in Des Moines and super busy on some nights, but if you can get in, the food is great. There are plenty of other food and drink options as well as numerous lodging options. Comfort Inn & Suites is directly across the street (to the north) from the arena. The Des Moines Marriott is a few blocks south. If traveling with family, be sure to visit the Iowa Capitol Building and the State Historical Museum of Iowa. Both are great places to take kids and both are free. Fans 3 The Wild are in their fifth season of existence beginning the 2017-2018 season and have a decent fan following, generally finishing in the middle of the pack in AHL attendance. The Wild have their group of hard cores that attend every game, always rock their Wild gear, and try and make it uncomfortable for the opposing team. After the typical celebration for a Wild goal, the opposing goalie is serenaded with a chant of “it’s your fault.” With Des Moines being less than four hours drive to the NHL Minnesota Wild (the two teams are affiliated), it isn’t uncommon for fans to come down from Minnesota to take in a game or two and see the future of their hockey team. Access 5 It is located in downtown Des Moines and easily accessible off I-235. Parking is available in the arena lots for $8. Parking structures are a couple blocks away and cost $5. An added benefit of Des Moines is the sky walk. The sky walk links buildings via an enclosed walkway that makes it easy to get from parking structures to the arena without going outside. Once inside the arena, it is very easy to get around. The concourse is wide, plenty of clean restrooms are provided, and sections are clearly marked. Return on Investment 4 You can get in the door to see the game for just $10. Prices range from $10 on the second level up to $45 for a seat next to the glass. With the way the arena is set up for hockey, there are no bad seats and all sections are easy to get in and out when needed. A ticket combined with $5-$8 parking and average food prices makes for a fun night at the arena without breaking the bank. Extras 3 An extra point goes to the ushers who are consistent in wanting fans to wait to re-enter the seating bowl during play. It’s a small thing but it makes a big difference to the fans watching the game. One extra point goes to the Wild organization. They are making it a point to be very visible in the city and as fan friendly as can be. From post-game skates to post-game autograph meet and greets with players at Buzzard Billy’s after select games, the organization does a great job of providing extra perks for fans. A final point for the constant deals that the Wild give to their fans. There are discounted tickets offered to nearly every game, teaming up with companies such as Subway. Be sure and check the Iowa Wild website prior to coming and you will likely find a deal to save you a few dollars. Final Thoughts Casey's Center is a great venue for hockey. The organization cares about the fans, the price of attending a game is very reasonable, and downtown Des Moines has something for everyone. The AHL provides some quality hockey and taking in a game in Des Moines is a fun experience. Follow James Hilchen’s stadium journeys on Twitter @stadiumjwriter