With the Kelowna Rockets back on the bus this morning headed to Portland, it got me thinking.
Which is the second oldest arena in the Western Hockey League?
Why the second?
I already know who plays out of the oldest.
In the 22-team circuit, Veterans Memorial Coliseum, the home of the Winterhawks, is the most mature, built way back in 1960.
The Rockets and Winterhawks, who met opening night at Prospera Place in a one-goal game, play Friday and Saturday in a building with so much history.
Celebrating its 62nd season of existence, it is the original home of the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers, where three NBA finals were played in the facility in 1977, 1990 and 1992.
The Trail Blazers would move across the street to Moda Centre for the start of the 1995 season.
The Winterhawks used to split games between the Veterans Memorial Coliseum and Moda Centre, but that ended last season.
Nicknamed,’ The Glass Palace,’ it features over 80,000 square feet of glass and essentially looks like a skyscraper on its side.
Black curtains, which wrap around the interior of the playing surface to keep the light out, can electronically open as quickly as 90 seconds.
You know the building is old, considering the Beatles played two concerts there during a 1965 tour.
The Rockets are riding an eight-game losing streak in Portland, losing two games there last season by scores of 6-5 in a shootout and 4-2.
The last win in Portland was October 30, 2016, in a 3-2 victory, but that game was played at Moda Centre.
The last victory for the Rockets at VMC was October 30, 2014, when Jackson Whistle made 29 saves in a 5-0 triumph.
So, back to our original question. Which is the second oldest arena in the WHL?
The answer is the Centennial Civic Centre in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, the home of the Broncos.
It is now known as the Innovation Credit Union iPlex, opening its doors in 1967.
It just edges out the Art Hauser Centre in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, the home of the Raiders, which came into existence in 1971.
The two newest buildings in the Western Conference are the Langley Events Centre, home of the Vancouver Giants and the Accesso ShoWare Center, the main base of the Seattle Thunderbirds.
Both opened in the fall of 2009.
Now you know.
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