Worcester closer to bringing back professional hockey

Courtesy Worcester has had success with hockey at the DCU Center and a new professional hockey team could soon return to the center's ice.

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By Sam Bonacci

Worcester is a step closer to bringing back professional hockey to the DCU Center following a vote by city officials.

The vote of support by the Civic Center Commission for the application of Worcester Pro Hockey, LLC led by Principal Cliff Rucker is the culmination of months of talks, according to a release from the DCU Center. For months City Manager Edward Augustus and DCU Center General Manager Sandra Dunn have worked with Rucker on terms for bringing professional hockey back to Worcester.

Rucker will now submit an application to the ECHL this month to bring a brand new expansion team to the DCU Center. An expansion franchise in Central Massachusetts would make for the second ECHL team in New England after the recent tenancy of the Manchester Monarchs in Manchester, NH.

The ECHL Board of Governors will meet in February to review applications. If approved, the team could begin play for the 2017/2018 season.

"Having a professional sports team is an economic development asset in that it brings thousands of people from the city and region into Worcester’s downtown supporting our restaurants, hotels, and overall economy," Timothy P. Murray, President and CEO, Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce said.

The ECHL averaged 4,598 fans per game in 2014-2015, a season which hosted 756 games between October 2014 and April 2015. Since its inception, the ECHL has had over 550 players advance to the NHL.