Organ music has long been synonymous with hockey, with an organ’s sounds being the background music of some of hockey’s most historic moments.  

The first instance of an organ being used at a hockey game was at the historic Chicago Stadium in Chicago during the arena’s debut season as the home of the Chicago Blackhawks in 1929.  

The organ is still a fixture in the modern-day hockey scene, as all but six NHL teams still have an organ within their stadiums to provide music during games.  

Tonight, Nov. 14, BGSU hockey (2-3-3, 2-1-3) will take on the Ferris State Bulldogs (2-8-0, 1-3-0) at the Slater Family Ice Arena with a new addition, not on the ice, but rather in the atmosphere, as organ music will once again fill the Slater after a long hiatus.  

The then-named BGSU Ice Arena first introduced an organ in 1970 after being proposed by then Director of Athletic Promotion, James Krone.  

The organ was located on top of the skate shop with a metal cage surrounding it to protect the instrument and its player from stray pucks.  

The organ served as the background music to BGSU hockey for multiple decades before slowly falling out of use as technology improved and the organ was eventually replaced by a modern sound system.  

It was announced on Nov. 14 that an organ would once again be put into use at the Slater Family Ice Arena.  

The new rendition of the long-time hockey tradition will be placed next to the student section and will be played by a member of the BGSU pep band.  

Those in attendance at the Slater Family Ice Arena will be able to hear the organ in person as BGSU hockey takes on the Ferris State Bulldogs. For those unable to attend, Falcon Media Sports Network’s Ben Corak and  Kevin Hutchinson will have the call on WBGU 88.1 FM with puck drop scheduled for 7:07 p.m.