FIRST LOOK: Welcome to Tech CU Arena!

Welcome to Tech CU Arena!

Here’s a first look at the San Jose Barracuda’s just-completed new arena.

Fans will get a closer look during the Rookie Faceoff from Sept. 16 to 19. Top San Jose Sharks, Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks, Vegas Golden Knights, Colorado Avalanche, Arizona Coyotes prospects will participate in this tournament.

Then, the Barracuda will open their new home on Oct. 22 versus the Henderson Silver Knights.

Here’s where I started!

Hanging out with ⁦@EriktheRed92⁩ at brand-new Tech CU Arena! You can grab a drink at the bar right at the glass pic.twitter.com/8xzYof1n2z

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) August 24, 2022

Fireball Cove is sure to become a fan favorite, it’s a bar right on the glass. I grabbed a drink there with San Jose Hockey Now subscriber erikthered92. There will be 10 on-the-glass seats available for sale at Fireball Cove for every Barracuda game.

San Jose Sharks president Jonathan Becher, San Jose mayor Sam Liccardo, Tech CU President/CEO Todd Harris, Sharks assistant general manager Joe Will, San Jose city council member Maya Esparza, SAP Center & Sharks Ice senior vice president Jon Gustafson, San Jose director of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs Nanci Klein, and 2014 U.S. Olympic figure skater Polina Edmunds spoke.

Mayor Sam Liccardo: “Isn’t this beautiful?” pic.twitter.com/qznY4ekCK0

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) August 24, 2022

Polina Edmunds: “I started skating here when there were two rinks.”

There are now six sheets at Sharks Ice pic.twitter.com/DN6dupFc7r

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) August 24, 2022

San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier and AGM Tom Holy were also in attendance.

Event emcee and San Jose Barracuda announcer Nick Nollenberger modeled the Cuda’s new jersey, one of the Barracuda’s three new jerseys. The first two have already been unveiled:

Barracuda Reveal 2nd New Jersey, What Will Next One Look Like?

In a lovely moment, Gustafson dropped Tech CU Arena’s first puck between his sons.

Now it was time for the tour!

Let’s go upstairs – not a bad view in the 4,200-seat arena!

The Double Suite seats 24, the Single Suite accommodates 12.

There will be a private theater space on the second floor with theater seating. Here’s the view from a theater seat.

Near and dear to my heart, let’s take a look at the action from the press box.

This is nice: Barracuda players are going to be getting an NHL-caliber film room.

The Barracuda workout room still needs filling out with equipment.

Here’s the player lounge:

And welcome to the Barracuda locker room – it’s better than Calgary’s!

See you next month at the Rookie Faceoff!

Special thanks Sharks Ice at San Jose general manager Richard Rocha for the tour.