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The Whittemore Center at Key Auto Group Complex opened Nov. 10, 1995, with the men's hockey team defeating defending national champion Boston University, 6-5, in overtime. The Whittemore Center at the Key Auto Group Complex has been the site of the 2002, 2005, 2016 and 2024 Women's Frozen Four.
In the summer of 2010, UNH's Campus Recreation department spent in excess of $1.5 million dollars in renovations to the Whittemore Center at the Key Auto Group Complex. On the ice, the corners were adjusted from a 28' radius to a 20' radius. The goal lines moved from 15' off the end boards to 11' to play similar to NHL rinks. The Arena installed all new lighting over the seating areas, concourse, and picture areas. All new energy efficient fluorescent lighting was used. The arena was upgraded with a brand new dasher system, that has seamless glass on the sides. The ice refrigeration system received upgrades as well with increased capacities to the cooling tower, control systems, and a third compressor. The back hallway received a face-lift with new UNH colors painted on the walls and doors. The sound system received a $40,000 upgrade as well, with new speakers and amps being added to the system. Most recently, UNH announced that it will install a four-sided, center-hung videoboard, a high-resolution end zone board and LED display band at the Whittemore Center at the Key Auto Group Complex.
The centerpiece of the project is a four-sided, high-definition main videoboard at center ice with full LED video capabilities, including video and instant replay. The display is used for highlights, graphics, game presentation and other animation to enhance the fan gameday experience. The board is complemented by an LED ring display.
In addition, an electronic ribbon board with LED functionality is featured at the Skybox level.
The arena brings the University's athletic facilities to a state-of-the-art level and positions UNH as a leader among the region's colleges and universities.
In addition to the athletic arena created by the project, Snively Arena, the former hockey rink, has been converted into the Hamel Center, a recreational sports facility. The 6,501 seat hockey arena known as Towse Rink was designed for easy conversion to a 7,500 seat facility for revenue-producing concerts, exhibitions and other events. The arena nearly doubled the size of Snively Arena, UNH hockey's former home.
The hockey rink became the sixth in the nation to feature an Olympic-sized ice surface (200 feet by 100 feet) - instead of standard 200 by 85.