BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) – After more than 21 thousand tickets sold across three scrimmage games combined. Hockey is officially returning to Baton Rouge in October, officials announced Tuesday morning.

Officials said coaches and prospective players are already being interviewed.

“The new team will bring new entertainment options, create jobs and stimulate economic growth. We can expect to see increased tourism as fans from all over the region come to watch games and explore all Baton Rouge has to offer,” said Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome. “The benefits of having a hockey team in Baton Rouge go beyond the economic impact. It will also help foster community pride and unity.”

Barry Soskin, the owner of the Baton Rouge Pro Hockey team, said, “When we made the announcement last summer we told everyone here that if people showed up we would bring a team here to Baton Rouge. You all showed up. We are ready to bring a team here and put on a family-friendly, affordable product that you all can be proud of to call your team.”

The new team will be part of the Federal Prospects Hockey League – starting with a three-year contract that includes 28 games. Fans will have a chance to decide the name of the team via online voting. Ideas for names can be submitted on social media in the next week.

Wayne Hodes, general manager at Raising Cane’s River Center, said that there are already new lockers in the locker rooms and a new scoreboard will be installed during the summer.

Season tickets will be going on sale soon. Baton Rouge’s own team coming in October to play on October 23, according to Hodes To get announcements about the latest, officials said to email info@brprohockey.com or tickets@brprohockey.com

For more information on how you can vote, or for job opportunities you can click here.