USA Hockey Arena

USA Hockey Arena

Former names	Compuware Sports Arena (1996–2007) Compuware Arena (2007–2015)
Location	14900 Beck Rd. Plymouth, MI
Owner	USA Hockey
Operator	Arena Management Inc.
Capacity	3,504 (seated), 4,500 (incl. standing)
Field size	Ice, 200' x 85'
Construction
Broke ground	May 1996
Opened	September 10, 1996[1]
Construction cost	$22 million
Architect	DTS + Winkelmann, LLC[2]
Structural engineer	Structural Associates Inc.[3]
Tenants
Plymouth Whalers (OHL) (1997–2015) Detroit Ignition (MISL/XSL) (2006-2009) Detroit Waza (PASL-Pro) (2008–2009) Detroit Rockers (NPSL) (2000–2001) USA Hockey National Team Development Program (USHL) (2015–present)

Interior of USA Hockey Arena

The USA Hockey Arena is a multi-purpose arena in Plymouth Township, Michigan, opened in 1996. Originally known as the Compuware Sports Arena, its name was shortened to Compuware Arena on September 11, 2007, to better market the venue for non-sporting events it hosted.^[4] It was renamed again to USA Hockey Arena in 2015 when the USA Hockey Foundation purchased the arena.^[5]

History

Peter Karmanos, the President of Compuware and owner of the Detroit Whalers, arranged to build the Whalers a new home as soon as the 1995-96 season ended after playing that season at two temporary venues, the tiny Oak Park Ice Arena and the massive The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Compuware Sports Arena was constructed in six months time, ready for the 1996–97 season. The team remained the Detroit Whalers after moving to Plymouth Township and then were renamed the Plymouth Whalers in 1997–98.

The complex features two arenas: the main arena, where the Whalers played their home games, is standard NHL-size and has seating for roughly four thousand people; it also has a larger (in terms of ice area) Olympic-size ice surface, which has much more limited seating on only one side of the ice. The Olympic Arena is the home ice of Detroit Catholic Central High School although they occasionally play games in the main arena when strong attendance is anticipated. The two arenas share concession stands, both of which have openings for both arenas simultaneously, allowing one set of staff to serve both arenas simultaneously. Attached to the complex is "CJ's Brewing Company^[6]". The arena was home to the now defunct Detroit Ignition, a Major Indoor Soccer League / XSL team, as well as the Compuware Ambassadors minor hockey program. Previously, the arena hosted the now defunct Detroit Rockers of the National Professional Soccer League during its last season in 2000-2001

The arena also hosts the annual MHSAA high school state championships for boys ice hockey. On October 22, 2006, TNA hosted Bound for Glory (2006) at the arena.

During the summer months, the arena's parking lot is home to a drive-in movie theatre that features double feature first run movies on three giant screens.

USA Hockey Arena also hosts the commencement ceremonies for Adlai E. Stevenson High School (Livonia, Michigan), Northville High School, as well as for other high schools.

With the sale and relocation of the Whalers to Flint, Michigan, USA Hockey is anticipated to purchase the arena and to use the venue for its National Team Development Program, with the under-18 team using the NHL-sized rink and the under-17 team using the Olympic-sized rink. The arena would be used for USA Hockey-sponsored and hosted events and international tournaments, including the Four Nations Cup women's ice hockey tournament. The NHL rink would also be used increasingly for concerts and a wider variety of events and other purposes.

Notable music performances

• Gucci Mane, October 26, 2007
• Journey, November 2, 2008
• The Crofoot and AEG Live present: Girl Talk (musician), March 3, 2011 (Sold Out) ^[7]
• The Crofoot and AEG Live present: Hollywood Undead, Asking Alexandria, Borgore, Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows, We Came as Romans, November 9, 2011^[8]
• The Crofoot and AEG Live present:Pretty Lights, TOKiMONSTA, Paul Basic (Sold Out)^[9]
• The Crofoot and AEG Live present: Passion Pit, Matt & Kim, Icona Pop, February 21, 2013 (Sold Out) ^[10]
• The Crofoot and AEG Live present: High Velocity Super Action Fun Time Festival featuring: Bring Me the Horizon, We Came as Romans, Of Mice & Men (Band), Attila (deathcore band), Issues, Northlane, Wilson, February 21, 2014 (Sold Out)

References

External links

• Compuware Arena Official web site
• Compuware Ambassadors Official web site
• Compuware Arena The OHL Arena & Travel Guide

Coordinates: 42°23′21″N 83°30′22″W / 42.38917°N 83.50611°W / 42.38917; -83.50611