More sports teams are making their home in Tampa Bay.

The U.S. Premier Hockey League will bring teams from around the country to what they’re calling a “hub” in Wesley Chapel. 

They’re calling this concept Hub City Tampa.  

The league will play at AdventHealth Center Ice in January and February. The teams will stay at Saddlebrook Resort.

The hub will help keep players safe and in one place during the pandemic.

Gordie Zimmerman, managing partner at Center Ice, says it’s a huge get for Pasco County.

“Florida is hotbed right now for hockey, especially with the Lightning winning the Stanley Cup,” he said in an interview with Spectrum Bay News 9. “Pretty excited about what’s going on”

Thirteen teams will make their home in Wesley Chapel for several games and practices. The league’s top teams are made up of future college and professional players, so scouts from colleges and the NHL will be also in attendance.

“Most of the time what happened in Florida is a lot of the kids would go to the north,” Zimmerman said. “Now you see kids coming from the north to Florida to play hockey. We have one of the nicest facilities in the country.”

The teams and staff will take about 400 hotel rooms at the nearby Saddlebrook Resort in January and February, a huge boost in business for the resort. The pandemic took away a lot of its usual business, especially with hosting conventions.

“It’s a huge help,” said Saddlebrook GM Patrick Ciaccio. “It fell from the sky and it’s a blessing. It’s our Saddlebrook Christmas present.

In fact, Pasco County leaders hope this translates to the entire local economy.

“With those tourist development dollars, it helps support local businesses. Our restaurants, retail, I can go on and on. Everyone benefits when tournaments like this come to Pasco County,” Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore said.

Games will be shown on Hockey TV, and the events are open to the public as well.