Topeka Scarecrows (FPHL)
{{For|the CHL former team|Topeka ScareCrows}}
{{Infobox ice hockey team
|team=Topeka Scarecrows
|bg_color=background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#000000 5px solid; border-bottom:#D24614 5px solid
|text_color=#000
|logo=Topeka Scarecrows (FPHL) logo.png
|logosize=200
|city=Topeka, Kansas
|league=Federal Prospects Hockey League
|division=Empire
|founded=2025
|arena=Stormont Vail Events Center
|owner=Chris Bynarski & Don Lewis
|head_coach=Robbie Nichols
|website=[https://topekascarecrows.com/ topekascarecrows.com]
|GM=
|president=Don Lewis
|colors=Black, Burnt Orange
{{color box|#000000}} {{color box|#D24614}}
}}
The Topeka Scarecrows are a professional ice hockey team in the Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) set to begin play for its 2025–26 season. Based in Topeka, Kansas, the Scarecrows are set to play their home games at the Stormont Vail Events Center.
Named after the original Topeka ScareCrows who played in the Central Hockey League and United States Hockey League from 1998 until 2003, the Scarecrows are the first professional hockey team to call Topeka home since the Topeka Tarantulas who only played for one season in the Central Hockey League in 2004–05, and are its first overall hockey team since the North American Hockey League's Topeka RoadRunners (later renamed Topeka Pilots) who played thirteen seasons from 2007 until 2020.
History
On January 7, 2025, the FPHL announced that it would be hosting four neutral-site games in Topeka later that month and into February to attract interest in the community for a future expansion team. Said games featured the Danville Dashers playing as the Topeka Scarecrows and the Port Huron Prowlers playing as the Topeka Roadrunners, paying tribute to the city's previous teams.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-09 |title=4 Nights of Pro Hockey in Topeka! |url=https://www.federalhockey.com/news/4-nights-of-pro-hockey-in-topeka |access-date=2025-05-23 |website=Federal Prospects Hockey League}} Because of the success of these four games, averaging over 3,200 fans per game, the FPHL announced on February 13 that Topeka was officially granted an expansion team for the 2025–26 season.{{Cite web |date=2025-02-13 |title=The FPHL Welcomes Topeka, Kansas |url=https://www.federalhockey.com/news/the-fphl-welcomes-topeka-kansas |access-date=2025-05-23 |website=Federal Prospects Hockey League}}{{Cite news |last=Self |first=Matthew |date=2025-01-07 |title=Topeka Roadrunners, Scarecrows returning for ice hockey games |url=https://www.ksnt.com/sports/local-sports/what-to-know-for-the-four-upcoming-topeka-hockey-games/ |access-date=2025-05-23 |work=KSNT}}
A name-the-team contest was held to determine the teams name, with the final five options being the Scarecrows, Tornados, Wizards, Roadrunners and Capitals.{{Cite web |date=2025-04-14 |title=Topeka Pro Hockey Needs a Name - And It's Down to Five |url=https://topekakansas.hockeyshift.com/news/topeka-pro-hockey-needs-a-name-and-it-s-down-to-fi |access-date=2025-05-23 |website=Topeka Scarecrows}} On May 5, the team officially announced that they would be known as the Topeka Scarecrows,{{Cite web |date=2025-05-05 |title=Fans Have Voted and Topeka Pro Hockey Has a Name |url=https://topekakansas.hockeyshift.com/news/fans-have-voted-and-topeka-pro-hockey-has-a-name |access-date=2025-05-23 |website=Topeka Scarecrows}} with Robbie Nichols announced as the team's inaugural head coach{{Cite web |date=2025-05-05 |title=Multi-Time Champion and NHL Draftee Robbie Nichols Set to Lead Topeka Hockey's Inaugural Season |url=https://topekakansas.hockeyshift.com/news/multi-time-champion-and-nhl-draftee-robbie-nichols |access-date=2025-05-23 |website=Topeka Scarecrows}} and veteran defenseman Justin Schmit as their first signing.{{Cite web |date=2025-05-05 |title=Multiple-Time Champion and Ice Wars Winner Joins Topeka Hockey's Inaugural Season |url=https://topekakansas.hockeyshift.com/news/multiple-time-champion-and-ice-wars-winner-joins-t |access-date=2025-05-23 |website=Topeka Scarecrows}}{{Cite news |last=Robben |first=Joseph |date=2025-05-05 |title=New Topeka professional hockey team name chosen, coach and first signed player revealed |url=https://www.wibw.com/2025/05/05/new-topeka-professional-hockey-team-name-chosen/ |access-date=2025-05-23 |work=WIBW-TV}}{{Cite news |last=Keating |first=Liam |date=2025-05-07 |title=New head coach and first signing make full circle moment for Topeka Scarecrows |url=https://www.cjonline.com/story/sports/2025/05/07/topeka-scarecrows-hire-head-coach-and-make-first-signing/83344699007/ |access-date=2025-05-23 |work=The Topeka Capital-Journal}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Federal Hockey League}}
{{Kansas Sports}}
Category:Federal Prospects Hockey League teams
Category:Sports in Topeka, Kansas
Category:Ice hockey clubs established in 2025