Taffy Abel Arena - Lake Superior State Lakers
Updated: 1 day ago
Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86
Taffy Abel Arena @ James Norris Event Center
1000 Meridian St.
Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783
Year Opened: 1976
Capacity: 4,000
Jewel of the North
A school with an enrollment of less than 1,500 in a city of less than 20,000 has earned the NCAA Ice Hockey National Championship three times. Lake Superior State University is a public university in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, on the opposite side of the St. Mary's River from its twin city of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. The Lake Superior State Lakers began playing hockey at the NAIA level in 1966. After a pair of NAIA National Championships, they made the big jump to the NCAA and became a member of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association.
The Lakers returned to the CCHA after its revival in 2021, after a period in the WCHA. In the late 80s and 90s the Lakers were dominant, with 11 NCAA Tournament appearances, four times making it to the Frozen Four and winning the National Championship in 1988, 1992, and 1994. Some Laker alumni include Bates Battaglia, Jim Dowd, Blaine Lacher, Brian Rolston, John Grahame and Doug Weight.
Home for the Laker is the Jewel of the North, the Taffy Abel Arena. It is located inside the James Norris Event Center, named for the hockey icon and former owner of the Detroit Red Wings. The Taffy Abel Arena is an on-campus arena that was built in 1976 and has undergone a few significant renovations. The arena is named for Clarence “Taffy” Abel, an NHL player who played for the New York Rangers and Chicago Black Hawks in the 20s and 30s and was from Sault Ste. Marie. He was also a silver medalist in the 1924 Winter Olympics, where he was the flagbearer for the US Olympic team.
Food & Beverage 3
There are concession stands in both the lower and upper concourses. The menu is fairly simplistic and offers typical arena fare including hot dogs, pretzels, nachos, fries, and poutine. Coca-Cola products are the contracted soft drink in the arena. There is also a small selection of macro beers available. The highlight of the concessions at Taffy Abel Arena is probably the hand-scooped ice cream at the Zack and Mac Ice Cream stand.
Atmosphere 5
The exterior of the James Norris Event Center is very simple with brown brick and a maroon roof. There is a distinct lack of signage outside the center however, there are a few interesting items outside. Game day is signified by a pickup truck towing a parade-style float in the form of a ship parked at the corner. A huge anchor reminds fans of the nautical theme that athletics at LSSU employs. If lucky, a Lakers victory will bring the players out for the ringing of the Victory Bell after the game.
After entering the Norris Center, the 70s vibe continues with brown brick and tile everywhere. However, it becomes clear that LSSU takes its athletics seriously, and the school is adamant that achievements need to be commemorated. The lobby of the Norris Center is full of markings and memorabilia. The Wall of Champions is found above the Norris Center entrance, and trophy cases house memorabilia for mostly other sports rather than hockey. Just outside the Taffy Abel Arena entry, which is plastered with Laker markings, fans will find the five national championship trophies the Lakers have earned, each encased in its own glass display.
Entering the Taffy Abel Arena, there are more nods to Laker history. Displays on the main level concourse, which is at ice level, include a history and explanation of the Victory Bell, a history of the Cappo Cup rivalry series with Northern Michigan, a display outlining all of the players who have played for the Lakers according to their number, a history of Laker coaches, and displays for each of the three NCAA National Championships the Lakers have earned. Front and center in the lower concourse is a small team store.
After ascending the staircase to the seating level, the nostalgia continues. The upper concourse features a whole new set of Laker markings and history. Highlights include encased, historic jerseys, a list of all Laker All-Americans, Lakers who have made it to the NHL, a timeline with a history of Laker Hockey, a map marking the homes of each of the current Laker players, and banners for the Lakers who have played in the Olympics. New for the 2026 season is the Lakers Ring of Honor, which is found on the east side above the suites. Biographies for each of the members, Bill Crawford, Dan Angelelli, Domenic Monardo, and Jim Dowd, are found on the opposite side in the concourse.
The ice surface is oriented from north to south, and the best view of the center ice logo is from the west side. Around that logo is an outline of Lake Superior. A simple four-sided video board with a lower ring hangs above center ice. The perimeter of the rafters, which are Laker blue, is littered with banners commemorating conference championships, tournament championships, and the five national championships. An eagle-eyed fan will even notice that there are anchors painted into the center red line. The upper concourse is behind the seating and is somewhat open.
The game-day production of a Laker game is also strong. The Lake Superior Soundwave Pep Band makes their entrance by parading through the upper concourse to their section at the south end. Players take the ice from the south through a large inflatable ship to a modernized version of “Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.” The band performs throughout the game, and the direction is excellent, with the band never being played over by other music or announcements. The mascot, Seamore the Seaduck, takes part in the pre-game ceremonies and interacts with fans.
Neighborhood 3
Taffy Abel Arena is located on the campus of Lake Superior State University. There are a few spots for pre- and post-game food and drink. Some options include Wicked Sister, Prime Cuts, Lockview Restaurant, Antlers, Jose’s, Pure Country, and Frank’s Place.
The Lakers are one of the schools that compete in hockey at the Division I level and other sports at Division II. The Lake Superior State Lakers are pretty much the only game in town, along with other Lakers teams including basketball and women’s volleyball. For something a little different, fans may want to consider the I-500 Snowmobile Race. The big race is held in early February. Other sports options would require heading north, across the border. The Algoma Thunderbirds of USports and the OHL’s Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds are options.
There are a couple of other tourist options in the area. Some options include Soo Locks, Museum Ship Valley Camp, and River of History Museum.
For fans who wish to stay near campus, the Holiday Inn is very close.
Fans 3
Taffy Abel Arena is one of two on-campus arenas where the capacity is larger than the enrollment of the school. For the 2025-26 season, the Lakers averaged over 1,100 fans per game. The previous season they averaged just over 1,000. This ranked them ninth and eighth, respectively, in the nine-team conference. The game that was reviewed, the 2nd of the 2026-27 season, had nearly 2,100 fans in attendance, but it was also during Great Lake State Weekend, the equivalent of homecoming. The fans in attendance are loud and supportive. A small, but dedicated, student section is found in the southeast corner, near the band. There is room for improvement; however, the small enrollment and small population are definite roadblocks.
Access 4
Taffy Abel Arena is located in the Norris Center on the campus of Lake Superior State University. It is found on the southwest corner of Meridian and Easterday. It is ½ mile east of Highway I-75 and 1 km south of St. Mary's River. It is minutes from the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge. Getting to campus will not be difficult at all, however, coming from the north will probably require a wait at the border.
There is parking on site that will cost $5. Public transit is very limited. There is a Dial-A-Ride program in Sault Ste. Marie, but it is difficult to say if it would benefit the hockey crowd.
Getting around the Norris Center and Taffy Abel Arena is not too difficult. It is an older arena, so stairs are part of the adventure. The plastic arena seats are on the narrow side. The washroom facilities are decent inside Taffy Abel Arena.
Return on Investment 5
Lake Superior State hockey is very affordable. Tickets for the Lakers are $20 for adults, with discounts for Seniors and Students. Prices for concessions are good, and parking is pretty cheap. The atmosphere at a Laker game is top-notch, and fans will definitely have a great time, with money left to come again.
Extras 4
An extra mark for the unexpected success the Lakers have enjoyed despite being a very small school.
An extra mark for the Cappo Cup rivalry series with the Northern Michigan Wildcats.
An extra mark for playing the Canadian National Anthem before games along with the Star-Spangled Banner.
An extra mark for the namesake of Taffy Abel Arena, a player who was born in 1900.
Final Thoughts
Taffy Abel Arena is the Jewel of the North, and taking in a game there is a must for college hockey fans. It may not be fancy or shiny, but it has character and trumpets the accomplishments of the Lake Superior Lakers as loud as possible.
