Struggling to endure the endless frozen wastes of a seemingly desolate planet of ice, doomed to an eternal winter, is a familiar scenario in the greater Worcester area. Luckily, come October 2017, citizens of Worcester can finally see all that ice put back where nature intended it: indoors. Last month, the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) unanimously approved the formal admission of Worcester into the ECHL – bringing hockey back to the heart of the Commonwealth.

Ever since the Worcester Sharks evacuated the iced waters of the DCU Center in 2015, it seemed hockey in Worcester was over. However, after an influential pitch – principally spearheaded by Worcester Pro Hockey owner, Cliff Rucker – the impressed ECHL Board of Governors agreed that hockey’s future in Worcester would be successful, thanks largely to the “broad-based community support,” said ECHL Commissioner Brian McKenna.

Worcester will become the 29th member of the ECHL, an established league, now in its 30th season. “We look forward to working with our staff to put together a winning team that serves as a great ambassador of our region throughout the United States and Canada,” Rucker said. Determined to live up to this promise of success, Worcester Pro Hockey announced that its new president and general manger will be Toby O’Brien.

O’Brien, born and raised in Dorchester, has a cumulative 20 years of experience in the pro hockey world, beginning in 1996 with ECHL’s Johnstown Chiefs. With the Chiefs, O’Brien held roles such as head coach, general manager and president. Additionally, O’Brien has served on the ECHL’s Board of Governors and spent several years juggling multiple roles with the NHL’s New York Islanders. But – above all else – O’Brien is a family man. With two sons, one of whom is a passionate hockey player and fan, O’Brien said he will “treat his staff like family,” stressing the importance of the term “hockey club,” in which everyone works cohesively and cooperatively.

As for what the return of pro hockey means for the city of Worcester, CEO of the Worcester Chamber of Commerce Tim Murray foresees an economic boom. The Worcester ECHL team “will bring world-class athletes and hundreds of thousands of hockey fans annually into the city,” Murray said. “These visitors will frequent area restaurants, hotels and bars, growing our local economy and creating jobs.”

In the spirit of O’Brien’s dreams for the forthcoming Worcester professional hockey team, it is crucial to remember that Worcester thrives off of the energy of its community. With a stable and energized community comes a sustainable economy that ultimately yields success and well-being for all involved in the journey. In the end, hockey fanatic or not, “we are all going to be a hockey club.”

To celebrate the return of hockey to Worcester, there will be a free Fan Fest at the DCU Center from 1-4 p.m. April 3, with children’s games and activities on the court and local Worcester bands. For more information, visit dcucenter.com or worcesterprohockey.com.

By Zachary Martucelli