Trottier among over 50 former Penguins to close Mellon Arena
Hockey Hall of Famers Mario Lemieux, Paul Coffey, Bryan Trottier, Craig Patrick, Larry Murphy and Andy Bathgate joined 1970s stalwarts Jean Pronovost, Syl Apps, Dave Burrows, Bryan Watson, and Ron Schock as more than 50 former Pittsburgh Penguins helped celebrate the final regular season game at Mellon Arena Thursday night. The Penguins routed the New York Islanders, 7-3.
The special guests included former players, coaches and general managers who played such a huge part of Penguins history at the old arena – which was known as the Civic Arena when the team made its NHL debut in the 1967-68 season
The game marked the 1,667th and final regular season game played at the Arena before the Penguins move across the street to the sparkling new Consol Energy Center next season.
Six Penguins who were here for the team’s first game, a 2-1 loss to Montreal at the Civic Arena on Oct. 11, 1967, were on hand – players Ken Schinkel, Les Binkley, Gene Ubriaco and Bathgate, along with coach Red Sullivan and general manager Jack Riley.
April 8th, 2010
