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When attending a hockey game, the excitement that is felt within the stadium is one of a kind. Regardless of which bar or restaurant you plan on watching the game at, it cannot be compared to what you would feel while sitting in those cool seats in the hockey stadium. The excitement that is felt is partly due to the loud crowds that are surrounding you while in your seat. Some stadiums are known for having some of the loudest Read the rest of this entry »

You may not have traveled to these hockey stadiums, but you’ve surely seen them on TV if you have hockey coverage from http://www.direct2tv.com.

Home to the National Hockey League’s New York Rangers, Madison Square Garden is considered an iconic area. Currently sitting as the oldest arena in professional hockey, the “Garden” as it is commonly referred to, the arena in its current version, sits 17,200 patrons, a decrease of 1000 seats from the previous seating arrangement from 1991-2012. The Garden opened for hockey on February 11th, 1968, and at a cost of 1.1 billion dollars, it is one of the ten most expensive sports arenas ever constructed and underwent a renovation in 2011-2013.

Nicknamed “The Joe”, Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan plays home to the Detroit Red Wings. Built in 1979 and a cost of 57 million dollars, the arena remains one of three still in existence in the NHL that do not don a corporate sponsorship name. The arena is owned by the city of Detroit, and currently has a seating capacity of 20,066. Joe Louis Arena is the fourth oldest hockey arena still in use today.

With the groundbreaking beginning in March of 1997, the Air Canada Center is home to the Toronto Maple Leafs. The arena holds up to 19,723 people (including standing room areas), the Maple Leafs first began play in the Air Canada Center in February, 1999. Air Canada has a 20-year agreement to hold the naming rights of the arena. In 2008, Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment began a 500 million dollar renovation and expansion of the arena to include restaurants, a high-end hotel, and retail shopping.

The Chicago Blackhawks moved into the United Center in January, 1995 following the NHL Lockout in 1994. The seating capacity has changed multiple times over the years, currently holding 19,717 with an additional 2700 available for standing room. The arena is set up almost identically to it’s predecessor, old Chicago Stadium, better known as the “Madhouse on Madison.” The United Center was specifically designed to increase the noise level by amplifying the acoustics to be similar to Chicago Stadium. The arena holds 169 suites due to a renovation that took place during the 2009-2010 season.

The lasting popularity of the sport has made the NHL home to a number of family legacies. Siblings and even family members from many different generations that have played the sport professionally contribute to the rich and storied history of the League, and offer much for fans to appreciate. Discovering more about the families that have played the sport can be a richly rewarding opportunity for any fan to broaden their appreciation of the sport they love.

Players that have shared Read the rest of this entry »

The NHL has seen it’s own share of Hockey draft busts, just as other sports have. Some have been epic in nature, and have set back certain teams for years to come. This article will highlight two of the bigger NHL busts to come around in recent years; Lindross and Daigle.

Eric Lindros was a Flyers star who reached superstar status. So the New York Islanders try to capture this pedigree by drafting his younger brother, Brett Lindros, with the first pick in the 1994 draft. He also looked the part with his brother’s size and looks. After about Read the rest of this entry »

There are many great sports out there. One great sport would have to be hockey. In this sport you will have to be very careful. Wearing the proper safety equipment is a must. When deciding on not wearing equipment, it can be the difference between life and death.

One important piece of equipment you will need is a helmet. This piece of equipment protects your head from injuries. A helmet is a must if you want to prevent life threatening situations. Another important piece of equipment is a mouth guard. This can save you from biting Read the rest of this entry »

Two of the greatest competitors who ever played in the NHL were actually on the same team together, and combined for 4 Stanley Cup championships with each other. We are talking, of course, about Mark Messier and Wayne Gretzky. The slick skating center and captain of 2 different Stanley Cup winning franchises vs. the best goal scorer and offensive mastermind the game has ever seen. The Messiah vs. The Great One. Who would you pick first?

In my mind, its not even a question. While Mark Messier is one of the best hockey players ever, and an Read the rest of this entry »

A dominant forward line can carry a team to the Stanley Cup. What are the attributes of a top forward line? To me, you need a dominant center, a wing that can bang in the corners and a second wing who can be a sniper. Get the mix just right and you end up with a line such as the Dustin Brown-Anze Kopitar-Justin Williams first line that delivered a Stanly Cup to the Los Angeles Kings.

Ah, but what about this year? My top five forward lines in the NHL this year are as follows:

1. Read the rest of this entry »