ST. LOUIS. – It’s been 18 years since the Frozen Four was last in St. Louis, with its return also having an impact on downtown St. Louis.

“Economically, it brings a big surge of people into the market who might not otherwise come to visit St. Louis,” said Cameron Schoeffel, director of Sales, Marketing & Entertainment at St. Louis Union Station. “We’re seeing a lot of fans not from the teams playing in the Frozen Four but just hockey fans in general.”

Friday over the lunch hour at Union Station, a steady stream of hockey fans and visitors to St. Louis, most likely for the NCAA division one men’s ice hockey championship.

“I was hoping to go to the baseball game tonight but it might be a little cold. Hopefully, I will get a good steak tonight and then make my way over to the baseball stadium,” said Kevin McCarthy, a Boston fan.

Other fans had a chance to visit many attractions in St. Louis.

“We just came from the Arch and are going to hit the aquarium and just killing some more time until we get to see some hockey tomorrow night,” said Cameron Caldwell.

The men’s frozen four, cohosted by the St. Louis Sports Commission, the University of Vermont, and significant support from the St. Louis Blues and Enterprise Center, is estimated to generate $40 million for the region over the course of the event.

“(We expect) huge positive things economically,” Schoeffel said. “It fills up hotels and fills up restaurants and really does positive things for St. Louis.”