The NAHL’s Texas Tornado has been sold, as Consolidated Sports Holdings — which also own the new Amarillo team in the circuit — purchases the junior franchise from Schlegel Sports Group.
The new ownership group is led by Bill Yuill, president of Consolidated Sports Holdings USA, the firm buying an NAHL expansion franchise for Amarillo.
“Since 1999, the Texas Tornado has been one of the premier junior hockey organizations not only in the NAHL, but all of North America, and we’re excited for Bill Yuill and Consolidated Sports Holdings to carry on that winning tradition,” said NAHL commissioner Mark Frankenfeld. “His business experience and expertise, along with his success owning and operating hockey teams, speaks for itself.”
“We’re proud to become members of the North American Hockey League and to participate in its continued growth and development,” said Yuill. “We see a bright future.”
The Tornado plays its home games out of the Dr Pepper Arena in Frisco. One of the premier junior hockey facilities in North America, the recently renovated arena also serves as the practice home of the NHL’s Dallas Stars.
“The Texas Tornado has built a successful following here in North Texas and we are very excited to be part of that continued tradition under Bill Yuill and Consolidated Sports Holdings,” said Randy Locey, executive vice president for the Dallas Stars and Dr Pepper Arena. “We look forward to working with Bill and Gary and continue growing the sport of hockey in Texas.”
Under the team’s previous owners, Bob and Kirby Schlegel of Schlegel Sports Group, the Tornado solidified itself as one of the premier junior hockey organizations in North America, on and off the ice.
