Our Story

The Kansas City Mavericks proudly enter their 17th season as a professional hockey franchise in 2025-26, serving the passionate fans of the greater Kansas City metro area. As the longest-tenured, consecutively operating professional hockey team in Kansas City history, the Mavericks have become a cornerstone of the local sports landscape. In their fourth season as the ECHL affiliate for the NHL's Seattle Kraken and AHL's Coachella Valley Firebirds, the Mavericks continue to develop talent and elevate the game.

The journey began on November 13, 2009, when the then-Missouri Mavericks skated onto the ice at the Independence Events Center for the first time. In front of a sellout crowd of 5,760 fans, the Mavericks secured a thrilling 3-2 shootout victory over their rivals, the Wichita Thunder. This memorable debut sparked a deep and enduring bond between the team and its fans, affectionately known as Mavs Country, which still burns brightly today.

In 2014, the Mavericks made a historic leap to the ECHL, joining the Premier 'AA' hockey league along with six other teams from the now-defunct Central Hockey League (CHL). Just two seasons later, the Mavericks achieved a major milestone by winning the Brabham Cup in 2015–16, leading the ECHL with 52 regular-season wins. This incredible run solidified their place among the league’s elite and marked the start of a new era for the franchise.

The Mavericks' commitment to excellence continued into the 2023–24 season, where they finished with a remarkable 54-12-6 record, capturing the Brabham Cup as ECHL regular-season champions for the second time. The team set an all-time ECHL single-season record with 29 road wins and advanced to the Kelly Cup Finals for the first time in club history after winning the Bruce Taylor Trophy as Western Conference champions. This historic postseason run showcased the Mavericks’ resilience and cemented their status as one of the top teams in the league.

Building on that momentum, the Mavericks continued their on-ice dominance in the 2024–25 season, finishing first in both the Western Conference and the Mountain Division during the regular season. They were crowned Mountain Division Champions and advanced to the Western Conference Finals for the second consecutive year. The campaign featured several standout achievements, including tying a franchise record with eight shutouts and an impressive 11-game home winning streak. A major milestone was reached when General Manager and Head Coach Tad O’Had became the winningest coach in both franchise history and Kansas City professional hockey history.

Beyond the rink, the Mavericks have been a force in the community, earning numerous awards for their charitable efforts, including the Harry S. Truman Special Community Service Recognition Award and the John J. 'Buck' O'Neil Diamond MVP Award from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City. Their signature event, Dinner on Ice, has raised nearly half a million dollars since its inception, demonstrating the Mavericks’ deep commitment to giving back.

In 2024–25, the Mavericks elevated their community impact even further, logging over 2,150 volunteer hours and building partnerships with organizations such as Wayside Waifs, Variety KC, Giving the Basics, and Operation Breakthrough. Their outreach included a remarkable effort that helped 173 dogs find forever homes, the collection of more than 600 hygiene products and $1,650 in donations, and meaningful inclusion efforts through the sport of hockey. They also launched their own literacy initiative—Mac's Power Play Reading Club—reaching over 2,600 students across 140 classrooms in 65 schools, inspiring an astounding 723,350 minutes of reading.

As Kansas City's only professional hockey team, the Mavericks are dedicated to fostering the growth of hockey throughout the metro area, inspiring the next generation of players and fans. Rooted in tradition and driven by purpose, the Mavericks continue to shape the future of hockey in Kansas City.