The University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux ice hockey team played in this 6,067-seat arena from 1972-2001. The building was named Winter Sports Center until it was renamed in 1988 after alumnus Ralph Engelstad, a multi-millionaire owner of casinos and hotels.
This was replaced by a new arena with the same name which opened in 2001. Demolition of the old arena began in the summer of 2013.