When choosing a school, the facilities are an important factor that needs to be considered. Hockey is a unique sport that has its own building for everything. Here are the top hockey arenas in the NCAA:
1. Yost Ice Arena
The University of Michigan arena was first used for women's and men's basketball before the Crisler Center was built, where the courts are now. In 1973, the building was converted into an ice arena and it is the definition of an “old school” hockey arena.
2. Ralph Engelstad Arena
The University of North Dakota has one of the best hockey arenas in the NCAA. The stadium was built in 2001 and can hold 11,643 fans with each chair constructed of leather and cherry wood. There are 48 luxury suites, two mini-suites, and two enormous club rooms that feature free-standing bars. In 2016, North Dakota added the largest scoreboard in the NCAA.
3. 3M Arena at Mariucci
The University of Minnesota‘s hockey arena opened in 1993 and holds 10,000 fans. There are 24 rows with not one seat in the house for special private seating. The arena offers many different food options and has an incredible fan atmosphere.
4. AMSOIL Arena
The University of Minnesota-Duluth hockey arena has been around since 2010 and has a capacity of 6,736. The arena offers many different food and drink options with maroon and gold seats that have plenty of legroom.
5. Compton Family Ice Arena
The University of Notre Dame is an older facility on the outside but once you walk in, the rink is truly a modern and state-of-the-art venue. It has plenty of food, comfort, and entertainment for all fans. The venue seats 5,022 and is separated into two sections, back seating and bleacher seating.
