H-E-B Center - Texas Stars

Photos by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57

H-E-B Center at Cedar Park 2100 Avenue of the Stars Cedar Park, TX 78613

Texas Stars website

H-E-B Center website

Year Opened: 2009

Capacity: 8,000

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H-E-B Center at Cedar Park – Texas Stars

In 2008, the American Hockey League’s (AHL) Iowa Stars franchise announced a change in who their parent club would be. This left the NHL’s Dallas Stars without a high-level developmental franchise. The solution was to move the minor league Stars to the Austin suburb of Cedar Park, Texas, to a new home in H-E-B Center at Cedar Park, and be re-branded the Texas Stars.

Since moving to Cedar Park the Stars have excelled on the ice, winning one regular season title, three division titles, three conference titles, and the Calder Cup once in 2014, and this doesn’t even take into account the dozens of players the franchise has sent to the big-league club over the past decade and a half.

The Texas Stars have built a die-hard fan base in and around Austin, and regularly see some of the largest crowds in the AHL. H-E-B Center has proven to be the perfect venue for them, as well – read on to learn what makes this a special place in south central Texas.

Food & Beverage   3

I’ve been coming to H-E-B Center for a number of years now, and I have seen great growth and improvement in their food and beverages scene during that time. There are quite a few national chains, like Bahama Buck’s, Pizza Hut, and one of their newer additions, Tim Horton’s. On a side note, when was the last time you had donuts and coffee at a game? For a hockey game, this is a no-brainer. Heck, it’s a great idea regardless.

At other spots you can find burgers, hot dogs, chicken fingers, tacos, and even bread bowls of soup. There are also a few self-serve kiosks where you can buy bottled soda, bottled water, sports drinks, and energy drinks, as well as beer and hard seltzers.

You can basically find whatever you’re looking for to eat or drink at H-E-B Center, which makes any sporting event eminently better.

Atmosphere   4

The atmosphere at H-E-B Center for Texas Stars game is truly top-notch; rarely have I seen anything like it in minor league sports. Part of this is due to how large the crowds are at the game (more on that shortly), while another part is due to the variety and uniqueness of the team’s theme nights (more on that later as well).

From the moment you walk through the doors, there is an energy here that is palpable. Green lights – reflecting the team’s colors – shine brightly throughout the interior, especially in the seating area and even on the ice itself. Two team stores can also be found for those looking to pick up some team merch.

There is also a wall denoting all the players that the minor league Stars have sent on to the NHL, and that makes for a great photo opp.

Lastly, the Bud Light Club can be found in the main concourse, and is open to all season ticket holders. This area plays out like a sports bar, and offers a spot for fans to get away from the crowds and watch the game – or whatever other sporting events are going on – in a quieter, more laid back atmosphere.

Neighborhood   4

As mentioned, Cedar Park has become one of the largest of Austin’s suburbs. It is a 30ish-minute drive from Cedar Park to downtown Austin, the latter which is home to all manner of entertainment, dining, shopping, and lodging options.

Cedar Park itself is also no slouch. Besides being home to minor league hockey, H-E-B Center is also the home venue for the NBA G League’s Austin Spurs. The two team’s seasons even overlap, so if you time your visit right you might be able to double up on games, if you’re so inclined.

For dining options, the venue is right off US Loop 183A, so there aren’t going to be many eateries within walking distance – this also applies to lodging. In the immediate area of the venue, though, you will find chains such as Chuy’s Tex-Mex, Salata, and CAVA. If you venture farther into town, you’ll find some even more options.

The same can be said of lodgings; there are two options within a five-minute drive of the facility. These include WoodSpring Suites Cedar Park – Austin North and Hyatt Place Austin / Cedar Park. As always, your only limit for hotels is your budget.

Fans   4

The Texas Stars average around 6,000 fans, which pretty much guarantees a full house at H-E-B Center. The fans come out in droves, mostly dressed in green sweaters and t-shirts. The crowds are loud and engaged, they do the same bit that the big-league club does during the National Anthem (yelling out “Stars” when it’s said during the song), and all-in-all make things feel bigger than just being a minor league hockey game. The fans here make things a lot of fun, and I think anyone who attends a game will agree with me.

Access   4

H-E-B Center is very easy to get to, whether you’re coming from Austin or up from San Antonio, which is just under a two-hour drive away. As mentioned the arena is right off US 183, and you can see it from the highway. It’s also just over a 30-minute drive from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, if you’re flying in for a game. Once on-site, parking is plentiful and free.

There aren’t many public transportation options available here, however, outside of a few bus routes. If you aren’t looking to drive, rideshares are plentiful in the area. In addition, being so close to the highway makes getting into the venue’s parking lots and leaving games very easy.

Return on Investment   3

Single-game tickets for Texas Stars tickets range from $25 to $35. This is a little higher than the average for the AHL, which might be because of the club’s proximity to Austin. Concession prices are also a little higher than what you might expect to pay at a minor league game, but not by much. Even so, when you take into consideration that parking is free, you’re still coming away with quite a bargain considering that the Texas Stars are annually a playoff club.

Extras   3

When it comes to extras, the Stars have pretty much everything that most minor league teams have. Their main draws are their mascot, Ringo the Ringtail, who I have to believe is the only one of its kind in the country, as well as their theme/promo nights. The Texas Stars do their best to make the theme nights as unique as possible, including offering a Jurassic Night and a Star Wars Night. My visit happened to be a celebration of the Renaissance Fair, where they had jousting, falconry, and vendors selling medieval themed paraphernalia – it was a pretty interesting sight to behold.

Final Thoughts

As a native Texan, I can’t say my exposure to hockey has been as extensive as the other big sports. However, I can say that I’ve seen my fair share of minor league hockey over the past 25 plus years. What they have done and built in Cedar Park with the Texas Stars eclipses everything I have seen before; it’s not quite the NHL, obviously, but my visits have been pretty special.

If you’re a hockey fan, make pilgrimage to Cedar Park, Texas, when you can. I think you’ll have a great time.

Follow Eric Moreno's Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477.