end of rexall place era at hand - electronic message boards

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Former Edmonton oil captain Doug weight over the years, the office door of the Edmonton Oil locker room is a barometer of success and equally important to some, at northall Place, initially North Stadium, champion banner hanging on raf.
This thick steel door is not in the public area of the arena, but most people in Edmonton know it exists.
People entering the locker room often check carefully.
As the sticks of players passing on the way to the ice cause countless butt ends, it shows stickers that represent every playoff win in the organization's history.
"I don't think the first Dent was intentional, but more of it was intentional," said former oil company captain Mark meisiye.
"This is a benchmark that allows us to see the progress of the playoffs visually.
Every time we win a game, we put stickers on the door.
We had to buy 16 stickers to win the Stanley Cup, which is more of a ritual than anything else.
And then it becomes a good-
Lucky thing, one thing leads to another, and then around that door is a superstitious thing that becomes part of folklore.
"The door is still in the Oilers locker room, but after the renovation in 2007, the door was moved to the corridor leading to the player's lounge, which the visitor could not see.
It is expected to accompany oil workers to their new downtown arena Rogers Square next season.
The statue of former oil dealer legend Wayne Gretzky, decorated with the front steps of Reist Square, will also be transferred to Rogers Square, as well as many other souvenirs.
Rogers Square will be the center of a new arena community, known as the "ice zone" in downtown Edmonton, and hockey will accommodate 18,641 people, an increase in capacity over 16,839 people at Rexall Place.
Rogers Square costs about $0. 48 billion (Canadian)
And is expected to become one of the main arena NHL. The state-of-the-
Art facilities are scheduled to open in September at 2016-17 NHL season.
"Just like anything in life, change is part of life," says Gretzky . ".
"When the Montreal Forum came to an end and the Maple Leaf Garden came to an end, it turned out that everything was possible.
Enter a new era with some unreal and wonderful memories of Rexall Place and now enter [the]
Hope is the new arena. the Oilers]
Can make some new beautiful memories.
In 1974, the North Stadium was built for $17. 3 million (Canadian).
Oil workers will play their final game against Vancouver Canada on April 6.
Rexall Place is considered a house built by Wayne Gretzky and is home to some of the greatest moments in NHL history.
"This is one of the great places to play ever," says Gretzky . ".
"The atmosphere is always great.
When you have a great team, it's always great to go to the ice rink every day.
There is no doubt that we have a reputation for the best ice in hockey and always good ice, which is perfect for our team.
The fans are always good to us.
I think in many ways our team plays very hard and is good for the fans, so it's a perfect marriage.
"The ogmer oil goalie Grant forosland stadium, which opened in November 1974, is home to Edmonton Petroleum, the World Hockey Association.
In their first season, they were called Alberta oil.
The Arena replaces Edmonton Gardens across the street.
At its debut, the arena was considered one of the most modern indoor sports facilities in North America.
This is the first arena in Canada to hang scoreboard with an electronic message board.
With NHL and WHA, Rexall Place is the venue for the 1981 and 1984 Canadian Cup championships and 1995 and 2012 IIHF World Youth Hockey Championships.
"Growing up here, I used to go to Edmonton Gardens to watch the team play there," said Mayer . ".
"I remember going to Edmonton oil King by bus when I was 10 (
Western Hockey League of Canada
And then the oil workers came, who would have thought that Edmonton would get the NHL franchise and build a building like this? "It became the living room for everyone, and it became the cathedral for everyone.
This is a place to go, and it all gives us a place to look forward.
As a child in Edmonton, come here to watch the game, watch Gaudi Howe at the World Health Assembly, and then be able to come here, play in this building, play for the oil workers, which is not
Edmonton joined the NHL in 1979 with three other WHA franchises.
Gretzky is the cornerstone of the oil company, acquired by boss Peter Pocklington from Indianapolis riders in Indianapolis the previous year.
Glen Sather is the coach and general manager of the oil dealer, he acquired merseyye, Kevin Lowe, jali Curry, Paul Coffey, Glenn Anderson, Andy Muger who will be at the heart of the hockey dynasty.
"For me, the most important thing we can do as a coalition and as an organization is to keep the history and integrity of what is happening here," said messyer . ".
"It helps to consolidate the folklore of what happened here.
"The arrival of oil companies --
In the first round of the 1981 Stanley Cup playoffs, the out party played against Montreal Canada.
Best sweep in Edmonton-of-
The 5 Series with Muger, a relatively unknown, starts with the target.
The oil workers won the first two games in Montreal and returned to the North Stadium in the third, when a crowd of noisy spectators greeted them.
"I don't have much experience at this point, but the boys in the locker room said it was the first time they heard the crowd loud before we went out to warm up, Muger said.
"The fans arrived early and they were noisy and loud and they let us know they wanted us to win.
It's cool.
I was so naive that I didn't realize it was not normal.
"The oil team beat Canada in their third game and won their first NHL playoff series, and the North's audience celebrated them winning the Stanley Cup.
"When we came back from two games, the whole city was very excited . "
"When we were preparing for the third game, we heard this strange voice that we had never heard before, it was the fans stepping on the floor and we could hear it in the locker room.
"Oil Workers lost to New York Islanders in the next round, which became the opening of the legendary competition.
Islanders are defending the Stanley Cup and have won three games in a row before being defeated by oil dealers in 1984.
"I remember when the oil workers were not there yet in 1981, but we were on their pace, and of course Gretzky, said former Islander striker Buch Goring.
"The building is characterized by the fact that the ice is always fast and we know it will be a quick race.
But we are a very confident team and we have just come out of the Stanley Cup, which has made us overcome the difficulties and worry a little about our technical level, we have proved to ourselves that we are a good hockey team and we have had another good season.
"We didn't think much about Edmonton's team, but we have a lot of respect for them and we know what they're all doing, especially Gretzky.
"Islander captain Gretzky talks about how oil workers understand the sacrifice of winning the Stanley Cup, and after losing the 1983 final in Edmonton's fourth game, they catch a glimpse of the Islander locker room echoing.
Rexall Place hosted 20 Stanley Cup finals and the Oilers won 15 games.
They won 87 of 129 playoff games at Rexall Place and lifted the Stanley Cup four times at home.
"Every time I go back to Edmonton and even see Edmonton come to the island, it brings a series of memories," Golin said . ".
"This is an old one.
Time buildings, new buildings are beautiful, but they do not create the same atmosphere, the same loudness, and the same perspective as the old buildings.
So I walked right into here and I saw the angle of the seat and the proximity of the seat to the ice and you know it would be loud here.
"Oil merchants and Islanders met again in the Stanley Cup Final on 1984.
This time, the oil workers got the upper hand at 2-3-
Two series formats first adopted by NHL, Edmonton won the Stanley Cup in Game 5.
"When we won the game after that game, I remember the fans coming over the glass ,[being]
On the ice, they almost tripped you up and things like that, "said Jari Kurri, the former right wing.
"I was a little shocked to know what was going on because you didn't expect something like that.
But when you realize how important it is for the city, for the fans and for your teammates.
"Coming from Europe, I don't know what it's like to win the Stanley Cup, so it's great to be a part of it.
There are 17,000 people in a hockey game and I am not used to going home.
This is something you must get used.
You know hockey is big in Canada and NHL is big, but you have to go through these things to appreciate it.
"The Oilers played seven times in the Stanley Cup final and won five.
The first tournament put the city, team and arena on the map.
"The first Stanley Cup won the trophy and the atmosphere was very warm on the court," Gretzky said . ".
"I remember like yesterday.
"The oil team was considered a member of the NHL after the Olympic oil team striker Todd marchantan defeated the Islanders in the 1984 Stanley Cup final.
They returned to the Stanley Cup final in 1985 against the Philadelphia flying men and won the series in five games.
On 1987 and 1988, oil workers won the Stanley Cup again, playing at home with Flyers and Boston brown bears.
Oilers is a speed and skill based team that has an obvious advantage when playing in the North Stadium and is generally considered to be the best ice in the NHL.
"As far as I can remember, how great ice is in this building, how smooth it is," said right wing Anderson.
"When you enter other buildings like Los Angeles, Chicago or New York, ICE is never stable and you never know what you will get.
When you play in Edmonton, ice has been good and fast.
"Maybe some teams are not ready for this. our team always has a lot of good players, which is a big advantage.
I remember when other teams were scared when they watched us practice because the ice was so great and we were so fast.
"In the early days, Dan Craig was in charge of Edmonton's ice-making team and he was very meticulous in planning and preparation, knowing how important the quality of the ice was to the success of the oil company.
"Hockey always runs very well," Craig said . ".
"So, if you always look at the pass from Gretzky to Kurri, the puck will be 25 feet kilometers, and it will be 8 kilometers if you want to do that in Boston.
If you look at Wayne ·[on the road]
You can see that if he is not happy with the pass because he has not tried the long pass he will try here.
Players tell us when the ice is really good we just get all the numbers from all the charts at that particular time and we make sure we try to copy them every day.
"Craig is now the NHL facility operations manager, responsible for ice for each team in the league.
He also oversees the construction of the ice rink for the league's outdoor games, including Winter Classics, Stadium Series and traditional classics.
His work in Edmonton has helped the oil workers become a dynamic offensive team that has completely changed the game.
"Ice is always great," said former oil worker goalkeeper and coach Ron Lo, "and then you put your people at the time on your hockey club and we have Glen Anderson, paul Coffey and Mark meshier
Gretzky is not the greatest skater, but the ice he sees is good enough for the skater on his right [Jari Kurri]
Score 100 goals
The ice was great and excited the people in the building.
"Rexall Place is where many NHL records are made, most of which are created by Gretzky, who has a regular score of 583 --
Goals of the season and 122 playoff goals.
One of Gretzky's first records was set in December.
1981, when he scored 5 goals in 39 games and reached 50 goals.
Gretzky broke 50 of the Canadian legend Maurice Richard and Islander striker Mike Bosey's 50.
Gretzky's fifth goal that night was scored into an empty net with 3 seconds left, making it one of the most iconic moments in the history of all parts of Rex.
"It was a surreal night," said Lao.
"I lived with Wayne at the time and he told his father [Walter Gretzky]
He should probably fly to Vancouver because we are in Vancouver for the next game.
He said he was going to Vancouver, and he probably wouldn't be there, but followed him since then.
Then he called his dad on the pay phone in the hallway after the game and told him not to bother because he had done it and it was over.
"With the arrival of the dynasty, oil workers in Africa
Salary cap league as a small-market team.
Oil traders reinvent themselves by trading veteran star players to young talent who is coming.
Starting in 1993, the Oilers missed the playoffs for four years, but returned as a loser in 1997 and generated a new excitement in renaming Edmonton Stadium.
"I am very proud that in my last six years, our team has been in the playoffs for six consecutive years, and sometimes our team has paid $30 [million]-to-
"We made $50 million more than our team," said Weight . ".
"It's special. it's special to win two of these six series.
It's an incredible feeling for the fans here.
"This is one of the most memorable nights for newcomers --
On April 20, 1997, in the third game of the Western semi-final against the Dallas Stars. Down 3-
In the third stage, the fans began to walk to the exit with five minutes left.
The Stars did not admit the third one.
The whole season was in the lead, and that night it seemed unlikely to happen when the oilmen were completely defeated.
The building is emptying when the weight reaches 3
4: 00 left.
They were in the parking lot when Andre corvalento scored 3 points
2: 16 and 2 left.
When they started their car, Mike Greer had already hit the game 3-
3. create a large-scale rush back to the arena.
"I remember people were afraid to come back, and I think they all came back," said Weight . ".
"It's a smart move for the security guards at the door to get them back.
"What I remember most was that during the overtime break we could barely hear [coach]
Ronnie talks low.
I think everyone is back in their seats, they are banging on the floor and feel the ceiling is coming down.
It's like sitting on the bench and the players look around and think, 'We better not lose this game now.
We have shocked the world here. we 'd better win this game. Buchberger]
Be able to do this.
"Buhlberg won the overtime, and the Oilers won the series with Todd Macon's overtime goal in Dallas's seventh game.
This is the first playoff series for oil workers in five years.
"This is the climax, in the difficult times, we rode the waves of three or four years, the Canadian dollar in [$0. 65 U. S. ]
"There is no upper wage limit," said Weight . ".
"It's a huge challenge for our hockey club and it's the most proud thing we can do to win a couple of series and get into the playoffs.
"The introduction of the NHL salary cap by the captain of the Omel oil company in 2005 made the big-
Market and small
The market team, this proves to be beneficial to the oil merchants.
Before the 2005-
During the 2006 season, the refuel team exchanged defensive players Chris plonger and forward Michael Peka, adding to the expectations of fans and organizations.
Things got more complicated in Edmonton after getting goalkeeper Dwayne Rosen, leading to an unexpected playoff and another trip to the Stanley Cup final, where oil workers lost to Carolina
"From the first playoff game against Detroit, I didn't run 2006 Times from start to finish," said former striker Ryan Smith . ".
"I remember when the steak was thrown on the ice in the first round [
The octopus against Detroit
The sixth game against Carolina in the Stanley Cup final.
It's so exciting, it's just passing through your body.
We have a lot of energy on us and when we come here and feel exhausted, the fans give us an extra advantage.
"In the first round, the oil dealers beat the Detroit Red Wings, won the series in six games, and then beat the San Jose Sharks and Anaheim Ducks to advance to Stanley.
"The city has lived, breathed and died there for a full two months, and there may be more excitement because it is unexpected," said Horcoff . ".
"They will definitely go back to 80, but for us, when we win the first round, it's like we win the trophy because we just beat the first round. 1 seed.
It exploded from there and then snowballed into this amazing thing.
It's really special to be part of this building.
"In the final, oil workers lost the first two games in Carolina, and Rosen insisted on a series of games --
End knee injury
Oil workers return to Edmonton for the third game and take 2-
A victory was supported by a passionate audience.
"You can feel the building in the locker room and you can feel the noise before we go out and warm up," Horcoff said . ".
"Then, when we went out for the race and slid over the oil rig on the ice, I only remember how deafening it was.
I think they set a record for loud sports venues, people are following, and that won't happen in hockey.
Oil workers are three behind-1 in the best-of-
Seven series, but Fernando Pizzani's short-staffed extra-time goal in Game 5 brought the series back to Edmonton, it laid the stage for one of the most advantageous performances of the franchise in the history of the Stanley Cup final.
"I want to say that in the 2006 Cup, the building was the largest ever," said Lao, who was the general manager at the time . ".
"This is a continuation of our new group of post-90 s fans.
We created a new fan base.
Running in 06 is an opportunity for a whole new group of fans to have time to be proud of their team and not have to listen to their parents or grandparents talking about post-80 s.
"The sixth game of the 2006 Stanley Cup final was in the final playoffs at Rexall Place.
4 oil workers
And ready to win the sixth Stanley Cup.
But Carolina recovered from the defeat and won the seventh game.
"There are many great moments here," Smith said . ".
"But for me, the sixth game of the 2006 Stanley Cup final was a prominent moment for me.
This is probably the best game we have in the playoffs.
The fans were electric and the stadium was so loud that I thought the roof would fall off.
"As oil workers enter the rebuilding phase, the former Calgary Flame striker Edmonton has experienced a 10-year downturn.
However, there were some special nights at Rexall Place in the recent struggle.
Scored 8 points in a game, breaking Gretzky and Coffey's oil dealer record (
Four goals and four assists)on Feb.
2012 in an 8-
4 victory over Chicago Blackhawks
Gagner won three stars in the competition, the first in the history of oil companies.
Smith returned to the oil business team on 2011 after being traded on 2007, and he played his last game at Rexall Place on April 13, 2014.
Smith was appointed captain for the night and was given a standing ovation at the end of the game for a long time.
"I really feel like I know every single fan and it makes me very grateful that they stay and I am very humble about it," Smith said . ".
"It was a very exciting moment, but to be honest, I felt like I knew every single fan.
Until today, I met some people on the street who said they were in my last game and I am very grateful for that.
"Rexall Place left a lasting impression on the NHL and the City of Edmonton.
Arena will accommodate non
Events related to hockey, but the decision on the final fate of the building has not yet been determined.
"There is a lot of history here," Smith said . ".
"Obviously you look up in the raf son and you will see the banners that belong to the city, not just part of the oil workers, but also the history of the city.
It's not just a hockey field.
History. WHA]
Oil dealers and guys who paved the way for us.
I'm going to miss it.
"In addition to all the memorable competitions, there are special events in the arena that leave a lasting legacy.
There are nine flags-
The promotion ceremony was held for Hockey Hall of Fame members, and on October 2014, oil workers held a special 30 th anniversary of their first Stanley Cup championship team.
More than 150 former players are expected to attend the closing ceremony of Rexall Place on April 6.
"I will miss this place," said Horcoff . ".
"There is no taste of these ice rinks anymore;
It smells like hockey.
This ice rink, you come in and smell the ice, it has a wide stool under the stands, which is not the same.
"This ice rink is purely hockey.