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Hockey players get the heebie-jeebies walking Calgary's legendary Saddledome catwalk

Colton Pankiw
Colton Pankiw
|
Nov 26 2025, 10:05 pm
Hockey players get the heebie-jeebies walking Calgary's legendary Saddledome catwalk
@TheWHL/X

Those who have stepped foot on the catwalk at the Saddledome can attest to just how unnerving it is.

The Saddledome, which serves as the home of the Calgary Flames, is the second-oldest NHL building, after Madison Square Garden. Having first opened its doors for the 1983-84 season, it is certainly outdated compared to most NHL arenas, and the catwalk up top is a perfect example of that.

The catwalk sits high above the ice surface at the Saddledome, allowing media members, particularly those on radio and TV, to enter their respective booths. You’re able to stare all the way down to the ice while walking across, which is no easy feat for those with a fear of heights, something several NHL prospects learned this week.

Ahead of Tuesday’s CHL USA Prospects Challenge at the Saddledome, a number of upcoming draft-eligible players were able to experience firsthand what going across the catwalk is like, and they had very similar reactions to many others who have strolled across in the past.

Among the prospects to be filmed walking the catwalk were Spokane Chiefs winger Chase Warrington and Quebec Remparts centreman Maddox Dagenais. Neither were jumping at the gun to walk across first.

“I hate this. I hate this, I hate this, I hate this,” they can be heard saying. “I’m never going to do this ever again in my life.”

Not everybody was as nervous.

Prince George Cougars defenceman Carson Carels and Sarnia Sting centre Alessandro Di Iorio seemed to be quite fascinated with the experience. The two were particularly impressed when standing directly above the jumbotron, which was installed ahead of the 2024-25 season.

“It’s pretty cool,” Di Iorio said while glancing down.

The catwalk at the Saddledome is a talking point among NHL media members, given just how unique it is. That won’t be the case much longer.

The Flames’ new arena, Scotia Place, is currently under construction and is expected to be open for the 2027-28 season. Once that happens, the Saddledome will be demolished a short time later. For the time being, however, there will be plenty more individuals forced to hold their breath as they tiptoe their way across high above the ice.

As for the four mentioned prospects’ chances of walking the catwalk again, however?

“Never. Never again.”

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