Pro Hockey Back to Worcester, But What's the Team's Name?

WORCESTER, MA -- The Icecats are gone, and so are the Sharks. Filling a void for professional hockey in Worcester, the East Coast Hockey League announced on Monday that the Board of Governors has approved Worcester for admission to the ECHL. The team will play at the DCU Center.

Worcester hits the ice in October 2017, when the Premier ‘AA’ Hockey League opens its 30th season, making it the third-longest tenured professional hockey league behind only the National Hockey League and the American Hockey League, according to the announcement.

Worcester will play its home games at the DCU Center, which holds 12,239 seats.

The principal owner of the team will be businessman Cliff Rucker, who will operate the team under Worcester Pro Hockey HC, reports MassLive.

“We are pleased to welcome Worcester, Massachusetts to the ECHL,” ECHL Commissioner Brian McKenna said in a statement. “Cliff Rucker made a very impressive presentation to our Board of Governors. He laid out a strong business plan, that has broad-based community support and is prepared to take the proper lead time to execute a successful introduction.”

So far, there is no indication of a team name, though we’ve got a few ideas.

“I am honored to be representing the city of Worcester and Central Massachusetts as the 29th Member of the ECHL and look forward to working with our staff to put together a winning team, that serves as a great ambassador of our region throughout the United States and Canada,” said Cliff Rucker, owner of the Worcester Membership, in the announcement.

“The Manchester Monarchs are very pleased to welcome Worcester to the ECHL,” said Matt Welch, president of the Monarchs, in a statement. “Like our fans in Manchester, former Worcester AHL fans will be very impressed with the quality of play in the ECHL. We look forward to the start of a great rivalry.”

What would you name the new Worcester hockey team? Share your answers in the comments section below.