
If hockey were a religion, then the Hockey Hall of Fame would be its Mecca. Located only a few minutes’ walk from Union Station in downtown Toronto, the Hockey Hall of Fame can be instantly recognized by the happiness and joy of the junior hockey players captured in a bronze statue outside. Once you see the building, you will know that this is where hockey lives.
As you approach the entrance, you instantly get a sense of the grandeur of the sport and the celebration of its history - the stories told, the battles fought, and the personalities of the players. All these are captured in storyboards, photos, videos, and by the actual equipment used by the players. It is also interesting to see the evolution not only of the game, but of the gear over time.
All the displays in this honorable museum are polished, clean, and expertly put together. Every stop is a telling of a new adventure in a different time and place. If you had a favourite hockey player growing up who had the honor of being selected as an inductee, you will become giddy when seeing their jersey hanging behind the glass.
The kid friendly Hockey Hall of Fame does not only pay homage to the players, but the teams, broadcasters, referees, and the fans as well. It is everything hockey culture. Here are a few things that you will see at the Hall:
- A fully stocked Habs dressing room where you can touch the gear and take photos.
- A skills-testing game where you can play goalie against Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier.
- All the trophies and awards for the sport over the past hundred years.
- An opportunity to get your photo taken with the Stanley Cup.
- A fully stocked gift shop with all sorts of hockey memorabilia.
The Hockey Hall of Fame is a great opportunity to take a relaxing and education tour of some spectacular sports culture.