2010-2011 USHL Schedule & Full Divisional Alignment

Just as I was leaving for Tulsa over the weekend, the 2010-2011 schedule and Divisional Alignment for the United States Hockey League was released and the league shocked everyone be staying with the 2 Divisional Alignment when many experts thought that the league was going into 3 divisions.

For the most part, it's practically the same with the injection of the 2 new expansion teams with the Dubuque Fighting Saints joining the West Division while the Muskegon Lumberjacks are heading to the East.

It's also reported the Playoff Format will stay the same with the top 4 teams from both divisions making the playoffs. This is good news considering that they would fall into the trap that many junior Leagues fall into by making it way to easy to make the post-season, but they didn't and it will continue to make it exciting all year long.

In addition to the Divisional Alignment, the 2010-2011 Regular Season Schedule was released with each team playing 60 games and getting ready for the season with the USHL Fall Classic which will be from September 22-25 in Sioux City, Iowa which will be at the Tyson Events Center (Sioux City Musketeers Home Arena) and the IBP Ice Arena as well. Each team will play 3 games during the 4 day event where they will get exposed by a majority of NHL & NCAA Teams looking to recruit them.

As for Southwest Based Players for the upcoming season, Ryan Daugherty recently announced that he will be returning to the Omaha Lancers for the upcoming season, also Seth Jones who will be making his debut for the USNTDP this season.

As for new players coming in, Michael Hill will be with the Waterloo Blackhawks, Greg Johnson will be with the Sioux City Musketeers. Players who are on the fence are Christian Frey of the Des Moines Bucanneers and Michael Williams who's also with the Sioux City Musketeers.

So this is important to follow players from the Southwest and to see who could be major contenders that could ultimately play for the USHL Clark Cup Championships which will be crowned in Mid-May as everyone will be looking to knock off the Green Bay Gamblers.

Click on the Team to see their Schedule

Eastern Conference: Cedar Rapids Roughriders, Chicago Steel, Green Bay Gamblers, Indiana Ice, Muskegon Lumberjacks, USNTDP, Waterloo Blackhawks, Youngstown Phantoms

Western Conference: Des Moines Buccaneers, Dubuque Fighting Saints, Fargo Force, Lincoln Stars, Omaha Lancers, Sioux City Musketeers, Sioux Falls Stampede, Tri-City Storm

2010-2011 USHL Master Schedule

Here's a look at the schedule for the USHL Fall Classic in Sioux City, Iowa from September 22-25

2010 USHL Fall Classic Schedule

Amarillo NAHL Team to be called the Bulls!

After a contest and a search among Amarillo residents over the last couple of months. The team Owner and coaching staff lead by new coach Dennis Williams was on hand to announce the name of the team which will be called the Amarillo Bulls.

The colors will be red, yellow and blue that will start their first season in Mid-September and this should complete the full divisional alignment if the NAHL would ever make it official as the league will have 25 teams with 3 divisions of 6 and 1 of 7.

Also expect the Schedule to be coming out soon as the OHL & QMJHL as well as several of the Canadian Jr. A Leagues including the BCHL have done so.

Look for more info on things like the league schedule and possible tryouts and prospect camps as the off-season goes by as the team looks ahead to their first season in the NAHL.


Here's the current look at the NAHL Divisional Alignment.

North Division
Bismarck Bobcats
Aberdeen Wings
Alexandria Blizzard
Austin Bruins
Coulee Region Chill
Owatonna Express

East Division
Michigan Warriors
Motor City Metal Jackets
Traverse City North Stars
Chicago Hitmen
Janesville Jets
St. Louis Bandits
Springfield Jr. Blues


South Division
Topeka Roadrunners
Texas Tornado
Amarillo Bulls
New Mexico Mustangs
Corpus Christi Icerays
Wichita Falls Wildcats

West Division
Alaska Avalanche
Dawson Creek Revenge
Fairbanks Ice Dogs
Kenai River Brown Bears
Fresno Monsters
Wenatchee Wild


From the North American Hockey League Website: www.nahl.com

The Amarillo, Texas Team that will begin play in the North American Hockey League this fall has announced its name and the unveiling of its logo.

After the completion of the team's name the team contest, the team will be named the Amarillo Bulls.

"The number of entries for the "Name the Team" Contest was trendmous given the short time frame we had to put it together," said Gary Gelinas, executive VP of Consolidated Sports Owners of the Bulls. "The top three choices were popular among the voters and we're thrilled with the name, logo and colors."

"Bulls are a part of the makeup of Amarillo and the region, are strong and powerful animals, and represent the strength, aggression and meanness we hope our team will display."

The color scheme focused on Amarillo is that our part of the state of Texas. The primary color is scarlet red - a color affiliated with Bulls and one that represents a strong base. Navy Blue is the secondary color and represents the Texas' State Flag. The color represents the history and heritage of the name Amarillo, which means yellow in Spanish.

"We fell the logo is strong and powerful by creating a bull that's staring in the opponent and is in motion," Gelinas added. "We wanted a powerful look and we believe the name and logo will catch on with our merchandise sales and with the crowd as they chant, "Go Bulls Go"! in the Civic Center.

"We want to think our media partners for their support of the contests, Kris Miller for taking the lead for us locally," the Civic Center and all the fans who voted for their favorite name and had a say in naming the NAHL Team."

Keith Flynn, of Flynnagain Productions, who has produced many team and league logos, designed the Bulls logo.

Fore more info on the Amarillo Bulls Team, log on to www.amarillonahl.com