End of an era in Hershey

by Marc Viquez
Published on April 9, 2002 under American Hockey League (AHL)

When it comes to hockey arenas, the Hersheypark Arena in Hershey, PA is pure retro bliss. Nowhere else at such a high level of hockey, with apologies to the Cincinnati Gardens, can you be reminded of what watching a game was like in another era. Unfortunately, this is the last season to catch the Bears at the Arena as they prepare to relocate to the Giant Center for next season, ending 64 seasons of hockey in a great old building.

"The place has not changed in 25 years," said Andy Brown of Baltimore who was at his first game since 1977. Somehow I feel the place has not changed in 60 years, except for its name which was originally Hershey Sports Arena. The building is just dripping with ambiance and saturating with character.

"It's got atmosphere, just a neat old arena," added Reece Shoup who will miss the old place.

Where does one begin when you enter the Hersheypark Arena? Do you start with the arched roof that creates a view that is hard to match in hockey arenas in the 21st century or with the eight Calder Cup banners that hang at one end of the arena? The facility was built in 1936 and the Bears played their first game in the 7,225-seat arena two years later.

"It is definitely a nostalgic place to watch a game, and I can say that I was here during the last weekend," added Walt Lauder who attended a Bears game with his children.

The view of the rink is crystal clear without any obstructions, the steep seating section makes you feel almost on top of the action, and the individual seats seem like they have been there for some time as well. It was like nothing else I have experienced except for my visit to the Montreal Forum before it closed. It could be a bit strange for Hershey hockey die-hards to watch Bears' games at any other facility.

"There is no doubt about it that we are going to miss it," said season-ticket holder Norman Berlin who feels that close friends made at the arena may not be the same at the new building. "The people that you get to know here through the years might not be at the new arena."

A walk around the lower section offers standing room only seats that were filled the night I was there. This created some crunch room with concession sales and other people walking around, but it was still something to savor.

There are other old-fashioned features here with handrails in front of every seat, the lack of a video scoreboard above center ice, a hand operated scoreboard to update league standings, and an old time scoreboard.

"There is not too many places like this anymore in hockey," said Brad Miller who has been coming to games since he was a kid.

The Bears have played over 2,500 games and this past weekend they officially played their last regular season game in Hersheypark Arena. The playoffs will prolong the arena's timeline for Bears' hockey, and the facility will still be used as a practice rink, for youth and college hockey, and for figure skating. The oldest arena still in use for hockey will not go by the way of the wrecking ball, but a large piece of its history will be gone. To anyone who has not seen a game at the Hersheypark Arena, you have not seen a minor league hockey game.

American Hockey League Stories from April 9, 2002

• End of an era in Hershey - OSC Original by Marc Viquez
• Thatcher Bell signed to an ATO - Manitoba Moose
• Mike Brown re-assigned to Moose - Manitoba Moose
• Aeros Weekly - Houston Aeros
• Ducks edge Wolves in playoff series opener - Cincinnati RailRaiders
• Moose Take Game One - Worcester IceCats
• Crunch Announce Potential First Round Dates - Syracuse Crunch
• Columbus Returns Brad Moran And Mathieu Darche To Syracuse - Syracuse Crunch
• Detroit Red Wings Assign Right Wing Williams - Adirondack Phantoms
• Labbe To Throw Out First Pitch At SkyChiefs Game - Syracuse Crunch
• Griffins Announce Potential Schedule for Western Conference Quarterfinals - Grand Rapids Griffins
• Szuper to Join Hungarian National Team at 2002 World Championships - Saint John Flames
• AHL Quick Hits - AHL
• Norfolk's Tyler Arnason Named AHL's Outstanding Rookie - AHL
• Dan is the Wolves Man - Chicago Wolves
• Arnason Named AHL's Most Outstanding Rookie - Norfolk Admirals
• Playoff Picture Clears -- Record Breaking Year for Crunch - Syracuse Crunch
• Calgary Flames Recall DuPont From St. John's - Toronto Marlies

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.