Baton Rouge Zydeco
{{Short description|Professional hockey team located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox ice hockey team
|logo=Baton_Rouge_Zydeco_Logo_New.png
|logosize=250px
|city=Baton Rouge, Louisiana
|team=Baton Rouge Zydeco
|bg_color=background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#1C314C 5px solid; border-bottom:#C52F2D 5px solid
|text_color=#000
|league=Federal Prospects Hockey League
|division=Continental
|founded=2023
|arena=Raising Cane's River Center Arena
|colors=Blue, red, light blue
|owner=Chris Bryniarski
|media=WBRZ
|head_coach=Sylvain Cloutier|president=Don Lewis|general_manager=Charley Watson}}
The Baton Rouge Zydeco are a professional ice hockey team located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, playing at the Raising Cane's River Center Arena. They are a member of the Federal Prospects Hockey League. Their inaugural season was the 2023–24 season.{{Cite web |title=Baton Rouge Pro Hockey Club Official Site |url=https://www.brprohockey.com/home |access-date=2023-07-11}}
{{TOC limit|2}}
History
In 2022, nearly 20 years after the Baton Rouge Kingfish folded and hockey left the city of Baton Rouge,{{Cite web |title=Baton Rouge Kingfish Ice Hockey Team Statistics and History |url=https://www.hockeydb.com/stte/baton-rouge-kingfish-4791.html |access-date=2023-07-10 |website=The Internet Hockey Database}} Mayor Sharon Weston Broome announced a push to bring professional ice hockey back to Baton Rouge.{{Cite web |last=Cobler |first=Paul |date=2023-04-11 |title=Minor league hockey is coming back to Baton Rouge. Here's what we know. |url=https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/minor-league-hockey-is-coming-back-to-baton-rouge/article_7439fc38-d7e7-11ed-a042-cb396779a7d1.html |access-date=2023-07-10 |website=The Advocate |language=en}}
In late 2022 and early 2023, the Federal Prospects Hockey League's (FPHL) Mississippi Sea Wolves hosted three exhibition games in the Raising Cane's River Center Arena with the Carolina Thunderbirds and the Port Huron Prowlers, drawing a little over 7,000 fans for each game.{{Cite web |title=Port Huron Prowlers Vs Mississippi Sea Wolves Ice Hockey |url=https://downtownbatonrouge.org/discover-downtown/events/mississippi-sea-wolves-vs-carolina-thunderbirds-ice-hockey-1-1 |access-date=2023-07-10 |website=Downtown Development District |language=en}} In April 2023, the Federal Prospects Hockey League announced a three-year lease with the Raising Cane's River Center and the city of Baton Rouge to secure the spot for an ice hockey team.{{cite web |title=Baton Rouge joins The FPHL with a 3 year lease |url=https://www.federalhockey.com/news/baton-rouge-joins-the-fphl-with-a-3-year-lease |publisher=Federal Prospects Hockey League |access-date=10 July 2023 |date=14 April 2023}}
On July 13, 2023, the team name was announced as the Baton Rouge Zydeco, with the team saying "honoring the rich history and traditions that have shaped Louisiana's community. We believe in creating a sports team that not only excels on the ice but also reflects the unique culture and spirit of Baton Rouge."{{Cite web |date=2023-07-13 |title=News: Baton Rouge Zydeco: A Melody of Louisiana's Rich Culture Hits the Hockey Scene - BR Zydeco |url=http://www.brprohockey.com/news/baton-rouge-zydeco-a-melody-of-louisiana-s-rich-cu |access-date=2023-07-13 |website=www.brprohockey.com}} The name is based on the Zydeco music genre developed in Louisiana. On August 10, 2023, the Zydeco announced Matt Hamilton as the team's first head coach.{{Cite web |date=2023-08-10 |title=News: Introducing our new Head Coach Matt Hamilton - Baton Rouge Zydeco |url=http://www.brprohockey.com/news/introducing-our-new-head-coach-matt-hamilton |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=www.brprohockey.com}} The Zydeco announced a coaching change on October 12, 2023. FPHL Veteran Coach Paul Maclean and Matthew Fornari as Co-Coaches.{{Cite web |title=✨We would like to introduce everyone to our Co-Coaches✨ We can't wait to see how Matthew Fornari and Paul MacLean will lead the Baton Rouge Zydeco to... {{!}} By Baton Rouge Zydeco {{!}} Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/BRProHockey/videos/we-would-like-to-introduce-everyone-to-our-co-coacheswe-cant-wait-to-see-how-mat/632009489080889/ |access-date=2023-10-13 |website=www.facebook.com |language=en}} On November 28, 2023, after a 2-10 start, the team relieved Maclean of his duties, and named Forward MJ Graham, Interim Head Coach while retaining his duties as a player.{{Cite web |date=2023-11-28 |title=News: MJ Graham appointed interim head coach of Baton Rouge Zydeco - Baton Rouge Zydeco |url=http://www.brprohockey.com/news/mj-graham-appointed-interim-head-coach-of-baton-ro |access-date=2023-11-28 |website=www.brprohockey.com}} Graham would be replaced by Everett Thompson on February 19, Graham retained his playing role, as Thompson joined the club ahead of their return home after a two-month, 19 game road-trip.{{Cite web |date=2024-02-19 |title=News: Everett Thompson appointed head coach of Baton Rouge Zydeco - Baton Rouge Zydeco |url=http://www.brprohockey.com/news/everett-thompson-appointed-head-coach-of-baton-rou |access-date=2024-03-04 |website=www.brprohockey.com}} In January 2025, ahead of a future expansion of the FPHL into Topeka, Kansas, the Zydeco played a neutral site games against the Danville Dashers while branded as the "Topeka Road Runners", in honor of the former NAHL team of the same name.{{cite press release|url=https://www.federalhockey.com/news/fphl-brings-professional-hockey-back-to-topeka|publisher=FPHL|date=January 7, 2025|title=Federal Prospects Hockey League Brings Professional Hockey Back to Topeka}}{{cite news|url=https://www.cjonline.com/story/sports/2025/01/09/topeka-granted-new-professional-hockey-team/77580687007/|title=A new pro hockey team is coming to Topeka. What to know about the owners, team, tickets|first=Liam|last=Keating|date=January 9, 2025|newspaper=Topeka Capital-Journal}}
On June 3, 2025, it was announced that Sylvain Cloutier was hired as the team's next Head Coach, replacing Thompson, also confirming Chris Bryniarski taking over as team owner as well.{{Cite web |date=2025-06-03 |title=News: Zydeco Announces Sylvain Cloutier as Bench Boss - Baton Rouge Zydeco |url=http://www.brprohockey.com/news/zydeco-announces-sylvain-cloutier-as-bench-boss |access-date=2025-06-04 |website=www.brprohockey.com |language=en}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.brprohockey.com/ Baton Rouge Zydeco Website]
{{FHL}}
{{Louisiana Sports}}
Category:Federal Prospects Hockey League teams
Category:Ice hockey teams in Louisiana
Category:Sports clubs and teams in Baton Rouge, Louisiana