Great Canadian Local Names: Paul Coffey Arena and Park
- Buzzer Beater Sports
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
By Matteo Ametrano
Paul Coffey Arena and Park are located in Malton, Ontario, the city where legendary NHL defenceman Paul Coffey grew up. The arena and park, initially called Malton Arena and Wildwood Park, were renamed Paul Coffey Arena and Paul Coffey Park on September 23, 2016. This name change occurred to commemorate the Hall of Fame career of local hero and icon, Paul Coffey, who not only was an all-time player who serves as a symbol of sports in the Malton community, but also someone who helped shape the careers of so many young athletes and future NHL players from the Greater Toronto Area.
Coffey is a four-time Stanley Cup Champion and an NHL Hall of Fame defenceman widely regarded as one of the greatest to ever play. Paul grew up in Malton, in Mississauga, Ontario. He played for the Kingston Canadians, Kitchener Rangers, and Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds before being drafted by the Edmonton Oilers sixth overall in the 1980 NHL draft.
Coffey had a very decorated career that saw him winning four Stanley Cups, three with the Oilers and one with the Pittsburgh Penguins, three Norris Trophies, awarded to the best defenseman in the NHL, and was an eight-time all-star in his 21-year NHL career.
Not only was Paul a dominant hockey player on the ice, but he also continued to grow the game and develop young hockey players locally in the greater Toronto Area after retiring from the NHL. Before returning to Edmonton, where he currently works as an advisor and with hockey operations with the Oilers, he lived in Toronto for a few years. In Toronto, he coached minor hockey with the Toronto Marlboros of the GTHL. While coaching these Marlies teams, he worked with and developed a very impressive list of NHL draft picks.
Players such as: Luke Hughes, New Jersey Devils, Luca Del Bel Belluz, Columbus Blue Jackets, Jack Beck, Calgary Flames, Maro Ferraro, San Jose Sharks, Taylor Raddysh, New York Rangers, Ryan McLeod, Buffalo Sabers, Quinn Hughes, Minnesota Wild, Ben Jones, Minnesota Wild, MacKenzie Entwistle, Florida Panthers.
The arena and park carry the name of the local NHL Hall of Famer for many reasons, mainly to commemorate and honour his career, but also to be a symbol of local pride. The Malton community takes great pride in the fact that Paul Coffey grew up there. On July 11, 2016, in a news release on Mississauga.ca, the Councillor of Ward 5, the northeast corner of the city of Mississauga, where the arena is located, and where Paul grew up, Carolyn Parrish expressed her sense of pride in Paul's career and what he accomplished in the NHL. “We are so proud of Paul and everything he has accomplished,” said Councillor Carolyn Parrish. Parrish was discussing the recent name change to the arena and park in these comments.
Remembering the career of a Canadian icon and a local hall of fame NHL player was something Parrish found significant in the renaming of the arena and park, “As an iconic figure within the community, we’re honoured to name two prominent locations in Malton after him.” Parrish said. Sports in this community have a significant role in its identity, and it was important for the Paul Coffey Arena and Park to have the name of such a standout Canadian athlete from the area.
Paul Coffey’s Hall of Fame hockey career is something that is very significant to athletics and sports in the Malton community. It represents a sense that anyone from this area of Ontario can make it at the highest level. Councillor Parrish said, “Naming the arena and park after a legendary, Canadian icon demonstrates that Malton is a place where you can pursue your passions.” This arena and park now stand as a symbol in the community, not only remembering the great career Coffey had, but also showing young athletes or anyone can accomplish great things from this community.
Furthermore, Paul Coffey Arena and Park commemorate the local icon's NHL career, his impact in the Malton area as a sports symbol in the community, and his work as a coach developing young athletes in the greater Toronto area.
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