SPRINGFIELD CIVIC CENTER

82456-C

Hartford Whalers (NHL) (1978–1980), Springfield Indians (AHL) (1972–1993), Springfield Falcons (AHL) (1994–present), Springfield Armor (D-League) (2009–present)

The MassMutual Center is a multi-purpose arena and convention center, in downtown Springfield, Massachusetts, United States. Built in the city's center, the facility opened in 1972 as the Springfield Civic Center and was at the time considered to be the largest arena in the region. It was owned and operated by the city for eighteen years, before going into private hands for the following next six years. In 1996, it reverted to city control. A few years later, the Massachusetts Legislature authorized a major renovation of the facility and transferred ownership to the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority. The project included a renovation of the arena and construction of a new convention center facing Main Street where a plaza and bank once occupied. In 2005, the Center was renamed when MassMutual Financial Group entered into a naming rights agreement for the arena and convention center. Its grand opening occurred on October 1, 2005. It is home to the Springfield Falcons of the American Hockey League and the Springfield Armor of the NBA Development League. It is nicknamed "The Nest", because it is home to the Falcons.

The arena hosted the Hartford Whalers of the National Hockey League, while the Hartford Civic Center was undergoing renovations, because of a 1978 roof collapse. It also hosted the 19th WWF In Your House pay-per-view in 1997. It has also hosted WWE Monday Night RAW and two WWE SmackDown! shows; the first one was on October 26, 1999 aired for that Thursday and the second was on December 13, 2005 aired for that Friday. The building has hosted an American Hockey League franchise, since it opened in 1972. Between 1972 and 1993, the building hosted the Springfield Indians franchise, which is now known as the Peoria Rivermen. Since 1994, the Center has been the site of home games of the Springfield Falcons, the AHL affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers and the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2011. The building, located in the "Birthplace of Basketball", has also hosted numerous NCAA Men's Division II Basketball Championships, first from 1980–94 and every one since 2006.

Unused 3 1/2" x 5 1/2" standard size chrome.

Dist. by NATCO