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What is the nicest High school hockey venue in the state. We all know the "mini ralph" in TRF will by far be the nicest rink in the state. Since its not finished yet...lets start with the nicest current rinks in the state. <br><br>I think for me the obvious choice is the Gardens in Warroad. Yes one because i'm from there lol, but two its a real nice venue <p></p><i></i>

I've been to two nice rinks lately. One was the new one in Elk River that was completely packed and had a great atmosphere. The other was Pagel Center in Minnetonka that had only decent attendance but was still a pretty cool place. Certainly better than that barn they used to play in, anyway. <p></p><i></i>

Define nicest rinks?<br>Ice, lobby, lockerrooms, tradition, lighting. Let us be specific.<br>If the arena is a "bowl" then that is best, IMO. Rinks like Richfield, Braimar. You can sit anywhere. I prefer the corners and at Richfield you can stand at the railings in the corners and there is no obstruction of view. Of course I work there>>> <p></p><i></i>

by nicest i mean the overall appearance of the rink. from both a player and a fan perspective <p></p><i></i>

i agree that the mini ralph will no doubt be the nicest rink around. but i do think that the gardens is a great place to watch a game and to also play a game. i still think that the best rink was the old gardens, man i loved that place!! but as i am sure that you know, you cant beat a warroad / roseau game, either watched or played in warroad or roseau. but my vote goes to the gardens <p></p><i></i>

i know who luckynumber7 is, but i am not sure who you are.if you are who i think that you are, i played on a line with your cousin last year, number 22. i am just trying to figure out who everyone from warroad is<br> <p></p><i></i>

Hibbing Memorial is a nice place, it may be old and a little outdated but it is a great venue for a hockey game both from the fans perspective and a players point of view....Warroad isn't a real rink, you can't even use real pucks there you might mark up the boards.... <p></p><i></i>

You are right, warroad has a terrible arena. can't see a thing, markless pucks, individual seats with backs, no parking,and the small lobby. but what I really hate about the gardens is the bad hot chocolate. Hibbing has a beautiful arena. Too bad they were forced to reduce the size of the ice sheet. TRF and EGF have nice arenas I especially like the sound system in EGF. <p></p><i></i>

Nodak, I agree the Gardens is the nicest High School hockey facility. I think alot of people are a bit put out that their communities don't donate or fund raise. Most towns just don't have the resources for a comparable facility. Warroad is fortunate to get the support of their community leaders and business people. It takes alot of ching to build what the have in Warroad, and it just isn't their for others. Espeially Norhtern MN where jobs are contnually being eliminated, therefor less students, less money, fewer jobs, less money. Regardless the Gardens has it hands down, at least of those I have seen and I've seen alot. <p></p><i></i>

As far as a players stand point. I have heard that Duluth East has the best setup. Only secondhand information, but I heard their lockerroom is better then UMD's. Plus with the T.V. coverage and ink they recieve up there... Maybe someone else can fill in the rest or let me know how accurate my information is. <br><br>On a side note, the worst might be either Apple Valley or Eden Prarie. Man, that Edina vs. EP game was horrible. If there was a fire, half the crowd dies. Unreal. <p></p><i></i>

Junior hockey you are so right. The Eden Prairie rink is a bad setup for that kind of team and the city. Another bad one is Northfield you walk along the top row and have to duck to walk by the pillar's. Red Wing's new arena is nice. I was there last year, and it was nice. <br>I believe we can also say that Mariucci, and the "X" are the top. <p></p><i></i>

What is this your talking about? Small lobby? what, and if you take a good look at our boards there are plenty of puck marks on them. Our lobby is one of the biggest i've ever seen. huge glass windows let you watch the game from inside.. the only time we have a problem with parking is during section final games, and roseau warroad games, i don't understand how the parking lot is small. <p></p><i></i>

WarriorFan, ever heard of tongue in cheek? Get a clue. Probably not the nicest or newest building out there, but when it comes to atmosphere, it's hard to top the Memorial Arena in Hibbing. What a classic barn! It has hosted many classic Region/Section final games and you cannot create the electricity that is in the air at any other venue. Metro teams/fans would be well served to come up and observe one of these battles to see how hockey is supposed to feel from a fan's perspective. Probably the toughest ticket to get in the Range area - always is SRO and I'm sure they violate the fire code every year. <p></p><i></i>

Angus Young, I wasn't bashing the Memorial Arena in Hibbing, I've never been there, so i can't say anything, I was talking to the gentleman that was complaining about parking and small lobby and such of the Gardens. I'm sure memorial arena is a great place to play hockey. so why don't YOU get a clue <p></p><i></i>

I grew up playing hockey in Hibbing, and it is a biased opinion, but it is the nicest arena I have had the chance to play in. Whenever I go to games now to watch my sister playing or go to a boys game with my dad I just look at the painted sections and I think to myself "No other arena would ever still have something like this" The only negative in the arena is the stupid blue flyer things in the middle of the ice...they have these 4 stupid banners in the middle and the state banners on the spotlights, soo stupid. Lastly, the north lobby of the Memorial Arena is awesome...any Hibbingite who was an All-American as a huge picture up in the lobby and it is simply: cool. Kinda off the subject, but the building is also has a nice setup for basketball...seen many Hibbing bball teams crying on that court/ice through the years...I think they are crying because they live in northern MN and are playing basketball <br> <p></p><i></i>

WarriorFan I will say, get a clue, I was kidding. <p></p><i></i>

Nodak- I still agree the Gardens is the nicest facility, but then we are talking facility. To those who responded about the Hibbing arena I agree with some of their comments, some. Atmosphere is fantastic. Over the last 3-4 years the back and forth of 7A-7AA between Hibbing and the DECC has no comparison. Hibbing is the most exciting place to watch a game from. It must be the atmosphere and tradition of games played over the years. Facility - Gardens. Excitement- Hibbing.<br> <p></p><i></i>

Warroad is a nice rink there is no question, but i think deserves the bronze medal.Cloquet is the Gold by far. The locker rooms are set up a little weird but other than that, its the nicest rink high school rink i have ever played in. The silver medal goes to the Hippodome in evelth, all that history cant be denied. and then warroad comes in 3rd. Roseau comes in 4th. <p></p><i></i>

As much as I hate to say it, playin in the Gardens is a privilege. <p></p><i></i>

ramvet Roseau has a very nice rink, but could you people spend a little on the sound system? This be a huge improvement. <p></p><i></i>

Ice, lobby, tradition, lighting. Those 3 rinks at Bremar are the best in the State of Hockey. <p></p><i></i>

To me, a player, we like to have nice dress rooms, good showers, nice ice and a good atmosphere full of rowdy fans. Im sure spectators dont want it real cold and would like to see the whole rink with their own side, not packed with fans from the other squad. As far as im concerned, braemar should be right in the top 3. Besides the actual rink, their concession stand and lobby is brand new and very spacious for less crowding.....Seating is great, atmosphere is loud and rowdy, great ice, just an all around great rink. I cant believe that some of the venues mentioned are one side seats. Now honestly who wants to sit side by side their opponents parents? <p></p><i></i>

The 'Old' Crookston Arena of course. Mostly because a photo of me ( <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START 8o --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/nerd.gif ALT="8o"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> ) scoring my fifth of the game as I flew through the air over sprawled opposition players was the first thing you saw upon entering the grand old venue.<br><br>L<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START 8o --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/nerd.gif ALT="8o"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START 0] --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /alien.gif ALT="0]"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> E, SL<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START 8o --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/nerd.gif ALT="8o"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> PSH<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START 8o --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/nerd.gif ALT="8o"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START 8o --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/nerd.gif ALT="8o"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> TER,<br><br>(...a legend in his <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START 8o --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/nerd.gif ALT="8o"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> wn mind...) <p></p><i></i>

I know the picture - a little reminiscent of the famed Bobby Orr goal against the Blues in, I beleive, 1971. You, however, Mr. Slapshooter, are no Bobby Orr!! A decent rink, but picture aside, you can't unbiasedly call it one of the nicest. I also like how they have the new one right next door - good for a smaller community to have to ice sheets like that. Must be all those sugar beet checks! <p></p><i></i>

As a player I would have to say the nicest rink I played in was the Gardens in Warroad right ahead of my hometown rink, The Hippodrome. I loved playing at the Gardens because it was a great facility, the only problem is that the locker rooms were a little small. The rink was fast and I loved playing there. The two rinks I hated playing on the most were Hibbing and the DECC. They both are good arenas to play at and have good tradition and seating for the fans but both are to warm. The warmness caused to ice to be really soft and slow and that is wy I never liked playing there. <p></p><i></i>