Professional hockey is returning to Southaven after a nearly decade-long hiatus.
Officials with the Landers Center announced Wednesday that a local team will be the 15th member of the Federal Prospects Hockey League this year. The new team is the second based in Mississippi in the league and will begin action on the ice in October. The Biloxi Breakers are also a member of the league.
“This is a significant moment in our growth for DeSoto County. We talk about what DeSoto County means for tourism. I think this marks a significant milestone for us in DeSoto County becoming the premier destination for sports, entertainment, and regional tourism in the Mid South,” DeSoto County Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Debbie Mendenhall said. “We’re extremely excited to bring hockey back.”
The new team will mark the first time hockey has been played in the Landers Center since the RiverKings disbanded in 2018 after spending 19 seasons in the north Mississippi venue.
Andreas Johansson, the new team’s owner, is looking forward to establishing a family-friendly environment in the Southaven community. His goal is for the new team to be involved in the community and to draw the public in for an entertainment experience that surpasses what takes place on the ice.
“We are super excited to say that hockey is coming back to the Landers Center,” Johansson, who owns two other teams, said. “I think we can take a lot of what’s been successful elsewhere and apply that here. The beauty of our league is that it’s not just about the hockey. It’s not even that much about the hockey. It’s about the entertainment, getting the whole family out here, and the bond that forms between the players and the fans.”
A team name has not yet been announced, and the public’s help is requested in that process. To submit a name for the Southaven hockey team, click here.