FORT WORTH, Texas – The Fort Worth Brahmas, previously named the Texas Brahmas, announced Friday that the team is back for the 2012-13 Central Hockey League season. Over the off-season, the majority ownership of the team was bought by a new, local investment group.   Clyde Tuyl will take over as Managing Director of the club, working in a role to support the on-ice product as well as oversee the business that takes place off the ice. Tuyl has vast experience in minor pro hockey, having coached and worked in the front office for the Sheffield Steelers of the Elite Ice Hockey League in the United Kingdom.   Head coach Dan Wildfong returns for his sixth season with the franchise, having reached the post-season in each of his first five campaigns with the club. Wildfong led the Brahmas to the Ray Miron President’s Cup championship in 2009 and is the winningest coach in team history.   In the midst of an ownership transition, Wildfong has recruited a young, big team that will commit to continuing the tradition of tough, competitive hockey that the Brahmas are known for.   “We are late out of the gate in getting the ownership details finalized, however Coach Wildfong has been working tirelessly behind the scenes, putting together a roster that will embody that of past Brahmas teams who will be hardworking, tenacious, and committed to striving for a CHL championship banner,” Tuyl said. “We will be young, but we will also be a very, very entertaining team to watch and support.”   The team returns several players from last year’s roster such as Ross Rouleau, Phil Fox and Erik Spady.   Ross Rouleau is the only remaining member from the Brahmas’ championship team in 2009 and is a mainstay in the Fort Worth defense. The Hancock, Michigan native had his most productive professional season in 2011-2012, netting a career-high 23 points (nine goals, 14 assists) in 56 games.   Phil Fox and Erik Spady both return for their second season with the Brahmas after playing together for four years at Northern Michigan University. Fox was third on the team in points a year ago with 43 (19 goals, 24 assists) in 59 games. Spady, a staple of the Brahmas’ blue line, was one of only two Brahmas to play in all 66 regular-season games and all 12 post-season games in 2011-12, posting 14 points (5 goals, 9 assists) and a +8 plus/minus.   “I’m very excited to have these three key players back with the Brahmas,” Wildfong said. “They bring a lot of character and experience, and I’m looking forward to them being a big part of what we do this season.”   The Brahmas open the pre-season with a home-away double-header versus the Allen Americans Friday, October 12 at 7:30pm at the NYTEX Sports Centre and Saturday, October 13 at 7:05pm at the Allen Event Center. 
Regular season action begins Friday, October 26 at 7:30pm at the NYTEX Sports Centre as the Brahmas face off against the Americans in the club’s season and home opener. The Brahmas host the Americans again Saturday, October 27 at 7:30pm as well.   In an effort to reward Brahmas fans for their patience this off-season, the new ownership group has reduced individual ticket prices, as well as lowering the price of full-season, half-season and 11-game ticket packages for the 2012-13 season.
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NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, Texas – After a fourteen-year stint, the Texas Brahmas’ majority ownership was sold Friday to a new, local investment group headed by Fort Worth businessman Mike Atkinson.   The conclusion of the 2011-12 season was the team’s 15th year of operation and 14th with the team’s current ownership and management group. Stuart Fraser was the longest tenured owner in the Western Professional Hockey League (WPHL)/Central Hockey League (CHL). He maintained ownership into the team after September 11, 2001 when his firm Cantor Fitzgerald was hardest hit at the World Trade Center tragedy.   “As stated for many years, we have searched for local ownership,” Fraser said. “Our commitment has been to maintain hockey in Tarrant County which we have done. Unfortunately, I personally am unable to be involved in many day-to-day decisions and we feel this is the best opportunity for the fans to have a committed ownership group which has connections to the area. I personally wish to thank all of the fans and sponsors for the loyal support through both winning and losing seasons.”    The original Fort Worth Brahmas played one season (1997-98) in the WPHL under an ownership group created by Ernie Horne coached by Bill McDonald. The team reached the WPHL finals that year.   In July, 1998 the WPHL granted a new franchise to former NHL goaltender Andy Moog and a local investor group. Mike Barack joined the franchise as its first and only General Manager. Stuart Fraser became an investor early in the 1998-99 season becoming majority owner in a short time period. The team played its home games at the Fort Worth Convention Center and Will Rogers Memorial Coliseum. The team reached the Conference Finals in the first year of operation under head coach Terry Menard.   The team competed for two seasons in Fort Worth with the Fort Worth Fire sharing both local facilities. The Fire ceased operations at the conclusion of the 1998-99 season.   The Brahmas joined the Central Hockey League in 2001-02 when the CHL and the WPHL entered into a joint operating agreement.   At the end of the 2005-06 season, the Brahmas suspended operations after failing to reach an agreement with the City of Fort Worth on its team lease terms.   The Brahmas did not play in the 2006-07 season and relocated to the NYTEX Sports Centre in North Richland Hills prior to the 2007-08 season.  The team also joined forces with the NYTEX Sports organization led by Dr. Salvatore and Frank Trazzera.   Since the move, the team has reached the post-season in each of the past five years, including a President’s Cup championship in 2008-2009 under head coach Dan Wildfong. The team’s championship was a 4-1 series win against the Colorado Eagles with the trophy being raised on May 9, 2009.   Barack joined the team in July, 1998 after having spent 15 years in sales, broadcasting, and public relations in the American and International Hockey Leagues. The St. Louis native became a fixture with the Brahmas having been involved in the team’s daily operations from that time.   “I want to thank all of the fans, sponsors, and employees who have been able to keep the Brahmas going throughout many trials, tribulations, and successes,” Barack said. “There are many people who have helped the Brahmas maintain its position within the community both on and off the ice. I am proud to have been part of all the aspects of the team which has been a tremendous learning process both personally and professionally.”   The Brahmas won various league honors during this time including Most Improved Franchise (twice), Executive of the Year (Barack/Dan Burgers), and several sales and marketing awards. The team won both a Governor’s Cup (best regular season) and President’s Cup Trophy (League championship) since it’s inception.   The Brahmas are proud to have initiated many community programs during the past decade including Healthy Goals, several Cool School games, Blacktop Brahmas, Corporate Care, Seats for Soldiers, as well as thousands of donation requests and player appearances throughout Tarrant County. The team was also heavily involved with amateur hockey.   Many of the Brahmas’ current employees and staff will remain part of the organization. Team President Mike Barack has taken a Corporate Ambassador position with the Dallas Stars in the National Hockey League.   The Brahmas as a franchise would like to thank all fans, season ticket holders, sponsors, employees, players, the CHL, the cities of Fort Worth and North Richland Hills, and volunteers for its support during the team’s tenure and wish good luck to the newest ownership group who have pledged to keep the Brahmas in Tarrant County.
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DENVER, Colo. – The Denver Cutthroats announced today they’ve signed defenseman Aaron MacKenzie as their first player in franchise history. MacKenzie brings with him eight years of pro hockey experience, including six in the American Hockey League and a handful of games with the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche. The upcoming season will be MacKenzie’s first in the Central Hockey League. “We’re excited to bring Aaron on as our first player,” head coach Derek Armstrong said. “He’s a veteran defenseman, who has experienced the NHL level of hockey, and he’s been a captain in the AHL so he’ll be an anchor for our team both on and off the ice.” The 31-year-old also skated four seasons at the University of Denver, recording 19 goals and 54 assists in 157 games from 1999-2003. “I’m excited to be a part of things,” MacKenzie said. “This is a brand new team and a new league for me. This is also a chance to return to the Denver area where I’ve had some great memories in my hockey career, and now I can add playing in the Denver Coliseum to that.” MacKenzie spent the first six years of his pro career at the AHL level with the Worcester Sharks, Peoria Rivermen, and Lake Erie Monsters. During his 2008-09 season with Lake Erie , the Terrace Bay, Ontario native was called up twice to the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche, skating in five games. MacKenzie was named team captain during his final two seasons with Peoria (2006-08). For the past three years, the 6-foot, 185-pound defenseman was overseas, playing in Europe and Asia . Prior to attending the University of Denver, MacKenzie appeared in 49 games for the USHL’s Thunder Bay Flyers, registering eight goals and 12 assists. Contact comments@prohockeynews.com

DAYTON, Ohio – As many have speculated, the Dayton Gems have advised their fans via a message on their website that the team has in fact, ceased operations. However, on Wednesday, May 30th at 2 p.m., the Dayton Professional Hockey franchise will be holding a press conference at the Hara Arena to unveil itself as the newest franchise of the Federal Hockey League and will outline their plan for the 2012-13 hockey season.  The ownership group will be on hand to answer questions and discuss the future of hockey in Dayton. In addition, Federal Hockey League officials, Hara Arena Management, Dayton community leaders, and partners of the team will have speaking roles in the press conference. Here is the text of the announcement made available on Thursday: It is with heavy hearts that we have decided to cease operations in the Central Hockey League. As you know, we took over a fledgling franchise back in December of 2009 to save jobs and save professional hockey in Dayton.  Our goal was to add an additional group of local investors to join us in our mission, but unfortunately, that never happened. After privately and publicly searching for these investors with little success, we’ve been left with no other option than to cease operations. We want to personally thank you for your loyal support over the past 3 years. Although this is a very difficult time for us all, we made some great memories and we couldn’t have done it without you. We hope that you have some special memories of your own to cherish as well. Our players, staff, corporate partners and especially our fans will always have a special place in our hearts.
Our goal is to see professional hockey continue on in this city for many years to come. We are willing to help with any transition that may be needed in order for this to happen.  With that being said, we are glad to welcome the Federal Hockey League to Dayton. They will be operating a professional hockey franchise at Hara Arena for the 2012-13 season. More details will follow very soon regarding this new team, so stay tuned! We’ve met a lot of great people and created some fantastic memories during the last few years and we hope that you will keep in touch. Thank you again for being there for us during this tremendous journey!
Sincerely,
Kathy Rupp, Partner Dr. Paul Nitz, Partner Rob Garfield, Partner Pro Hockey News will continue to follow this developing story. Contact comments@prohockeynews.com

Fort Wayne, Ind. – The Fort Wayne Komets Hockey Club announced Thursday that the storied minor league hockey franchise has withdrawn from the Central Hockey League and has been admitted as a member of the ECHL. The Fort Wayne membership will take flight with the 2012-13 ECHL season. The ECHL, originally established as the East Coast Hockey League in 1988, changed the league name to ECHL prior to the 2003-04 season.  With the addition of Fort Wayne and Evansville, announced earlier Thursday, and previously announced expansion teams in Orlando and San Francisco, the ECHL will field 23 teams for it’s 25th anniversary season when the puck drops on 2012-13 in October. Brian McKenna has served 10 seasons as Commissioner of the ECHL and is the driving force behind the league becoming the Premier ‘AA’ Hockey League.  “The ECHL is pleased to welcome the Fort Wayne Komets to the league as we celebrate our 25th anniversary in the 2012-13 season. Having just celebrated the 60th season of professional hockey in Fort Wayne, the Komets bring a history and tradition that is well known in hockey circles.  With their strong fan support and history of success, the Komets will be a strong addition to our Midwest geography,” McKenna said. The Komets began operation in the International Hockey League with the 1952-53 season.  After 47 consecutive seasons yielding seven regular season titles and three IHL Turner Cup Championships, the Komets joined the United Hockey League in 1999. The Komets participated in the United Hockey League for eight seasons, earning three UHL regular season titles and winning the Colonial Cup Championship in 2003. The Komets joined the renewed International Hockey League in 2007 and posted two regular season titles and three IHL Turner Cup Championships before joining the Central Hockey League in 2010. As an affiliate of the CHL the Komets capped their two-year membership winning the 2011-12 Turner Conference title and the 2012 CHL Presidents’ Cup Championship. The nine-time champion Komets completed 2011-12 with an average of 7,770 fans per home game marking the 10th straight year Fort Wayne has registered a per-game average of over 7,000 fans.  “The entire Komet organization is looking forward to facing off our first ECHL season this October. Having such great nearby regional rivals like Evansville, Toledo, Kalamazoo and Cincinnati will help re-kindle Old Time Komet Hockey,” Komet President Michael Franke said. The Komets will open their 61st season of play in Fort Wayne in October as a proud member of the ECHL. 2012-13 will carry a 72-game schedule including 36 home games and 36 road games and will be announced in the coming weeks. Contact comments@prohockeynews.com