Texas Tornado statement regarding youth development programs

Published on April 15, 2011 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Texas Tornado News Release


FRISCO, TEXAS - The Texas Tornado organization is very disappointed in the decision today by the Texas Amateur Hockey Association to deny the Texas Tornado Development Program Tier I status. With that said, the Tornado will move forward with plans to expand the Development Program to the 14U level and to continue offering players the best opportunity for development and exposure.

All three Tornado Development Program teams (18U, 16U and 14U) were accepted earlier this month to compete in another season in the North American Prospects Hockey League (PHL), one of only two top Tier I development hockey league's in the United States. In its first two years of competition, the PHL has established itself as one of the premier grounds for development and exposure.

"After spending the last 12 years in the market, I realized that something needed to be done and things needed to change in order to get these developmental teams along the right path," said Tony Curtale, head coach of the Texas Tornado and director of the Tornado PHL teams. "The PHL 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. Combined with the strong ownership group of the Tornado, we feel like players under our development system now have a true path all the way from youth hockey to major junior hockey, which is something no one else in the market or area can say or provide."

Not only do players from the PHL receive year-long recognition from the NHL Central Scouting Bureau, some also received scholarships to NCAA Division I schools and many were drafted and tendered by NAHL and United States Hockey League (USHL) teams. To date, over 50 PHL players that competed last season have signed tenders to play for NAHL clubs for the 2011-12 season, and 12 of the first 67 players drafted in the 2010 USHL Entry Draft came from the PHL.

The PHL, which is sanctioned by USA Hockey, utilizes the USA Hockey Officiating Development Program and is designed to maximize the exposure of all the Midget and Bantam participants through the NAHL's high-profile recruiting events which attract hundreds of college, junior and professional scouts. Orchestrated by the NAHL's experienced and professional staff that makes player promotion a priority, the PHL provides an organized and competitive experience with an unrivaled scouting presence guaranteed to benefit all of the participating student-athletes and programs.

The Texas Tornado Development Program is holding the following two Prospect Skates at Dr Pepper StarCenter-Farmers Branch:

April 19th and 26th

4:30-6:00pm Tornado 18U Prospect Skate

6:15-7:45pm Tornado 16U Prospect Skate

8:00-9:30pm Tornado 14U Prospect Skate

For those players interested in the Texas Tornado ‘AA' and ‘A' Programs Squirt through Midget, there will be a meet the coaches skate this Sunday, April 17th at DPSC Farmers Branch:

SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 12:45PM - 1:45PM - SQUIRT

SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 2:00PM - 3:00PM - PEEWEE

SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 3:15PM - 4:15PM - BANTAM

SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 4:30PM - 5:30PM - MIDGET MINOR

SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 5:45 - 6:45PM - MIDGET MAJOR

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North American Hockey League Stories from April 15, 2011


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