Monroe Mocassins

article by Vanelis Rivera
photography by Kelly Moore Clark

When Mayor Friday Ellis was informed of a group interested in bringing professional ice hockey to Monroe, he was skeptical. In his experience, it’s not uncommon to encounter people in economic development with more ideas than a plan of action. Still, he was intrigued. “I discovered that there was an unofficial fan group that had been in existence for years trying to keep the old moccasin spirit alive,” he says, adding, “I honestly misjudged the desire to have this back in the community until this thing started getting real.” Monroe City was interested, but they were not the only community being scouted. His team felt the proverbial shot clock winding down. Amid tense decision-making, Mayor Ellis recalled his experiences as a “Mocs” fan back in the day—the crunching sounds of hockey sticks colliding, ice flakes rising from skates, and the electric howls of fans. He knew reviving hockey in Monroe would be bigger than the sport. It would be about building community.

“A community-first involved team versus a hockey-first team is the way to go,” says Parker Moskal, Monroe Moccasins Managing Partner and President. From humble beginnings, Parker was exposed to hockey through The Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center which provided athletic programs to kids who wouldn’t normally have access to certain niche sports, like ice hockey. He relied on hand-me-down hockey gear provided by Jason Galea who ran the athletic program, and quickly took to the sport. “It was an escape from reality, escape from things going on at home, things going on personally,” he says, revealing that even now his remedy for a stressful day is strapping on his skates and taking a couple of laps with a hockey stick. “The world kind of stops. So that was my draw to it as a youth, and it still is something pretty special to me as an adult.” 

Parker feels blessed to have been able to play professional hockey at the age of 20. He did so for six years, widening his skillset, growing his hockey family, and traveling as far as Canada and Sweden. 

Around 2023, Parker followed a career opportunity to Baton Rouge as Head of Corporate Partnerships for the Baton Rouge Zydeco. There, he spearheaded corporate marketing, occasionally playing for the team. His love for the game was as strong as ever, but his goals extended beyond the ice. “I’ve always been business-minded and always wanted to build my own things,” he says. With this in mind, he began assembling a team that would allow him to create a hockey franchise. He partnered with Nicholas Perkin and formed the Perkin Hockey Group and they swiftly began exploring the market. Though they scoured places like Trenton, New Jersey, Monroe proved the more enthusiastic community, at the time. “I couldn’t be happier to be in Monroe. It’s a very welcoming community,” says Parker, who raves about the warmth and support he has received since arriving. 

“Hockey taught me to be a good human being,” says Parker, who wanted to ensure the team he built brought people together. A swift scroll through the team’s social media accounts reveals just that—visits to the Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo, walking shelter dogs at the Humane Society Adoption Center of Monroe, and paying visits to local schools. “You want people to feel like they’re a part of something,” emphasizes Parker, who personally benefited from community care from a young age. “I grew up extremely poor. I was in homeless shelters and transitional housing as a kid for a long time,” he says. A major role in Parker’s commitment to the sport and his overall success can be traced to a local San Diego hockey team that was active in the community and provided outreach to kids. Now, he wants to pay it forward: “If I can have that impact on any kid, it’s the biggest blessing in life. That’s the way I got my start. It’s given me just about everything I have.” He extends the same attitude to his players, particularly because most of his decisions are informed by his experiences as a professional athlete. He ensures his team has the most protective equipment and suitable transport, such as renting sleeper buses when they have long trips for away games.

A glance at the current Monroe Moccasins roster reveals players from across the continent and overseas. The team consists of young men from states as close as Georgia to further north like Massachusetts, Indiana, New York, and Ohio. Canada is represented by Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario, with one player growing up in the Siksika Nation. And flying in from miles across oceans are players from Sweden and Russia. This cultural diversity makes for a compelling landscape of fellowship and unique perspectives, an exciting addition to a region with much to offer from its prolific cultural identity. Many players live in town throughout the season and some have found part-time jobs. “They spend money here. They contribute to the economy here. They go out into the community and meet people,” informs Parker. Mayor Ellis is also enthused by the global presence, encouraging the community to show the players good ole Southern hospitality: “If you see them out in public, just let them know. Pat them on the back if they need to get plugged into anything. Help them out.”

Of course, the best way to support the players is to attend Monroe Moccasins games. If you have yet to experience ice hockey, think if football and soccer had a baby, as Mayor Ellis describes. Not only is it an exhilarating contact sport to view, but it’s the fastest sport on ice, with players averaging close to twenty or more miles an hour. “It’s got something for everyone,” says Parker, listing the captivating ice rink, gritty plays, and the occasional scuffles. The current league has also improved in fostering a family-friendly environment and endeavors to keep players more accessible to the community, far more than other leagues. “Fans actually get to know the players and sometimes invite them into their homes for dinner,” informs Parker. Christopher Rex Moe, a forward from Michigan, has already been asked to join in early morning deer hunts. Certainly, the efforts made by the Perkin Hockey Group have yielded a devout fanbase, which is evident in game attendance. So far, the Monroe Moccasins are leading the whole league in attendance, averaging over 4,500 fans per game.

“It’s so much fun to see our community circle around this,” enthuses Mayor Ellis, noting the improvements being aimed at the Civic Center facilities. For instance, each individual ticket purchase goes toward facility improvements. For this reason, the ice rink is being used for more than just hockey. Last December, the movie Frosty the Snowman was projected on the ice as part of the City’s Annual Christmas Tree Lighting. And plans are underway to host shows on ice, community ice skating, and youth hockey clinics. “The possibilities are endless,” says Mayor Ellis, who counts on the Moccasins to further assist in generating ideas for more ice-based activities.

The resulting spark for the Monroe Moccasins has been a group effort. Incorporating the surrounding community was paramount to Parker’s vision which is evident in the group keeping the name of the 1997 team and adopting the colors of the University of Louisiana at Monroe. In turn, the community has responded, helping grow the love for hockey through game attendance, merch sales, and enthusiastic social media interactions. The result is an indisputable regional draw. So fangs down because the Moccasins are back with a furious bite!

The Monroe Moccasins are grateful to all the sponsors who helped bring ice hockey back to the Twin Cities. To name a few—76 Now Save, MidSouth Extrusion, HOTWORX, and Ryan Auto.