Professional hockey in DeSoto County officially gets underway tonight. The Mid-South Monarchs, the new Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) team based at Southaven’s Landers Center, play the first game in franchise history Friday, Oct. 9, on the road against the Monroe Moccasins.
Puck drop in Monroe, Louisiana, is set for 7:05 p.m., according to the team’s schedule. The same teams meet again Saturday, Oct. 10, also at 7:05 p.m.
Mid-South Monarchs Home Opener at Landers Center
Fans in DeSoto County will have to wait two more weeks to see the team on home ice. After a second road weekend Oct. 16-17, the Monarchs host the Baton Rouge Kingfish at Landers Center on Friday, Oct. 23, at 7 p.m. The Kingfish return for a 7 p.m. game Saturday, Oct. 24, and the two clubs meet again in Baton Rouge on Sunday, Oct. 25.
The Monarchs are back at Landers Center for another home weekend Oct. 30-31, with both games starting at 7 p.m.
Single-game and season tickets are available through midsouthmonarchs.com or at the team’s front office on the first floor of Landers Center, next to the box office.
A Roster Built for Year One
Head coach Mac Jansen spent the offseason building a roster from scratch. One of the biggest additions came in September, when the team traded for Carter Shinkaruk, a two-time FPHL Defenseman of the Year and a former FPHL Forward of the Year. The 34-year-old captained the Athens Rock Lobsters last season, posting 25 goals and 47 assists in 56 games, according to the team.
The Monarchs also signed high-scoring forward Hunter Godmere and, in late September, added forward Mike Frattaroli, defenseman Jeff Solow, and goaltender Anthony Seykora.
Free Season Tickets for Youth Hockey Players
The team is also working to grow the sport locally. In September, the Monarchs announced that every youth hockey player in the Mid-South will receive free season tickets. Coaches can sign up their teams at the Monarchs office and pick up cards for their players. Each card entitles a player to a ticket and unlocks a discounted rate on additional tickets.
The team said its mission from the start has been to put a strong product on the ice while becoming an important part of the local community.
Opening Schedule at a Glance
Fri., Oct. 9: at Monroe Moccasins, 7:05 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 10: at Monroe Moccasins, 7:05 p.m.
Oct. 16-17: road games
Fri., Oct. 23: vs. Baton Rouge Kingfish, Landers Center, 7 p.m. (home opener)
Sat., Oct. 24: vs. Baton Rouge Kingfish, Landers Center, 7 p.m.
