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| - I am a diehard hockey fan and I have always wanted to visit the Hockey Hall of Fame so when I found myself in Toronto there was no chance that I was going to miss this opportunity.
The one thing I wasn't expecting however was to find the Hall of Fame in a basic shopping mall but the shopping mall had a Starbucks and there were no restrictions on bringing beverages inside so I got over it=)
I paid the entrance fee which was reasonable and even kicked in the extra few bucks to watch the 3D movie they had playing even 45 minutes of so. I was surprised during my visit (Holiday season) that the Hall was not close to be crowded which was GREAT!!! This Hall of Fame is open 362 days a year, only closed for Induction Day, Christmas Day & New Year's Day.
I was in awe of the items on display here, as a hockey fan you could not help and stare and think of the history, stories and/or memories that go along with each item on display. This was the Hall of Fame so you had every piece of hockey history dating back to the origination.
I observed old school hockey masks, jerseys, equipment and even mock locker rooms. I walked to an area of the Hall of Fame that is inside of a working vault that contained the first set of rings from Lord Stanley's Cup as well as every single trophy that is awarded throughout hockey throughout the history of organized hockey, I even got to touch the Stanley Cup AGAIN!!!
I finally journeyed to the movie theater and found a seat in the middle to watch the movie that had playing. I found the movie to be a little long and lacking that emotional connection with hockey, I honestly found it to be quite cheesy but I am still glad I experienced it.
Before finishing my tour and seeing "The Great One" 802nd goal scored hockey puck, the New Jersey Devils & Los Angeles Kings names on the Stanley Cup, old school CCCP hockey jerseys & pucks, items from the Miracle on Ice and everything else that I encountered I began to look for the exit.
As I was walking toward the exit I found myself smack dab in the middle of an interactive hockey experience. You could sign up for 'free' and take your chances manning a regulation sized hockey goal. While staring at a video screen of a hockey player making a breakaway, you have to stop a slap shot from the player which comes in your direction in the foam hockey puck traveling at a good rate of speed. This is the area in which I encountered a long line and decided to get myself away from all the coughing and sneezing folks but did enjoy people watching from the side.
Overall this was an amazing experience that I am stoked I crossed off my list. If you are visiting Toronto this is a must see hockey fan or not.
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