TORONTO (March 7, 2003) -- The Hockey Hall of Fame today unveiled approximately 10,000 square feet of revitalized exhibit space featuring new and improved state-of-the-art interactive and multimedia attractions, in addition to expanded capacity for the Hall's traditional artifact exhibits. The North Concourse Revitalization Project had been under construction since January 2, 2003 culminating in tomorrow's grand opening just in time for the March Break. The project cost of $3.8-million is funded by sponsorship contributions from Panasonic Canada Inc., Pepsi-Cola Canada Ltd., National Hockey League Players' Association and The Sports Network Inc.

"Since moving to downtown Toronto, the Hockey Hall of Fame has entertained and educated over 3.5-million visitors and has grown in stature as both a reverent shrine and multimedia celebration of the best of hockey, becoming the model for sports halls of fame worldwide," said Bill Hay, Chairman, Hockey Hall of Fame. "This is the first phase of a $7.0-million capital revitalization plan to be carried out over the next ten months forming part of our 10th Anniversary Celebrations."

"The new NHLPA Be A Player Zone is a great way for hockey fans to enhance their Hockey Hall of Fame experience", stated Mike Gartner, Chairman of the NHLPA Goals & Dreams fund. "The members of the NHLPA are proud supporters of the Hockey Hall of Fame."

• NHLPA Be A Player Zone: As the focal point of the North Concourse, the "NHLPA Be A Player Zone" features an expanded "faux-ice" rink surface, complete with arena rink boards and a multimedia scoreboard. Technology upgrades to previous versions of the Hall's popular interactive games include new production for the "Shoot Out" game featuring high definition video of Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Ed Belfour, plus re-engineered shooting mechanisms and control software for the "Shut Out" game in which Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier take "real" shots at participants.
  

• TSN/RDS Broadcast Zone: With a new "gondola" feature overlooking the "NHLPA Be A Player Zone", visitors will take a hands-on approach to hockey broadcasting, including enhanced Play-by-Play and Production Mobile multimedia exhibits; a new Internet-based fan feedback system titled It's Your Call linked to TSN/RDS broadcast properties and TSN.ca/HHOF.com content features; and a virtual Hockey Broadcast Museum which enables visitors to "go deep" into the history of broadcast media through a custom-designed navigational interface.
  

• Pepsi Game Time: It's much more than your typical multiple choice trivia game -- "Pepsi Game Time" taps into the vast information and photographic archives of the Hockey Hall of Fame enabling guests to test their hockey knowledge via a unique and competitive multimedia experience. The "Live" version of "Pepsi Game Time" will also serve as a valuable promotional tool for the on-line contest version via HHOF.com.
  

• Panasonic Hometown Hockey: Emphasizing the scope and impact of grassroots hockey in Canada and the growth of the game in the United States, "Panasonic Hometown Hockey" features a new theatrical multimedia exhibit with educational components including a dynamic Land-sat "Geo-Hockey" interface. Showcase content covers a wide assortment of artifacts representing various levels of hockey in North America, including Minor and Semi-Professional leagues, Junior, Collegiate, Native, Recreational, Women's and Minor Hockey.
  

After thirty-two years at Exhibition Place in Toronto, the Hockey Hall of Fame opened the doors to its BCE Place now Brookfield Place facility on June 18, 1993. Founded in 1943, the Hockey Hall of Fame's statement of purpose is "to honour and preserve the history of the game of ice hockey and, in particular, those who have made outstanding contributions and achievements in the development of the game". The Hockey Hall of Fame is a corporation without share capital and a Registered Charity under the Income Tax Act (Canada).

For more information:

Kelly Massé

Hockey Hall of Fame

(416) 933-8212