Texas Tornado

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This article is about the American junior hockey team. For the professional wrestler, see Kerry Von Erich.

The Texas Tornado are a Junior A hockey team located in Frisco, Texas, USA. The team joined the North American Hockey League's central division in 1999 (and moved into the newly-formed southern division three years later) while located in North Richland Hills, Texas, and have enjoyed unprecedented success since their expansion year. The Tornado hold the NAHL regular season record for wins in a season with 48 in the 2003-2004 season and won the National Championship in 2001, 2004, 2005, and 2006. Their home games are played at 3,700-seat Deja Blue Arena. All of their games are broadcasted by Alex "Cheeks" Kyrias on www.tornadohockey.com and shown live on the B2 Network.

On May 13, 2006, the Tornado won their third straight Robertson Cup, defeating the Bozeman Icedogs. This would be the first time in over 15 years that a team won three consecutive Robertson Cups.

The Texas Tornado are owned and operated by the Schlegel Sports Group. As of March 26, 2007, they are in 3rd place in the NAHL's Southern Division at 36-18-6 for a total of 78 points. On February 24, 2007, they clinched a spot in the playoffs for an NAHL record eighth straight season. They are the South Division's #3 seed and will play the #2 seed Santa Fe RoadRunners in the first round of the play-offs beginning April 6th. The Tornado own a 7-4-3 record against the RoadRunners this season.

[edit] Current roster

Coaches

Tony Curtale, Head Coach
Tom Murphy, Assistant Coach

Players

Nielsson Arcibal, F, # 7
Rob Blanchette, D, # 21
Brendan Brickley, F, # 18
Tom Brooks, F, # 14
Matt Bryan, F, # 20
John Bullis, F, # 17
Mike Cifelli, F, # 28
Dylan Cooper, F, # 8
Stephane Da Costa, F, # 23
Adam Flink(A), F, # 16
Ryan Fuller(A), F, # 11
Colin Long, D, # 12
Brad McCabe, F, # 6 (Committed to Alaska-Anchorage)
Lyon Messier(A), D, # 3
Julian Mikola, F, # 10
Ben Miller, F, # 19
Thomas Murphy, D, # 2
Jake Newton, D, # 5
Troy Puente, D, # 4
Brian Reagan, D, # 22 (Committed to UConn)
Stephen Ritter, G, # 33
Sean Roadhouse(C), F, # 15
Dan Siira, D, # 27
Thomas Tragust, G, # 34
Paul Yovanic, F, # 24

[edit] Tornado alumni in the NHL

The Tornado have been 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 -