Bell Center ice is recognized as the best in the NHL

MONTREAL – No room cooler than the Bell Center. Just ask the NHL staff.

The NHLPA released its annual Player Survey on Wednesday, and the Canadiens' home rink once again earned top honors for the quality of its frozen ice surface.

34.48% of the 551 NHL players polled on the subject during the current regular season chose the Bell Center as their best venue. For the sixth consecutive season, the NHL's largest arena has won the Pro Bowl, beating Rogers Place in Edmonton, Canadian Life Center in Winnipeg, XCEL Energy Center in Minnesota and T-Mobile Arena in Vegas.

The occupancy of this building is concerning for rival teams, as it has also been named the league's fifth most difficult arena to play in as a visiting team.

While respondents had a love-hate relationship with the city's hockey headquarters, another Montreal icon received unanimous praise.

Marie-Philippe Poulin, captain of the PWHL Montreal and Canadiens player development consultant, seemed to like the NHL players the most as a women's hockey player.

Through 19 games in the inaugural PHWL season, Poulin is currently third in the league with 17 points.