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| - If, or even if you are not a hockey fan, you have to come here, as one of those tourist things to do in this city, and in Canada. The history of this sport we know to love is evident in here. It truly is a shrine for all "puck heads". I have always wanted to come here, located right in the heart of downtown, right in Brookfield Place (the old BCE building), on the lower level, it is fairly hidden if your on the inside of the building, but there is an attachment that is recognizable to everyone that this is the "Hall of Fame".
There is so much history within this place, that this is a puckhead's dream come true walking in here. When you start at the entrance, you see a wall of pucks from different teams, events and eras. You also see some real goalie mask (and if you've followed any hockey, you will recognize one of them). You walk through hallways, and corridors filled with old jerseys and pictures, and realize just how far this game has come, to starting on a pond and a sheet of ice, to the grand stadium's and multi-million dollar contracts now.
Some think that this is only a shrine for the NHL, but no, this pays homage to every part of the sport, from juniors, to even world leagues. I remember going to the world exhibit, and was amazed at some countries that you would not think of that had hockey teams. Being from Vancouver, the only miff that I must say is that there is a picture of Trevor Linden, but he is in a New York Islanders jersey, which is odd, cause he is known and for being captain Canuck!
The final part of the tour for me was actually seeing the trophies up in the hall. The size of each trophy was stunning, as to the sheer workmanship of each curve and cut. The Stanley Cup was amazing, as this is one of those trophies, due to a team winning it every year, grows with an extra ring on the bottom, and all the names of teams from yesteryear, and the players and the coach's on it, is truly one of the greatest sports trophies of all time.
If your in Toronto, and you are looking for one of those tourist things to do, this is probably it. Your camera will also get a workout in here as well.
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