Where's the Queen?

[twinsdad]

My twins and I have been to all 20 arenas, well, franchises in the town they are in now (we have yet to visit Niagara in the new place). And when we started going on road trips, it was rather refreshing to see a portrait of the Queen. In fact, sometimes it was a game to see who could find the portrait first (usually by the flags).

I did not take note where the portraits were, and now I regret that. And in some cases, we never could find the portrait. So, if you would please, could you respond with whether your arena has a portrait and where is it (above what section or something equally descriptive)?

Click to read more...

 

[Bra Wavers]

In Peterborough the Queen is above the restaurant at the south end of the building. She has been there a long time, since 1965, but she still looks great!

 

[dirty12]

In Sudbury, the queen is above section 9. You will face her when standing ((and removing your hat!)) for the Canadian national anthem.

((not meant for you, twinsdad))

 

[rolf smitty]

In London she's in for repairs after the Knights put 25 shots a night over the glass

 

[EvenSteven]

In Kitchener, she was unceremoniously dumped in the name of the almighty dollar. There are private boxes where she used to hang. And there's no plans to put her back anywhere else in the building because it would take up valuable ad revenue space.

I'm not really a big fan of the Royal family, but I am a traditionalist and nothing spells tradition more in Canadian hockey rinks than a portrait of the Queen.

 

[ohloutsider]

This is like reading the Where's Waldo book with the kids - now tomorrow I will have to go to the game and find Waldo!

 

[SSMHoundsFan]

I'm actually glad to see that ugly broad's face not being plastered in arenas

 

[bobber]

I'm actually glad to see that ugly broad's face not being plastered in arenas

In Ktown she use to be up above the ice at one end. Sometimes fans would cheer if the puck hit her between the eyes. I really don't think in this day and age the rinks need a picture of the Queen. I doubt some guy working in a coal mine in England enjoys giving half his pay cheque every week to support afternoon tea parties and ribbon cutting ceremonies when he can hardly afford beer.

 

[ohloutsider]

This is like reading the Where's Waldo book with the kids - now tomorrow I will have to go to the game and find Waldo!

Well I could not find "waldo" - definitely not anywhere in the main bowl - have to scour the halls on Thursday - and yes I don't really care if I do find the queen but it has just sparked my interest.

 

[Firebrd828]

Here in the states....Monarchy free since 1776!!! Feels good!!!

 

[count35]

I'm actually glad to see that ugly broad's face not being plastered in arenas

Not to dump on the Queen but if it was the girl playing the Queen in The Crown them i'd wish for MORE pictures of her! Claire Foy i believe!

 

[Fischhaber]

Here in the states....Monarchy free since 1776!!! Feels good!!!

A constitutional monarchy has probably fostered a better democracy and more freedom in Canada than a constitutional republic would, so I'm happy to keep the Queen, even if just as a figurehead to remind us of our heritage.

 

[three dog night]

in St Catharines still at the Jack.

 

[twinsdad]

in St Catharines still at the Jack.

I believe it was at St. Catharines that I noticed there was a portrait (kind of hard to miss between the flags). It was only the fifth Canadian OHL arena I had been to and that started my, as ohloutsider put it, "Where's Waldo" game when I visited the rest of them. I did not always find one, hence my original post.

To summarize what has been offered so far:
Peterborough--Yes, south end of Arena
Sudbury -- Yes, above section 9
London -- Not there (I assume based on webegtodiffer's comment)
Kitchener -- Not there anymore
Sault Ste Marie -- Not there (and one glad fan of that)
Niagara -- Not there at the new rink
Windsor -- Still searching

Remaining:
Barrie
Guelph
Hamilton
Kingston
Mississauga
North Bay (I can look for myself on Sunday)
Oshawa
Ottawa
Owen Sound
Sarnia

Thank you all for the responses so far.

 

[StingDrone]

No portrait of the Queen at PASA in Sarnia that I am aware of other than in the cash registers at the concession stands

 

[Tarantula]

Missy: Around the red line above the seats on the side of the benches, if you sit in the golds you will have to turn your back to the ice during the anthem.

 

[hardclimate]

In the Bay, Queenie's portrait at the north end is probably as old as the building - it reminds me of one of those obit write-ups you see in a newspaper where the dearly departed is someone in their 90s and the picture they use is what they looked like when they were 25.

 

[Hammer9001]

In Hamilton she's right behind the Bay St. Main entrance, between the Box Office and the Team office if I recall, and I hope she hangs there till the place is torn down, and she gets moved to any new arena, even after she passes and is succeeded.

You can take down the portrait of Victor Copps in that same foyer area though. Maybe things were different in the 60s, but I feel the demolition he did during his time in office, didn't help Hamilton at all during the 80s and 90s.

 

[Hammer9001]

I decided to go looking for her due to this thread, and it appears she is gone. The wall she used to hang has been plastered with "Core Entertainment" wallpaper and Victor Copps has be moved to the right side of the outcropping where she used to hang.

Maybe she's somewhere else in the building, but I get the feeling she has sadly left the building. Another piece of culture dies before the engine of commercialism.

 

[twinsdad]

We had a great experience visiting Sudbury and North Bay a couple of weeks ago. It was easy to find the Queen in both arenas.

Figured I would update the list:
Peterborough--Yes, south end of Arena
Sudbury -- Yes, above section 9
London -- Not there (I assume based on webegtodiffer's comment)
Kitchener -- Not there anymore
Sault Ste Marie -- Not there (and one glad fan of that)
Niagara -- Not there at the new rink
Windsor -- Still searching
Sarnia -- Not there
Mississauga -- Yes, above section 20
North Bay -- Yes, above Hall of Fame lounge
Hamilton -- No longer there

Remaining:
Barrie
Guelph
Kingston
Oshawa
Ottawa
Owen Sound

Thank you all for the responses so far. I do see a pattern that none of the Canadian teams in the Western Conference has a portrait based on those that have responded (0 for 5). East has 4 out of 6 based on those that have responded with the Queen in the building.

 

[CanuckistanFlyerfan]

Here in the states....Monarchy free since 1776!!! Feels good!!!

No doubt....

 

[TcNorth]

No Queen in Flint, but I am fascinated with the Queen and Royal Family as are most Americans.

 

[bobber]

No Queen in Flint, but I am fascinated with the Queen and Royal Family as are most Americans.

After looking at the picture of the guy above with a jube jube stuck in his left molar I can see why
Just kidding. I am not a fan of the Royals.

 

[TcNorth]

After looking at the picture of the guy above with a jube jube stuck in his left molar I can see why
Just kidding. I am not a fan of the Royals.

I think we are even because I am not a fan of the fella above.

 

[nelli27]

A constitutional monarchy has probably fostered a better democracy and more freedom in Canada than a constitutional republic would, so I'm happy to keep the Queen, even if just as a figurehead to remind us of our heritage.

Just to add to this...
a reading of the Federalist papers shows rather clearly that the founding fathers were 'suspicious' of democracy, the 'rule of the many'--hence their eagerness for a balance of powers, a system of checks and balances. I applaud Madison, Jay, and Hamilton for that! I think a republican system is fine provided that it can generate civic virtue--if not, yikes!!!
Furthermore, and somewhat ironically, one could argue that an Englishman was the 'founder' of the U.S. given the influence (and appropriation) of John Locke's political philosophy on Jefferson and others.
And, to date, the best book ever written on American democracy was authored by a Frenchman: Tocqueville (who I should add paid a visit to Saginaw on his 'American tour'!)
Sorry for babbling...
The only time that I see the Queen at the Bud Gardens is when I pull out a $20 bill to buy a hot chocolate.
In recent years, a number of American hockey players have represented the London Knights and I'm quite happy about that.