| Mariucci Arena | |
|---|---|
| |
| Location | 1901 4th St SE Minneapolis, MN 55455-2004 |
| Opened | 1993 |
| Owner | University of Minnesota |
| Operator | University of Minnesota |
| Surface | 200' x 100' |
| Tenants | Minnesota Golden Gophers (Men's Hockey) (1993-present) Minnesota Golden Gophers Women's Hockey (1997-2002) |
| Capacity | 9,305 (1993-1996) 9,700 (1996-2001) 10,000 (2001-present) |
Mariucci Arena is the home arena for the Minnesota Golden Gophers men's ice hockey team of the University of Minnesota. The arena is located on the Minneapolis campus and seats approximately 10,000 fans (9,600 in the main bowl plus club room and suite seating). The arena opened in 1993 and is named after John Mariucci, the long time Gopher coach who is considered the "godfather of Minnesota hockey." Under the gate is a quote from Mariucci. "Through these gates walk the greatest fans in college hockey." The ice sheet is Olympic sized (100 feet by 200 feet). The women's ice hockey team played at Mariucci from 1997 until 2002 when they moved to a smaller on campus arena known as Ridder Arena.
Mariucci Arena has been host to prominent regional, national, and international competitions, including the NCAA Division I 2005 West Regional and 2009 West Regional, the 2006 Women's Frozen Four, and the 2006 World Short track speed skating event. Mariucci Arena also hosted the 2001 Women's Frozen Four on March 23 and March 25, 2001.
The Minnesota State High School League state hockey tournament holds its consolation bracket at Mariucci.
On November 6, 2004, 10,587 fans watched the Gophers complete the sweep of the arch-rival Wisconsin Badgers, the largest crowd to watch a game at Mariucci Arena.
From 1950 to 1993 the hockey team played in the hockey arena section of Williams Arena. That arena was renamed Mariucci Arena in 1985. People now general refer to that as the "old" Mariucci Arena.
In 2007, Sports Illustrated on Campus named Mariucci Arena one the top ten venues in college sports. The facility was the only ice hockey arena to make the list.