Mile One Centre
Encyclopedia
Mile One Centre is an indoor arena and entertainment venue located in downtown
St. John's
, Newfoundland and Labrador
, Canada
. The centre's name comes from it being located at the beginning of the Trans-Canada Highway
. At full capacity the arena can seat 7,000 people.
The arena opened in May 2001, as Mile One Stadium, replacing Memorial Stadium
as the home of the St. John's Maple Leafs
of the American Hockey League
(AHL). The Maple Leafs left the city in 2005, and Mile One became home to the St. John's Fog Devils
of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
(QMJHL) for three seasons. The arena is now home to the St. John's IceCaps
of the AHL.
. In the case of Mile One, brewing company Molson
initially acquired the naming rights for ten years (2001 to 2011), as well as other privileges such as being the venue's exclusive beer supplier, for $1.5 million. Molson then resold the naming rights to Danny Williams
, then-owner of Cable Atlantic
(and later premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
), for $600,000. Before the centre opened, however, Williams sold Cable Atlantic to Rogers Communications
in order to pursue politics, but retained the naming rights. Ultimately Williams chose to name the centre based on the venue's geography. "Mile One" is a trademark
owned by the Williams Family Foundation, not the city, meaning that the centre can only use the "Mile One" name so long as it has the foundation's permission to do so. This implies that if and when Williams's rights expire and are not renewed, the centre might be forced to find a new name, regardless of whether or not a new sponsor is found.
of the American Hockey League
. The building was originally home to the St. John's Maple Leafs
of the American Hockey League
. The Leafs played out of the centre from 2001–2005 before relocating to Toronto, Ontario to become the Toronto Marlies
. Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) stated that the relocation was necessary to better monitor prospects for the co-owned Toronto Maple Leafs
.
The Dobbin family were granted an expansion Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
(QMJHL) franchise in 2004 to be later named the St. John's Fog Devils
. The Fog Devils began playing at Mile One Centre in 2005. However, the Fog Devils would relocate to Montreal, Quebec after just three seasons in St. John's to become the Junior de Montreal
. Many reasons attributed to the Fog Devils' demise including lack of fan support, a poor lease agreement and high travel costs. The Fog Devils' departure left Mile One Centre without a major tenant for the first time since the building opened.
During the 2010-2011 hockey season, Hockey Canada
used the arena as host venue for the Four Nations Cup and the Telus Cup.
On May 20, 2011, The Telegram
reported that the Manitoba Moose
of the AHL would relocate to Newfoundland for the 2011-12 hockey season. The Moose, who were formerly based out of Winnipeg, Manitoba from 1996–2011, would relocate due to the purchase of the Atlanta Thrashers
of the National Hockey League
by the Moose's parent company True North Sports and Entertainment, and their relocation to Winnipeg as the Jets
. True North retains ownership of the St. John's IceCaps
but has agreed to lease the local operations to Danny Williams
. Both relocations were finalized by the end of June 2011.
, and the 2005 Scott Tournament of Hearts
.
A National Basketball Association
exhibition game between the Toronto Raptors
and the Cleveland Cavaliers
in 2003, was cancelled on game night due to an excess of condensation built up on the playing surface due to the inside temperature.
Skate Canada International was held in Mile daniel One Centre in October 2005.
In September 2007, the stadium hosted an NHL
exhibition game featuring the Boston Bruins
and New York Islanders
. The arena has hosted the annual Kraft Hockeyville NHL exhibition game, featuring the Winnipeg Jets
, the parent organization of the new St. John's IceCaps
, against the Ottawa Senators
on September 26, 2011.
were presented at Mile One Centre on April 14, 2002. This marked the first time the awards show officially went on the road and was hosted outside the provinces of Ontario
or British Columbia
. In January 2009, it was announced that the Junos
were returning to Mile One Centre in April 2010. This made St. John's
the first city to host the awards show for a second time since they started travelling the country in 2002.
Downtown St. John's
Downtown St. John's is the historic core and central business district of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Located north of St. John's harbour, it is the business, entertainment, and tourism centre with office buildings, hotels, restaurants, and other services.The historic boundaries...
St. John's
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
, Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. The centre's name comes from it being located at the beginning of the Trans-Canada Highway
Trans-Canada Highway
The Trans-Canada Highway is a federal-provincial highway system that joins the ten provinces of Canada. It is, along with the Trans-Siberian Highway and Australia's Highway 1, one of the world's longest national highways, with the main route spanning 8,030 km...
. At full capacity the arena can seat 7,000 people.
The arena opened in May 2001, as Mile One Stadium, replacing Memorial Stadium
Memorial Stadium (St. John's)
The Memorial Stadium was a 4,000-seat multi-purpose arena, in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. St. John's previous indoor arena, Prince's Rink, burned down in 1941, but the demands of the Second World War prevented the city from replacing it until well after the war ended...
as the home of the St. John's Maple Leafs
St. John's Maple Leafs
The St. John's Maple Leafs were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada at Memorial Stadium from 1991–2001, and at Mile One Stadium from 2001–2005.-History:...
of the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
(AHL). The Maple Leafs left the city in 2005, and Mile One became home to the St. John's Fog Devils
St. John's Fog Devils
The St. John's Fog Devils were a junior ice hockey team in the Eastern Division of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. They were based in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, and played out of Mile One Centre. The QMJHL expanded to St. John's to fill the void created by the departure of the...
of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League...
(QMJHL) for three seasons. The arena is now home to the St. John's IceCaps
St. John's IceCaps
The St. John's IceCaps are a professional ice hockey team based in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the American Hockey League and are the AHL affiliate of the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League .From...
of the AHL.
Naming rights
Although not obvious from the centre's name, Mile One Centre is among the many North American sports venues that have raised funds by selling their naming rightsNaming rights
In the private sector, naming rights are a financial transaction whereby a corporation or other entity purchases the right to name a facility, typically for a defined period of time. For properties like a multi-purpose arena, performing arts venue or an athletic field, the term ranges from three...
. In the case of Mile One, brewing company Molson
Molson
Molson-Coors Canada Inc. is the Canadian division of the world's fifth-largest brewing company, the Molson Coors Brewing Company. It is the second oldest company in Canada after the Hudson's Bay Company. Molson's first brewery was located on the St...
initially acquired the naming rights for ten years (2001 to 2011), as well as other privileges such as being the venue's exclusive beer supplier, for $1.5 million. Molson then resold the naming rights to Danny Williams
Danny Williams (politician)
Daniel E. "Danny" Williams, QC, MHA is a Canadian politician, businessman and lawyer who served as the ninth Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador between November 6, 2003, and December 3, 2010. Williams was born and raised in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador...
, then-owner of Cable Atlantic
Cable Atlantic
Cable Atlantic Inc. was a cable television provider serving much of the population of the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador...
(and later premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
The Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador is the first minister, head of government and de facto chief executive for the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Before 1964, the position's official title was Premier of Newfoundland...
), for $600,000. Before the centre opened, however, Williams sold Cable Atlantic to Rogers Communications
Rogers Communications
Rogers Communications Inc. is one of Canada's largest communications companies, particularly in the field of wireless communications, cable television, home phone and internet with additional telecommunications and mass media assets...
in order to pursue politics, but retained the naming rights. Ultimately Williams chose to name the centre based on the venue's geography. "Mile One" is a trademark
Trademark
A trademark, trade mark, or trade-mark is a distinctive sign or indicator used by an individual, business organization, or other legal entity to identify that the products or services to consumers with which the trademark appears originate from a unique source, and to distinguish its products or...
owned by the Williams Family Foundation, not the city, meaning that the centre can only use the "Mile One" name so long as it has the foundation's permission to do so. This implies that if and when Williams's rights expire and are not renewed, the centre might be forced to find a new name, regardless of whether or not a new sponsor is found.
Hockey
Mile One Centre is currently home to the St. John's IceCapsSt. John's IceCaps
The St. John's IceCaps are a professional ice hockey team based in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the American Hockey League and are the AHL affiliate of the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League .From...
of the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
. The building was originally home to the St. John's Maple Leafs
St. John's Maple Leafs
The St. John's Maple Leafs were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada at Memorial Stadium from 1991–2001, and at Mile One Stadium from 2001–2005.-History:...
of the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
. The Leafs played out of the centre from 2001–2005 before relocating to Toronto, Ontario to become the Toronto Marlies
Toronto Marlies
The Toronto Marlies is a Canadian professional ice hockey team currently playing in the American Hockey League . The top affiliate of the National Hockey League 's Toronto Maple Leafs, the Marlies play at the Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto, Ontario...
. Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) stated that the relocation was necessary to better monitor prospects for the co-owned Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
.
The Dobbin family were granted an expansion Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League...
(QMJHL) franchise in 2004 to be later named the St. John's Fog Devils
St. John's Fog Devils
The St. John's Fog Devils were a junior ice hockey team in the Eastern Division of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. They were based in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, and played out of Mile One Centre. The QMJHL expanded to St. John's to fill the void created by the departure of the...
. The Fog Devils began playing at Mile One Centre in 2005. However, the Fog Devils would relocate to Montreal, Quebec after just three seasons in St. John's to become the Junior de Montreal
Montreal Junior Hockey Club
The Montreal Junior Hockey Club were a junior ice hockey team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League . The team is based out of the Verdun Auditorium, in Verdun, Quebec. The St. John's Fog Devils franchise relocated at the conclusion of the 2007–08 QMJHL season...
. Many reasons attributed to the Fog Devils' demise including lack of fan support, a poor lease agreement and high travel costs. The Fog Devils' departure left Mile One Centre without a major tenant for the first time since the building opened.
During the 2010-2011 hockey season, Hockey Canada
Hockey Canada
Hockey Canada, formally known as the Canadian Hockey Association, is the national governing body of ice hockey in Canada and is a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation. Hockey Canada controls a vast majority of ice hockey in Canada, with a few exceptions...
used the arena as host venue for the Four Nations Cup and the Telus Cup.
On May 20, 2011, The Telegram
The Telegram
The Telegram is a daily newspaper published in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador.-History:The Evening Telegram was first published on April 3, 1879 by William James Herder. It adopted its current name in 1998, although it was also briefly published under this name in 1881...
reported that the Manitoba Moose
Manitoba Moose
The Manitoba Moose were a Canadian professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba that played in the International Hockey League from 1996 to 2001 and American Hockey League from 2001 to 2011. The team moved to St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador in 2011 to become the St...
of the AHL would relocate to Newfoundland for the 2011-12 hockey season. The Moose, who were formerly based out of Winnipeg, Manitoba from 1996–2011, would relocate due to the purchase of the Atlanta Thrashers
Atlanta Thrashers
The Atlanta Thrashers were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Atlanta was granted a franchise in the National Hockey League on June 25, 1997, and became the league's 28th franchise when it began play in the 1999–2000 NHL season...
of the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
by the Moose's parent company True North Sports and Entertainment, and their relocation to Winnipeg as the Jets
Winnipeg Jets
The Winnipeg Jets were a professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. They began play in the World Hockey Association in 1972, moving to the National Hockey League in 1979 following the collapse of the WHA...
. True North retains ownership of the St. John's IceCaps
St. John's IceCaps
The St. John's IceCaps are a professional ice hockey team based in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the American Hockey League and are the AHL affiliate of the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League .From...
but has agreed to lease the local operations to Danny Williams
Danny Williams
-Music:*Danny Williams , South African-born popular musician*Danny Williams , Australian singer, member of CDB-Sports:...
. Both relocations were finalized by the end of June 2011.
Other sporting events
The arena hosts the annual Herder Cup tournament, the largest hockey tournament in the province. It hosted the 2002 AHL All-Star Game2001–02 AHL season
The 2001–02 AHL season was the 66th season of the American Hockey League. It was the season of the biggest growth in the AHL's history, as it accepted eight new teams. The demise of the International Hockey League brought six teams transferring from the defunct league, in addition to two expansion...
, and the 2005 Scott Tournament of Hearts
2005 Scott Tournament of Hearts
The 2005 Scott Tournament of Hearts, the Canadian women's curling championship, was held at Mile One Stadium in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador from February 19 to 27 2005. The tournament consists of 12 teams, one from each of Canada's provinces, one from Canada's territories and the...
.
A National Basketball Association
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
exhibition game between the Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors are a professional basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1995, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies, as part of the NBA's re-expansion...
and the Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
in 2003, was cancelled on game night due to an excess of condensation built up on the playing surface due to the inside temperature.
Skate Canada International was held in Mile daniel One Centre in October 2005.
In September 2007, the stadium hosted an NHL
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
exhibition game featuring the Boston Bruins
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...
and New York Islanders
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
. The arena has hosted the annual Kraft Hockeyville NHL exhibition game, featuring the Winnipeg Jets
Winnipeg Jets
The Winnipeg Jets were a professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. They began play in the World Hockey Association in 1972, moving to the National Hockey League in 1979 following the collapse of the WHA...
, the parent organization of the new St. John's IceCaps
St. John's IceCaps
The St. John's IceCaps are a professional ice hockey team based in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the American Hockey League and are the AHL affiliate of the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League .From...
, against the Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
on September 26, 2011.
Juno Awards
The Juno AwardsJuno Awards of 2002
The Juno Awards of 2002 were presented in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada during the weekend of 13-14 April 2002.Nominations were announced 11 February 2002 at a news conference hosted by Mike Bullard...
were presented at Mile One Centre on April 14, 2002. This marked the first time the awards show officially went on the road and was hosted outside the provinces of Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
or British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
. In January 2009, it was announced that the Junos
Juno Awards of 2010
The Juno Awards of 2010 honoured music industry achievements in Canada for the latter part of 2008 and for most of 2009. These ceremonies were in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada during the weekend ending 18 April 2010...
were returning to Mile One Centre in April 2010. This made St. John's
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
the first city to host the awards show for a second time since they started travelling the country in 2002.