Texas Tornado Preseason & Rigatti committs to Robert Morris University

Texas Tornado Pre-Season

The Texas Tornado announced last week that the team will play 3 pre-season games as the team prepares for the 2010-2011 season which starts on September 15 at the NAHL Blaine Showcase up in Minnesota as the Tornado will play their South Division Rival Wichita Falls Wildcats on September 4 (Saturday Before Labor Day).


The next weekend will bring the Oklahoma Sooners Club Team to Frisco for the 2nd straight year. The Oklahoma Sooners have been a very strong team in the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Division 1 over the last few years including several top 10 national rankings in the ACHA.

Oklahoma is not only here to start their season on September 16, but also to promote the team and educate hockey players to let hockey players know of the OU Hockey Team and other teams that play in the ACHA For Junior & High School Players that didn't get a NCAA Scholarship.



Oklahoma's Season starts on September 16 with a home-and-home series against Central Oklahoma University who themselves made the ACHA Division 1 Tournament back in 2009. Other teams that play Club Hockey in the ACHA include the University of Texas, Texas A&M, North Texas and SMU. Most of these teams play at Division 2 while Oklahoma & Central Oklahoma are the only teams at the Division 1 Level right now.


They will a pair of contests against the Sooners on September 10 & 11 which is the weekend before the Blaine Showcase which starts on September 15.


BTW: The Oklahoma University Hockey Team was ranked 9th in the nation last year in the ACHA Division 1 will start their season on September 16 with a home-and-home series against Central Oklahoma University.


Tornado fans that buy Season Tickets for the 2010-2011 season will get these 3 pre-season games to go along with them. So no need to buy tickets for Season Ticket Holders, for everybody else, the ticket prices will range from $10-$17. For more info on Texas Tornado Season Tickets, you can stop by the Texas Tornado Offices or call 972-335-9800 for more details and info.



Texas Tornado Pre-Season Schedule


9/4: VS. Wichita Falls Wildcats 7:30 PM


9/10: VS. Oklahoma University (ACHA DIV 1) 7:30 PM


9/11: VS. Oklahoma University (ACHA DIV 1) 7:30 PM



Oklahoma Sooners Hockey


Oklahoma Sooners Hockey Schedule

American Collegiate Hockey Association




David Ragatti commits to Robert Morris University


Recently, Texas Tornado have announced that forward David Ragatti will be heading to play hockey in his home town of Pittsburgh at Robert Morris University starting in the 2011-2012 season. "To be going back home to play Division 1 College Hockey is a dream come true," who grew up and around Pittsburgh before coming to play for the Tornado back last year where he played in all 58 games scoring 23 points (11G 12A).


The rugged forward is looking to use the 2010-2011 season as prep to get ready to play for Robert Morris as he looks to increase both his physical presence and looks to add a few more points on the board for the 6'0" 185 pound forward.


One place where he was very strong was on the PP where he had 7 of his 23 points came from including 4 power play goals, he also had a game winner back in October where a goal helped the Tornado win an early season contest against the Wichita Falls Wildcats.


Unfortunately in 5 playoff games last year, he didn't produce a single point and had some sub par performances where the Tornado came within 1 win of upsetting the former 3 time NAHL Robertson Cup Champion St. Louis Bandits.


Then in Game 5 of the Division Semifinal Series, the Tornado came within 12 seconds of advancing to the 2nd Round when Jordan Bourgonje scored with an extra attacker with just 12 seconds left in regulation, then in OT, Grant Gettinger scored midway through the OT to win the series and knockout the Texas Tornado.


He's really happy to get this decision out of the way so he can "Focus on becoming a better player and winning a Robertson Cup Championship."

With the way of thinking the Coaching Staff which includes Head Coach Tony Curtale and Assistant Coach Jason Bloomingburg with the quick rise in his development.

"I think Coach Curtale and Coach Bloomingburg really helped me develop into the player I am and the player I hope to become. They focus on your strengths and help you become a more confident, well-rounded player," said Rigatti.


Robert Morris University is an up-and-coming hockey programs as the team will be playing in the 12 Team Atlantic Hockey Conference with teams like Niagara University, both the Army and Air Force Academies as well as U-Conn.


A recent Tornado Alum that went to Robert Morris was Matt Krug recently signed a contract with the AHL's Chicago Wolves as he will look to make a strong impact in the AHL and hopefully have a shot at making the NHL real.



More on Rigatti's Commitment


David Rigatti Profile


Robert Morris University Hockey Team