By Neil Becker

As an avid hockey fan, there is nothing better than proudly wearing your favorite hockey jersey while enthusiastically soaking in the excitement of a live NHL game. Starting at a young age I was fortunate to do just that as I would frequently go to Maple Leaf Gardens with my dad and bask in the glory of watching the likes of Darryl Sittler, Tiger Williams and Mike Palmateer who were my childhood heroes.

At that time, my passion for hockey grew as I enjoyed looking at the historic black and white pictures in the lobby of the Leafs glory days from the past. I would also stare in awe at the same ice surface where such icons as forwards George Armstrong, Syl Apps and goalie Terry Sawchuk, to name a few played, and of course listening to Gardens legend Jimmy Holmstrom play the organ. During the years as I got older and started high school, I wasn’t much different from the average passionate hockey fan in that I had a strong desire to travel around and experience the highlights of watching games at different arenas.

Over the years I have been lucky enough to soak in the excitement of a pumped-up crowd along with hearing the unique goal horns and viewing the unique characteristics of such old barns as Chicago Stadium, Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, the Montreal Forum and the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh. The greatest moment of my hockey travels is undoubtedly witnessing firsthand such historic events as listening to the legendary Chicago anthem singer Wayne Messmer, experiencing the iconic ear-piercing organ at the stadium, savoring the famous Chicago Stadium goal, and being immersed in the deafening roar of the Chicago crowd during the anthems.

During any NHL season, arenas across North America are teeming with eager fans, like myself, driven by a bucket-list desire to visit various venues across the league. Over the years, numerous stories have been told about friends, married couples, families, and parents and children eagerly traveling to different arenas, clad in their favorite hockey jerseys, while absorbing the electric atmosphere of the crowd.

The following are the top five hockey arenas on my bucket list and what in my opinion makes them such a must-see attraction for hockey fans.

MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

Madison Square Garden which is otherwise known as MSG or “The Worlds Most Famous Arena” is located at 4 Pennsylvania Plaza and is the home of the original six New York Rangers. To this day, chants of “Potvin sucks” can still be heard echoing around the Garden. These chants which are a historical fixture among Rangers history refers to former New York Islanders Hockey Hall of Fame defenceman Dennis Potvin who back on February 25, 1979, stirred up the MSG crowd after delivering a devastating hit to Rangers forward Ulf Nilsson who ended up with a fractured ankle.

Another experience to soak up at MSG is witnessing the energy of the passionate fans as they sing the unique goal song to celebrate a Rangers goal. The goal song which is called ‘Slapshot’ has fans cheering in unison “Hey, Hey, Hey” followed by “Woah” which has become an iconic chant at MSG.

Throughout the decades Madison Square Garden has seen plenty of historical hockey games including one which took place on June 14, 1994, when the Rangers at Madison Square Garden ended their 54-year Stanley Cup drought by defeating the Vancouver Canucks by a 3-2 Game 7 decision to capture their first Stanley Cup since 1940.  

Another characteristic which makes Madison Square Garden such an iconic place is that it was the site of not only some memorable playoff series against the cross-town Islanders but also the site of a historic moment which took place May 27, 1994, against the New Jersey Devils. This moment which will live on in Rangers’ history took place during Game 7 Double OT of the Eastern Conference Finals when forward Stephan Matteau became a household name when he sent the MSG fans in a frenzy after his wrap around goal propelled the Rangers into the Stanley Cup Finals

TD GARDEN

A second must see arena to be included on a hockey fans bucket list is TD Garden which is home of the Original Six franchise Boston Bruins. This arena, which opened in 1995 and is located at 100 Legends Way, has over the years hosted many memorable hockey events such as the 1996 NHL All-Star Game, along with the 2011, 2013 and 2019 Stanley Cup Finals.

Besides getting a firsthand look at the same ice surface which held these events, visitors to the arena can also venture to the second-floor concourse where they can visit Boston Bruins Heritage Hall which includes exhibits, artifacts, and games which allow fans of all ages to learn about the Bruins rich history. The Sports Museum, which is also located at TD Garden gives fans an opportunity to educate themselves on the history and accomplishments of all Boston area sports teams including the Bruins, Boston Celtics, New England Patriots, Boston Red Sox just to name a few.

Another big attraction for first time visitors is the historic bronze statue showing Hall of Fame Bruins defenceman Bobby Orr celebrating in the air after scoring the Stanley Cup winning goal on March 10, 1970, in overtime against the St. Louis Blues. This was the Bruins first Stanley Cup in 29 years. This statue which was unveiled May 2010 is located just outside the TD Garden front entrance. Inside the arena, another historical sight to witness are the six Stanley Cup banners which proudly hang from the TD Gardens rafters along with retired numbers of former Bruins legends such as Eddie Shore, Lionel Hitchman, Bobby Orr, Aubrey Clapper, Phil Esposito, Cam Neely, Johnny Bucyk, Milton Schmidt, Terry O’Reilly, Ray Bourque, Rick Middleton, and Willie O’Ree.

TD Garden has also hosted historical events such as the 1996 US Olympic Gymnastics Trials, 1998       NCAA Frozen Four, 1998 WrestleMania X1V, 1999 NHL Draft, 2000 US Olympic Gymnastics Trials, 2004 NCAA Frozen Four and 2006 NCAA Women’s Final Four to name just a few of the many historical events at TD Garden. Naturally the arena also has Boston Celtics banners honoring their past championship teams along with the franchise retired numbers. 

UNITED CENTER

A third arena hockey fans should visit is the United Center which is located at 1901 West Madison Street and is home to another original six team, the Chicago Blackhawks. This arena, which opened in 1994 enjoyed its finest moment in 2015 when the Blackhawks made franchise history by winning the Stanley Cup in 6 games against the Tampa Bay Lightning. What made this an extra special event was that this was the first time since 1938 that the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup on home ice.

Besides getting a close look at the same ice surface where Chicago won, another big attraction for first timers at the arena was seeing and taking pictures of the various Chicago Blackhawks banners recognizing past accomplishments and Stanley Cup wins along with Banners for the retired numbers.

The Blackhawks historic championship banners include the 1990-91 and 2012-13 Presidents’ Trophy winners, 1966-67 Prince of Wales Trophy Champions, 1969-70 Wales Conference Champions, 1970-71, 1971-72, 1972-73, 1991-92 Campbell Conference Champions, 2009-10, 2012-13, 2014-15 Western Conference Champions, 1975-76, 1977-78, 1978-79. 1979-80 Smythe Division Champions, 1982-83, 1985-86, 1989-90, 1990-91, 1992-93 Norris Division Champions, 20009-2010, 2012-13, 2016-17 Central Division Champions and 1934, 1938, 1961, 2010, 2013, 2015 Stanley Cup Champions.

Also hanging from the United Center rafters are banners recognizing the numbers retired of past Chicago Bulls legends and the eight retired numbers from the Chicago Blackhawks. When hockey fans look up to the rafters, they can see the banners honoring Glenn Hall (#1), Keith Magnuson/Pierre Pilote (#3), Chris Chelios (#24), Bobby Hull (#9), Denis Savard (#18), Stan Mikita (#24), Tony Esposito (#35) and Marian Hossa (#81), who were all honored by having their numbers retired.

Another must see for first time visitors are the various bronze sports statues which includes basketball hall of famer and Chicago Bulls icon Michael Jordan along with a Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita statue.

Arguably the biggest highlight to visiting the United Center is to be in the seats and soak in the pure energy when that Allen TH323 Organ, which is a replica to the one at Chicago Stadium, pumps up the crowd and players with the national anthems which according to players sends chills down their spines. Experiencing the goosebumps which comes from the anthem is a must for not only hockey, but all sports fans to experience.

SAP CENTER

A fourth arena fans should experience is the SAP Center which is home of the San Jose Sharks. The SAP Center, which his located on 525 West Santa Clara Street has many attractions for fans including a massive teal shark’s head which is lowered to the ice SAP Center ice surface in which prior to puck drop, players skate through before hitting the ice.

Being a big Patrick Marleau fan, another reason to visit SAP Center is to personally see the banner, which was raised to the rafters in February 2023, retiring his #12. Marleau, who was drafted by San Jose second overall in 1997 played with the Sharks from 1997 until 2017 and produced over 500 goals and more than 1,100 points. During his career Marleau also played a season with the Toronto Maple Leafs and eight games in 2019-20 with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

History was made on January 26, 2019, when the San Jose Sharks hosted the National Hockey League All-Star Game. This event came three years after SAP Center hosted Games 3, 4 and 6 of the 2016 Stanley Cup Finals. Following Game 6 fans got to see the Stanley Cup being presented to the Pittsburgh Penguins who needed six games to defeat the Sharks. A final but major reason to see SAP Center is to experience taking in a game in a warm climate where palm trees surround the arena, and fans sometimes wear flip flops and shorts to games.

PPG PAINTS ARENA

When hockey fans venture to Pittsburgh and visit PPG Paints Arena, a big attraction is the iconic 4,700- pound bronze statute of Penguins legend Mario Lemieux which was unveiled back in March 2012. This is a statue replicating a play back in 1988 which has “Super Mario” splitting a pair of New York Islanders defenceman.

The arena has three large banners honoring three past greats who had their numbers retired, such as Hall of Famer Mario Lemieux who wore #66, as well as future Hall of Famer Jaromir Jagr who wore #68. The third and final retired number banner belongs to Michel Briere who wore #21. Also proudly hanging high in the rafters are five championship banners commemorating the 1991, 1992, 2009, 2016 and 2017 Stanley Cup winning teams.

The arena seats are 24 inches wide with lots of leg room, a public bar and food court located on the main concourse where you can watch the game and a 4,000 square foot team store which has everything for Penguins fans. Even if you’re not a Penguins fan, hockey fans should travel to PPG Paints Arena while they still have a chance to watch a generational talent in Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin who despite being on the back nine of their hall of fame careers, are still elite talents and a treat to watch.

LOOKING AHEAD

Personally, my goal is to see every NHL arena but for any hockey fan looking to start the mission of seeing different NHL arenas, I would highly recommend these five.