Texas Tornado
City	Frisco, Texas
League	NAHL
Division	South
Founded	1999
Home arena	Dr Pepper Arena
Colors	Black, yellow, and white
Owner(s)	Schlegel Sports Group
General manager	Tony Curtale
Head coach	Tony Curtale
Franchise history
1999-Present	Texas Tornado

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.

The Tornado play their home games at the 6,000-seat Dr Pepper 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 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.

[edit] Recent regular season records

[edit] Playoff records

[edit] 2007-08 season

On May 22, The Tornado selected forward Broderick Browne and defenseman Luke Witkowski in the 2007 NAHL Draft.

From May 31 to 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 then hosted 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 have one regular season game remaining (vs. Topeka Roadrunners on March 28) and sit in fourth place in the South Division at 20-33-4 (44 points). On March 8, the Tornado secured their ninth consecutive playoff berth and are tentatively scheduled to play the Wichita Falls Wildcats in the 1st Round. Fourth year forward Ryan Fuller has set a new Tornado record for all time games played (208 and counting) and is also tied for third all time in goals with 61.

Forwards Ben Van Lare and Sean Roadhouse were selected to play in the 2008 NAHL Top Prospects Tournament in Ann Arbor, MI on February 17-19. Fuller was chosen to replace Roadhouse after he was injured in the February 16 contest against the Wichita Falls Wildcats. Van Lare scored two goals as the South Division finished 1-2-0.

The team is also hosting the fourth annual Pros vs. Prospects Charity Classic on March 21, 2008. This game features former NHL greats playing against the Tornado with proceeds from ticket sales going towards the Frisco Education Foundation and The Boys and Girls Club of Collin County. This year's roster includes Brett Hull, Luc Robitaille, Steve Duchesne, Neal Broten, Gus Adams, Craig Ludwig, Benoit Hogue, Ulf Dahlen and many others.

[edit] 2009-10 roster

Goaltenders
#		Player	Catches	Date of birth	Hometown
29		Fred Edwards*
30		Dan Sullivan*	L	January 24, 1989	York, PA

Defensemen
#		Player	Shoots	Date of birth	Hometown
3		Brendan Bandyk*	R	October 14, 1989	Chicago, IL
4		Joe Adams*	R	August 16, 1991	Orange, CA
5		Andrew Mueller*	L	May 10, 1989	Milwaukee, WI
7		Tyler Rostenkowski*	L	July 2, 1993	Chicago, IL
23		Mico Solorzano*	R	November 18, 1991	San Jose, CA
24		Kevin McLean*	R	March 4, 1990	Detroit, MI
26		Alex Jacobs*	R	April 13, 1990	Detroit, MI
28		Erick Ware*	L	April 13, 1990	Huntsville, AL

Forwards
#		Player	Position	Shoots	Date of birth	Hometown
9		John Kelly*	C	L	July 2, 1989	Staton Island, NY
10		Jared Williams*	W	R	February 9, 1989	West Chicago, IL
11		Jack Prince*	W	L	February 14, 1991
12		Axel Boyer*	W	R	September 19, 1990	Keller, TX
14		Steven Behm*	W	L	July 8, 1991	Grand Rapids, MI
15		Mike Fleming*			May 29, 1991	Peoria, IL
16		Shay Cizmar*	F	R	December 6, 1989	Burton, OH
17		Mike Yovanic*	W	L	September 6, 1989	Highland, MI
18		Scott Deur*	W	R	January 17, 1989	Big Rapids, MI
19		Rock Einersen*	C	L	August 22, 1990	Chicago, IL
20		Rudi Pino*	W	R	June 10, 1990	Vancouver, WA
21		Justin Jones*			November 17, 1990	Dallas, TX
22		James Howard*			Junes 30, 1990	Canfield, OH
27		Tyler Sybil*			August 20, 1992	Des Moines, WA
61		James Poston*	C	R	March 15, 1991	Toledo, OH
73		David Rigatti*	W	R	January 4, 1991	Pittsburgh, PA
89		Ian Braun*	W	R	January 30, 1989	Buffalo, NY
		* Denotes rookie

[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 -

• Al Montoya, G, Phoenix Coyotes
• Ben Bishop, G, St. Louis Blues
• Dave McKee, G, Anaheim Ducks
• Andy Wozniewski, D, Toronto Maple Leafs
• Matt Nickerson, D, Dallas Stars
• Trevor Ludwig, D, Dallas Stars
• Vince Goulet, F, Colorado Avalanche

[edit] External links

• Official site
• Ticket information
• Official League site