May
13, 2007
North
Richland Hills
Brahmas Return to Central
Hockey League in NRH
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The Brahmas will return to the
Central Hockey League in October
2007 with a new name, a new home
and an infusion of local
ownership.
The development is a result of
an agreement reached between the
Brahmas and NYTEX Sports to play
at the former Blue Line Ice
Complex in North Richland Hills.
NYTEX Sports, a family-owned
management company based in
Texas and New York, finalized a
purchase of the facility in late
March of this year. |
The newly renovated facility, set to
open in June, will officially be
renamed in the near future. The
agreement allows for an immediate
return to action for the Brahmas,
who will still actively consider
long-term arena options for the
club.
The Brahmas move to North Richland
Hills will include a new team name,
to reflect their new home, the team
will now be known as the Texas
Brahmas.
"We are excited to see CHL hockey in
North Richland Hills," said Mayor
Oscar Trevino. "Our community has
embraced hockey in the past and I
know all the fans in North Richland
Hills and Tarrant County will
enthusiastically support this team.
The Texas Brahmas will undoubtedly
be a source of pride for our
community. Everyone involved is
committed to making this a first
class entertainment venue for hockey
fans. I have seen their passion and
dedication and I know they will be
successful.”
NYTEX Sports, principal partners Dr.
Salvatore Trazzera, Frank Trazzera,
Knute Anderson and Jim Makens, will
also share in the ownership
responsibilities of the Brahmas.
Stuart Fraser, the Vice Chairman of
Cantor Fitzgerald, L.P. and the
executive managing director of
Cantor Fitzgerald Securities, will
retain majority ownership of the
team.
Andy Moog, a former National Hockey
League goaltender and a current
assistant coach with the Dallas
Stars, will continue to serve as a
minority owner. NYTEX Sports will
oversee day-to-day operations of the
team. “We are very pleased to
welcome the NYTEX Sports group to
the Brahmas organization,” Fraser
said. “We are confident that their
involvement will provide a
significant benefit to both our team
and area hockey fans.”
The agreement will result in the
team beginning its tenth season of
play, and sixth in the Central
Hockey League, this fall following
their one year hiatus. CHL President
Brad Treliving is looking forward to
having the Brahmas back on the ice.
“We welcome the return of the
Brahmas to the Central Hockey League
for the coming season of play,”
Treliving said. “I commend the
entire organization on their
numerous efforts to date that have
made their return possible.”
NYTEX Sports has started renovations
on the facility in preparation for
the Brahmas’ upcoming season as well
as play by a number of youth hockey
organizations and recreational
skating open to the public general
public. The facility will reopen
featuring two rinks, one built for
spectator viewing to serve as the
new Brahmas home.
The new venue will include a minimum
of 2300 seats as well as several
suites. Sales of 2007-08 season
tickets, individual game ticket
pricing and seat selection will
begin in the near future. Season
ticket holders from the Brahmas’
2005-06 season will be granted
priority seat selection.
The Trazzera brothers, both
passionate about hockey, are
committed to improving the hockey
experience for the franchise and
facility. “Timing is perfect for the
Brahmas and the CHL to return to the
community and we expect the facility
to serve area hockey fans well,”
said Dr. Salvatore Trazzera.
Mike Barack, General Manager of the
Brahmas since the summer of 1998,
will continue to serve in the same
capacity, responsible for day-to-day
business operations. NYTEX Sports
President Frank Trazzera will
oversee facility renovations and the
selection of a new head coach and
director of hockey operations for
the Brahmas.
“We are excited to partner with
NYTEX Sports and look forward to an
exciting return to the ice in the
coming season,” said Barack. “The
North Richland Hills location is
ideal as we can serve the entire
mid-Cities population in addition to
being in close proximity to Brahmas
fans throughout the greater Fort
Worth area.”
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