Did you know Topeka has an adult hockey league?

TOPEKA (KSNT) - Topeka's Adult Hockey League (TAHL) 2025-2026 season is about to begin its 25th season, giving adults young and old the opportunity to lace up their skates once again.

Dave Hodges, commissioner for the TAHL, went to his first ever Topeka Scarecrows game in 1998 when the team was in the Central Hockey League. From there, his son Matt fell in love with the sport, and began playing next season. He says that when the Scarecrows came to town and the ice was available, an adult league sprung up shortly after that.

"The skill level is all over the place, we have had former NAHL players as well as former CHL players," Hodges said. "We also have people that are just learning to skate. We have a draft and we try to make the teams as even as possible. The return of the Scarecrows has made the hockey players in the area pretty happy."

There's anywhere from 50 to 80 people in the league across four to six teams at a given time. Although the league is beginner friendly, they've also had some former professionals in the league, and even some go pro as a result of performing well in the TAHL.

One notable player was Mark MacFarlane, who had an almost 20 year hockey career in several Canadian and American leagues before retiring and joining the TAHL. Hodges tells 27 News that even though MacFarlane retired in 2002, the then Topeka Tarantulas picked him up again for the 2004-2005 season after playing in the adult league for two years.

Other former pros have participated as well, like Justin Kochan (Thorold Blackhawks, Topeka Roadrunners), Kerry Bence (Texarkana Bandits, Alpena IceDiggers) and even Topeka native Skyler Stevens, who Hodges says suited up as a backup goaltender for the Roadrunners.

"The league is a lot of fun," Hodges said. "A lot of longtime friendships have been made in the league and I think it as well as the youth hockey league brings the hockey community closer together which can only benefit the Scarecrows."

Registration for the league ends Oct. 16, and it costs $300 per session (Oct-Dec, Feb-April). For more information about the league, you can check out the TAHL website.

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