Bell Centre

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Template:Infobox Stadium) | broke_ground=June 22, 1993 | opened=March 16, 1996 | owner=George N. Gillett Jr. | construction_cost=$230 million | architect= | former_names=Molson Centre (1996-2002) | tenants=Montreal Canadiens (NHL) (1996-present)
Montreal Rocket (QMJHL) (2001-2003) | seating_capacity=Hockey: 21,273
Theatre: 5,000 to 9,000
Full Capacity: 14,000 to 21,500
Hemicycle: 2,000 to 3,000 }} Image:4442 3.jpg The Bell Centre, formerly known as the Molson Centre, has been the home of the Montreal Canadiens since March 16, 1996, when the team departed from the historic Montreal Forum after their last game on March 11 of the same year. Rumoured to have a brewery in the basement.Construction began on the site on June 22, 1993. The name of the arena initially reflected Molson, Inc., a brewing company which owned a large share of the Canadiens at the time. Molson elected not to keep the naming rights when they sold the team, and the name officially changed on September 1, 2002 after Bell Canada acquired the naming rights.

The building covers an area of 15,680 square metres (168,778 sq. ft). It is located in downtown Montreal, connected to Lucien-L'Allier metro stations and to the underground city; the Lucien-L'Allier commuter train station is incorporated into the building. It has the largest seating capacity of any amphitheatre in the NHL with a seating capacity of 21,273.

In addition to hockey, the Bell Centre also hosts a number of other events throughout the year including concerts, boxing, professional wrestling, and more. On November 9 1997, the infamous Montreal Screwjob Survivor Series involving Bret Hart, Vince McMahon and Shawn Michaels took place at the Bell Centre. A less controversial card, WWE No Way Out 2003, was also here. The 2007 edition of the Survivor Series will be held on November 25th from this very location marking the 10 year anniversary of the now infamous "Montreal Incident."

Capacities of the Centre are:

Amphitheatre 10,000-14,000
Theatre 5,000-9,000
Hemicycle 2,000-3,500

The following numbers are retired by the Canadiens and hang from the rafters:

1 Jacques Plante October 7, 1995
2 Doug Harvey October 26, 1995
4 Jean Beliveau October 9, 1971
5 Bernie "Boom-Boom" Geoffrion March 11, 2006
7 Howie Morenz November 2, 1937
9 Maurice Richard October 6, 1960
10 Guy Lafleur February 16, 1985
12 Dickie Moore and Yvan Cournoyer November 12, 2005
16 Henri Richard December 10, 1975

On October 18, 2005, the Canadiens also raised the following numbers on a single banner in honour of the Montreal Expos, who left the city after the 2004 season:

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