Propst Arena At The Von Braun Center

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14

Propst Arena At The Von Braun Center 700 Monroe St SW Huntsville, AL 35801

Huntsville Havoc website Propst Arena at The Von Braun Center website

Year Opened: 1975 Capacity: 6,600

Havoc Rising

The southern United States may not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking of hockey hotbeds, but Huntsville has proven there is room for the sport to thrive deep in the heart of football country.

Professional hockey first arrived in Huntsville in 1993 with the ECHL’s Huntsville Blast. However, the team would relocate to Tallahassee after just one season. After a brief hiatus, hockey returned for the 1995-96 season with the newly formed Southern Hockey League (SHL), where the Huntsville Channel Cats captured the league’s only championship.

Though the SHL folded after one year, the Channel Cats, who would also play as the Tornado, found a new home in the Central Hockey League (CHL), where they competed through 2001. Following another two-year break, the Channel Cats were revived in the Southeast Hockey League (SEHL), again winning the league's lone championship before that league was also disbanded.

Out of the SEHL’s collapse, the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) was born via a merger between the Atlantic Coast Hockey League and World Hockey Association 2. The Huntsville Havoc emerged from this transition in 2004, and have since become a cornerstone of the league, winning three SPHL championships, trailing only the Knoxville Ice Bears and Pensacola Ice Flyers.

Originally opened in 1975 as part of the Von Braun Center, the arena underwent a $15 million renovation in 2008 and was renamed Propst Arena. It now includes a convention center and the Mars Music Hall.

Food & Beverage 4

Propst Arena offers a wide variety of food and beverage options to satisfy most fans. What is a bit disappointing though is that it seems to lack local restaurant representation. Concession stands serve up familiar favorites like chicken tenders with fries and various styles of hot dogs, like the New Yorker, slaw dog, and chili cheese. There is also a solid selection of Hispanic-inspired dishes including tacos and elotes, alongside barbecue options such as BBQ sandwiches and nachos. Snack options range from popcorn and candy to funnel cake and soft pretzels.

The Bud Light Café, located in the main atrium, features a full sports bar menu with appetizers like onion rings, quesadillas, mozzarella sticks, and entrees including burgers, wings, kabobs, kielbasa, and chicken sandwiches.

Alcohol selections are extensive, featuring local craft brews from Yellowhammer Brewing, such as Straight to Ale and Stone Brewing, plus the Havoc-branded House Blonde. Fans can choose from about twenty beers on tap or the 24-ounce “beer stick,” a mini hockey stick filled with draft beer, adding a fun twist to the drink options. Mixed drinks are also available, making Propst Arena a well-rounded spot for food and drinks during the game.

Atmosphere 4

Despite its age Propst Arena has a very modern feel; fans are welcomed into a glass-fronted atrium as they pass through security and onward to have tickets scanned. The area is also used to house a souvenir shop and pregame festivities.

Inside the arena seating is divided into three distinct sections – ice level suites around the glass are made up of individual high-top tables and chairs, backed with five rows of vinyl seats below the interior concourse. Above the walkway is the main seating area on both sides, which resembles a bell curve pattern. Unfortunately, for fans who enjoy standing throughout the game, there are limited options; the most ideal areas for fans to stand are all curtained off during the game.

The excitement of the game begins early on, however, with a fan-interactive pregame light show and hype video that is projected directly on the ice. Throughout the game stoppages in play take on a fun, minor league-feel, with fans dressed as soda cans racing the length of the ice and the promotional crew tossing Styrofoam pucks into the crowd, as well as scoreboard games and dance cams. Intermissions are also filled with on-ice contests, as well as with what has been dubbed the “fanboni”.

Neighborhood 4

Propst Arena is in the quickly developing downtown area of Huntsville; the arena is directly across the street from Big Spring Park. The park is home to the Huntsville Museum of Art and is a popular place for people to come feed the koi and ducks in the pond, or simply enjoy a sunny afternoon. The area is highly populated with hotels and restaurants. Probably the biggest attraction in Huntsville, though, is the US Space and Rocket Center, which is just a short ride from downtown.

Huntsville also has a strong minor league sports scene, with the Rocket City Trash Pandas (MiLB) and Huntsville City FC (MLS Next Pro) joining the mix in the spring.

Fans 5

A sign near the ice proudly proclaims Huntsville as “The Hockey Capital of the South”, a well-earned moniker. Hockey fandom in the south might not get bigger than it is in Huntsville – Havoc fans are very tuned in to the finer nuances of the game. Fans cheer after their team clears the zone during power plays and big hits, and are quick to applaud a save by the goalie. Fans help create a festive atmosphere during the game also; they are always quick to blast their vuvuzelas (plastic horns), or rattle their cow bells.

At the time of this review Huntsville has led the SPHL in attendance every season since the 2014-15 season, boasting a 43-game sellout streak.

Access 4

Propst Arena is easily accessible from I-565 and US 431 which intersect just outside of downtown, creating a bit of traffic congestion before games. Parking is easily accessible in the Church Street garage just across the street. The downtown area does have a decent amount of pedestrian foot traffic, so the streets around Propst Arena can be a bit slow for cars.

Lines to get into Propst Arena can be a bit long, but move quickly; fans also have spacious areas to congregate in, and can navigate the arena without creating significant congestion. The interior concourse can make for some obstructed views for those seated in the front few rows of the upper level of seating, but for those who might find the restrictions of a seat too much, the portal adjacent to the main foyer provides a great view without blocking the sight lines of those in seats.

Return on Investment 4

Parking in the Church Street garage, across the street from the arena, goes for just $5. Tickets start at just $10 before Ticketmaster fees are added on top, but those fees quickly turn a $10 price into something closer to $30. Concession prices here do seem a touch high as well, but the items available are of a bit higher quality than that found at most sports venues.

Extras 4

Fans can scan a QR code on their way into the arena to be part of the pregame light show during player introductions.

Mascots Ruckus and Chaos make their way throughout the arena during the game, stopping for what seems like endless photo ops with fans.

The pregame introductions at Propst Arena might rival any of those at the NHL level; between the fan interactive nature of it and the whole ice being used to project the introduction video, it is all is top notch.

From one end of the arena to the other, banners hang in honor and recognition of retired numbers in Huntsville history, as well as President Cup Championships.

Final Thoughts

Huntsville, Alabama might seem like an improbable place for hockey to thrive, but a visit to Propst Arena easily disproves that notion. The atmosphere is lively, the energy is high, and the experience delivers on all fronts. From the game presentation to the crowd engagement, everything comes together to create a memorable experience. When considering unaffiliated, minor-league hockey, it is hard to beat what the Huntsville Havoc have to offer.