The owners of the team formerly known as the Augusta Riverhawks are betting that the third time out will be the charm for pro hockey in Macon.

Team owners Bob and Diane Kerzner joined Macon-Bibb County officials and others Tuesday to formerly introduce the Macon Mayhem. The team follows the Macon Trax and the Macon Whoopee in the annals of professional hockey in Middle Georgia.

The team will be a part of the Southern Professional Hockey League. The Columbus Cottonmouths are the closest neighboring team and the expected arch rivals.

Team owner Bob Kerzner says that selling hockey in the Deep South is a different proposition than in a town that actually experiences something like winter and is home to hockey purists.

"It's more the overall entertainment. It's the music, it's the lighting, it's the sounds, it's the excitement," Kerzner said, "If you went to Montreal, Canada, it would be more tape to tape passing of the puck or the goalie making a fantastic save."

Kerzner also said he imagines a successful hockey team could spark other sports and entertainment options for Macon.

"That could lead to other things like bringing a maybe a minor league baseball team back or lacrosse or something like that," Kerzner said.

The team won't take to the ice until October 2015 and neither schedules nor ticket prices are yet confirmed.

Tags: sports, Grant Blankenship, hockey, minor league