Mysticks return: Mobile revives beloved hockey brand for 2027-2028 season
Mobile is reviving its beloved Mysticks hockey brand for the 2027-2028 SPHL season. The announcement Tuesday drew enthusiastic support from fans eager for the team’s return.
Olivia Bennett 
The wait is officially over for hockey fans in the Port City. Mobile is set to revive its iconic Mysticks brand for the 2027-2028 Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) season, marking a triumphant return for one of the city's most beloved sports identities.
A Crowd-Pleasing Reveal
The announcement triggered a massive celebration Tuesday at the Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center, where more than 2,300 supporters gathered to cheer the return of the team's classic purple, gold, and green aesthetic—and, of course, the signature cartoonish dragon logo.
The atmosphere was electric, feeling more like a midseason playoff game than an unveiling. Fans donned vintage gear and wasted no time establishing their loyalties, chanting “Let’s Go Mysticks!” and jeering the SPHL’s Pensacola Ice Flyers, signaling the start of a heated new rivalry.
Building a New Legacy
Andrew Kaufmann, CEO of Jacksonville-based owners Zawyer Sports & Entertainment, expressed excitement about the fan response. The team is slated to play a 30-game home schedule starting in October 2027 at the $300 million, 10,000-seat Regions Arena. Peter Luukko, co-chairman of the arena's manager Oak View Group, noted that the turnout for the event was unprecedented for a team reveal.
Mayor Spiro Cheriogotis echoed the sentiment, telling the crowd, “As long as the fans are there to stay and based on today’s crowd, I think they are. The Mysticks are here to stay.”
How to Get Involved
With anticipation building, season ticket deposits are already being accepted. Supporters can also purchase new team merchandise at MysticksHockey.com.
The brand's return honors Mobile’s identity as the “Birthplace of Mardi Gras,” blending the city's festive heritage with the grit of professional hockey. This revival comes roughly 25 years after the original franchise last took to the ice at the now-demolished Mobile Civic Center.
Familiar Faces, New Energy
Former Mysticks player Hugues Gervais, who skated for the team from 1996 to 2002, was on hand for the announcement. Now a local resident, Gervais is eager to watch the team play at the upcoming Regions Arena. He was joined by lifelong fans like 38-year-old Lloyd Wing, who attended with his family, proving the passion for the brand spans generations.
According to city officials, the decision to bring back the Mysticks was made after a wildly successful public input process. More than 2,000 votes were cast, with city leadership describing the preference for the Mysticks name as the most lopsided result they have ever seen.
While the Mysticks are the latest to rejoin the sports landscape—joining the ranks of historic revivals like the NFL’s Cleveland Browns and the NHL’s Winnipeg Jets—they are clearly aiming to carve out a permanent place in the modern SPHL.
