Texas Tornado Booster Club

Current NEWS:

Coyotes resign former Tornado Montoya and Spina story

Former Tornado, Ben Miller has committed to Western Michigan University (CCHA) for 09/10

Mike Cifelli is reported to be playing for the St. Louis Bandits this year...

Sergei Korostin selected by London Knights Maybe, and then maybe not?..,

Where are our boys headed??

Check our latest list
Send any player info to WEB EDITOR

11 NAHL players selected in NHL Entry Draft story

Julian Mikola has committed to Wagner College Seahawks on Staten Island, NY

Report from Sioux Falls (USHL):
Former Texas Tornado forward Adam Mitchell looked very good, and has very good size.

The most impressive player for the Red team was former Texas Tornado forward Sam Goodwin. Goodwin was great, but he might have trouble making the team because he's an '88 birthdate. The Stampede have four '88s returning, so one of them would have to go for Goodwin to make the team. If Goodwin didn't make it in Sioux Falls, I'm sure somebody would pick him up.

Update on Matt Tennyson

The Tornado will take a one year hiatus
while the City of Frisco and the Dallas Stars complete
an expansion of the Deja Blue Arena

FRISCO, Texas (May 14, 2008) – Schlegel Sports, ownership group of the Texas Tornado hockey team, announced today the team will take a one-year hiatus while the City of Frisco and Dallas Stars complete an expansion of the Deja Blue Ice Arena at the Dr Pepper StarCenter in Frisco.

The Texas Tornado will resume normal operations in Spring 2009 for the 2009-2010 season at the Deja Blue Ice Arena. The expanded and renovated facility will feature more general and upgraded seating with a new second level, additional suites, an enhanced promenade, a new video board on the north end and two on the south end, and a new parking garage incorporating an additional 1,000 spaces.

“Although we will have an interruption in regular operations, we plan to continue our involvement in the community and prepare for the 2009-10 season,” said Kirby Schlegel, CEO of the Schlegel Sports. “The expanded facility will give us the ability to better serve our fans, sponsors and players. We believe we will attract additional season ticket and suite holders as a result of the new opportunities in the expanded venue. We are very excited for the possibilities that lie ahead for the Texas Tornado.”

Seating capacity for Tornado hockey will increase to 5,300 seats from the current configuration of 3,733 seats. A concourse level club lounge will be added with direct access to the suites on the west side of the arena. New restrooms, permanent concessions, a dining area, as well as 180 new east club seats with an adjacent club lounge, bar and dining space are also part of the expansion plan.

“We have had tremendous support from our fans, sponsors, and host families,“ continued Schlegel. “Our community can be very proud of the team and we will be back in full force for the 2009-10 season in an expanded, beautiful facility.”

In April 2008, the NAHL Texas Tornado completed their ninth season. Under the ownership of Schlegel Sports, the Texas Tornado has won four Robertson Cup Championships. Schlegel Sports specializes in sports team ownership and management, which also includes the Iowa Stars of the American Hockey League and the Tacoma Rainiers of the Pacific Coast League. More information is available at www.schlegelsports.com.

For NAHL full story click here

This news today is heart breaking to all involved. I know it is in our TTBC club. We will miss our boys and our season very much. We'' miss our favorite staff members too and we hope everyone finds a new niche very soon.

We will try to post news of our player's moves along with what is going on in renovations on this site. Check in occasionally to see what is new. All the player pics are here too.

No doubt more information will be forthcoming in the next couple of weeks regarding Season Ticket Holders credits etc. As many of you know, the holdup in officially announcing the hiatus has been due to formal league approvals. Those just came through today 05/14/08. Only a few staff are left and they will be addressing all of our concerns now that the hiatus is official

NAHL Entry Draft results Click Here

I found it very surprising to see the official draft list and to not see a lot of our Tornado boys listed. Justin Lee was the only one on the list and he went to Owatonna. I checked and received confirmation from the NAHL office that the list was correct. But, it was pointed out to me that many of our players have signed "Tenders" with other NAHL teams and will have a chance to make those teams for this season. Tender lists are not published by the NAHL but we will be trying to keep Tornado diehards updated with where our boys go.

The Des Moines Buccaneers' protected list of 16 players includes Brian Sheehan (Texas Tornado).

St. Louis Bandits head coach Jon Cooper leaving for the USHL

Tom Murphy is leaving the Cats to coach the University of Oklahoma's club hockey team. Congratulations, Tom and Milissa.

Former Tornado stand out - Luke Flicek - to represent Army in college skills

Former Tornado coach Curtale looking at ECHL job... story

click the picture

Checkout the newly updated "Player Pics"... Shots from 2/10 on have been added for each player.

And so the 07/08 season melts into memory...
We won't forget the boys or how hard they tried.

Sadly we must say goodbye to our players aging out:

#7 Ben Van Lare
#15 Sean Roadhouse
#11 Ryan Fuller
#17 John Bullis
#24 Jason Zawacki
The entire Booster Club wishes you all the very best as you move on and we hope to see you again as a Tornado Alum Send in a message to a player wishing them well or thanking them.

Tornado End of Season Banquet pictures are now posted

Announces 2008-09 Calendar of Events
2008-09 NAHL Calendar of Events
September 17-20, 2008: Sherwood/NAHL Showcase Tournament, Blaine, Minn.
September 18-21, 2008: Sherwood Future Prospects Tournament, Blaine, Minn.
December 26-30, 2008: Sherwood Future Prospects Tournament, Chesterfield, Mo.
January 18-20, 2009: Sherwood/NAHL Top Prospects Tournament, Ann Arbor, Mich.
January 16-19, 2009: Sherwood Future Prospects Tournament, Ann Arbor, Mich.
April 28-May 2, 2009: Robertson Cup Championship Tournament, Mason City, Iowa

Tornado Alum Derek Punches receives award from Wayne State

A note of thanks from Rita Mitchell, Adams Mom

Tornado 1 - Roadrunners 5
Tornado Season Comes To An End

It will be hard to adjust. It will be hard to say goodbye
to our team. It will be harder still to know many of our
boys will be moving on. But that's true every year and
for most of us, we will be back comes fall for yet another
new season and more new faces.

Thank you all!

Don't forget the Banquet Wednesday night

Topeka moves on to round 2 after completing a three
game sweep of Texas and we wish them success.

Boxscore
Game Story

Appropriately enough, the Tornado's only goal came from Sean Roadhouse - thanks "Roadie!"

To the Texas Tornado Staff, Booster Club and Fans:

This is Rita Mitchell, Adam Mitchell's mother in MD. I wanted to take a moment to extend my gratitude for a wonderful hockey season. Adam has truly enjoyed his time with the Tornado this season, has learned a lot and become a better player and person as a result of the Tornado staff, coaches, team and fans!

Adam is excited to see his family and friends back home when he returns next week, but is saddened at the thought of leaving his new family and friends behind if only for a little while. We hope to return to Texas next year as a veteran Tornado player and again feel the warmth and welcoming atmosphere that we enjoyed so much this year.

I hope everyone has a safe and prosperous spring and summer, and we hope to see everyone at tryouts!!!
Thank you for all that you do!
Sincerely,

Rita Mitchell

For the second year in a row, junior forward Derek Punches (Manchester, Mich./Texas Tornado) was given the Coach's Award. Punches served as an assistant captain, but also donned the "C" when captain Mike Forgie (Scarborough, Ont./Stouffville Spirit) was out with an injury. A two-time CHA All-Academic Team honoree, Punches played in all 38 games and finished second on the team in goals (10), fifth in points (19), and sixth in assists (9). He established career-highs in all three categories as well as in power-play goals (5). Punches was also presented with the President's Award for having the highest grade-point average on the team. For their contributions as leaders of the Wayne State men's hockey team, Punches and Forgie were given Captain's Awards.

Topeka goes up 2 -0 in series beating the Tornado 7 to 0

Boxscore

Game One not kind to Texas Tornado go down 6 - 2 in best of 5 series
Out shot 56 to 15 our boys had no answers for Road Runners.
Sergei Korostin scored both tornado goals.

Game 2 Sunday at 5pm in Topeka
Boxscore

On a brighter note...