The 2001-02 season marks the 29th year in which Yost Ice Arena will serve as the home of the Michigan ice hockey team. Since 1973-74, Yost Ice Arena has hosted more than 2.6 million fans who have helped make it one of the most exciting and intimidating venues in college hockey. The atmosphere has helped Michigan on the ice significantly. Last season Michigan was 13-3-3 at home, including two CCHA Tournament wins. Since the 1990-91 season, Michigan owns a record of 172-27-14 (.840) at home.

On three occasions, Yost has hosted NCAA tournament action. In addition to hosting tournament games in 1976-77 and 1990-91, the West Regional was held in Ann Arbor at the end of the 19997-98 season. Michigan won a pair of games -- including a 4-3 come-from-behind victory over the defending national champion, North Dakota -- to advance to the Frozen Four, where the Wolverines won their NCAA-record ninth championship. Yost Ice Arena will play host to the NCAA West Regional again for both the 2002 and 2003 NCAA Tournaments.

Yost Ice Arena is one of the most unique arenas in college hockey because it retains the charm of an old barn but offers the amenities of the most modern of arenas. In 1992, a $1 million renovation project replaced the rink floor and refrigeration unit and provided for the installation of a desiccant dehumidification system.

With a more extensive $5.5 million renovation project completed prior to the 1996-97 season, many more tangible changes were made. Some of these include the installation of new dasherboards with tempered glass, improved lighting and sound systems, state-of-the art ceiling insulation, and the replacement of the departed end zone scoreboards with fully automated boards on the east and west sides. First-floor remodeling brought with it a new pro shop, modernized concession stands and restrooms, new locker rooms and an improved lobby, complete with trophy showcases and ornate woodwork. Seating throughout was reconfigured, and sightlines were improved: gone are the days of "obstructed view" seats.

The new second-floor varsity area houses a well-appointed locker room and training area/weight room suite used exclusively by the Michigan hockey team. Second-floor renovations have also created a new concourse, complete with arena administrative offices, improved restroom and concession facilities and an elevator. Upgraded press facilities boast an enviable center ice vantage point and offer some of the finest media accommodations in the country.

The facility recently underwent a $1.4-million renovation during the summer of 2001 which created a new balcony directly across from the press box that juts out over existing stands and provides nearly 300 new seats. In the entrance to the new seating level is a lounge that opens up onto a platform in the northeast corner of the arena and overlooks the ice. A new stairwell, new restrooms and a kitchen to serve hot food in the new seating area were also added to improve the amenities for the individuals sitting in the new seats. In addition, a center ice scoreboard and monitors underneath the east and west wing balconies were installed.

Built in 1924 as a field house, the structure was named in honor of Michigan's legendary football coach and athletic director, Fielding H. Yost. Before being converted to an ice arena in 1973, the building housed the great track teams of the 1950s and the Cazzie Russell-led basketball teams of the mid-1960s. Although no one can fill Yost to capacity (6,637) quite like the Wolverines, a number of others, including local high school teams, recreational leagues and the University's intramural hockey league, call it home.

Attendance at Yost Ice Arena

Season	Games	Attend.	Average	Record
1973-74	17	74,339	4,373	12-5-0
1974-75	18	88,725	4,929	13-5-0
1975-76	22	106,090	4,822	13-9-0
1976-77	21	96,077	4,613	16-5-0
1977-78	17	85,052	5,003	10-7-0
1978-79	17	64,775	3,810	5-12-0
1979-80	23	106,926	4,649	18-3-2
1980-81	18	93,230	5,179	12-6-0
1981-82	19	76,902	4,047	12-6-1
1982-83	19	68,519	3,606	10-9-0
1983-84	18	54,579	3,032	10-8-0
1984-85	16	48,669	3,042	7-8-1
1985-86	18	72,873	4,048	8-10-0
1986-87	18	78,036	4,335	8-10-0
1987-88	18	87,739	4,874	11-7-0
1988-89	20	90,941	4,547	7-10-3
1989-90	22	100,317	4,559	14-5-3
1990-91	22	105,054	4,775	17-3-2
1991-92	20	110,266	5,513	17-1-2
1992-93	19	114,720	6,037	16-1-2
1993-94	16	106,168	6,636	14-2-0
1994-95	17	114,778	6,752	14-2-1
1995-96	17	115,786	6,811	15-1-1
1996-97	20	128,133	6,407	18-0-2
1997-98	22	140,760	6,399	18-4-0
1998-99	19	120,662	6,351	15-4-0
1999-2000	21	134,365	6,398	15-5-1
2000-01	19	121,339	6,386	13-3-3
Totals	533	2,633,819	4,941	358-151-24

Yost Ice Arena Capacity: 8,100 from 1973-74 to 1990-91; 7,235 from 1991-92 to 1995-96; and 6,343 from 1996-97 to 2000-01; and 6,637 presently.

Top Single-Game Crowds
8,411 vs. Michigan State, 1/29/88
8,404 vs. Michigan State, 2/18/89
8,396 vs. Michigan State, 2/17/90
8,392 vs. Michigan State, 12/9/89

Top Single-Game Post-Renovation Crowds
6,738 vs. Ohio State, 1/29/00
6,711 vs. Ohio State, 2/6/99
6,703 vs. Michigan State, 2/25/00
6,694 vs. Michigan State, 11/20/98

Top Season Series Crowds
19,114 vs. Cornell, 3/15-16-17, 1990-91
16,788 vs. Michigan State, 12/9; 2/17, 1989-90
16,726 vs. Michigan State, 12/9; 2/18, 1988-89
16,513 vs. Michigan State, 11/14; 1/29, 1987-88

Top Weekend Crowds
19,114 vs. Cornell, 3/15-16-17, 1991
15,528 vs. Michigan Tech, 2/27-28, 1981
15,240 vs. Lake Superior, 1/31-2/1, 1992
15,206 vs. Michigan Tech, 11/21-22, 1975

Directions

From Chicago: Take I-94 east to State Street exit (177). Turn left. After passing underneath the overpass, Yost Ice Arena will be on the left. Pass Yost Ice Arena and enter the parking lot on the left.

From Flint: Take U.S. 23 south to I-94 west. Follow directions above from Detroit Metropolitan Airport.

From Toledo: Take U.S. 23 north to I-94 west. Follow directions above from Detroit Metropolitan Airport.

Check the Yost Ice Arena Home Page for information on public skating, skate sharpening, the pro shop and upcoming programs and events.

• U-M Men's Ice Hockey

Last updated: Tuesday, 19-Mar-2002 20:36:15 EST