Houses of Hockey: Hersheypark Arena
July 26, 2019
Arenas are the hallowed and precious grounds that are favorite hockey teams play their games, win championships, and create memories for fans young and old. On 'Houses of Hockey' we explore and talk about the histories of these venues that so many of us have known as our hockey home.
Hersheypark Arena
Built: 1936
Capacity: 7,286
Tenants: Hershey Bears; EHL/I-AHL/AHL 1936-2002
Lebanon Valley College; ACHA/ NCAA Div.III UCHC 1998-Present
Former Names: Hersey Sports Arena (1936-1972)
Nickname: "The Old Barn"
Building Status: Standing; Still in Use
Let's begin with an arena that held one of minor professional hockey's most historic and decorated teams: Hersheypark Arena, the home of the American Hockey Leagues' Hershey Bears from 1936 to 2002.
Constructed in 1936, it was an architectural feat at the time, as it was the largest monolithic structure in the United States that didn't have a single obstructed view of the playing surface. At the time of its grand opening, it was called Hershey Sports Arena, and the Hershey Bears of the Eastern Hockey League were it's first, and main, tenant starting with the 1936-1937 season.
After two seasons in the EHL at the Hershey Sports Arena, the Bears moved to the International-American Hockey League (now known as the American Hockey League). Over the 66 seasons the Hershey Bears played at "The Old Barn", the building saw six Calder Cups handed out on its ice, five of those being awarded to the Bears.
The arena became hallowed ground in minor professional hockey, as the Bears became one of the longest continuously running minor professional hockey teams. After the 2002 season, however, it was time for the Bears to say their goodbyes to the building, as they would move into the Giant Center beginning with the 2002-2003 season.
Despite a roof fire in July 2012 during a refurbishment of the building, Hersheypark Arena is still standing and in use as of 2019. NCAA Division III team Lebanon Valley College Flying Dutchmen of the United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC) have played their home games at the building since the teams' inception in 1998. The Hershey Junior Bears youth hockey team, occasional music events, and public skating is still held at the arena as well.
Hersheypark Arena will forever be known as one of the greatest and historic venues to ever hold minor professional hockey. Even if a day comes that the building would have to take its own final bow, its legacy and the memories made there will never leave the minds of those in Chocolate Town and all around the minor professional hockey community.
-Marc of The Robinson Report
Make sure to follow The Robinson Report on Twitter and Facebook for updates on future articles, news regarding minor professional hockey, and more!
Arenas are the hallowed and precious grounds that are favorite hockey teams play their games, win championships, and create memories for fans young and old. On 'Houses of Hockey' we explore and talk about the histories of these venues that so many of us have known as our hockey home.
Hersheypark Arena
Built: 1936
Capacity: 7,286
Tenants: Hershey Bears; EHL/I-AHL/AHL 1936-2002
Lebanon Valley College; ACHA/ NCAA Div.III UCHC 1998-Present
Former Names: Hersey Sports Arena (1936-1972)
Nickname: "The Old Barn"
Building Status: Standing; Still in Use
Let's begin with an arena that held one of minor professional hockey's most historic and decorated teams: Hersheypark Arena, the home of the American Hockey Leagues' Hershey Bears from 1936 to 2002.
Constructed in 1936, it was an architectural feat at the time, as it was the largest monolithic structure in the United States that didn't have a single obstructed view of the playing surface. At the time of its grand opening, it was called Hershey Sports Arena, and the Hershey Bears of the Eastern Hockey League were it's first, and main, tenant starting with the 1936-1937 season.
After two seasons in the EHL at the Hershey Sports Arena, the Bears moved to the International-American Hockey League (now known as the American Hockey League). Over the 66 seasons the Hershey Bears played at "The Old Barn", the building saw six Calder Cups handed out on its ice, five of those being awarded to the Bears.
The arena became hallowed ground in minor professional hockey, as the Bears became one of the longest continuously running minor professional hockey teams. After the 2002 season, however, it was time for the Bears to say their goodbyes to the building, as they would move into the Giant Center beginning with the 2002-2003 season.
Despite a roof fire in July 2012 during a refurbishment of the building, Hersheypark Arena is still standing and in use as of 2019. NCAA Division III team Lebanon Valley College Flying Dutchmen of the United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC) have played their home games at the building since the teams' inception in 1998. The Hershey Junior Bears youth hockey team, occasional music events, and public skating is still held at the arena as well.
Hersheypark Arena will forever be known as one of the greatest and historic venues to ever hold minor professional hockey. Even if a day comes that the building would have to take its own final bow, its legacy and the memories made there will never leave the minds of those in Chocolate Town and all around the minor professional hockey community.
-Marc of The Robinson Report
Make sure to follow The Robinson Report on Twitter and Facebook for updates on future articles, news regarding minor professional hockey, and more!
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