Shawn Edwards relishes his role as president and owner of the Des Moines Buccaneers hockey team. Not because it “pays his mortgage,” as he is quick to point out, because his day job as managing partner of A+ Lawn and Landscaping serves that role. No, he gets excited walking into KGGO Arena in Urbandale because the existence of his team has made it possible for kids like his sons to have a place to play hockey themselves.

How did you first get involved with the Buccaneers?

Our group bought the franchise three years ago. But I was actually involved with the Buccaneers long before that. The franchise was run by a non-profit board before we bought it, and I sat on that board for six years.

Why did you want to get involved with the team?

I grew up playing hockey. I played my freshman year at Hamline University in St. Paul. I was born and raised in Beaverdale. My mom still lives there. For a long time, the Buccaneers were kind of the golden goose for amateur hockey. They deferred all the costs so amateur hockey could play. They built, with their profits, a new facility on 72nd for youth hockey because there was such a demand for kids to play. Instead of taking care of the goose, they were taking care of amateur hockey, and unfortunately, the team got in financial trouble. If the Bucs would have moved away, KGGO arena would have gotten torn down and the kids wouldn’t have had a place to play hockey. We use this building from 4 to 10:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. On Wednesday, a men’s league uses it until midnight. On the weekend, the Buccaneers use the facility, as well as other amateur leagues. That goes for the other facility as well. So if the city lost this facility, the kids would not have a place to play. And that is really why I got involved. It wasn’t as much about the Bucs as it was about youth hockey for me. I have two boys that play in it, and I couldn’t let them lose this place.

How have the Iowa Stars affected the Buccaneers?

The Stars have been in town two years. It has affected us a little bit. There are two organizations trying to get sponsorship money, and people have the choice of two teams. But our numbers are actually stronger this year than they were last year. Winning the national championship last year definitely helps. It brings the crowd in. You can do all the marketing you want, but winning is the best marketing you can have.

Do you still play?

I play every Sunday night and I coach my youngest son.

Why is this team so important to you?

There are a lot of choices out there for kids to do. We have high school programs and teams for younger kids, so if they aren’t here they may be out of the streets drinking or drag racing their cars. Sports keep kids out of trouble. If our kids get caught drinking, they get suspended from the team four to six games. So it keeps kids in line. It gives them a reason not to drink if they love to play hockey. It just helps kids make better choices and keep them on the straight and narrow. And I think all sports do that.

What do you say to people who’ve never attended a game?

We’ve averaged more than 3,000 people at our games this year. It’s fast, it’s furious and it’s fun. Even if you don’t understand it, it is a great night out. We always do a lot more than just have a game. We have concerts after games, we do family fun nights, where it’s even more affordable for parents to bring the whole family to a game, and we do free public skating from time to time. We just try to do a lot more with fan participation.

How is the team doing?

We’re in first place so far this year. We have a strong team, so we’re very excited.

What does the team offer to the players?

It’s the United States Hockey League. It is the highest amateur league in the country. Unlike other sports, where you go from high school to college, in hockey, the majority of all college players come to the USHL first, then go to college. So if you really want to play in college, you come here to play. Last year, we had 19 of our 23 players get Division One scholarships. That is one of the most rewarding things about this team, the fact that we help these kids make it to a good school. Plus, last year, we had two players drafted in the first round of the NHL draft. We had two more drafted in the second round. These kids are the future stars. There are a lot of colleges that don’t have that. And on top of that, because the Bucs are successful, I have a place for youth hockey to play everyday. The good this does is just amazing.

– Jason Hancock