TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – The new Topeka professional hockey team name was announced on Monday, May 5. In addition, the team announced it has hired its head coach and signed its first player.
The new team name is the Scarecrows, as the decision was announced following a vote between 5 finalists.
“The fans have made their voices heard and we couldn’t be more thrilled to reintroduce the Topeka Scarecrows name in celebration of the return of pro hockey. One of the key factors in bringing hockey back to the area was to embrace the history and focus on making the next chapter great. With the community being this invested in the name we can’t wait to see them at the rink.”
The Scarecrows were chosen over the Roadrunners, Capitals, Tornados, and Wizards. The Scarecrows were the name of Topeka’s first hockey team.
It will play in the Federal Prospects Hockey League, and Landon Arena will be their home ice.
“We are excited about the enthusiasm the fans showed during the Name the Team Contest. The return of the Scarecrows name reflects the rich history of this area. We are also delighted with the new logo design and can’t wait to showcase it throughout the community. When we came here we knew it was important for the fans to have a voice and the results showed that the city is invested.”
In addition to the name announcement, the team said it has hired multi-time champion and NHL draftee Robbie Nichols to lead the team in their inaugural season.
Nichols was originally drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in 1984 before signing with the Detroit Red Wings in 1987. Nichols has 12 years of professional hockey playing experience between the AHL and IHL. He would later transition into different coaching duties in the IHL, UHL and ECHL.
Nichols had general manager roles with the Elmira Jackals in the ECHL where he and Topeka Scarecrows owner Don Lewis met and worked together, and eventually as owner of the FPHL’s Elmira Enforcers. Two out of the three seasons under Nichols ownership, the Enforcers went to the championship series and the other year the league shutdown due to COVID.
The Topeka Scarecrows signed its first player in 39-year-old Justin Schmit.
Schmit is a defenseman from Strathmore, AB. Schmit joins the team after a championship season with Granby in the LHSAAAQ. Schmit’s contributions have helped his teams make the playoffs three times in the last four years.
“The signing of Justin Schmit shows that the Topeka Scarecrows definitely will not be pushed around. A signing like Justin makes every player on our team a lot bigger. We look for his championship pedigree and professional hockey experience to be passed along to his teammates as we build towards a historic run here in Topeka.”
The Scarecrows inaugural season kicks off Friday, Oct. 16 and Saturday, Oct. 17. You can email the team for ticket information at FPHLTopeka@gmail.com
Copyright 2025 WIBW. All rights reserved.
