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To coincide with our annual arena
guide enclosed in this issue, we decided it might be fun to dig a little
deeper into just why some of our arenas are named what they are. There
are more than 200 arenas in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, so we decided to
research just handful of the more interesting names. While some are obvious,
others might surprise you.
Mariucci Arena
Well, if we are going to start with an obvious one, it has to be the grand
daddy of all Minnesota arenas, Mariucci Arena. The University of Minnesota’s
arena used to be known as William’s Arena, but was later divided
into two parts: one for basketball and the other for hockey — which
was later renamed for former Gopher great John Mariucci in 1985. “Maroosh”
was a legendary player who, after going on to become the captain of the
Chicago Blackhawks in the 1930s, came home to coach the Gophers in the
1950’s and ‘60s. The “new” Mariucci Arena, which was
built in 1993, was erected right across the street from the old one where
many a memory were created.
Ken Yackel Westside Arena
– St. Paul
Yackel Arena in St. Paul is named after Ken Yackel, arguably one of the
greatest athletes ever to wear the maroon and gold at the University of
Minnesota. A hockey All-American in 1954, Yackel was a Humboldt graduate
and was just one of two American-born players to play in the NHL during
the 1950s, when he played for the Boston Bruins. The arena opened in 1973
as the West-Side Ice Arena but was later renamed in his
honor in 1993.
Charles Schulz Arena –
Highland Park
When the legendary Charles Schulz passed away a few years ago, his hometown
of St. Paul wanted to honor the man who gave the whole world his lovable
Peanuts characters. So, they named the Highland Park Arena after him in
1998. It was a fitting tribute for a guy who loved hockey and played it
well into his 70’s. The Hall of Fame inductee even started the “Snoopy
Open,” the largest men’s hockey tournament in the country, which
is still going strong.
Biff Adams Arena - St. Paul
Originally named as Minnehaha Arena in 1973 when it first opened, this
arena was named after long-time youth coach Biff Adams, who guided countless
youngsters in the Frog Town area of St. Paul.
Fryberger Arena - Duluth
The Fryberger family has long been associated with hockey in the Duluth
area. In fact, the 1951 Duluth Glen Avon Peewees, under Coach Bob Fryberger,
won the National Peewee Championship at New York’s Madison Square
Garden. The first line on that club featured Bob’s three sons, the
“Fryberger Line” of Jerry, Bobby and Dates.
Don Roberts Arena - St.
Peter
Originally known as Lund Arena, this St. Peter rink was renamed as Don
Roberts Arena in 1998 in honor of one of Minnesota’s greatest hockey
coaches. Roberts was the first-ever Division III hockey coach to win 500
games, and he also led his Gustavus hockey teams to three national championship
finals. Today Don Roberts Arena is the proud home of the Gustavus Golden
Gusties hockey team.
Huck Olson Memorial Civic
Center – Thief River Falls
The Huck Olson Memorial Civic Center was named in honor of a former writer
for the local Thief River Falls newspaper. Olson supported all sports
and especially hockey. He used to buy kids skates and even give them rides
home from practice, simply because he loved the game and truly enjoyed
watching them play. In 1992 the TRF Sports Arena was renamed in his honor.
And, leading the charge to see the initiative through was Thief River
Falls native Ralph Englestad, who later went on to donate $100 million
for the new University of North Dakota arena which now bears his name.
Braemar Arena - Edina
The entire hockey and golf course complex in Edina, which bears the name
Braemar, was named not after a famous or historic person, but rather after
a famous golf course in Scotland. The hockey arena, which was built after
the golf course in 1964, also bears that name.
Harold J. Pond Sports Center
- Mound
The Harold J. Pond Arena in Mound is named after one of the areas leading
businessmen, Harold J. Pond who founded the Advanced Machine Company.
Pond was instrumental in raising the funds necessary to complete the construction
of the arena project in 1981, and as a result, the arena was named for
his generosity. Pond also sponsored many local teams and contributed resources
to their development.
Aldrich Arena – St.
Paul
Gene Aldrich, the long-time director of athletics for St. Paul’s
public schools, is the father of high school hockey in Minnesota. It was
Aldrich who thought that a statewide high school tournament should be
held, so he coordinated the first ever tourney back in 1945. From there
the Minnesota State High School Hockey Tournament has become the biggest
high school sporting event in the country. Aldrich Arena, meanwhile, was
opened in 1962 and named in his honor. At the time, it was one of just
three arenas in St. Paul, and one of only five in the entire Metro Area.
Today, with a seating capacity of over 3,400, Aldrich Arena is Ramsey
County’s premier spectator ice arena serving as the host site for
more than 100 high school league and playoff games.
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