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| Former names | Northlands Coliseum (1974–1995) Edmonton Coliseum (1995–1998) Skyreach Centre (1998–2003) [1] |
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| Location | 7424 118 Avenue NW Edmonton, Alberta T5B 4M9 |
| Opened | 1974 |
| Owner | City of Edmonton |
| Operator | Northlands Park |
| Construction cost | C$19.4 million |
| Capacity | Hockey: 16,839 Concerts: 13,000 (approx.) |
| Tenants | |
| Edmonton Oilers (NHL) (1974-present) Edmonton Rush (NLL) (2006-present) Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL) (2007-present) Edmonton Drillers (CMISL) (2007) Edmonton Road Runners (AHL) (2004–2005) Edmonton Drillers (NPSL) (1996–2000) Edmonton Skyhawks (NBL) (1993–1994) |
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Rexall Place is an indoor arena in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada situated on the north side of Northlands Park. It is home to the Edmonton Oilers of the NHL, the Edmonton Rush of the NLL and the Edmonton Oil Kings of the WHL.
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History
When the arena opened on November 10, 1974, it was known as Northlands Coliseum to house the World Hockey Association Oilers. Then it became the Edmonton Coliseum in 1994, and Skyreach Centre in 1998, before it changed to its current name during the middle of the 2003–04 NHL season when its naming rights were purchased by the Rexall medicine company, a subsidiary of Katz Group Canada.
The arena was used to host games in the 1981 and 1984 Canada Cup hockey tournaments, including Game 2 of the 1984 finals between Canada and Sweden. In the 1995 World Junior Championships, which where held in various cities and towns throughout Alberta, Edmonton Coliseum was the site of several games, including Canada's 6–3 victory over Finland on New Year's Day.
The venue was the site of several Commonwealth Games sports in 1978, and part of Universiade (the World University Games) in 1983. It also hosted the 2004 WWE Backlash. Annual events include the Canadian Finals Rodeo and the Christian Conference, YC Alberta [2].
Before the 2007/08 season started, the Oilers dressing room was renovated for $4 million. The state-of-art room is now wider with a new medical room, lounge, bar, video room, weight room as well as other new facilities. Just after the entrance to the dressing room is a cubicle with 5 replica Stanley Cups in it that has all the names of the past Oilers who won cups with the team. Next to the 5 replicas is an empty space symbolizing that there is always room for another. [3]
Seating capacity
The official capacity for hockey is currently 16,839, which is slightly less than the 17,100 the arena held before the 2001–02 NHL season. Some media sourceswho? still quote the old capacity even though the Oilers have never announced an attendance above 16,839 since the most recent changes. When it opened, the capacity was slightly more than 15,200, but it was increased to 17,353 after the Oilers joined the NHL by adding an extra tier of seating on the side opposite the pressbox. This was increased to 17,503 in 1984. The arena underwent an extensive renovation in 1994 and has 67 luxury suites.
Trivia
- Nickelback filled the stadium with 25,000 people in 2001. That is the highest number of people to ever attend Rexall Place. The concert can be seen on their Live at Home DVD.
- A large bronze statue of Canadian hockey icon and former Oilers Captain Wayne Gretzky is situated outside of Rexall Place.
- At the beginning of Game 3 of the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim/Edmonton series of the 2006 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Oilers' anthem singer Paul Lorieau sang only a few lines of "O Canada" before letting the audience sing out the rest of the anthem. This was done at all subsequent home games in the playoffs as well as at the home openers.
- During the 2006 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Oilers fans took to throwing a piece of Grade A Alberta Beef onto the ice. It was started during the 2006 Detroit Red Wings/Edmonton series as an answer to the Red Wings' tradition of throwing octopuses onto the ice.
- The 2008 CHL Top Prospects Game was held at Rexall place in front of 13,597 fans.[5]
- The 2008 National Lacrosse League All Star Game was held at Rexall Place on March 16, 2008
- Rexall Place hosted the 1st NBA preseason game in Edmonton on October 28, 1995 with the Boston Celtics playing Vancouver Grizzlies.1
- Rexall Place hosted the 2nd NBA preseason game in Edmonton on October 18, 1999 with the Toronto Raptors playing Vancouver Grizzlies. In 2008, another NBA preseason game was hosted with Toronto Raptors playing Denver Nuggets.
Live recordings
The following bands recorded live performances in the arena:
- Yes filmed their 1984 concert film 9012Live at the arena.
- Nickelback filmed their 2002 concert video Live at Home at the arena.
- Our Lady Peace recorded part of their 2003 record Live at the arena.
- Michael W. Smith recorded his live "Worship" DVD at YC Alberta.
- Corb Lund recorded his 2007 concert on video during the course of the Horse Soldier! Horse Soldier! tour.
External links
- Rexall Place official website
- Discussion of hockey ice quality
- Edmonton Fans singing the Canadian anthem
| Preceded by Edmonton Gardens |
Home of the Edmonton Oilers 1974 – present |
Succeeded by current |
| Preceded by St. Louis Arena |
Host of NHL All-Star Game 1989 |
Succeeded by Pittsburgh Civic Arena |
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![[1]](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Skyreach_centre_2001.jpg){kind=link}