The Times They Are A Changin'

This year will be an historic one in the WCHA with the addition of the Univeristy of Nebraska-Omaha and Bemidji State University. It will also be historic because of the opening of a couple new fantastic looking arenas. Bemidji State will be opening the Bemidji Regional Events Center this fall. Along with being a 4,000 seat arena for the Bemidji State hockey team, it will also serve as a venue for trade shows, concerts, convocations, and other events. Check out this nice looking video:




The University of Minnesota-Duluth is also commencing a new facility which will now be called the Amsoil Arena. The arena will have seating for 6,600 for hockey games and 8,500 for concerts. A couple sweet additions to this arena include: LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, more skywalk access, and an open bowl design. The arena's opening date is scheduled for December 31, 2010.

All of this talk of new new arenas has me excited for our own new renovations to the National Hockey Center. Our arena additions include a new glass atrium entrance, a new team store, concourse improvements, 20-30 luxury suites and additional regular seats. Take a look at the photos and video below:





The project is estimated to cost about $30 million dollars. Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2011 and be completed by 2013. It was recently announced that after the construction is completed there will be a change of the SCSU offensive zone to the west end for 2 periods. This is opposite of its current configuration. Also, SCSU students will be moved to the "bowled" area at the west end behind the opposing goaltender for two periods, which should make for some great goaltending taunting.

At any rate I am excited for these two WCHA opponents and thier new facility and even more pumped for the coming renovations to our own National Hockey Center. Go Huskies!