Baton Rouge Names Jimmy Soper Head Coach

BATON ROUGE, LA — The Baton Rouge Hockey Club is proud to announce the appointment of Jimmy Soper as the franchise's first-ever head coach.

A decorated nine-year professional hockey veteran with extensive experience across multiple levels of North American hockey, Soper brings a wealth of on-ice knowledge, proven leadership, and a championship-caliber mindset to Baton Rouge as the organization prepares to take the ice for its inaugural season.

"We are thrilled to welcome Jimmy Soper to Baton Rouge," said Andreas Johansson, a member of the organization's ownership group. "Jimmy embodies exactly what we envisioned when building this franchise from the ground up: a competitor, a leader, and someone who will represent this community with pride. Baton Rouge deserves a team built the right way, and Jimmy is the right person to build it."

Soper said he is embracing the opportunity with full commitment and excitement.

"As a first-time professional hockey coach, I bring a passion for the game, a commitment to player development, and a team-first mindset. My coaching philosophy is built on accountability, preparation, and creating an environment where athletes can compete at their highest level while continuing to grow both on and off the ice. I am especially excited to begin this journey in Baton Rouge and look forward to becoming part of the community while building a team that fans can be proud to support. My focus is on creating a culture of hard work, resilience, and success while helping players reach their full potential."

Most recently, Soper served as captain of the Knoxville Ice Bears of the SPHL, where he helped lead the organization back to the President's Cup Finals for the first time since 2015 during the 2024-25 season. His experience wearing the captain's "C" and leading a team deep into the playoffs reflects the leadership qualities the Baton Rouge Hockey Club sought in its inaugural head coach.

Soper's appointment signals the organization's commitment to building a franchise founded on character, professionalism, and a winning culture.

"When selecting a coach for any team—especially a new franchise—you want someone who not only understands the game at a high level but also knows how to identify and recruit talent," the organization stated. "Building a championship-caliber team doesn't happen overnight, but hiring a coach like Jimmy Soper and trusting him to build a strong foundation is the first step in that journey."

Fans can look forward to a team that will compete hard every night, play with pride, and represent the Baton Rouge community both on and off the ice.

Season tickets for the 2026-27 Baton Rouge Hockey Club season will be available beginning Wednesday, July 22.