Montreal Arena

The Montreal Arena, also known as Westmount Arena, was the first indoor arena specifically designed for ice hockey, opening its doors in 1898 in Westmount, Quebec. With a capacity of 10,000, it hosted significant hockey events, including the Montreal Canadiens' first Stanley Cup victory in 1916. The arena featured innovative design elements like rounded corners for puck play, influencing future rinks. It was the site of notable hockey brawls and the first NHL game in December 1917. Tragically, a fire in 1918 led to its destruction, and today, a condominium stands where the arena once thrived, marking a pivotal chapter in Montreal's rich hockey history.