Trenton ECHL Hockey
Professional hockey is returning to The Capital City. If the level of excitement from fans, the
local business community, and government officials is any indication, it promises to be a memorable
inaugural ECHL season for the newly-formed Trenton Ironhawks.
When the puck drops on the 2026-27 season, the Trenton Ironhawks will take the ice at CURE Insurance
Arena as the newest ECHL franchise. Formerly known as the East Coast Hockey League, the Shrewsbury, New
Jersey-based ECHL is “the leading professional developmental league for the American Hockey League
and the National Hockey League.”
The Ironhawks are owned by Trenton-based Pro Hockey Partners, LLC, a group of 19 investors who
purchased the Utah Grizzlies and will relocate the team to Trenton following the 2025-26 ECHL season.
The Ironhawks will be Trenton’s first ECHL team since the Trenton Titans ceased operations in
2013 following 14 seasons.
“The hockey culture in Trenton, Central New Jersey and Bucks County is so strong,” said
Ironhawks team President Bob Ohrablo, who formed the ECHL’s Orlando Solar Bears and was the
founding partner of the Jacksonville Icemen. “There are thousands of kids and adults playing
organized hockey. It only made sense that the region deserves its own hockey team. Fans split
their loyalty here among several NHL teams. Bringing ECHL to Trenton provides these fans with a
hometown opportunity to watch future NHLers at very affordable, family-friendly prices.”
In January, with Opening Night still more than nine months away, the Ironhawks had already sold nearly
2,000 season memberships. There were also more than 2,000 entries in a two-month long, fan-driven
name-the-team contest that landed on Ironhawks, which “reflects Trenton’s industrial past
while signaling strength, resilience, and ambition for the future.”
“The initial response has reaffirmed our decision to bring ECHL back to Trenton,” said
Ohrablo, who was also instrumental in creating the ECHL’s Savannah Ghost Pirates as president of
Zawyer Sports. “This is a multi-million-dollar commitment from our investors, and we are all
excited about the warm reception we have received. We have been so impressed and grateful for how the
area has responded. Our season ticket members, individuals and groups are the backbone of our team
and efforts.”
But, as Ohrablo added, season ticket sales are just one indication of how the Ironhawks’ arrival
could help transform the community. For example, there has been a strong response to the club’s
announcements asking for merchandise, groups, and corporate partnerships, and the team is following up
with a number of companies that have reached out to get involved in hockey’s return to Trenton.
“Each day we see that appetite is here and ready to join us to make the Trenton Ironhawks a
leader in the ECHL and the force in the community we plan to be,” Ohrablo said.
From a financial perspective, the return of professional hockey to Trenton is delivering a new economic
engine that will drive hundreds of thousands of people to downtown Trenton and CURE Insurance Arena.
Mercer County has committed to spend several million dollars on upgrading the 27-year-old venue ahead of
the Ironhawks’ inaugural campaign, including installing a new ice machine, scoreboard, and dasher
boards, and renovating suites and locker rooms.
“While the name invokes Trenton’s proud past as an industrial powerhouse, the Ironhawks
will play an important role in shaping a renaissance for our Capital City, bringing new economic
activity, creating jobs, and igniting business opportunities right here in our community,” Mercer
County Executive Dan Benson said during the January 13 announcement of the club’s new name.
While delivering a top-tier game-day experience for fans – from the time they enter the arena
until they leave after the game – is essential, the Ironhawks also understand the importance of
becoming a trusted community partner in their new home.
“Sports teams always talk about how good they are for the community – we intend to prove
that on a regular basis,” Ohrablo said. “In the past, teams I’ve operated have
benefitted many organizations such as Boys and Girls Clubs, communities in schools, local cancer
research, Junior Achievement and many others. We have set into place discussions to continue those
efforts here in Central New Jersey and Bucks County, Pennsylvania.”
Ohrablo said the club is also in discussions with Mercer County’s and the City of Trenton’s
economic growth efforts to potentially provide entertainment options around CURE Insurance Arena for
those who attend a variety of events at the facility, including Ironhawks games.
Additionally, as a Board member of the Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce, Ohrablo has the
opportunity to help the Ironhawks serve as a business advocate and instrument of growth for the entire
area.
While the Ironhawks and the City of Trenton prepare for the return of ECHL hockey later this year,
Ohrablo said success will not just be measured in the number of on-ice victories.
“Success is measured by meeting our goals and objectives on the ice, in the community and, of
course, having a large fan and corporate base that is even more enthusiastic about us after our first
season as they are now!” he said. “If we can say a year from now that Trenton has gained not
only a hockey team, but a great community asset, that will give us a sense of satisfaction that will
carry us to even higher levels.
“Oh yes, of course our on-ice goal is to bring the Kelly Cup back to Trenton and celebrate
together as a community!”
Please visit https://trentonironhawks.com
for more information about the Ironhawks and the return of ECHL hockey to The Capital City.
