Meet and greets ahead of hockey games in Topeka
TOPEKA (KSNT) - Hockey is making it's comeback to the capitol city and Shawnee County Parks and Recreation is hosting community events to get everyone pumped up for the upcoming games.
From Hockey 101, to meet and greets, and chances to win tickets to one of the games at Stormont Vail Event Center, Shawnee County Parks and Rec has it all at their community centers.
"So we are kind of tying in a little bit, giving them an area to come in for free," Sean Zears with Shawnee County and Parks and Recreation, said. "They get to see our facility and they get to meet professional hockey players at the same time. It's like a win win for both. "
Kids got the opportunity to not only meet the players but to learn a few things about the sport as well.
"I like the shooting," Tommy Korbe, one of the kids attending , said. "Where one team was blue and orange, you shoot on your goalie."
Sunday's meet and greet was with the Baton Rouge Zydeco's. They'll be playing this coming weekend but under the name, 'The RoadRunners'. You might remember the RoadRunners used to play in Topeka before leaving in 2018
Starting next season, Topeka will see their first team back in the capitol city.
Owner, Don Lewis said Topeka stood out among the rest for himself and ownership group when it came to picking a market for their next team.
"It was an easy decision for us to bring these four neutral site games for these upcoming next two weeks and for many more years to come," Lewis said.
After Sunday's turnout, Lewis is looking forward to the years to come with this community driven team.
"To see all the little kids come out and all the families come out to support professional hockey returning is very exciting," Lewis said. "That's what our ownership group is all about is being in the community our team will be very active in the community. This is Topeka's team and the surrounding area's team. It's not our team; it's the community's team. And we need everyone to embrace the team."
The first game will be on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025 at the Stormont Vail Event Center. Doors open at 6:30 and puck drop just an hour later.
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