Texas Brahmas trade rivalries in move to CHL Southeast Division

Originally Posted on ProHockeyNews.com on 06/17/08

The Texas Brahmas will join the Corpus Christi Rayz, Laredo Bucks and Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees in the Central Hockey League’s Southeast Division as the result of a realignment announced by the league at the conclusion of its Summer Conference in Phoenix, Arizona.

The Brahmas, who finished 40-22-2 last season, were a logical choice to move into the division after the Austin Ice Bats and Corpus Christi Rayz announced that they would suspend operations for the upcoming season. A last minute sale saved the Rayz’ season but realignment still had to be considered with the addition of the expansion Rapid City Rush and the removal of the Youngstown SteelHounds by the league.

Brahmas fans will miss the divisional rivalry with the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs but competition with the Laredo Bucks should prove to be just as stimulating.

Since their 2002-03 inaugural season, the Bucks have an 11-2-2 record against the Brahmas in 15 meetings. However, last season, Laredo went 0-1-1 against a resurgent Texas team that made it all the way to the Northern Conference Finals, only to lose in a Game 7 showdown with the Colorado Eagles.

“Anytime you have a rivalry, it’s great for the league and it’s great for the fans,” said Brahmas Head Coach Dan Wildfong. “We’re in the entertainment business. I think everyone’s going to have a good time with it. Laredo’s been a great opponent in the past and I’m sure they’ll have a great team this season.”

Laredo Bucks Head Coach and General Manager Terry Ruskowski is looking forward to the match up also.

"It will be good for our fans to see a lot more of Texas this season, to create that new rivalry for us…the Brahmas are a very successful organization, and always have been. To come back last season after missing a year, and do what they did was tremendous. I'm sure Dan Wildfong will put another solid team on the ice this coming season," Ruskowski said.

Coach Wildfong maintains a positive outlook on the changes ahead.

"This will be an incredible test for us as there are some caliber hockey teams in the South…the match ups should be interesting considering we have been in the North for so long, but I look forward to the challenge for the organization and our fans." said Wildfong.

Image Credit: Texas Brahmas