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| - Granted, this is my first Hall of Fame of any sport and... Granted Hockey isn't my favorite sport nor is it on my radar often except for playoffs and the Olympics.
However, I have been to a traveling exhibit of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and even if I am not a hockey fan, I love the history of all sports.
In the end, this place was a little bit underwhelming.
First, this place is a little hard to find, looking at all of the tourist maps of Downtown Toronto I thought this was something easily accessible from street level. If you were to use Google Maps or GPS and enter their Yonge Street address, you'll get lost. The entrance is underground and is actually easily accessible from Union Subway Station, I just wish the signage was better underground, because I was wandering around aimlessly looking for this after leaving Union Station.
Still, after entering it felt like it was jersey overload. Although everything was organized by NHL, Minor Leagues, International, College/Youth, it felt a little bit scattershot and not fully indicative of rich history of the sport One of the electronic displays in the International section didn't seem to work right at all.
I would have loved a section dedicated the evolution of the equipment of the game. Like baseball and football, the equipment in hockey has changed a lot since the rules were codified over a century ago. The movies were nice, but could be built upon.
Still, making up for these flaws is the hall that showcases the Stanley Cup. The original cup is actually displayed in a re-purposed Bank Vault. One of the most hallowed trophies in all of pro sports anywhere is shown in a setting that befits it. If only the rest of the Hall of Fame could be like that. I am glad I made the trip, but the next time I am in Toronto, you won't see me here.
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