Blackhawks, Arlington Park to honor Glenn Hall
Two mainstays of the Chicagoland sports scene since the 1920s are teaming up to honor a hockey legend on Wednesday, April 1.
Arlington Park, Chicagoland's premier thoroughbred racetrack since 1927, has signed on with the Blackhawks, an "Original Six" National Hockey League club whose charter dates back to 1926, to be presenting sponsor for "Glenn Hall Heritage Night" at the United Center when the Blackhawks faceoff against division rival St. Louis Blues.
The first 10,000 fans in attendance at the United Center for "Glenn Hall Heritage Night" will receive a Glenn Hall collectible pin courtesy of Arlington Park and the Chicago Blackhawks. In addition, Arlington Park will have a significant presence during that game on the United Center's eight-sided scoreboard as well as on the 360-degree LED displays that ring the arena.
Later in the year, a member of the Chicago Blackhawks Alumni will be at Arlington Park for a two-hour autograph session on a date yet to be determined during Arlington Park's live racing season, which opens Friday, May 1.
"We are thrilled to partner with the Blackhawks, an Original Six team with such rich history and tradition," said Arlington Park President Roy Arnold. "Given our own history and tradition over a nearly identical time frame it seems to be a natural fit."
"Glenn Hall Heritage Night" honors the longtime Blackhawks goaltender. Hall is one of seven players to have his jersey number (1) retired by the Blackhawks and spent 10 of his 18 National Hockey League seasons in a Chicago uniform (1957-68), helping the franchise capture the 1961 Stanley Cup. Hall established an NHL record by playing 503 consecutive games between the pipes from Oct. 6, 1955 to Nov. 7, 1962, before completing his career with 407 wins and 84 shutouts - fourth-most in league history - in 1971. During his Blackhawks years, "Mr. Goalie" as he became known notched a 275-229-106 regular-season record with 51 shutouts. He captured three Vezina Trophies as the league's best goaltender (1963, 1967, 1968) and appeared in 13 NHL All-Star Games during his career.