TOPEKA — Gabe Walden was hard to miss during the Topeka Scarecrows inaugural season. The team’s hype man and in-stadium emcee was the heart and soul for the FPHL franchise.
“Any interaction that I can get with anyone is a highlight,” Walden said. “I want everyone to feel just as welcomed as if you’re in my home.”
New franchises yearn for an identity, something to hang its hat on. The Scarecrows leaned into the bright orange look with head coach Robbie Nichols consistently wearing an orange suit, shoes and even a whistle.
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The rink is prepped before a hockey game Wednesday, April. 15, 2026 at Stormont Vail Events Center.Binghamton Black Bear’s Nicholas Swain (24) reacts after scoring during a hockey game Wednesday, April. 15, 2026 at Stormont Vail Events Center.Topeka Scarecrow’s TJ Sneath (17) slaps the puck during a hockey game Wednesday, April. 15, 2026 at Stormont Vail Events Center.Topeka Scarecrow’s hype man Gabe Walden stands with the mascot during a hockey game Wednesday, April. 15, 2026 at Stormont Vail Events Center.Topeka Scarecrow’s hype man Gabe Walden fist bumps players as they leave the rink during a hockey game Wednesday, April. 15, 2026 at Stormont Vail Events Center.Topeka Scarecrow’s Cory Checco (21) dribbles the puck during a hockey game Wednesday, April. 15, 2026 at Stormont Vail Events Center.Topeka Scarecrow’s T J Sneath (17) and Binghamton Black Bear’s Austin D'Orazio (11) struggle for the puck during a hockey game Wednesday, April. 15, 2026 at Stormont Vail Events Center.Topeka Scarecrow’s Connor Nagy (7) shoves Binghamton Black Bear’s Austin D'Orazio (11) into the glass during a hockey game Wednesday, April. 15, 2026 at Stormont Vail Events Center.Binghamton Black Bear’s Austin D'Orazio (11) lays on the ice after being hit during a hockey game Wednesday, April. 15, 2026 at Stormont Vail Events Center.Topeka Scarecrow’s Josh Labelle (9) shoves Nicholas Swain (24) into the glass during a hockey game Wednesday, April. 15, 2026 at Stormont Vail Events Center.Topeka Scarecrow’s Jacob Gagnon (2) dribbles the puck during a hockey game Wednesday, April. 15, 2026 at Stormont Vail Events Center.The puck is dropped during a hockey game Wednesday, April. 15, 2026 at Stormont Vail Events Center.Topeka Scarecrow’s Steven Klinck (81) slaps the puck during a hockey game Wednesday, April. 15, 2026 at Stormont Vail Events Center.Topeka Scarecrow’s Douglas Blaisdell (20) grabs Binghamton Black Bear’s Jacob Shankar’s (9) helmet Topeka Scarecrow’s during a hockey game Wednesday, April. 15, 2026 at Stormont Vail Events Center.A fight between Topeka Scarecrow’s Gordon Whalen (23) and Binghamton Black Bear’s Zac Sirota (89) is broken up during a hockey game Wednesday, April. 15, 2026 at Stormont Vail Events Center.Topeka Scarecrow’s Trevor Lord (16) shoves Binghamton Black Bear’s Austin D'Orazio (11) during a hockey game Wednesday, April. 15, 2026 at Stormont Vail Events Center.Topeka Scarecrow’s Jacob Gagnon (2) grabs Binghamton Black Bear’s Nicholas Swain (24) during a hockey game Wednesday, April. 15, 2026 at Stormont Vail Events Center.Binghamton Black Bear’s Daniel Stone (52) passes the puck during a hockey game Wednesday, April. 15, 2026 at Stormont Vail Events Center.Binghamton Black Bear’s Camron Cervone (27) watches the puck during a hockey game Wednesday, April. 15, 2026 at Stormont Vail Events Center.The puck is dropped during a hockey game Wednesday, April. 15, 2026 at Stormont Vail Events Center.Binghamton Black Bear players react after defeating the Topeka Scarecrows during a hockey game Wednesday, April. 15, 2026 at Stormont Vail Events Center.Topeka Scarecrow’s hype man Gabe Walden cheers with fans during a hockey game Wednesday, April. 15, 2026 at Stormont Vail Events Center.Topeka Scarecrow’s Steven Klinck (81) scores during a hockey game Wednesday, April. 15, 2026 at Stormont Vail Events Center.A fight breaks out during a hockey game Wednesday, April. 15, 2026 at Stormont Vail Events Center.1 / 24Topeka Scarecrows host Binghamton Black Bears in playoff openerThe rink is prepped before a hockey game Wednesday, April. 15, 2026 at Stormont Vail Events Center.1 / 24Topeka Scarecrows host Binghamton Black Bears in playoff openerThe rink is prepped before a hockey game Wednesday, April. 15, 2026 at Stormont Vail Events Center.2 / 24Topeka Scarecrows host Binghamton Black Bears in playoff openerBinghamton Black Bear’s Nicholas Swain (24) reacts after scoring during a hockey game Wednesday, April. 15, 2026 at Stormont Vail Events Center.3 / 24Topeka Scarecrows host Binghamton Black Bears in playoff openerTopeka Scarecrow’s TJ Sneath (17) slaps the puck during a hockey game Wednesday, April. 15, 2026 at Stormont Vail Events Center.4 / 24Topeka Scarecrows host Binghamton Black Bears in playoff openerTopeka Scarecrow’s hype man Gabe Walden stands with the mascot during a hockey game Wednesday, April. 15, 2026 at Stormont Vail Events Center.5 / 24How Topeka Scarecrows' Gabe Walden became the team's heart and soulTopeka Scarecrow’s hype man Gabe Walden fist bumps players as they leave the rink during a hockey game Wednesday, April. 15, 2026 at Stormont Vail Events Center.6 / 24Topeka Scarecrows host Binghamton Black Bears in playoff openerTopeka Scarecrow’s Cory Checco (21) dribbles the puck during a hockey game Wednesday, April. 15, 2026 at Stormont Vail Events Center.7 / 24Topeka Scarecrows host Binghamton Black Bears in playoff openerTopeka Scarecrow’s T J Sneath (17) and Binghamton Black Bear’s Austin D'Orazio (11) struggle for the puck during a hockey game Wednesday, April. 15, 2026 at Stormont Vail Events Center.8 / 24Topeka Scarecrows host Binghamton Black Bears in playoff openerTopeka Scarecrow’s Connor Nagy (7) shoves Binghamton Black Bear’s Austin D'Orazio (11) into the glass during a hockey game Wednesday, April. 15, 2026 at Stormont Vail Events Center.9 / 24Topeka Scarecrows host Binghamton Black Bears in playoff openerBinghamton Black Bear’s Austin D'Orazio (11) lays on the ice after being hit during a hockey game Wednesday, April. 15, 2026 at Stormont Vail Events Center.10 / 24Topeka Scarecrows host Binghamton Black Bears in playoff openerTopeka Scarecrow’s Josh Labelle (9) shoves Nicholas Swain (24) into the glass during a hockey game Wednesday, April. 15, 2026 at Stormont Vail Events Center.11 / 24Topeka Scarecrows host Binghamton Black Bears in playoff openerTopeka Scarecrow’s Jacob Gagnon (2) dribbles the puck during a hockey game Wednesday, April. 15, 2026 at Stormont Vail Events Center.12 / 24Topeka Scarecrows host Binghamton Black Bears in playoff openerThe puck is dropped during a hockey game Wednesday, April. 15, 2026 at Stormont Vail Events Center.13 / 24Topeka Scarecrows' late game comeback falls short vs Binghamton in playoffsTopeka Scarecrow’s Steven Klinck (81) slaps the puck during a hockey game Wednesday, April. 15, 2026 at Stormont Vail Events Center.14 / 24Topeka Scarecrows host Binghamton Black Bears in playoff openerTopeka Scarecrow’s Douglas Blaisdell (20) grabs Binghamton Black Bear’s Jacob Shankar’s (9) helmet Topeka Scarecrow’s during a hockey game Wednesday, April. 15, 2026 at Stormont Vail Events Center.15 / 24Topeka Scarecrows host Binghamton Black Bears in playoff openerA fight between Topeka Scarecrow’s Gordon Whalen (23) and Binghamton Black Bear’s Zac Sirota (89) is broken up during a hockey game Wednesday, April. 15, 2026 at Stormont Vail Events Center.16 / 24Topeka Scarecrows' late game comeback falls short vs Binghamton in playoffsTopeka Scarecrow’s Trevor Lord (16) shoves Binghamton Black Bear’s Austin D'Orazio (11) during a hockey game Wednesday, April. 15, 2026 at Stormont Vail Events Center.17 / 24Binghamton ends Topeka Scarecrows inaugural season in FPHL playoffsTopeka Scarecrow’s Jacob Gagnon (2) grabs Binghamton Black Bear’s Nicholas Swain (24) during a hockey game Wednesday, April. 15, 2026 at Stormont Vail Events Center.18 / 24Topeka Scarecrows host Binghamton Black Bears in playoff openerBinghamton Black Bear’s Daniel Stone (52) passes the puck during a hockey game Wednesday, April. 15, 2026 at Stormont Vail Events Center.19 / 24Topeka Scarecrows' late game comeback falls short vs Binghamton in playoffsBinghamton Black Bear’s Camron Cervone (27) watches the puck during a hockey game Wednesday, April. 15, 2026 at Stormont Vail Events Center.20 / 24Topeka Scarecrows host Binghamton Black Bears in playoff openerThe puck is dropped during a hockey game Wednesday, April. 15, 2026 at Stormont Vail Events Center.21 / 24Topeka Scarecrows host Binghamton Black Bears in playoff openerBinghamton Black Bear players react after defeating the Topeka Scarecrows during a hockey game Wednesday, April. 15, 2026 at Stormont Vail Events Center.22 / 24How Topeka Scarecrows' Gabe Walden became the team's heart and soulTopeka Scarecrow’s hype man Gabe Walden cheers with fans during a hockey game Wednesday, April. 15, 2026 at Stormont Vail Events Center.23 / 24Topeka Scarecrows host Binghamton Black Bears in playoff openerTopeka Scarecrow’s Steven Klinck (81) scores during a hockey game Wednesday, April. 15, 2026 at Stormont Vail Events Center.24 / 24Topeka Scarecrows host Binghamton Black Bears in playoff openerA fight breaks out during a hockey game Wednesday, April. 15, 2026 at Stormont Vail Events Center.Walden followed suit, figuratively and literally.
He received the bright orange tuxedo from the team and it’s been his identity from day one.
“I wear an XL, this whole thing is a two XL. It just makes me look like I’m swimming in it,” he laughed. “I look like dumb and dumber.”
Self-deprecation is what makes Walden the perfect person to lead Scarecrows fans during the game. He’s not afraid to put himself out there and get fans fired up for a sport he truly loves.
Walden, 30, never thought emceeing could be in his future. Yes, he was a loud, outspoken kid growing up in Kansas City and California. But, a job like this never felt possible until his move to the East Coast.
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Walden followed his wife to Syracuse, New York. He secured a job with the American Hockey League’s Syracuse Crunch, a Tampa Bay Lightning affiliate. Walden was doing back-room fan engagement work when the emcee position opened. He tried out and was given the job. This is when he turned from a basketball and baseball fan into a hockey disciple.
“When I got introduced to hockey, it was just a whole new love,” Walden said. “You have a wonderful, electric atmosphere. There’s just something about hockey that just changes everything.”
Walden and his wife, Tanya, needed help raising their two children. The pair decided to move to Topeka where Walden’s family resides in North Topeka. Walden ditched the pro hockey emcee gig to better his family.
Without any hockey in Topeka, Walden’s talents were put on the sidelines; however, with the recent addition of a brand new franchise, the Scarecrows needed a leader on the microphone.
Topeka's owner Don Lewis remembered Walden during his time in Syracuse. He asked him to work the neutral site games in 2025. Following that trial period, Walden has become the main figure inside Stormont Vail Events Center all year.
“If it’s not how I want it to be if I’m sitting in your seats, I don’t want to be here,” he said. “I give me 110% every single game.”
With the season ending in the first round of the playoffs last week, Walden is waiting patiently for the next season to arrive. But, after an incredible opening year, he’s optimistic for a better season on the ice and on the microphone.
“If these guys keep playing like this,” Walden said. “Next year, we may have a championship contender."
Liam Keating covers high school sports and Washburn University for The Topeka Capital-Journal. Send stats or information to him at Lkeating@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Gabe Walden the Topeka Scarecrows' heart and soul