Man, this video hit me hard with nostalgia (esp with that shot of the funky carpet in the upper level). I feel like I grew up at all-state arena. I went to so many Wolves games as a kid and miss them so much. Love that they keep that iconic into and I remember when they had the bulky wolf head they came out of that players would hit their heads on if they weren’t careful. Good times!

Really awesome place.I worked there in 1996 when it was rosemonthorizons.And then we change the whole thing.Very good place very good organization for the wolves top notch building and bosses

I remember growing up in the 90s when the Wolves would routinely outdraw the Blackhawks as far as crowds. It was just a much better fan experience, and at least then, they weren’t affiliated with an NHL team, so they didn’t risk losing their good players to the NHL like a lot of the other teams.

@SACSportsAdventures

Жыл бұрын

Wow! I didn’t know they could be non-affiliated. That’s a huge benefit.

@admirals818

Жыл бұрын

​@@SACSportsAdventures There were a lot of independent teams in the IHL in the 90s - including the Admirals but never the Lumberjacks. Rumor has it the Wolves are leaning towards independence next season, a rarity in the AHL.

@timkaczmarowski8151

Жыл бұрын

​@@SACSportsAdventuresIHL darn near tried to be a rival league to the NHL in the mid 90s which actually killed it because the NHL pulled all support and affiliations it had with it.

Another great video, SAC sports adventures! Love seeing the content you provide!

@SACSportsAdventures

Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much, my dude!

I’m a season ticket holder for the wolves. I was at that game and they are so fun. The pregame and fans are so good

@SACSportsAdventures

Жыл бұрын

It was a blast. I was blow away with the fan engagement and the crowd! Thanks so much!

I have been to several Wolves games (20+ years ago) and going to those games was always a great time, like another poster said many of the people in Chicago hated Bill Wirtz but liked hockey so they were pretty popular for a minor league team in a big pro market. On the other hand I had a family member in the Depaul band so I have been to many of their games. Depaul was/is the doormat of the Big East, the arena is far away from campus and was always dead (the student section had no joke normally had like 10-20 people), and the only reason people would go was to see the opposing team. I was always amazed how they never got kicked out of the Big East, maybe they just liked the idea of having a team in the Chicago market in their conference, they are like Vanderbilt being in SEC football.

@SACSportsAdventures

Жыл бұрын

That’s a good point. I feel like that would have such a hallow atmosphere to it. I was in band at a DII school and our basketball games were pretty dead since hockey was our main sport but that arena seated 3,000 so it didn’t feel as bad. Haha!

Completely agree that the sightlines in the lower bowl are terrible due to the slope not being steep enough.

@SACSportsAdventures

3 ай бұрын

Yes! Way too shallow

Was there in '96 before any renovations, the seats were extremely narrow and this hard laminate like a school desk/seat, place had a weird bubble gum smell and I think its always smoky in there due to the pyrotechnics, it was back then too, it is said the seats are at such a shallow angle due to building height restrictions in its placement by the airport, but the place is absolutely a testament to the popularity of pro hockey in Chicagoland that they and the Blackhawks can get big crowds.

@SACSportsAdventures

11 ай бұрын

Ah! Good point of the building height limits with the airport. I agree that it’s impressive they get such great crowds when the Blackhawks are so close by.

Allstate Arena has great seats. My favorite spot for years was section 215. I went there during the glory years between 1998 and 2009. The place was loud and rocking during those years.its a working class looking arena. it has no skyboxes. But it's my second home. The place can get really loud even with a small crowd. I think it's the loudest hockey arena in the Midwest. I still love the Wolves and Allstate Arena

@SACSportsAdventures

11 ай бұрын

That’s amazing! It really is a fun place for a game. I like that “working class looking arena” label.

I get to a handful of Wolves games over the course of a season. The stadium is relatively close to me, so when I’m not photographing the Steel in Geneva, I roll over to the Wolves. The Pyro heat can definitely be felt off the ice! I’ve sat in one of the first few rows once, and it felt toasty. My last game, I was a credentialed photographer, and so I was on the ice at the penalty boxes during the Pyro show and I definitely felt the heat. You’re right, the pyro guy definitely goes nuts with it and I always wonder if the roof will catch fire. From a photographer’s perspective, I was credentialed in this arena before for both the Wolves and Harlem Globetrotters. At the Globetrotters, I just sat on the court in a traditional floor photographer manner. But for the Wolves, there is literally only two places to shoot from. One is at the Zamboni Gate and the other is up in the press box. The lighting is fairly inconsistent for hockey as there are some nice and bright spots and other kinda dark spots on the ice. A few fun facts, the visiting team’s dressing room is the same dressing room that bands use for concerts. The Wolves have their own Locker Room but they need to go past all the visitors gear bags and trunks before they get to the Zamboni driveway to reach the ice. Also, there is no dump pit for ice shavings, so the Zambonis actually leave the building and dump their shavings in a corner of the parking lot. People who park by the Target take a big risk because that strip mall will tow cars. However, Uber and Lyft sometimes drop fans off at the Target lot because the designated drop off point backs up and has a kinda weird way for the drivers to exit to the north through a alley behind the Target. Also, some fans go to the Culver’s in the Target lot before a game because that location offers a game day discount. The discount is supposed to apply to Wolves Booster club members, but in reality Culver’s pretty much gives a discount to anyone who’s attending a game.

@SACSportsAdventures

Жыл бұрын

Dang! That’s a lot of great info. Thanks so much! I love getting that from your perspective since you have access that most people don’t. I’ve been considering trying to get credentials with the USHL to do more video work since I’ve recently upgraded my camera and then I can move and film freely throughout the stadium without looking like a weirdo filming people on their phone. Haha! I’d split my time between wandering around filming and taking it in as a fan. Just a preliminary thought right now thought.

@matthewbaken7669

Жыл бұрын

@@SACSportsAdventures thanks! I really enjoy and appreciate your videos. You provide an honest review from a great perspective. I like that you’re not mean or harsh, even if you don’t particularly like a particular team. I’m sure that most USHL stadiums would appreciate you reviewing their barns, so I’m sure credentialed access would be granted to you. I recommend calling out maybe at least a week in advance so that you can be assured of credentials, as some teams do get local press coverage and you might be competing for access to a particular game if the press list fills up. Most teams can only accommodate a limited number of photographers/videographers per game, especially depending on the layout of the arena. So just keep it in mind to get on a media list early rather than last minute to better assure that you get credentials. Also, FYI, some teams have a dedicated person who is the only person empowered to issue credentials, whereas with some other teams the lead photographer has some say in who gets access. And AHL stadiums generally need a greater amount of advanced notice. Finally, while you can interact with players, like to say “hi” or congratulate the winning team, it’s best to always follow guidelines on the back of the pass. For example, soliciting autographs is almost always prohibited.

@SACSportsAdventures

Жыл бұрын

@@matthewbaken7669 this is fantastic information. Thank you so much! I’ll keep you updated on what happens. Thankfully since I’m working with Pulltab Sports, I’ll have some backing and it’s not just me reaching out asking for stuff. One of Pulltab’s owners used to be the commissioner of the USHL, Tom Garrity, so that should open up some doors too.

Possibly my least favorite AHL arena I've been to (maybe it's my Admirals bias). Haven't been there in years, but twice since the renovations. It was even worse before that. The sight lines are the biggest problem. There's just not enough slope. I remember those upper level corner sections being the best seats. I don't think the pre-game presentation has changed much since the beginning in 1994... same song, same fireworks. I know there's a newer, better arena up the interstate a bit, but it's smaller and even farther out from Chicago. I wonder if the Wolfies have ever considered a move there.

@SACSportsAdventures

Жыл бұрын

That’s a fair assessment. I always hate when the Wolves fans are in our barn (it’ll probably be the case tomorrow night) and our rivalry with them is huge so the bias is real. It’s just not a modern arena. Nor is the Panther but at least it has good sight lines and works well for hockey.

@C-ROY57

Жыл бұрын

@@SACSportsAdventuresbut the sad thing about the panther arena is that it doesn’t have any cool pyro or fire.

You finally did it!! And I agree with everything you said!

@SACSportsAdventures

Жыл бұрын

Yeah! Finally got around to editing it. Sorry for the wait. Glad you enjoyed!

@C-ROY57

Жыл бұрын

@@SACSportsAdventures And also when I went to Allstate once for an Ads and wolves playoff game, I got there early so I got to see myself almost piss myself during the intro, but before that, while I was waiting for the gates to open, out of nowhere this terrifying gray wolf steps apon me, he stares at me wearing my ads jersey and hat, he does a pretty creepy look at me, everyone said, “Ooohhhhhhh!”, and when the gates opened, I got a picture of me punching skates balls! It was fun!

@SACSportsAdventures

Жыл бұрын

@@C-ROY57 hahaha! That’s too funny. That wolf scares the crap out of me.

@johnn.3459

9 ай бұрын

Get real. He's NOT scary.@@SACSportsAdventures

That was definitely one of the craziest gameday experiences I've ever had! The pyro show alone was wild, I was sure they were going to catch something on fire. UNHINGED. That mascot is gonna haunt my dreams for a long time...

@SACSportsAdventures

Жыл бұрын

Hahaha! 100% “UNHINGED”!

i think we were on the camera with those blue and black trumpets!

@SACSportsAdventures

3 ай бұрын

That’s awesome!

@Polbuddie

3 ай бұрын

@@SACSportsAdventures yeah it’s good but still I don’t know about it… could be someone else

Skates is NOT scary!! He's cute and absolutely fun to be around. You obviously have a poor taste in the grey wolf itself. Been a huge fan of the Chicago Wolves since 2016, and I don't take kindly to them being made fun of.

@SACSportsAdventures

7 ай бұрын

Sorry, friend. I'm just not a huge fan of his eyes. Wolves are one of my favourite animals.

@johnn.3459

7 ай бұрын

@@SACSportsAdventures Ok, I'll give you that one! Skates is still number one in my book!

Looks like it would be a good time for the fans even without great sightlines. BTW are you still an Admirals season ticket holder?

@SACSportsAdventures

Жыл бұрын

Not first today?! What’s up with that?! Haha! Just kidding. Yeah, I’m a half season ticket holder. I sit in the bottom of 230 by the blimp. I’ll be there this weekend Friday and Sunday. If you’re going to be there, come say hey!

@westregent66

Жыл бұрын

@@SACSportsAdventures yeah I dropped the ball on this one not being first. I'm actually out of the country until the end of the month. Hopefully the Admirals will still be playing when I get back 🤞

@SACSportsAdventures

Жыл бұрын

@@westregent66 enjoy the time abroad!

You need to make a trip the Bmo in Rockford to see the Icehogs

@SACSportsAdventures

Жыл бұрын

Yes! That’s on my list for hopefully next year.

@WindyCityHawkey

Жыл бұрын

@SAC Sports Adventures its kinda an interesting arena I will say that

My school actually had a field trip to there to watch a Wolves game(it was something the Wolves did with a lot of other schools nearby).Probably one of the best field trips I went on(although we had to leave early to get back to school on time).

@SACSportsAdventures

5 ай бұрын

That would be such a blast!

0:42 so happy they moved to wintrust😂

@SACSportsAdventures

Жыл бұрын

Yeah, not a great venue for them at all. Haha!

I wish the nhl had fireworks

@SACSportsAdventures

Жыл бұрын

Right?! The more fire the better!

The roof is made of wood so you can’t hear the planes landing at o’hare

@SACSportsAdventures

6 ай бұрын

Ah! Interesting! I didn’t think of that reason.

@noneofyourbusiness6809

6 ай бұрын

@@SACSportsAdventures I think it’s pretty cool looking…the original roof also collapsed during construction…I think a few workers died from that

Any updates on the Phantoms video?

@SACSportsAdventures

Жыл бұрын

Great question. Let’s do that one next! I’ll aim to have it out next Tuesday!

@anthrax0349

Жыл бұрын

@@SACSportsAdventures Can't wait! I believe I saw you over there.

@SACSportsAdventures

Жыл бұрын

@@anthrax0349 no way! That’s too funny. You should have come say hi!

@anthrax0349

Жыл бұрын

@@SACSportsAdventures Were you the one in the Cleveland Monsters jersey?

@SACSportsAdventures

Жыл бұрын

@@anthrax0349 yep! That was me!

Looks very outdated

@SACSportsAdventures

Жыл бұрын

You’re not wrong. It’s extremely outdated.