PLYMOUTH, Mich. – The facility formerly known as Compuware Arena is going from regional rink to host for an international competition.
The arena, which is now owned by USA Hockey, will play host to the 2017 IIHF World Women's Championship. That means hockey fans will get to see the same U.S. women's team that will skate in the Olympics skate right here in metro Detroit. They will be facing the best teams in the world.
And that's really just the beginning. Expect to see more announcements of international competitions and camps to be held at the arena.
This will be everyone's chance to see the Dylan Larkins of the world before they make it to the pros.
"Very rarely do communities have the opportunity to host a major international event, and we expect as the years tick by that fans will have that opportunity several times. And anytime a gold medal is on the line I think that's something really special," said Dave Fischer, of USA Hockey. "The Olympic ideals, people love the Olympics, and just think about coming to USA Hockey Arena here in Plymouth and seeing that caliber of competition."
The national and international exposure should boost business in Plymouth and the surrounding area. Moreover, the goal is to promote this as a family venue where you can see exceptional games for prices that won't cripple the family budget.
Note:
Peter Karmanos sold the arena and its main draw, the OHL's Plymouth Whalers, last year to an owner who moved the junior hockey squad to Flint. They're now called the Flint Firebirds. That made way for USA Hockey to move its National Team Development Program from Ann Arbor to the bigger facility in Plymouth.
The potential for a newer, larger draw to the facility is starting to become clear.