(TRENTON, NJ) -- Professional ice hockey is returning to Trenton as the ECHL announced on Tuesday, September 9th that the League's Board of Governors has approved the Transfer of Controlling Interest in the Utah Grizzlies' Membership from Grizzlies Hockey Club, LLC to Pro Hockey Partners, LLC, who will relocate the team to Trenton, at the conclusion of the 2025-26 season.
The yet-to-be-renamed Trenton Hockey Club will make their debut at CURE Insurance Arena in Trenton, NJ, for the 2026-27 Season.
“The return of ECHL hockey to Trenton is extremely exciting as we welcome the market back to our North Division for the 2026-27 Season amidst new teams and rivalries in the region,” said ECHL Commissioner Ryan Crelin. “The original ECHL Team served as a catalyst to the opening of CURE Insurance Arena back in 1999 and growing the hockey community in New Jersey, and we look forward to reinvigorating the live entertainment experience in the marketplace with an ownership and operating group that are experienced in developmental league sports.”
"On behalf of the League and myself, I would like to personally thank the Elmore Family, the late Kevin Bruder, Jill Roberts and the entire Grizzlies staff, for their commitment to the ECHL and the Utah fanbase for over 20 years in the League, as we are saddened by the unfortunate set of circumstances that will not allow them to be able to continue to entertain their fans and be a part of that community after the 2025-26 Season.”
"I could not be more excited to welcome professional hockey back to Trenton. I want to thank Joe Eng, Bob Ohrablo, the ECHL, Mercer County Improvement Authority, and the CURE Insurance Arena Team for working with us through months of planning and negotiation to make this dream a reality,” said Dan Benson, Mercer County Executive. “This is another major step in our mission to make Mercer County, and especially our Capital City of Trenton, a true destination for sports, business, entertainment, and tourism. I can't wait for our new hockey team to drop the puck for its first season."
“We are thrilled to reintroduce the ECHL to Trenton and Mercer County, a region known for its strong hockey culture and passion for the sport,” said Bob Ohrablo, president of Pro Hockey Partners, LLC and Trenton ECHL Hockey. “The ECHL/Trenton Hockey Club will attract hundreds of thousands of fans to the CURE Insurance Arena and Downtown Trenton each season. This presents an opportunity for families to enjoy exciting pro hockey nights at affordable prices, along with a variety of family-friendly promotions throughout the season.”
The CURE Insurance Arena previously was home to the ECHL’s Titans and Devils from 1999-2013. The Trenton Titans twice reached the Kelly Cup Finals, falling to South Carolina in 2001 and capturing their only championship in 2005, defeating Florida in six games. The arena was also home to the 2002 ECHL All-Star Classic.
“The CURE Insurance Arena is excited to welcome pro hockey back to Trenton!” said Fran Rodowicz, General Manager, CURE Insurance Arena. “Twenty years ago, we proudly hosted the 2005 ECHL Kelly Cup Championship season with incredible support from our fans and the community. As hockey returns, we are eager to revive that same energy in the arena and throughout Trenton. We are making some exciting upgrades to the venue in preparation for the team’s arrival, and we look forward to showcasing our newly refreshed spaces. Hockey will once again play a prominent role among the many diverse and dynamic events we host each year, and we can’t wait to drop the puck.”
Formed in 1988-89 with five teams in four states, the ECHL has grown into a coast-to-coast league with 30 teams in 23 states and one Canadian province for its 38th season in 2025- 26. There have been 768 players who have gone on to play in the National Hockey League after starting their careers in the ECHL, including 16 who made their NHL debuts in the 2024-25 season. The ECHL had affiliations with 29 of the 32 NHL teams in 2024-25, marking the 27th consecutive season that the league has affiliations with at least 20 teams in the NHL.
Pro Hockey Partners LLC was formed to bring professional ECHL hockey to Trenton, NJ. It is composed of 14 partners, all of whom share a passion for hockey and sports. The group is led by Joe Eng and Bob Ohrablo.
The New Jersey native, Eng is a member of the executive team at Lawrenceville, NJ based Billtrust. The experienced technology executive has held similar roles with Travelclick, JetBlue Airways and SWIFT. Ohrablo, born and raised in New York City, has run many successful hockey teams, most recently served as the president of Zawyer Sports where he led the formation of two of the ECHL’s most successful teams: the Jacksonville Icemen and Savannah Ghost Pirates and developed the Community First Igloo, a twin sheet Jacksonville, FL ice rink. Ohrablo was also the founding partner of the ECHL Orlando Solar Bears.
Pro Hockey Partners, LLC is dedicated not only to a successful hockey team on and off the ice, but also to be an integral partner in the community having a major impact of lives throughout Central New Jersey and Bucks County, PA through support of area development and non-profit efforts.
The CURE Insurance Arena is Mercer County’s 10,000-seat multipurpose arena located in Mercer County, NJ that holds over 100 events annually. Oak View Group provides Venue Management, Food Services & Hospitality, and Corporate Partnerships at the CURE Insurance Arena.
Photos by Rich Hundley
