Houndog Hockey
Seven-Time Palucci Cup Champions
Houndog Hockey Franchise

Little Lopezers

Seven championships, a long history of aggressive roster moves, and one of Houndog Hockey's most decorated franchises.

Brad Hayden
General Manager
Brad Hayden
General Manager
Brad Hayden
Arena
McDonald Arena
Capacity 12,682
Coach
Anton Chigurh
Assistant GM
Donny Azoff
2025–26 Prediction
3rd Place
Acquired Picks
Team Cobra
3rd Round · 2026–27
18th Round · 2026–27
Palucci Cup
Championship Legacy

7× Palucci Cup Champions

2003–04 2005–06 2008–09 2017–18 2022–23 2023–24 2024–25
Leila Erb
In Memoriam

Leila Erb

1976–2025

The Little Lopezers mourn the loss of our organization's matriarch and dedicate our future performance to her immortal spirit.

We miss you Smalley ❤️

Franchise History

The Story of Little Lopezers

Ownership changes, high-profile trades, championship pressure and one of Houndog Hockey's longest-running rivalries.

On September 20, 2016, the hockey world was rocked by a major shift as The Duck Hunters sold a majority stake to outside investors, rebranding themselves as the Little Lopezers. Speculation has been rife that Mr. Ernesto Rivas, the dynamic figure associated with the Montreal Knee High P.I.s, is among the investors. Rumors suggest he could become the majority shareholder and possibly overhaul the entire staff.

In the midst of these sweeping changes, the competitive landscape continues to evolve. Recent trade moves have stirred discussions among hockey enthusiasts. Mr. Hayden, in a strategic maneuver, traded Henrik Zetterberg and a 3rd round pick (Marian Hossa) to secure The Knee High P.I.s’ 1st round pick. That pick led to the acquisition of what many consider one of the top goaltenders in the league, Henrik Lundqvist. While some might view the trade as Zetterberg and Hossa for Lundqvist, Mr. Hayden himself has suggested that it played a pivotal role in shaping his drafting strategy, ultimately helping him secure Joe Thornton. Regardless of perspective, the trade appears to have been beneficial for both sides.

Despite these developments, the looming threat posed by The Little Lopezers cannot be understated. However, there are whispers of a potential decline. Although Mr. Hayden is renowned for his strategic draft choices and meticulous player evaluations, some doubt his ability to secure a three-peat. The enduring legacy of The Knee High P.I.s, tracing back to the era of Brother Hesekiah and their storied tradition, seems unmatched by the McDonald family’s current efforts.

In a dramatic turn of events, a recent recruitment episode highlights the shifting tides of power. The Duck Hunters had a verbal agreement with a talented, rugged defenseman named Robert , who is also known for his musical skills on the keyboard. The deal seemed imminent until a chance encounter changed everything. Stepping outside for fresh air, Robert saw a rival in a tuxedo, symbolizing success and grandeur. Inspired by the vision of numerous Stanley Cups, Robert opted to sign with the rival team for the league minimum—$1.

As The Little Lopezers prepare to embark on this new chapter, the landscape of professional hockey is poised for significant shifts. With Mr. Ernesto Rivas potentially at the helm and strategic moves redefining team dynamics, the season ahead promises to be one of high stakes and transformative changes. The enduring legacy of past franchises will be tested against the fresh ambitions of a newly rebranded and reinvigorated team.

Current Season

2026–27 Roster

Protected players, draft selections, trades and roster movement for the Little Lopezers.

Keepers

Protected Players

2026–27
Round Player / Status
1
2 Nick Suzuki / Jack Hughes / Sidney Crosby
3 /
4
5
6 Jackson Lacombe / Adrian Kempe / Noah Dobson
7
8 Logan Thompson / Miro Heiskanen / Lucas Raymond
9 Wyatt Johnston / Will Smith / Martin Necas
10
11
12 Kirill Marchenko / Dylan Guenther
13 Matthew Schaeffer
14
15
16
17
18 Traded Pick to Team Cobra /
19 Traded Pick to Team AV
20 Traded Pick to Team AV
Draft Board

Drafted Players

2026–27
Round Player Team Traded To / On Dropped On
1
2 Nick Suzuki MTL
2 Jack Hughes NJ
2 Sidney Crosby PIT
3
3 -
4
5
6 Jackson Lacombe ANH
6 Adrian Kempe LA
6 Noah Dobson MTL
7
8 Logan Thompson WSH
8 Miro Heiskanen DAL
8 Lucas Raymond DET
9 Wyatt Johnston DAL
9 Will Smith SJ
9 Martin Necas COL
10
11
12 Kirill Marchenko CLB
12 Dylan Guenther UTA
13 Matthew Schaefer NYI
14
15
16
17
18
19 Traded Pick to Team AV
20 Traded Pick to Team AV
Dropped indicates a player dropped during the regular season or offseason.