STrib: With Mariucci Arena renovations to start in April, Gophers could use boost

BleedGopher

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per Gonzalez:

Mariucci Arena is scheduled to begin the first step of a major overhaul in the coming weeks. The 23-year-old sports venue will receive new locker rooms, training rooms, player lounge and film room, and eventually a weight room and shooting station.

The $5 million project was approved by the Board of Regents last fall and scheduled to start in April 2016 following the conclusion of the Gophers men’s hockey season. The first phase will be completed before the 2016-2017 season.

The project has been privately funded by alumni and boosters

http://www.startribune.com/with-mar...t-in-april-gophers-could-use-boost/374009561/

Go Gophers!!
 

The Olympic sheet's days are numbered:

“Mariucci was built in ’93. There have been a lot of facilities built and upgraded since that time. We need to do our upgrades, too,” Lucia said after the renovations were approved. He helped lead the fundraising campaign and eventually expects the rink size to be updated to NHL standards.

“The rink size is the last phase. … Everything we want to do first is for the players, their development and their comfort. That’s why this area has to be done first,” Lucia added. “The weight room will be second and everything else down the line.”
 

It's best for us to move to NHL size. All NCAA games and Big Ten Tournaments are on NHL size rinks. Best for players to be most comfortable on them...
 

Moving from the larger Olympic sized sheet to the NHL standard is another indication of the slip in talent at the U. When it was constructed they wanted the larger sheet to give us a home ice advantage due to our faster skaters. What's next? Turning up the temperature of the ice the way Woog would when the Tony Hyrkac led Sioux came to town?
 

Moving from the larger Olympic sized sheet to the NHL standard is another indication of the slip in talent at the U.

Aside from the 19 former Gophers that have played in the NHL this year, including four from last year's team alone.
 


I was a fan of the big sheet when Mariucci was constructed. But, the rest of the sport took a look and decided to move on-so have I.
 

There goes Minneapolis' chances of hosting the winter Olympics!
 









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