A History of Ice Hockey Teams In Louisiana

Sports in Louisiana are a really big deal. From the travel ball level through high school, into colleges and the pro ranks. There are a lot a big time sports accomplishments in the state.

When it comes to football, Louisiana is one of a handful of states that have both a Super Bowl Championship and an NCAA Division 1 National Championship in the Super Bowl era (other states are California, Texas, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Florida, Colorado, and Washington). Not to mention all of the Louisiana-born players in the NFL who have won MVPs, Super Bowl titles, and have become Hall of Fame members.

In basketball, LSU and Louisiana Tech have Division 1 National Championships. The programs have also sent numerous players to the professional ranks, and to the Basketball Hall of Fame. Between the New Orleans Jazz, Hornets, and Pelicans, some of the most entertaining basketball players ever have been on the court for Louisiana teams.

Though there's never been a Major League Baseball team in Louisiana, there have been plenty of professional teams. Many of these teams have had affiliations with MLB franchises, while others were strictly independent. This dates all the way back to the early 1900s with teams like the Shreveport Pirates.

College baseball is a huge deal in Louisiana too. Collegiate National Championships and MLB Draft Picks fill up pages of history in the state. Not just from LSU either. Players from UL-Lafayette, Centenary, ULM, Tulane, and other schools have had players drafter by MLB franchises in recent memory.

But what about hockey...ice hockey.

Louisiana will likely never have an NHL franchise, or even an NCAA team really (fingers are crossed tough). But that hasn't held back the growth of ice hockey in Louisiana. Over the last few decades, multiple teams have sprouted up around the state. From Shreveport to Monroe, Lake Charles to New Orleans, there have been multiple franchises all over the state.

Now, Louisiana has their first ever Louisiana-born NHL player with Mason Lohrei. Not only is he the first Louisianan to ever play in the NHL, he's the first to score a goal in an NHL game too.

Check out some of the hockey history Louisiana has right here...