The Texas Tornado were a Junior A hockey team located in
Frisco,
Texas
Texas (, ; Spanish language, Spanish: ''Texas'', ''Tejas'') is a state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. At 268,596 square miles (695,662 km2), and with more than 29.1 million residents in 2 ...
, USA. The team joined the
North American Hockey League
The North American Hockey League (NAHL) is one of the top junior hockey leagues in the United States and is in its 48th season of operation in 2022–23. It is the only Tier II junior league sanctioned by USA Hockey, and acts as an alternati ...
's Central division in 1999 (and moved into the newly formed southern division three years later) while located in
North Richland Hills
North Richland Hills, commonly known as NRH, is a city inside Tarrant County, Texas, United States, and a mid-to-high end suburb of Fort Worth. The population was 69,917 at the 2020 census, making it the third largest city in Tarrant County. In ...
, Texas, and enjoyed unprecedented success since their expansion year.
The Tornado played their home games at the 6,000-seat
Dr Pepper Arena
Comerica Center (previously Deja Blue Arena and Dr Pepper Arena) is a multi-purpose arena in Frisco, Texas. It is the home of the Texas Legends of the NBA G League and the Frisco Fighters of the Indoor Football League, as well as the executive o ...
in Frisco.
On May 13, 2006, the Tornado won their third straight
Robertson Cup
The North American Hockey League (NAHL) is one of the top junior hockey leagues in the United States and is in its 48th season of operation in 2022–23. It is the only Tier II junior league sanctioned by USA Hockey, and acts as an alternati ...
by defeating the
Bozeman Icedogs
The Bozeman Icedogs are a Tier III Junior ice hockey team located in Bozeman, Montana. The team is a member of the North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL). The Icedogs play home games at the Haynes Pavilion located at the Gallatin County Fairgr ...
. This accomplishment would be the first time in over 15 years that a team won three consecutive Robertson Cups. On May 8, 2012, the Tornado won their 5th Robertson Cup in team history by defeating the
St. Louis Bandits 4-3 in
overtime
Overtime is the amount of time someone works beyond normal working hours. The term is also used for the pay received for this time. Normal hours may be determined in several ways:
*by custom (what is considered healthy or reasonable by society), ...
. The Tornado were owned and operated by the Consolidated Sports Holdings USA, Inc. In the 2013 offseason, the Tornado were sold to Texas Hockey Partners (THP) and relocated back to North Richland Hills becoming the
Lone Star Brahmas
The Lone Star Brahmas are a Tier II junior ice hockey team in the North American Hockey League (NAHL) based in North Richland Hills, Texas (a suburb of Fort Worth). The Brahmas play their home games at the NYTEX Sports Centre.
The Brahmas nick ...
.
Season records
Tornado alumni in the NHL
The Tornado were equally successful in preparing players for the next level of hockey. Especially of note are the goaltenders to come out of the system. The more notable players include -
*
Stephane Da Costa Stephane may refer to:
* Stéphane, a French given name
* Stephane (Ancient Greece)
A stephane (''ancient Greek'' στέφανος, from ''στέφω'' (stéphō, “I encircle”), '' Lat.'' Stephanus = wreath, decorative wreath worn on the head ...
, F,
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators (french: Sénateurs d'Ottawa), officially the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club and colloquially known as the Sens, are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a membe ...
*
Al Montoya
Álvaro Montoya (born February 13, 1985) is an American former professional ice hockey goaltender. He played for parts of nine seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Arizona Coyotes, New York Islanders, Winnipeg Jets, Flor ...
, G,
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal CanadiensEven in English, the French spelling is always used instead of ''Canadians''. The French spelling of ''Montréal'' is also sometimes used in the English media. (french: link=no, Les Canadiens de Montréal), officially ...
*
Ben Bishop
Benjamin Manning Bishop III (born November 21, 1986) is an American former professional ice hockey goaltender under contract to the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League (NHL). Bishop previously played for the St. Louis Blues, Ottawa Sen ...
, G,
Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference, and were founde ...
*
Dave McKee
David Hugh McKee (born 1 May 1919 in Wondai, Queensland, Australia - died 4 May 2005 in Adelaide, South Australia) was an Australian politician who represented the South Australian House of Assembly seats of Port Pirie (1959-1970) and Pirie (1 ...
, G,
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California. The Ducks compete in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division, and play their home games at Honda Center.
...
*
Andy Wozniewski
Andrew Pera Wozniewski (born May 25, 1980) is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Toronto Maple Leafs, St. Louis Blues and the Boston Bruins.
Playing career
Undrafted, Wozn ...
, D,
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Div ...
*
Matt Nickerson, D,
Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference, and were founde ...
*
Jake Newton, D,
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California. The Ducks compete in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division, and play their home games at Honda Center.
...
References
External links
Texas Tornado HockeyTicket informationOfficial League site{{NAHL
Defunct North American Hockey League teams
Ice hockey teams in Texas
Ice hockey teams in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex
Ice hockey clubs established in 1999
Ice hockey clubs disestablished in 2013
Sports in Frisco, Texas
1999 establishments in Texas
2013 disestablishments in Texas