Texas Wildcatters

Pro hockey team
text_color = #FFBF00
bg_color = black
team = Texas Wildcatters

logosize =
city = Beaumont, Texas
league = ECHL
conference = American Conference
division = South Division
founded = 2003
arena = Ford Arena
colors = Black and Gold
owner =
coach = Malcom Cameron
GM = Richard W. Adams
media =
affiliates = Minnesota Wild (NHL) Houston Aeros (AHL)
name1 = Huntington Blizzard
dates1 = 1993 to 2000
name2 = Texas Wildcatters
dates2 = 2003 to 2008
name3 = Ontario Reign
dates3 = 2008 to Future
reg_season_titles = none
division_titles = 2007–08
conf_titles = none
kelly_cups = none

The Texas Wildcatters, who took their name from Texas wildcatters, were an ECHL team based in Beaumont, Texas. They played their home games at the Ford Arena. They were the affiliate of the Florida Panthers in 2004–2005. The team played in Huntington, West Virginia and were known as the Huntington Blizzard from 1993–2000. The Wildcatters began play in 2003.

The Wildcatters ceased their existence in Beaumont with a 4–1 loss to the Columbia Inferno on April 25, 2008 at Ford Arena.

History

On October 7 2005, the Jefferson County, Texas Commissioners announced that the team would not be allowed to use Ford Arena for the 2005–2006 season because the site was being used for Hurricane Rita relief. The team was forced to cancel the season, but resumed gameplay in 2006–2007. They are affiliated with the Minnesota Wild of the NHL and the AHL's Houston Aeros as of July 18, 2007. After this season, they will cease operations and move to Ontario, California., where they will play as the Ontario Reign, and will instead be affiliated with the Los Angeles Kings [ [http://www.echl.com/cgi-bin/mpublic.cgi?action=show_news&cat=1&id=14123 ECHL Concludes Mid-Season Board of Governors Meeting] ] . According to a recent Beaumont TV report, there is a local group attempting to secure a Central Hockey League franchise for Beaumont starting in the 2008–2009 season [ [http://www.kbmt12.com/news/local/16012472.html?video=YHI&t=a&randpre=15546482 KBMT Channel 12 report accessed 2-27-08] ] . If successful, the team will be called the Wildcatters, but “Texas” could have to change given that the Texas Brahmas are already in the CHL.

eason-by-Season results

Regular season

References

External links

* [http://www.wildcattershockey.com Texas Wildcatters official site]
* [http://www.texashockeyfans.com Texas Wildcatters Un-official Messageboard]