MCALLEN, Texas (KVEO) – The RGV Killer Bees are a team of the past after not coming back to the ice to end the 2019 season.

Now hockey players and fans of the Rio Grande Valley must find a new way to keep the sport they love alive in South Texas.

“When we as a hockey community lost the ice, we were challenged to find an outlet. Luckily the Town of McAllen has this great facility that we can use, we saw an opportunity to maximize what that facility really is, ”said Jason Stros, President of 1’s Up Hockey.

“Across the country where hockey-related communities come together to make a difference for young people,” said Stros.

Stros has played hockey his entire life and his son Jaylon has been skating ever since he learned to walk.

“That’s all I’ve known since I was 2,” said Jaylon Stros. “My dad has played my whole life, he played Aspen for a little while. He kind of introduced this to me when I started walking and I just picked it up from there and continued on.

Hockey isn’t exactly a popular sport for the K-12 in the RGV. Stros has teamed up with the Dallas Stars to host “Learn to Play” Tuesday nights at the De Leon Rink.

“Tuesday nights is something that the South Texas Inline Hockey Association (STIHA) put together in a roster to just say ‘we love your support, but why don’t you come join us?’ As a family, we ask you to join us and be part of this community of effort, of fellowship and to make it all come together not only for the youth but for the community as a whole.

This summer, 1’s Up Hockey will be hosting a free four-week summer camp for any student-athlete who wants to try the sport.

“Hopefully this becomes a little league where I can play with some of my friends and get more friends to join us,” Jaylon said.

Starting in the fall, 1’s Up Hockey will have a league called the Jr. Rockets.

“This particular league allows RGV kids to be a bit more receptive, depending on what it costs to play,” Stros said. “It’s a lot cheaper than ice, so we can really do a lot with that kind of setup and that kind of organization.

Any student who would like to try hockey can contact Jason Stros directly at (956) 204-9665.