Keep a link to Mount Saint Charles hockey history on your wall or desk with a piece of the Adelard Arena fence

An era in Mount Saint Charles hockey ended when the iconic chain link fence that ringed the Adelard Arena ice for 40 years was replaced with impact-resistant glass in 2016. But anyone who wants a reminder of pucks and players bouncing off the white metal mesh can get a piece of the fence for their wall, desk or shelf by making a donation to Mount.

Mount Saint Charles is selling sections of the fence, mounted on wall plaques or standing displays, to raise money for the hockey teams and other school programs. The donation for each section of fence is $599. Wall-mounted plaques can be customized for $45.

Each section will be inscribed with a serial number identifying it as a section of the Adelard fence. Buyers will also receive a certificate of authenticity.

This fence was installed when Adelard in 1963. It was a safety barrier to protect spectators before the era of reasonably priced high-impact glass. Over the years, the fence became as much a part of Mount’s hockey legend as the championship banners hanging from the ceiling.

“We’re pretty sure it was the last fence in an American hockey arena,” said Mount Saint Charles President Alan Tenreiro. “It was a hard decision to replace the fence because so many people associated it with Mount hockey, but it was time.”

Mount alumni and former NHL star Brian Boucher said the fence was one of Mount’s calling cards. Although it didn’t give the Mounties a home ice advantage – the small ice sheet handled that job – the fence stood for Mount hockey.

“I loved the fence. It was uniquely ours,” Boucher said. “It was old school, and we kept it as long as we could. I grew up playing in Adelard from when I was 5 years old with the Woonsocket North Stars, so the rink and the fence are things I’m super proud of.”