In his May 4 column, Bud Kennedy suggested that the Dallas Stars should relocate to Fort Worth, claiming that Tarrant County could support a professional hockey team. However, Kennedy omitted the simple fact that there is a pro team in Tarrant County, and it has been here for more than a decade.
The Texas Brahmas of the Central Hockey League called Fort Worth home from 1997 until 2006 and remain a community fixture since relocating to North Richland Hills in 2007. The team has earned five consecutive post-season bids, including a Ray Miron President's Cup championship in 2008-09.The Central Hockey League, the largest professional sports league in the Southwest, is a premier AA-level hockey league with players just two steps from the National Hockey League. It is truly affordable family entertainment, featuring a top-flight hockey product in an intimate atmosphere.Early in the 2011-12 season, the Brahmas were approached by the city of Fort Worth about the possibility of playing a few games at the Fort Worth Convention Center. After a six-year hiatus, the Brahmas returned to Cowtown March 2 and 3 for the inaugural Fort Worth Faceoff, a two-game, weekend series in honor of the 70-year hockey history in Fort Worth. The reunion drew more than 11,000 fans in two nights and the club re-established its relationship with the city.While the Brahmas had a successful event at the Convention Center, a multitude of conventions and activities make it difficult for any pro sports franchise to have necessary available dates, let alone at the major-league level on a full-time basis. Even at its peak, past pro hockey clubs "shared" home games downtown and at Will Rogers Coliseum.The team's community presence is enormous, having enhanced its local programs such as Corporate Care and Seats for Soldiers, as well as donating thousands of dollars each year to nonprofit organizations. The Brahmas' players work with local schools and corporations while maintaining a consistent involvement with the amateur hockey programs at the NYTEX Sports Centre.The club also has generated long-term support from many area corporations -- including Coca-Cola, Coors, Metro PCS, XTO Energy, Quicksilver, North Hills Hospital, Ashley Furniture, GameStop and many others -- that value their partnership and the visibility it creates.The Brahmas have persevered despite the many professional and collegiate sports activities choices available throughout the Metroplex, which create natural competition for the sports dollar. The team's ownership has been committed to maintaining pro hockey in Tarrant County. Stuart Fraser, the majority owner, stuck it out after 9-11 despite Cantor Fitzgerald's loss of more than 700 employees. Additionally, Frank and Sal Trazzera helped resurrect hockey at the former Blue Line Ice Complex in North Richland Hills.While the Star-Telegram covers the Brahmas, there are members of the media who fail to recognize the club's on-ice achievements, high quality of play and community contributions directly in the heart of Tarrant County.By the way, since leaving the CHL, Oklahoma City's attendance has dropped dramatically. Rivalries for the Brahmas -- such as Allen, Tulsa and Wichita -- cannot be underestimated.Kennedy is correct: Our area can support professional hockey. The Brahmas' ability to remain operational for 15 years is proof of that. Despite no longer playing all home games in downtown Fort Worth, the organization has thrived due to strong relationships with Mayor Oscar Trevino and the City of North Richland Hills, the NYTEX Sports Centre and the thousands of fans who come to see the Brahmas play on a regular basis. We are thankful to those who do recognize our pro hockey team!Mike Barack is the president of the Texas Brahmas Hockey Club.