The Dallas Junior Hockey Association (DJHA) and Hockey Club of Dallas (HCD) today announce the transition of the Texas Jr. Tornado U18 and U16 teams from DJHA to HCD for the upcoming 2013-14 season. This transition is a collaborative effort between organizations and supports continued progress toward the hockey pyramid at the Tier I level in Texas.

This move provides the following benefits:

• Collapses U18 and U16 Tier I into two (2) organizations.
• Provides a league opportunity for both Tier I programs:
  • Dallas Stars Elite Hockey Club [Tier I Elite League]
  • HCD/Tornado [North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL)].
• Promotes and upholds the hockey pyramid at both the Tier I and Tier II levels.

The Tornado teams both had very successful seasons under the management of DJHA. Both teams were competitive near the top of their regular season divisions, and each team competed in the respective NAPHL Gold bracket playoffs. Four (4) players from the U18 team were tendered to North American Hockey League (NAHL) teams for the 2013-14 season.

“DJHA operated the Tornado PHL teams in a professional manor and provided the direction and leadership necessary to have the program become competitive in the PHL. They worked hard to provide an environment focused on player development while delivering what they said they would. They are and will continue to be a top development program. We thank them for their commitment to the PHL.” – Gary Gelinas, President of CSH International, holding company for the Texas Tornado NAHL Hockey Club.

HCD is excited to take this step toward solidifying its Tier I program. The addition of the Tornado brand and the NAPHL bid provides the HCD program league participation at the 18U and 16U levels.

More information is forthcoming from HCD regarding the Tornado program and tryouts. Be sure to check the HCD website or contact Landon Wilson at lwilsonhockey@hotmail.com for upcoming pre-tryout events.