Tornadohockey.com report
TEXAS TORNADO HOCKEY TO TAKE HIATUS DURING EXPANSION OF DR PEPPER STARCENTER IN FRISCO
FRISCO, Texas (May 14, 2008) – Schlegel Sports, ownership group of the Texas Tornado hockey team, announced today the team will take a one-year hiatus while the City of Frisco and Dallas Stars complete an expansion of the Deja Blue Ice Arena at the Dr Pepper StarCenter in Frisco.
The Texas Tornado will resume normal operations in Spring 2009 for the 2009-2010 season at the Deja Blue Ice Arena. The expanded and renovated facility will feature more general and upgraded seating with a new second level, additional suites, an enhanced promenade, a new video board on the north end and two on the south end, and a new parking garage incorporating an additional 1,000 spaces.
“Although we will have an interruption in regular operations, we plan to continue our involvement in the community and prepare for the 2009-10 season,” said Kirby Schlegel, CEO of the Schlegel Sports. “The expanded facility will give us the ability to better serve our fans, sponsors and players. We believe we will attract additional season ticket and suite holders as a result of the new opportunities in the expanded venue. We are very excited for the possibilities that lie ahead for the Texas Tornado.”
Seating capacity for Tornado hockey will increase to 5,300 seats from the current configuration of 3,733 seats. A concourse level club lounge will be added with direct access to the suites on the west side of the arena. New restrooms, permanent concessions, a dining area, as well as 180 new east club seats with an adjacent club lounge, bar and dining space are also part of the expansion plan.
“We have had tremendous support from our fans, sponsors, and host families,“ continued Schlegel. “Our community can be very proud of the team and we will be back in full force for the 2009-10 season in an expanded, beautiful facility.”
In April 2008, the NAHL Texas Tornado completed their ninth season. Under the ownership of Schlegel Sports, the Texas Tornado has won four Robertson Cup Championships. Schlegel Sports specializes in sports team ownership and management, which also includes the Iowa Stars of the American Hockey League and the Tacoma Rainiers of the Pacific Coast League. More information is available at
www.schlegelsports.com.
NAHL.com report
FRISCO, TEXAS – The North American Hockey League announced today that its Board of Governors has accepted the Texas Tornado’s request for dormancy for the 2008-09 season.
The request was made due to renovations at the Tornado’s home rink, the Deja Blue Ice Arena, located in Frisco, Texas.
“The Tornado organization has been one of the most successful in the NAHL over the years, both on and off the ice, and we’re looking forward to them returning to the league stronger than ever in 2009-10,” said NAHL commissioner Mark Frankenfeld.
“The expansion of the Dr Pepper StarCenter will give us an opportunity to better serve our fans, sponsors and players upon its completion in 2009,” said Kirbly Schlegel, chairman of Schlegel Sports, owner of the Tornado. “Although the team will have a one-year hiatus, we plan to use this time to prepare for the 2009-10 season creating an exceptional hockey experience.”
All players on the Tornado’s roster/protected list are eligible to be tendered by other NAHL teams and for selection in the upcoming NAHL Entry Draft, which will be held on Wednesday, May 21.
The Tornado will continue its day-to-day operations during its dormancy.
The Tornado has been members of the NAHL since the 1999-2000 season. The organization has won four Robertson Cup Championships, the most recent in 2006.
The oldest and largest junior league in the United States, the North American Hockey League, a USA Hockey-sanctioned Tier II Junior A league boasting 18 teams from across the country, including the esteemed USA Hockey National Team Development Program, prides itself on the social maturity and skill development of student-athletes ages 16-20 with aspirations of advancing to collegiate and/or professional hockey.
