RetroSeasons recaps past sports seasons through stories, photos, videos, and stats from every team, league, and stadium in history. Coverage includes the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL, as well as vintage media from defunct teams and leagues.
Built as the Eastern States Coliseum in 1916, adding to the facilities for the annual Eastern States Exposition, the Big E Coliseum was the longtime home of the Springfield Indians professional hockey team in the American Hockey League, and later served as a part-time home to the New England Whalers hockey team while the team was in the World Hockey Association. In the 1940s through to the building of the Springfield Civic Center in 1972, the Coliseum frequently hosted local showings of the Ice Capades and the Ice Follies. It was for many years the largest capacity rink in western Massachusetts, and was the home arena of several local high school hockey teams as well as a prominent venue for regional and state high school tournaments.
In 1991, the ice plant was dismantled and hockey games are no longer played there. The arena continues as a venue for The Big E, and hosts Shriner circuses, equestrian shows and other local events. The Coliseum has often been the location for the draft horse World Championship Finals, serving as such in 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2009, and has been a venue for rodeos.
Built as the Eastern States Coliseum in 1916, adding to the facilities for the annual Eastern States Exposition, the Big E Coliseum was the longtime home of the Springfield Indians professional hockey team in the American Hockey League, and later served as a part-time home to the New England Whalers hockey team while the team was in the World Hockey Association. In the 1940s through to the building of the Springfield Civic Center in 1972, the Coliseum frequently hosted local showings of the Ice Capades and the Ice Follies. It was for many years the largest capacity rink in western Massachusetts, and was the home arena of several local high school hockey teams as well as a prominent venue for regional and state high school tournaments.
In 1991, the ice plant was dismantled and hockey games are no longer played there. The arena continues as a venue for The Big E, and hosts Shriner circuses, equestrian shows and other local events. The Coliseum has often been the location for the draft horse World Championship Finals, serving as such in 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2009, and has been a venue for rodeos.
