As a hockey fan, we all notice the goal horns at games. They can accompany the greatest
excitement for a hockey fan, or the greatest disappointment if you are rooting for the away team. Every NHL arena has one... or do they??? In this two part series I will share some information, photos, and audio clips of all of the NHL goal horns. I have spent the last couple years compiling bits and pieces about as many horns as possible. You would think I would have much more info than this on them over that amount of time, but it turns out that many teams and arena's are not too eager to give out too much information about their game entertainment center piece. Most teams responded to me with at least a little information. To those teams I am very thankful! There are a few teams that failed to respond to any of my emails, and I must say that I was quite surprised and disappointed at their public relations practices.
First of all here are a few fun facts about goal horns:
- Chicago was the first team to use a goal horn back in the 70's.
- In 1996, the NHL responded to the use of goal horns with a new set of rules regarding horns and music and when and how loud they could be played.
- Two NHL teams currently use a recording of a goal horn rather than using a real horn. One of those teams will be discussed in part 1, the other in part 2.
- Most of the leagues goal horns live up in the rafters, many of them out of sight.
- Several teams have horns that were originally on a vessel.
- In most cases, goal horns are NOT triggered by the controls that run the scoreboard. They are in no way tied into that system.
- Many teams that relocate to a new arena will bring their old goal horn along with them.
Ok, enough with that, lets get on to the individual teams!
UPDATE: Fred Berry has done a lot of research on horns and has found out the type of horn used for many of the teams. These updates can be found it both Part 1 and 2 in red text) Thank you Fred!
Anaheim Ducks - Honda CenterHorn: Real
Type: Ibuki 200 diaphone fog horn.
Location: In the catwalk above section 418
Source: Entertainment Manager Chris Brown on 4/21/11
No Photo Available
Boston Bruins - TD GardenHorn: Audio Clip of Kahlenberg model KM-135
Source: Bruins Entertainment Representative
Additional Info: It is very possible you have heard this exact horn recording used in other rinks. Many local rinks use this horn, as do some minor leagues and even some teams in the KHL. I would imagine this is the most copied goal horn clip out there. Time for Boston to get a real horn, don't you think?
No Photo Available
Buffalo Sabres - First Niagara CenterHorn: Real
Type: Similar to the Kahlenberg F-3 Yaght Horn
Location: Somewhere in the rafters near center ice.
Additional Info: It is an old boat horn that has been tied to an air compressor. It is the same horn that was used in the Aud before the Sabres moved to the new arena.
Source: Website Manager Scott Miner on 4/21/11
No Photo Available
Calgary Flames - Scotiabank SaddledomeHorn: Real
Type: Buell plastic "Lifeguard" 4-chime horn-sets. (Now sold by Horn-blasters)Location: In the catwalk high above the Flames Energy Board (scoreboard)
Additional Info: There are actually two goal horns in the Saddledome. The second is used for Calgary Hitman games and is located next to the Flames horn. They each have their own separate air compressor.
Source: Flames Customer Service on 4/21/11
No Photo Available
Carolina Hurricanes - PNC Arena Horn: Real
Type: Similar to Kahlenberg Model Q-4 Horn
Location: In the catwalk above the ice.
Additional Info: This is the same horn that the Hartford Whalers used before moving to Carolina.
Source: Fans from Florida Panther's message board.
Photo: It is very hard to see the horn through the cat walk in this photo. Look for 3 trumpet shaped horns in the center of photo. I am including a photo from Kalenberg's site of a similar T-3 Horn.
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| From NHL Canes Instagram (thanks to hesnotherefor letting us know about this pic) |
Chicago Blackhawks - United CenterHorn: Real
Type: Kahlenberg Q3Location: Mounted under the center ice scoreboard. It is perhaps the leagues easiest to find!
Additional Info: It is the same horn that was mounted under the scoreboard at the old Chicago Stadium. The Blackhawks were the first team to use such a horn to celebrate a goal, thus beginnin the goal horn era.
Source: Numerous photos
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| Flickr: kielman316 |
Colorado AvalancheHorn: Real
Type: Sounds like a Model KPH-130C Arena/Stadium Electric Piston Horn
Location: ?
Source:Photo: Courtesy of
d3jg on
Reddit. Here is a photo of a
similar horn. While I have no proof that this is the exact model, it does look just like the one inside Sprint Center in Kansas City which has an almost identical sound.
Columbus Blue JacketsHorn: Real
Type: ?
Location: Up in the rafters above the Scoreboard
Source: CBJ Organization 4/25/11
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| Flickr: foodbyfax |
Dallas StarsHorn: Real
Type: Similar to a Kahlenberg KDT-123
Additional Info: It is a real marine air horn that is placed inconspicuously in the rafters at American Airlines Center. A staff member sits in the press box at the arena and sounds the horn after a Stars goal.
Location: Up in the rafters above the Scoreboard
Source: Dallas Stars Customer Service
No Photo Available
Detroit Red WingsHorn: Real
Type: Buell reed horn sets (These used high pressure reeds instead of diaphragms)Additional Info: We use a real goal horn -- not a recording. In fact, we test it before every game before doors open.
Location: Up in the rafters above the neutral zone. There are two sets of horns which are clearly visible from many sections of the arena.
Source: Red Wings Event Services 4/21/11
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| Flickr: Jeff Hormann |
Edmonton OilersHorn: Real
Type: Airchime 2-tone for truck usageLocation: Catwalk area above the scoreboard.
Additional Info: Oilers/Rexall Place Goal Horn is an actual air horn located in the ceiling of the building. It is triggered by just a click of the mouse from the arena's DJ. It will automatically blow for the preset time and shut itself off.
Source: Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club
Florida PanthersHorn: Real
Type: Kahlenberg D2 x 2 (2 sets on 360° bracket)Location: Catwalk area above the scoreboard.
Additional Info: As you can see in the picture below, it would appear that one of the horns has some significant damage. I am very curious as to what caused that!
Source: Game Presentation Crew
Los Angeles KingsHorn: Real
Type: Airchime K3, Canadian-voiced, bells, 1,2,3.Location: In the rafters. Not sure if its over scoreboard or somewhere else.
Additional Info: There are actually two real horns that make the noise.
Source: LA Kings Organization 4/21/11
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| Flickr: Phos Chek |
Minnesota Wild - Xcel Energy CenterHorn: Real
Type: Kahlenberg Q3Location: Mounted just above the corner of the arena where smoke is emitted after each goal.
Additional Info: Many people take photos of the smoke assuming that the goal horn is in the picture, but often it is in plain site but just outside the photo.
Montreal Canadiens - Bell CentreHorn: Real
Type: Airchime M3H - only two highest pitched bells blowing, lowest is fouled.Location: These horns are powered by a large compressor and air tank and are mounted on the technical grid above the scoreboard at center ice.
Additional Info: We do not have a recording of it, many have tried to imitate and some have gotten close, but each horn has it's own personality.
Source: Game Production Crew
Nashville Predators - Bridgestone Arena Horn: Real
Type: Similar to a Kahlenberg f-3
Location: Mounted in the rafters above the south end of the arena.
Source: Fan Relations
New Jersey Devils - Prudential CenterHorn: Real
Type: Kahlenberg Cruise Ship Air Horn
Location: Mounted in the catwalk above the scoreboard.
Additional Info: The horn from the meadowlands was a recording that sounded completely different.
Source: Event Production Director
New York Islanders - Nassau Coliseum Horn: Real
Type: Kahlenberg T2Location: Somewhere up in the rafters. I was not given the exact location.
Additional Info: "During the games, I sit up in the press box (near the blimp) to direct the game. Once the Islanders score a goal, I push a button which is electronically hooked up to the horn. Each time I want to blow the horn, I push and hold down the button to have the horn last as long as I want it to."
Source: Game Operations/Event Manager
New York Rangers - Madison Square GardenHorn: Recording
Additional Info: Hard to swallow the fact that the Worlds Most Famous Arena has a fake goal horn. Here is what I know about the situation. "The old goal horn from prior to the 1990s still resides in the arena, but it has not been used since the Goal Song came into play. The goal horn is now part of the recorded music that goes right into the Goal Song. You would not be able to spot the [old] goal horn from seats in the arena, so it's probably not worth being distracted from a game to look for one.”
Source: NYR Webmaster
Ottawa Senators - Scotiabank Place Horn: Real
Type: Airchime M3H - Only bottom two bells blowing, third bell is fouled.Location: Mounted in the rafters above center ice.
Additional Info: The goal horn is an original VIA horn consisting of three horns. It sits high up in the rafters above center ice. “Our pattern is two longs, two shorts, and a long. Occasionally I'll do three or four shorts depending on events (like Alfie's 400th) but that's the standard that I was taught. It's more difficult than it sounds because attempting to meld the long & short so they're continuous, but distinct is difficult. My first horn ever was AWFUL. So much that my partner's phone rang and it was a friend of his wanting to know what had gone wrong.”
Source: Goal Horn Operator - You can read more about it at
http://www.silversevensens.com
Philadelphia Flyers - Wells Fargo CenterHorn: Real
Type: 2 Kahlenberg S-203C Air Horns
Location: High above center ice up in the catwalk.
Additional Info: Once triggered, the sound pressure level will exceed 140dB, producing a powerful, low frequency blast, reminiscent of a cruise ship.
Phoenix Coyotes - Jobing.com ArenaHorn: Real
Type: Kahlenberg D2 x 2 (360° bracket)Location: Mounted to the bottom of the rafters above one of the faceoff dots in the neutral zone.
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| Horns are located to the top right of the scoreboard. |
Pittsburgh Penguins - Consol Energy CenterHorn: Real
Type: Airchime KMJ (!!) This is musically the prettiest!!Location: Hanging down from the rafters on one end of the ice.
Additional Info: This is the same horn that was used at Mellon Arena.
Source: There is a video about the horn from when Consol first brought the horn over.
View it hereSan Jose Sharks - HP Pavilion Horn: Real
Type: Kahlenberg Triton S-120
Location: The horn's physical location is on the catwalk above 207. You can't really see it unless you are in the catwalk above the ice.
Additional Info: While no known photo of the actual Sharks horn exists, here is a video showing a horn of the same model.
YoutubeSource: Director of Even Presentation
Saint Louis Blues - Scottrade Center Horn: Real
Type: 2 Kahlenberg S-203C Horns
Location: Both are located in the catwalk above the scoreboard at center ice.
Additional Info: They point in opposite directions. The horns came from an old ocean-liner that was being scrapped. They are actually only set to 40% airflow. Imagine if they were at 100%!
Source: Scottrade Staff
Tampa Bay Lightning - Tampa Bay Times ForumHorn: Real
Type: Kahlenberg S-203C
Additional Info: I believe we secured it from one of the shipyards here in the Port of Tampa several years ago.
Source: Team Representative
Toronto Maple Leafs - Air Canada CentreHorn: Real
Location: It is in the media gondala.
Source: Fan Services
Vancouver Canucks - Rogers Arena Horn: Real
Type: 2 Airchime KM models (Bent bell-necks) and one K1L,2L,3L 3-chime which is well overridden by the former pair!!Location: Catwalk above the scoreboard
Additional Info: The goal horn is powered by compressed air and does live in the rafters above the centre video board however you will not be able to see it from seats in the bowl. And it is actually tuned to match the sound of the horn on BC Ferries.
Source: Game Entertainment Coordinator
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| Flickr: John Bollwitt |
Washington Capitals - Verizon Center Horn: Real
Type: Kahlenberg F-3
Location: In the rafters right above/near the Georgetown NCAA Championship banner.
Additional Info: The siren is leftover from the old Capital Centre/USAir Arena days. When the team moved from Landover to Chinatown, the siren went with them. However, when Ted Leonsis bought the team, he introduced the horn with much fanfare but the longtime fans wanted the siren back instead. Ted wasn't going to back down on the horn he bought so that's why the Caps now have both a horn and a siren.
Winnipeg Jets - MTS Centre Horn: Real
Additional Info: There is a real goal horn. It is the same one that was used by the Manitoba Moose and was also used in the Winnipeg Arena. It is controlled with an old modified flashlight casing.
Source: Youtube Clip Click here for Part 1
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