When we first think of Edmonton, we often resort to the powerful memory from 1988 where Captain Wayne Gretzky raised the Stanley Cup for the 4th consecutive year in Rexall Place surrounded by a passionate and vocal home crowd. Although this was a momentous occasion for Edmonton and the NHL, the city hasn’t seen the same success in the past 32 years. But, that doesn’t mean the spirit of hockey has left Edmonton, quite the contrary. It seems as our team continues to lose in an embarrassing fashion even with some of the top players in the NHL, the fans have stayed “Loyal to the Oil.” Why is that? Well, the first possibility is simply that hockey fans are a different breed and make a lifelong commitment at birth to a team and ride it out till death do you part. The other, and more likely, reason for the recent dedication has to do with the new hockey arena that triggered the revitalization of downtown Edmonton subsequently creating The Ice District. Sure, Rexall Place holds lots of great memories for the team, but it also is in an area of town that never had personality and wasn’t a go to neighbourhood. Out with the old, and in with the new! The Ice District is located in the vibrant city centre and is the perfect backdrop for all things hockey with the new Rogers Arena being the focal point. This new district has everything you need for your next hockey roadtrip to see the Oilers! So whether you’ve been with the team since day one, or are riding the McDavid bandwagon, let’s go through everything tourists need to know about hockey in Edmonton.
History Lives On
Lets face it, we all like to relive our glory days. So because of that, the exterior of Rogers Place has many of the Oilers greatest players to remind fans of the good times! Fans and tourists alike are able to also see into the Oilers Press Room which displays the organizations Stanley Cups in a semi circle. Glass exterior walls are covered in the past and present greatest players for the Oilers including Glenn Anderson, Kevin Lowe and Connor McDavid. As well, the famous statue of Wayne Gretzky that used to live outside of Rexall Place now is in front of Rogers Arena! The statue is a tourist hot spot for hockey fans, so the move of the Great One was a must. Now standing by the entrance, the vision of another Stanley Cup win is in all of the fans’ minds.
Getting Around the “Great Place”
Getting to Rogers Arena has never been easier thanks to the city’s LRT, or train as the rest of the world refers to it. The LRT has been extremely beneficial for tourism, as well as hockey fans, in Edmonton as it connects tourists to the north of the city to the south and the airport. If you’re coming from the north end of the city, you’ll be able to get off at MacEwan Station and have a quick minute walk to Rogers Arena and from the south end, you’ll be able to get off at Bay Enterprise Station which is two blocks away from the arena. We know that Edmonton tends to be a cold city so you won’t have to spend much time outside before the game begins.
Pre Game Fun
Got to the game a tad early? Well no fret because there are lots of things to do Downtown and in the Ice District. Less than 300 meters away from Rogers Arena is the outdoor Neon Lights Museum where for free you can check out some of historic neon light signs that have all been restored. This museum is the first of its kind in Canada! Alternatively, just a 3 block walk away (or a short train ride) will get you to Jasper Avenue, the city’s main street. Filled with local shops, small restaurants and bars, Jasper Ave has something for everyone, and we’re sure you’ll find something to peak your attention!
Post Game Celly Spots
Win or lose (mostly likely lose knowing the Oilers), keep the celebrations going all night long with Edmonton’s active nightlife scene! Across the street from Rogers Arena lies Mercers Tavern, a rustic hangout where local brews and cocktails are served. If that’s not your style, just a block away is Thrift Shop which is an indie bar that offers a wide variety of arcade games for you to play. Don’t worry though, the Edmonton queer bar, Evolution, is less than a 5 minute walk away from Rogers Arena, if a hat trick celebration is in order.
