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Mariucci Arena

Since 1993 the "new" Mariucci Arena
delivered a new look for the Golden
Gophers Men's ice hockey team. The
arena is named after John Mariucci, the
former player, and longtime Gopher coach whom is considered the "Godfather of Minnesota hockey." The ice sheet is Olympic sized (200 x 100 feet, the "old Mariucci ice surface was 200 x 85 feet) and seats approximately 10,000 fans (9,600 in the main bowl plus club room and suite seating). The Minnesota Gophers women's ice hockey team played at Mariucci from 1997 until 2002 when they moved to the smaller on campus venue at Ridder Arena. The main lobby of Mariucci arena is named after George Lyon, whom was a long-time supporter of Golden Gopher Hockey. The Lyon family dedicated a generous portion of his estate to Mariucci Arena. The concourse of Mariucci is virtually a shrine to Gophers Hockey featuring every U of M team photo(s), Hobey Baker award, Herb Brooks, and Olympic Memorial, and the All-American wall featuring all the past Gophers All-Americans that proudly wore the sacred "M", the banners from the rafters prove that the UofM is truly legendary!

Mariucci Arena has been host to prominent regional, national, and international competitions, including the 2005 West Regional of the NCAA men's ice hockey tournament, the 2006 Frozen Four in women's ice hockey, and the 2006 World Short Track speed skating event. Mariucci Arena also hosted the inaugural Women's Frozen Four on March 23 and March 25, 2001. The MSHSL (Minnesota State High School League) state hockey tournament holds its consolation bracket games at Mariucci.

From 1950 to 1993 the hockey team played in the hockey arena section of Williams Arena, that was later renamed Mariucci Arena in 1985. People now general refer to that as the "old barn" Mariucci Arena.

Recently in 2007, Sports Illustrated "On Campus" named Mariucci Arena one the top ten venues in college sports. Mariuccci Arena was the only ice hockey arena to make the list.

Source: Portions of this article from UofM Media Guide 1996-1997








Mariucci Arena "Club Room" and All American Photos