Gallery: (4-15-2020) Amsoil Facility Pictures
Home to two of the strongest and most successful collegiate hockey programs in the nation, AMSOIL Arena boasts an exceptional amenity laden hockey facility.
Construction of the 6,756-seat AMSOIL Arena, which is just a few hundred yards away from the venerable Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center arena, UMD's former home since the 1966-67 season, began in April 2009. In all, the $80 million facility was a true collaborative effort, with the State of Minnesota funding half of the cost through general obligation bonds, the City of Duluth providing 27 percent of the cost through a voter-approved food and beverage tax, UMD funding 12 percent and the DECC funding the remaining 11 percent.
At first glance, AMSOIL Arena brings to mind a striking contrast with other top-notch National Collegiate Hockey Conference/Western Collegiate Hockey Association rinks and some familiar similarities to the old DECC. Set foot inside rinks like Ralph Engelstad Arena (the University of North Dakota), the CenturyLink Center (the University of Nebraska-Omaha) or the Goggin Ice Center (Miami University) and one is immediately struck by their sheer vast size. By contrast, a step onto the ice surface at AMSOIL Arena causes many to notice that despite having more than 1,600 additional seats, it's as intimate as the "old" DECC, with the lower bowl of seats hugging the ice surface and the upper level seats hanging seemingly right over the ice. Truly, there's not a bad seat in the house for the fans of Bulldog men's and women's hockey.
While the DECC was known as a great place to watch a game, the level of fan comfort is taken to new heights inside AMSOIL Arena. From simple things like seat width and leg room to necessities like additional restroom facilities, fan comfort and convenience are the hallmarks of the Bulldogs' new digs. Designers took cues from other successful and popular sports facilities and incorporated fan-friendly touches like an open concourse around much of the lower seating bowl, meaning that a trip to one of the numerous concession stands will not mean missing any of the on-ice action. And, if they do, there is a $1 million, 8' x 14' matrix scoreboard hung above center ice, which provides in-game replays, videos, and graphics in 10-millimeter LED display.
AMSOIL Arena, which hosted NCAA Women's Frozen Four in 2012 and 2017 / 2021 Icebreaker, is also equipped with something the DECC never had — private suites, some 15 in all. In addition, the Champions Lodge, located on the main level adjacent to one of the college hockey's finest and most spacious press boxes, serves as a gathering space for UMD athletic donors, alumni and supporters. At the other end of the hallway is the Hall of Fame Suite, which holds up to 50 people and contains plaques of the 30-plus Bulldog men's and women's hockey alumni and coaches who are members of the UMD Athletic Hall of Fame.
Outside, a skywalk link connects the extended parking ramp to AMSOIL Arena, leading spectators into what is known as the "Ice Cube". With soft mood lighting and an aquatic –themed terrazzo floor, the second-level commons area evokes images of Lake Superior. Traveling from one level to another you can see the downtown skyline in one direction and the Duluth harbor in the other.
Although AMSOIL Arena will be used for conventions, concerts (with seating for nearly 9,000) and other sporting events, it's is first and foremost the home of UMD hockey, This is readily apparent by the generous splashes of maroon and gold and the frequent use of the Bulldog logo throughout the facility. A large student bench seat section on the south end of the rink (where UMD attacks twice) should give the Bulldogs that much more of a home-ice advantage.
On the lower level, out of sight for most visitors, but on full display for current and potential future Bulldogs, are some of the real features. Those include a state-of-the-art hockey offices and facilities, a weight room and athletic training center, player's lounges, two large hydro therapy pools (one of which features a treadmill in its base) and other amenities that rival any other school in the nation. The hallways throughout the Bulldog locker room areas are covered with historical photos and artwork, conveying the storied history of both the men's and women's programs.
And, in a place where abundant natural wonders and respect for the environment have always been a hallmark of life for Minnesotans, AMSOIL Arena was built with an eye toward sustainability, and has received the top Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) accreditation available.
It didn't take long for the Bulldogs' new home to attract some big-time national attention. The Wall Street Journal named AMSOIL Arena as one of its 10 "Golden Zamboni" award winners for its uniqueness among the nation's college hockey venues. AMSOIL Arena was cited by the WSJ because " … it oozes local flavor. Bar tops in the fire-placed warmed Bulldog Club Lounge are made from local taconite rock, flecked with red iron; walls are inlaid with Minnesota stone and the decorative panels are made of wood salvaged from old grain elevators. On the (concourse) walls are quotations from a handful of folks, including Duluth's two biggest local celebrities: frozen-pizza impresario Jeno Paulucci and Bob Dylan."
Official Website
| AMSOIL Arena Quick Facts |
| Broke Ground |
September 2008 |
| First Game |
December 30, 2010 (UMD Men's Hockey vs North Dakota) |
| Construction Cost |
$80 Million ($93.9 Million in 2020 dollars) |
| Architect/ Contractor |
Populous/ Mortenson & Thor |
| Surface |
200' X 85' |
| Capacity |
6,756 (Hockey) 9,264 (Concerts) |
| Record Attendance |
7,711 (January 25, 2020 UMD Men's Hockey vs. North Dakota) |
| Tenants |
UMD Women's Hockey & UMD Men's Hockey |
