Hockey

Hockey fans and media got a look at the venue that is to be the entertainment hotspot of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, as plans for Molson Canadian Hockey House were further unveiled Tuesday in Vancouver.

Hockey Canada President Bob Nicholson and Team Canada alumni Stan Smyl introduced the entertainment acts and hockey personalities that are scheduled to appear at the venue. Hockey legends like Paul Coffey, Cam Neely, Luc Robitaille, Peter Mahovlich, Danny Gare and Russ Courtnall will stop by. The Barenaked Ladies will perform as will Comedian Sean Cullen. Barenaked Ladies' drummer Tyler Stewart will act as Entertainment Director, responsible for creating a lineup of top Canadian and international acts. The House will host up to 17 live concerts during the Games.

"Molson Canadian Hockey House is going to be THE place to be in Vancouver during the Games," said Stewart. "We're going to pack the schedule with a solid lineup of nightly entertainment that, combined with hockey's most passionate fans, is a recipe for an unbelievable, once in a lifetime experience."

Located on the shores of North East False Creek at Concord Place Exposition and Activity Zone across the street from the on-ice action at Canada Hockey Place (GM Place) in Vancouver, Molson Canadian Hockey House hopes to be the hockey hub of the Games. It will also offer live game broadcasts on giant screens, celebrities, dining, and lots of beer.

"If you build it they will come," said Bob Nicholson, President, Hockey "Molson Canadian Hockey House will be a showpiece for our game."

At 81,000 square feet -- roughly one and a half times bigger than a CFL football field - this will be the largest free-standing pavilion ever constructed in Canada. It is expected to host more than 50,000 fans throughout the Games, and Molson expects to serve over 350,000 cans of his beer.

In addition to its entertainment offerings, the site will also be a hangout for hockey VIPs. The International Lounge will host elite representatives of the IIHF and the NHL.

"The idea about a hockey house was born prior to the 2006 games in Turin and it was a huge success," said Rene Fasel, IIHF President and IOC Executive Committee member. "Planning for 2010, we were committed to repeat the success formula in Vancouver."

The venue will open to the public on Feb. 12, 2010 and will operate through Feb. 28. Construction on the venue is set to begin October 15. Molson has opened the booking of multiple-day passes to the house online at: http://www.molsoncanadianhockeyhouse.com/