Lamar Hunt Jr Brings Kansas City Hockey Into The Future

Fans of hockey in Kansas City have reason to start getting excited. Earlier this year, Lamar Hunt Jr bought the Missouri Mavericks, a team that just recently signed a direct affiliation agreement with the New York Islanders, and has huge plans to develop KC’s youth hockey culture.

“We need to get teams from St. Louis, Chicago and Omaha to come play here, as opposed to our teams having to export themselves and constantly be on the road,” he said. “I was talking to a parent who told me they drive 8-12 hours a weekend to go play youth hockey out of market.”

In a move in February, the Kansas City Youth Hockey Association (KCYHA) announced that they would consolidate all “Club” and “Travel” teams to operate under one name. In an official statement the KCYHA expressed that they “want to focus on travel becoming a single, unified program that can support that level of hockey with local, home grown players.”

Mr. Hunt, a resident of Johnson County, plans to use his connections and experience to help grow ticket sales, land new sponsorships, and add value to existing sponsors.

Lamar Hunt Jr., New Owner Of Missouri Mavericks

“I’ll want to be kept informed about decisions with players and personnel, which is of course very important,” he said. “We need to win games because that is important. But we’re also going to continue the professionalism I’ve seen as far as the game production and the fun things they do. Obviously, you don’t have much of a sports franchise if you don’t have fans who are involved, interested and passionate about the team.”

Hunt Jr. and his business partner, James Arkell, are excited for fans to continue enjoy Missouri Mavericks games at the Independence Event Center. “The current fans did a great job building this team up, and we want everyone in the Kansas City area to have a chance to enjoy it,” Arkell said. “But the loyalty stays in Independence. It stays with the group that built the team up and everyone who has been a part of it.”

Lamar Hunt Jr Announces Mavericks NHL Affiliation With New York Islanders