AHANT partners with Tornado Dallas Stars Selects to skate as Texas Tornado in 2011-12
February 16, 2011 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Texas Tornado News Release
FRISCO, TEXAS - (February 16, 2011) - The Texas Tornado hockey team in partnership with the Board of Directors for the Amateur Hockey Association of North Texas (AHANT) is proud to announce that the Association will skate as the Texas Tornado beginning with the 2011-12 season. AHANT which has skated as the Dallas Jr. Stars and Dallas Stars Selects (DSS) since 2002-03 season will now carry the name and wear the uniforms of the Texas Tornado.
"We are very excited to be partnering with a quality organization like AHANT," said Texas Tornado head coach and general manager Tony Curtale. "With the growth of hockey in North Texas this is yet another step in the right direction in the growth and developmental process for youth hockey players. They have a quality leadership group and combined with our experienced staff, knowledge and support we hope to make a significant impact in the youth hockey landscape."
"We felt that the re-branding of the organization was necessary to foster growth and secure the future of AHANT as one of the top youth hockey programs in North Texas," said Marty MacInnis, VP of Hockey Operations for AHANT. "We believe the Amateur Hockey Association of North Texas and the Texas Tornado Development Program will provide a clear developmental path for the elite hockey player."
AHANT will continue to base its operations out of the Dr Pepper StarCenter-Farmers Branch and will administer the Texas Tornado youth teams at the Squirt through Midget Major levels. These teams will compete in North Texas Hockey League (NTXHL) for the 2011-12 season and will travel to Invitational Tournaments.
The Texas Tornado Development Teams at the U14, U16 and U18 levels will participate in the North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL). The NAPHL is one of only two national Tier 1 leagues in the United States. "We plan to use the assets and knowledge of our coaches and staff to make sure the players have the best experience possible at all levels," said Curtale. "The NAPHL is one of the top development leagues in the United States and is a proven stepping stone on the path to junior and college hockey."
Camps and tryout dates for all Texas Tornado youth teams will be released as soon as plans are finalized. These camps will be organized and coordinated by the Texas Tornado Junior A team, the Tornado Development Program and Tier II coaching staff.
The Texas Tornado, proud members of the 27-team North American Hockey League, are back in 2010-11 for another season of exciting family entertainment at the state-of-the-art Dr Pepper Arena in Frisco, which now offers more seating, more amenities and more great action featuring the players that are the future of hockey. Since their inception in 1999, the Texas Tornado has set the standard for excellence for hockey for players ages 21 and under in the United States. Besides their three straight National Championships from 2004-2006, the Tornado has won seven NAHL Regular Season Division titles and had seven straight 40+ win seasons from 1999-2007. Since 1999, the Tornado have developed and moved on over 120 players in ten years onto NHL, NCAA and professional teams.
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North American Hockey League Stories from February 16, 2011
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