Compuware Arena
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| Former names | Compuware Sports Arena (1996–2007) Compuware Arena (2007–2015) |
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| Location | 14900 Beck Rd. Plymouth, MI |
| Owner | USA Hockey |
| Operator | Arena Management Inc. |
| Capacity | 3,504 (seated), 4,500 (incl. standing) |
| Field size | Ice, 200' x 85' |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | May 1996 |
| Opened | September 10, 1996 |
| Construction cost | $22 million |
| Architect | DTS + Winkelmann, LLC |
| Structural engineer | Structural Associates Inc. |
| Tenants | |
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Plymouth Whalers (OHL) (1996–2015) Detroit Rockers (NPSL) (2000–2001) Detroit Ignition (MISL/XSL) (2006–2009) Detroit Waza (PASL-Pro) (2008–2009) USA Hockey National Team Development Program (USHL) (2015–present) |
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The USA Hockey Arena is a multi-purpose arena in Plymouth Township, Michigan, opened in 1996. Originally known as the Compuware Sports Arena, its name was shortened to Compuware Arena on September 11, 2007, to better market the venue for non-sporting events it hosted. It was renamed again to USA Hockey Arena in 2015 when the USA Hockey Foundation purchased the arena.
Peter Karmanos, the President of Compuware and owner of the Detroit Whalers, arranged to build the Whalers a new home as soon as the 1995-96 season ended after playing that season at two temporary venues, the tiny Oak Park Ice Arena and the massive The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Compuware Sports Arena was constructed in six months time, ready for the 1996–97 season. The team remained the Detroit Whalers after moving to Plymouth Township and then were renamed the Plymouth Whalers in 1997–98.
The complex features two arenas: the main arena, where the Whalers played their home games, is standard NHL-size and has seating for roughly four thousand people; it also has a larger (in terms of ice area) Olympic-size ice surface, which has much more limited seating on only one side of the ice. The Olympic Arena is the home ice of Detroit Catholic Central High School although they occasionally play games in the main arena when strong attendance is anticipated. The two arenas share concession stands, both of which have openings for both arenas simultaneously, allowing one set of staff to serve both arenas simultaneously. Attached to the complex is "CJ's Brewing Company". The arena was home to the now defunct Detroit Ignition, a Major Indoor Soccer League / XSL team, as well as the Compuware Ambassadors minor hockey program. Previously, the arena hosted the now defunct Detroit Rockers of the National Professional Soccer League during its last season in 2000-2001
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