About Us
Hockey Has a Home
in New Orleans
New Orleans Hockey is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by Ethan Guilbeau to unite hockey players across the Gulf Coast. The mission is simple: give hockey a permanent home in New Orleans.
What started as a group of passionate players meeting at Crescent Park on the Mississippi River has grown into an organization running adult roller and ice club teams, youth development clinics, and community events that bring the hockey community together across the region.
In a city known for its music, food, and football — New Orleans Hockey is proving that the Crescent City has room for one more obsession.
I want this to be bigger than myself. And I want to do something good to leave a legacy behind.
What We Do
Building Hockey
From the Ground Up
Three programs, one mission — grow the game in a city that’s never had it. Every dollar raised and every hour volunteered goes directly into these efforts.
Adult Club Teams
Roller and ice hockey teams competing in regional tournaments. Self-funded players putting in their own money to represent NOLA on the road.
Youth Development
Hockey clinics at local recreation centers introducing kids to the sport. Growing the next generation of players in the Crescent City.
Community Events
Pick-up games, watch parties, and events building the hockey community in New Orleans. Everyone's welcome — no experience needed.
The Vision
If You Build It,
They Will Come
Hockey in New Orleans isn’t a question of demand. It’s a question of infrastructure. Here’s how the story is unfolding.
1 in 5
pucks lost to the Mississippi River during games at Crescent Park
55
kids signed up for just five youth clinics — demand has outpaced infrastructure
The Beginning
Born on the River
It starts the way every great thing does — with people who refuse to wait for permission. A group of hockey players hauling gear onto a wharf at Crescent Park on the Mississippi River. Playing in 98-degree heat. 98% humidity. Losing about one in every five pucks straight into the Mississippi.
The Proof
Demand Is Real
When New Orleans Hockey announced five youth clinics, 55 kids signed up. Not over a year. Not across the region. Fifty-five kids for five sessions — in a city that's never had organized hockey. The waitlist keeps growing.
The Momentum
The Pieces Are Moving
Discussions are underway with Pelican Park in Mandeville for an outdoor rink. New Orleans Hockey is actively working with investors and applying for grants to make a permanent facility a reality. And in February 2025, the NHL met with a group exploring expansion into New Orleans.
The Dream
A Rink for New Orleans
A dedicated ice rink in the Crescent City. A place where kids grow up playing the fastest game on earth. Where adult leagues fill weeknight schedules and youth programs run year-round. Where New Orleans doesn't just play hockey — it lives it.
New Orleans has the culture, the passion, and now the momentum. All it needs is the ice.
Take Action
Get Involved
Whether you lace up, show up, or chip in — there’s a way for everyone to help grow hockey in New Orleans.
Play
Join our adult roller and ice club teams or drop in for an open skate. All skill levels welcome — just bring your gear and your grit.
Volunteer
Help run youth clinics, organize events, and build the hockey community from the ground up. Every hour makes a difference.
Support
New Orleans Hockey is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Your tax-deductible donation goes directly to youth programs, equipment, and building toward a permanent rink.