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. The Tornado play their home games at the 3,733-seat Deja Blue Arena in Frisco. All of their games are shown live on the B2 Network in a pay-per-view format or season pass, and for free with an audio-only format. On May 132006, 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.
On May 22, The Tornado selected forward Broderick Browne and defenseman Luke Witkowski in the 2007 NAHL Draft. From May 31 - June 3, in Plymouth Township, Michigan, the Tornado hosted their first of two 2007-08 tryout camps. Returning players were joined by the team's draft picks, tenders and other hopefuls. The team is hosting a local tryout in Frisco from July 19 to 22. On June 8 it was announced on the team's website that Head Coach Tony Curtale would not return for the 2007-08 season after eight years at the helm of the franchise. A few days later, the team announced Dwight Mullins as Head Coach and Craig Ludwig as Assistant Coach. The Tornado are just past half way through the regular season and sit in last place in the South Division at 7-21-3(17 points). Fourth year forward Ryan Fuller has set a new Tornado record for all time games played.
Coaches and Staff
Title
Name
Head Coach/GM
Dwight Mullins
Assistant Coach
Craig Ludwig
Team Physician
Dr. Williams Burns
Athletic Trainer
Rich Schmelzer
Broadcasters
Tommy Daniels with John Tranchina
Jesse Ghiorzi / Lee Hastings with Jeff Wheeler
Owner
Kirby Schlegel
President
Lynn Wittenburg
Executive VP
Matt Canavan
2007-08 Roster
Goaltenders
#
Player
Catches
Date of birth
Hometown
1
Tom Callaghan
L
December 23, 1988
New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, USA
30
Jon Clutton
L
1991
Grapevine, Texas, USA
Defensemen
#
Player
Shoots
Date of birth
Hometown
4
Troy Puente
L
June 6, 1988
Thousand Oaks, California, USA
6
Justin Lee
L
January 3, 1989
Chaska, Minnesota, USA
14
Augie Hoffman
L
January 28, 1988
Lake Forest, Illinois, USA
20
Tyler Bowman
L
January 19, 1988
Jackson, Michigan, USA
22
Blake O'Connor
R
March 1, 1988
Phoenix, Arizona, USA
23
Bret Waltz
L
Novermber 2, 1988
Allen, Texas, USA
26
Matt Tennyson
R
April 23, 1990
Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Forwards
#
Player
Position
Shoots
Date of birth
Hometown
3
Stu Jacobson
W
R
August 31, 1988
Chicago, Illinois, USA
5
Sam Goodwin
W
L
August 26, 1988
St. Louis, Missouri, USA
7
Ben Van Lare (A)
C
R
December 29, 1987
Dallas, Texas, USA
8
Andrew Blazek
W
L
August 7, 1988
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
9
Brian Sheehan
C
L
August 14, 1990
St. Louis, Missouri, USA
11
Ryan Fuller (A)
W
L
November 4, 1987
Morgan Hill, California, USA
15
Sean Roadhouse (C)
C
R
October 18, 1987
Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA
17
John Bullis (A)
W
R
January 2, 1987
Frisco, Texas, USA
18
Adam Mitchell
C
R
May 9, 1990
Crofton, Maryland, USA
19
Jon Bobb
W
L
October 17, 1988
Chandler, Arizona, USA
24
Jason Zawacki
C
R
April 1, 1987
Plano, Texas, USA
25
John Kruse
W
R
May 7, 1989
Eden Prairie, Minnesota, USA
27
Gustav Bengtson
W
L
August 31, 1989
Stockholm, Sweden
28
Mike Cifelli
W
R
February 11, 1989
Palm Harbor, Florida, USA
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 -
