Edmonton Gardens
- David Hegler
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
Having lost in the Stanley Cup Finals in 1908 and 1910, the Edmonton Eskimos had outgrown the cozy confines of the Thistle Rink and their owners searched far and wide for the perfect spot to build Edmonton's first indoor arena. Dazzled by the site of the city's old fairgrounds just beyond downtown, the Eskimos set up shop on the southwest corner of 118th Avenue and 73rd Street.
The first event was held on Christmas Day, 1913 between the Eskimos and the Dominion Furriers. It was exactly 19 years to the day since the very first recorded hockey game in Edmonton's illustrious history with the sport. While the 2,000 attendees (a city record) would have overflowed the Thistle Rink, the newly opened Edmonton Stock Pavilion could easily fit twice that number. Those who attended the momentous occasion witnessed an upset as the Eskimos lost 4-2. It was the changing of the guard, for while the Furriers would go on to win the Alberta Senior Amateur championship that year, the Eskimos would not win again for nearly 50 years.
The arena would not see another title won until 1948 when the Flyers won the Allan Cup. After joining the WHL as an affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings in 1951, the Flyers won three titles in the 12 years that they were with the league. It was a glorious time for the city as future NHL stars such as Al Rollins and Bud MacPherson began their pro hockey careers there. But despite their dominance and plethora of excellent players, the Red Wings decided to pull the plug in 1963 and the Flyers quickly folded.
Along with the Eskimos and Flyers, Edmonton Stock Pavilion/Gardens also hosted the Oil Kings from 1951-1974. Despite losing three straight Memorial Cups to begin the decade, they were quite successful through much of the early 1960's. they finally broke through and won their lone title in 1963 when they outlasted the Niagara Falls Flyers 4-2 at home. Unfortunately, the Oil Kings' good fortune would not continue as they again lost in the Memorial Cup Finals the following year.
By the dawn of the 1970s, change was very much in the air. Having officially changed its name to "Edmonton Gardens" after 1966, the arena was beginning to show its age. It was never really built to last as it was primarily built with wood and aligned with a brown brick backbone. All through its final two decades, firemen were on call for each and every event held there. they were always on edge, especially with the slew of big name. bands that came through in the 1970s such as REO Speedwagon, Fleetwood Mac, Rory Gallagher and the Eagles.
The WHL's Oilers began their existence at Edmonton Gardens in 1972, biding their time for two years as Northlands Coliseum was built right across the street. The old arena stayed vacant for more than a decade after the Oilers moved in 1974. Finally in 1982, plans were put in motion to demolish the city's first indoor arena.
But the project curiously took on a life of its own when the old building refused to go down. It didn't matter if it was dynamite or a bulldozer, Edmonton Gardens refused to give up without a fight. the old building was finally felled with a wrecking ball in 1982
Today, a parking lot leading to the Edmonton EXPO Centre rests where Edmonton Gardens once first truly drew the city's attention to its greatest passion: hockey.
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