History1935-1996 September 17, 1935 Jos. Cattarinich and Léo Dandurand, sole owners of the Canadiens since the departure of Louis A. Létourneau in 1931, sell the club to the Canadian Arena Company for $165,000. The latter, property of Senator Donat Raymond, already owns the Montreal Maroons. A syndicate is appointed composed of Ernest Savard, president, as well as Maurice Forget and Louis Gélinas as principle directors to manage the Canadiens. May 1940 The Canadian Arena Company and its president, Senator Donat Raymond, as well as its vice-president, William Northey, take over the management of the Montreal Canadiens. Two years earlier, the Maroons had ceased operations. Summer 1949 The 25 year-old Forum is renovated at a cost of $600,000. A floor is added, increasing the capacity to 13,551 seats. September 24, 1957 Senator Hartland de M. Molson and his brother, Thomas H.P. Molson, purchase Club de Hockey Canadien and the Canadian Arena Company. May 15, 1964 Senator Hartland de M. Molson and his brother Thomas H.P. Molson sell Club de Hockey Canadien and the Canadian Arena Company to their cousins, J. David, William A. and Peter B. Molson for approximately $5 million. May 13, 1968 Start of Forum renovations, taking 118 days; 2,452 seats added, sight-line of 6,000 others improved by removal of structural columns and 10 corporate suites are added to the south end of the building. This work, valued at $9.5 million, is so extensive that only the furnace and the ice refrigeration system remain from the original building constructed in 1924. November 2, 1968 Gala Evening inaugurates New Forum. Canadiens defeat Detroit 2-1. December 30, 1971 Brothers J. David, William A. and Peter B. Molson sell the Canadian Arena Company and Club de Hockey Canadien to Placements Rondelle Ltée for approximately $15million. The consortium, whose main shareholders are brothers Peter and Edward Bronfman, will later become Carena Bancorp. August 4, 1978 Molson Breweries of Canada Ltd., under the terms of an agreement with Carena Bancorp, acquire Club de Hockey Canadien and sign a long-term lease on the Forum covering the operation of the team as well as the entertainment division. August 24, 1989 The President of Club de Hockey Canadien, Ronald Corey, reveals the results of a study commissioned with Lavalin for the renovation and enlargement of the Forum. It is decided that the Forum will not be enlarged and a new study is ordered to examine the feasibility of constructing a new building. April 3, 1991 Announcement of the site selected for the new arena. To be financed entirely with private investment, the $250 million building will be erected in the heart of down-town Montreal, on a site located just west of Windsor Station. October 8, 1992 Club de Hockey Canadien and CP Rail jointly annouce plans for the New Forum/ Windsor Station project, prepared by a team of experts from different fields. June 22, 1993 Ground breaking ceremonies with the participation of MM. Eric Molson, The Honourable Hartland de M. Molson, Stephen Molson and Ronald Corey. Construction begins, following plans prepared by two architectual firms: Lemay & Associates and Lemoyne, Lapointe, Magne. 11-16 March 1996 Week of activities marking the move of the Canadiens to the Molson Centre. On March 10th, before more than 15,000 spectators at the Forum, a game between Canadiens Alumni and NHL Alumni ends in a 6-6 tie. The final game at the Forum is held on March 11th. On this night filled with nostalgia, the Canadiens defeat the Dallas Stars 4-1. On March 12th, more than 140 items from the Forum are auctioned. The proceeds, amounting to more than $400,000, are donated to Centraide of Greater Montreal and the Canadiens Alumni Association. March 15th is marked by a grand « moving day » parade with a crowd of more than 50,000 onlookers followed by a pre-opening evening at the Molson Centre. March 16th, the official inauguration of the Molson Centre, the Canadiens win 4-2 against the New York Rangers. On March 17th, an open house allows 151,000 fans to visit the new home of the Canadiens. Thanks To www.canadiens.com and www.nhl.com for the history!!