Amarillo Wranglers right wing Logan Cleary skates up the ice during a scrimmage Saturday at the Amarillo Civic Center Cal Farley Coliseum. [Ben Jenkins/ Press Pass Sports]
After the departure of the Amarillo Bulls in June to Mason City, Iowa, a group of local businessmen were able to purchase the Kansas City Pilots from the Hunt Family (owners of the Kanas City Chiefs football team). The acquisition by local ownership with the rebranding of the team to the Amarillo Wranglers and the “All In” support of Mayor Ginger Nelson, a new era hockey is on track to flourish and achieve more than anyone thought possible.
The Amarillo Wranglers play in the North American Hockey League’s South Division. The South Division of the NAHL is known for its physical play of hockey. The Amarillo Wranglers are a very physical team already, and will continue the tradition of aggressive play in the league’s South Division.
Former Amarillo Bulls assistant Harry Mahood begins his first season with the Wranglers. [Ben Jenkins/ Press Pass Sports]
The Coaching Staff
Harry Mahood (Head Coach and General Manager) will lead the Wranglers in this inaugural season. Mahood’s roots run deep in Amarillo as the former assistant coach of the 2013 North American Hockey League’s National Champion Amarillo Bulls. Mahood was part of the legendary coaching staff that included Dennis Williams (Head Coach), Rocky Russo (Assistant Coach), and was a major contributor to the Amarillo Bulls glory days. Mahood is a “thinking man’s” coach with a great ability to recognize talent and to maximize the abilities of the hockey player. He understands that Amarillo is a blue-collar town with a taste for physical hockey. This team will not disappoint relative to its physicality and aggressive style of play.
Assistant coach Cody Gylling also has roots in Amarillo, playing on the NAHL National Championship Amarillo Bulls in 2013. After graduating from Arizona State University, he moved directly into coaching. Gylling brings a fresh, “player’s coach” mentality to the Wranglers.
Goalie Max Gutjahr joins the Amarillo Wranglers this season. Gutjahr is a former Bulls player. [Ben Jenkins/ Press Pass Sports]
The Team
At the beginning of September, 45 players landed in Amarillo from all over the world vying for 25 spots. These players came to Amarillo with a chip on their shoulder, with something to prove to the hockey world that they belong. Whether it’s 6-foot-4, 240 lbs winger Sheldon Howard from Thompson, Manitoba, Canada or returning back to Amarillo, and fan favorite Goalie Max Gutjahr of Appleton, Wisc., these players are ready to play. This team has a lot to prove.
I was fortunate enough to see numerous practices and a few preseason games and I’ve got two words that will describe this team perfectly: “smash mouth”. This is a physical team, a hard-working team, a fighting team, a blue-collar team. Friday and Saturday nights at the Budweiser Bullpen are just around the corner, with the home opener Sept. 24, when the puck drops at 7:05 p.m. against the El Paso Rhinos. The regular season starts this week in Blaine Minnesota at the NAHL Showcase September 15th, with the Wranglers playing against the New Jersey Titans.
In an interesting twist, on Sept., 17, the Wranglers take on the North Iowa Bulls, Amarillo’s former team. All games can be seen on Hockey TV.
The Season
This is a brand new team and brand new outlook with a very strong coaching staff and front office. The support of Mayor Nelson and the City Council will only enhance the efforts of the Wranglers in their inaugural season. The local ownership group are men of Hockey with a passion and understanding of the game. Ownership also knows the importance of winning in this town. Friday and Saturday nights in the Budweiser Bullpen will not disappoint. This team has heart, desire, hustle and a huge chip on their shoulders to prove to the hockey world that they belong.
This season’s Amarillo Wranglers are the “Bad News Bears” of Hockey!
“Hockey’s Back Baby!”
Editors note
Please watch for Tommy Tee’s weekly column during the hockey season that bring a unique perspective covering the Amarillo Wranglers.
