http://www.zeemaps.com/map?group=292178&x=-73.5696&y=45.4956&z=1
1996
image of molson center in 1996 taken from:http://www.google.ca/imgres?q=montreal+molson+center+1996&um=1&hl=en&biw=1920&bih=985&tbm=isch&tbnid=c69t8Y3VhSMXqM:&imgrefurl=http://www.theuntz.com/BellCentre/archived-events&docid=AlbXksNdjqmZMM&imgurl=http://www.theuntz.com/images/members/venues/50/bellcentre-featured.jpg&w=640&h=378&ei=EBjRTqXGMabs0gHasdEm&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=312&sig=101822385877656487046&page=1&tbnh=90&tbnw=153&start=0&ndsp=64&ved=1t:429,r:10,s:0&tx=70&ty=30
In 1993, after the Canadiens won their 24th Stanley Cup, the construction of the molson center began. in was a 3 year construction and the arena was ready to open for the 1996-1997 season. The beer company Molson owned the team, therefore Molson Center was an appropriate name. The canadiens had a rather dark period while playing in the bell center, as they failed to reach the playoffs numerous times. Alot of critics said the team was cursed once they left the forum. The first game was played March 16, 1996. Vincent Damphousse was the first player to score a goal in the new arena.
2002
Outside the Bell Center in 2002. picture from http://www.google.ca/imgres?q=bell+center+outside&um=1&hl=en&sa=X&biw=1920&bih=985&tbm=isch&tbnid=taAcPeDEwE2IFM:&imgrefurl=http://www.hockeyarenas.com/Fotosmontreenglish.htm&docid=JMJlmdp53dBH8M&imgurl=http://www.hockeyarenas.com/stadien/neuefotosnhl/montreal/bellcentreaussen.jpg&w=640&h=480&ei=WR3RTrS5POnx0gHd-uEu&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=967&vpy=144&dur=2560&hovh=194&hovw=259&tx=187&ty=128&sig=101822385877656487046&page=1&tbnh=123&tbnw=188&start=0&ndsp=65&ved=1t:429,r:5,s:0
2011
In 2002, the Molson brothers sold the team and elected not to keep the naming rights. The arena was bought and changed to the Bell Center, which is still the name today.
present day picture from inside the bell center taken from: http://www.google.ca/imgres?q=inside+the+bell+center&um=1&hl=en&biw=1920&bih=985&tbm=isch&tbnid=LX3It1zCIqOaqM:&imgrefurl=http://www.rldhockey.net/2008/07/nhl-arena-rankings.html&docid=eGhbCZjk6dpTXM&imgurl=http://www.thesportsroadtrip.com/montreal127.jpg&w=640&h=480&ei=5iDRTs2AJuLl0QGMxsXkCA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=1125&vpy=153&dur=309&hovh=125&hovw=167&tx=101&ty=95&sig=101822385877656487046&page=1&tbnh=125&tbnw=167&start=0&ndsp=63&ved=1t:429,r:6,s:0
The Bell Center is the biggest rink in the NHL. It can sit 21,273 spectators every game. Hanging from the ceiling, are the 24 Stanley Cup banners the Canadiens won and the 17 numbers and names of retied jerseys. There is also a banner for the Expos and 3 of their retired jersyes. The Bell Center has sold out every single game since its opening in 2002. Opposing players say it is the best arena to play in because of how loud the fans get. The Canadiens have still not won a cup in their new arena, but regardless every season, the fans get crazier, the hopes are higher and the games are still sold out.