Minnesota Gov.-elect Mark Dayton will drop the ceremonial first puck Dec. 30 when Amsoil Arena opens with a game between Minnesota Duluth and North Dakota. Here is a UMD release:
Governor-elect Mark Dayton will drop-the-first-puck at the grand opening UMD men’s hockey game inaugurating Duluth’s AMSOIL Arena on December 30.  Joining Governor-elect Dayton for the 7 p.m. ceremonial puck-drop will be UMD Chancellor Lynn Black and Duluth Mayor Don Ness. Lt. Governor-elect Yvonne Prettner-Solon will also attend the game. The U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game is set to play before a soldout crowd of 6,732 spectators. AMSOIL Arena is the new home to UMD men’s and women’s’ hockey.
The No. 2-ranked UMD men’s hockey team will face off against No. 3 University of North Dakota at 7:37 p.m. for the inaugural game.   Governor-elect Dayton, Lt. Governor-elect Prettner-Solon and Mayor Ness will be joined by Chancellor Black and Connie Black for the game viewing.
Total cost of Amsoil Arena comes in at just under $80 million for the entire project, which includes the new arena, skywalk addition and a 475-car expansion to the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center (DECC) parking ramp. The new skywalk link connects the expanded parking ramp and the Northwest Passage skywalk from Downtown Duluth to the new arena, providing more convenient access and protection from the elements for DECC visitors.
The “open bowl†design of the Arena affords a great view of the action from all angles–even from the concourse and the concession stands. The large ice rink has standard NHL dimensions — 85 feet wide by 200 feet long
In addition, to excellent interior sight lines for all events, the complex lets in plenty of natural light and provides expansive outside views of Downtown Duluth’s beautiful skyline and waterfront.
The complex hosts 15 private suites, each accommodating 16 guests with seats close to the action. Each suite includes a lounge area, HDTV monitors and in-game concierge access. The building is fully ADA accessible.
