#1: The Ducks
The Ducks are the only tenants of the Honda Center, and they have been in the building since it was built in 1993. The arena once hosted the LA Kiss of the AFL, and there have been other minor sports teams to use the stadium. The purpose-built of the arena as a hockey stadium is still evident to this day. The Ducks have taken over the arena, and they are one of two major sports team in Anaheim.
#2: The Name In Culture
The Ducks have been a marginally successful franchise since starting in Anaheim. The team is very close to the world headquarters of the Walt Disney Company, and they have been struggled to remain relevant in spite of their name. The Ducks won the 2007 Stanley Cup, and they have made several other appearances in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The name of the Honda Center pervades cultural references to sports because of the popularity of the Mighty Ducks movies. The Disney company has promoted the Ducks to the point that they were once called the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, and the stadium is still referred to as the Pond by many in the sports world.
The Honda Center is referred to in conjunction with the Pond in many places, and that name combination is a popular one in the Anaheim area. You may not known that he locals call the arena Ponda or Ponda Center. This is something that gives the arena a mystique that other stadiums do not have. We often accept the corporate name of a building without thinking, but the Honda Center has a history that predates the involvement of Honda and their naming rights deal.
The Honda Center may be over 20 years old, but it is still one of the nicest arenas in the NHL. It is a beacon for how an arena should be designed and adapted to meet the needs of its team and fans.