Why Would the NHL Use Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks?

Every sport in America came to a halt about a month ago and many are still looking at alternatives to finish their season. The NHL still wants to raise the Stanley Cup and wouldn't be cool if Grand Forks, North Dakota played a part in that?

According to a report by NHL insider Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, one of those ideas is to play the remaining regular season and playoff games in Ralph Engelstad Arena. "Several sites would be necessary, but Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks, N.D., makes sense. The host of the 2005 World Junior Championships, the 2016 World Under-18s and the NCAA’s Fighting Hawks, it is an impressive facility that is definitely more suitable than many other available non-NHL options in the United States."

What else makes the Ralph an attractive option? The arena and low population density. But don't get your hopes too high. It is unlikely fans would be allowed at the games.

Ralph Engelstad Arena has never hosted a regular-season or playoff NHL game, but it has played host to preseason NHL games.