Andy Moog named Dallas Stars assistant coach

Longtime member of Texas Brahmas ownership group entering eighth year with the Stars

From the Stars press release (09/12) - Dallas Stars General Manager Joe Nieuwendyk announced today the National Hockey League club has named Andy Moog as assistant coach.

Moog, 49, has served in a variety of duties over the years, including goaltending consultant and coach. Moog was Dallas' player development coach for two seasons (2006-2008), following four campaigns as an assistant coach for Dallas. He has previously worked with Stars Head Coach Marc Crawford in Vancouver as a goaltending coach from 1999-2002.

“Andy Moog is someone we wanted to become more involved as an assistant coach on our staff,” said Nieuwendyk. “He brings a lot of experience and creativity to our team of coaches and already has a solid working relationship with most of our players.”

Boasting 18 years and 713 games in the NHL with Edmonton, Boston, Dallas and Montreal, Moog retired in 1998, posting a 372-209-88 career mark with a 3.13 GAA.

A three-time Stanley Cup winner with Edmonton (1984, 1985, 1987), he appeared in 175 games with the Stars from 1993-97, collecting a 75-64-26 mark with a 2.74 GAA. Appearing in the Cup Finals six times, Moog was a member of three Presidents' Trophy clubs (1986, 1987, 1990) and shared the Jennings Trophy with Reggie Lemelin in Boston in 1990.

Moog and will begin his new role with the Dallas Stars immediately.

Photo Credit: Robert Keith

Brahmas pre-season games announced

Allen Americans make first visit to NYTEX on October 10th

Can you believe it? We're only 30 days away from the first Texas Brahmas game of the 2009-10 season! The Brahmas announced today that they will host the Allen Americans at the NYTEX Sports Centre for a pre-season preview of a nine game series between the two cross-town rivals this year.

The first of two pre-season matches will take place on Thursday, October 8th at the Allen Event Center beginning at 7:05 pm. The game will take place on the Allen Community Ice Rink, while the main ice is getting final touches in preparation for the home opener November 7th. This game will be closed to the public but open to all media members.

The second game will take place at NYTEX on Saturday, October 10th, also at 7:05pm

After the pre-season contests, the Brahmas will host the Americans at NYTEX for their first regular season meeting on October 31st. Other dates between the two teams at NYTEX will be December 9th, January 8th, February 13th and March 10th. The Brahmas will travel to the Allen Events Center on November 11th, November 28th, December 26th and February 15th.

"We have worked hard this off season in order to give the best on-ice product to our fans. But now it's time to get back to work and try to continue our success at NYTEX," Brahmas head coach Dan Wildfong said.

Wildfong is looking forward to the new rivalry with the Americans.

"They’re a class act and I’ll think they’ll have a lot of success in this league, hopefully not against us (smiling). It’s going to be a great rivalry…they’re putting a great team together. It’s going to be just like Shreveport and we were but its going to be closer and it’s going to be more accessible to fans. 45 minutes away, it’s going to be a lot of fun both ways."

All tickets for the preseason game at NYTEX will be $10.

Image Credit: Allen Americans

Good deal on Fort Worth Brahmas sweaters on eBay

OK, I haven't made a habit of pointing out interesting deals on Brahmas stuff on eBay, but maybe I will in the future. OT Sports just put up two auctions for new Fort Worth Brahmas sweaters. The starting bid with no reserve is $29.99 for each lot. This is probably old stock from a warehouse. It looks like they are selling a lot of stuff from years past.

According to the description, these sweaters feature full sublimation so the colors will never fade, crack or peel. They are constructed from heavyweight Aero Knit material with the embroidered twill logo on chest and the custom knit trim lace-up-neck.

Lot one is for a size 50 (medium) and a size 52 (large) white sweater . See it here

Lot two is also for an adult medium and a XXXL goalie size purple sweater. See it here

Both lots are listed for two sweaters but the description makes it sound like each is for three sweaters. You might want to check with the seller first. Anyway, check it out!

Photo Credits: OT Sports

2009 Brahmas Golf Classic October 3rd

Sign up and golf with a champion

There's still plenty of time to sign up for the 2009 Brahmas Golf Classic which will be held on Saturday, October 3rd at the Resort at Eagle Mountain - but why wait? What better way to close out the summer and spend some time with your favorite players two days before training camp begins?

Sponsorships are available, including the hole sponsorship which is only $125. Or go large and sign up for a Purple Sponsorship at $1000, which includes green fees, carts and lunch for two teams in the tournament (two foursomes or two threesomes and two Brahmas players), two hole sponsor signs and eight tickets to a Brahmas home game. There's also a Black Sponsorship at $750 which includes green fees, carts and lunch for one team in the tournament (one foursome or one threesome and a Brahmas player), one hole sponsor sign and four tickets to a Brahmas home game.

A four person team can sign up for $500 and that includes green fees, a cart and lunch (you can add a Brahmas player to your threesome). Individuals can sign up for $125 which includes green fees, a cart and lunch.

There will be door prizes, silent auction items and prizes for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place teams. There will also be a chance to win $5,000 if you can hit a hole in one at one of the holes.

So think about it, but don't wait too long. This is something you won't want to miss. You can sign up at www.brahmasevents.com

If you have any questions, call Tom Hart at 402-598-3713 or e-mail him at thart@brahmas.com

Image Credit: Texas Brahmas

Not a Brahma after all - McKinven heads for Europe

Former Amarillo defenseman acquired in trade opts to play in Serbia

Jamie McKinven, who was acquired by the Brahmas in a transaction that completed the Alex Greig and Ryan Waldner trades from October and November, has decided to play in Serbia this season.

Last season with the Gorillas, McKinven tallied 16 points (6 G, 10 A, -28) and 44 penalty minutes in 54 games played. His six goals ranked second on the Gorillas roster among all defenseman. He began the season with the Augusta Lynx (ECHL), where he played in 2007-08.

McKinven (lower left, kneeling) with the 2006-07 Hokej Klub Partizan championship team

A native of Kingston, Ontario, McKinven previously played for Hokej Klub Partizan (Ice Hockey club Partizan) during the 2006-07 season where he put up 13 points (8 G, 5 A, +11) and 48 penalty minutes in 13 games. The club was founded in 1948. and in its history it has won 13 national championships. In the last four years Partizan won four consecutive titles in the Sebian Hockey League (2006-2009). McKinven is returning to the team for the 2009-10 season, which begins later this month in Belgrade.

Photo Credits: (Top) Matt Strasen/Amarillo Globe-News (Bottom) Dejan Balan

Its official (finally)…

Dan Wildfong and Ron Vogel re-sign with the Brahmas

Ok, so barring the announcement that Dan Wildfong was moving into a coaching position with, let’s say the Dallas Stars or the Houston Aeros, we all knew Fonger would be back and not without his right-hand man (or in Dan’s case, left-hand man), Ron Vogel.

The only thing surprising about the news that Dan and Ronnie had re-signed was the amount of time it took to announce it. And of course there are reasons for that and those reasons are frankly nobody’s business except for the coaches and the top dogs in the Brahmas organization. That said, the fans can relax and be comfortable in knowing the most dynamic duo in CHL coaching is back and ready to defend the Ray Miron President’s Cup.

Wildfong is the longest-tenured head coach of the Brahmas, having coached 128 regular season games. His all-time regular season record is 82-38-8 and is 21-8 in the postseason. Last season, Fonger became the all-time winningest coach in the Brahmas’ 11 year history, surpassing Terry Menard's 62 wins on January 16 with a 5-0 victory over the Arizona Sundogs at the NYTEX Sports Centre.

"Having Dan and Ron solidifies our on ice product," said Brahmas General Manager Mike Barack. "We look forward to having championship coaches return to defend their title."

In just 44 days, Dan and Ronnie will be taking that on ice product back to the Budweiser Events Center to sock it to the Colorado Eagles once again at the season opener. Advantage: Brahmas. Sure, both teams will be a little rusty during the first games of the season but, no offense to coach McClelland or any of the Eagles players but Dan brings a better overall product to the ice.

Not to mention Brett Jaeger. The CHL’s best goaltender will be in top form (as usual) in Loveland. For Andrew Penner, who allowed 18, count ‘em, 18 goals in the final three games and 27 goals all told in the Finals, there is an enormous monkey that he needs to get off of his back. The Brahmas have the opportunity to destroy his morale in just the first two games of the 2009-10 season.

"We are thrilled to have Dan and Ron remain as integral leaders with our family," said NYTEX President Frank Trazzera. "They truly exemplify the spirit, heart and soul of both NYTEX Sports and the Texas Brahmas."

Amen to that, Frank.

Photo Credit: Robert Keith