The McIntyre Arena – sometimes called “Maple Leaf Gardens North” – opened 80 years ago this year. And to mark the occasion, the Hockey Hall of Fame is bringing a travelling exhibit to the Mac next Monday and Tuesday.
Joe Campbell is handling publicity for the visit. He notes that J.P. Bickell built the arena for his employees, when he was president of McIntyre-Porcupine Mines. Bickell was also a longtime board member of the Toronto Maple Leafs, and had the Mac designed as a scaled-down version of the Gardens.
“Hockey Hall of Fame is bringing 12 exhibits,” Campbell outlines, “and they range from local players that are in the Hall of Fame to Northern Ontario players that are also Hall of Fame, the likes of Frank Mahovlich, the Espositos, Ron Francis. There’s also other exhibits for Hockey Hall of Fame legends, other players.
Photo credit: Bob McIntyre, Moose FM
“Along with the displays,” he continues, “which the parents obviously will be very keenly interested in, there’s some interactive games that will be brought by the Hockey Hall of Fame people in respect that the kids can play, like electronic hockey, the mini rink, bubble hockey, all kinds of things.”
Admission to the display is free.