Alumni Bios

Al Montoya (Goaltender, 2000-01) - In the brief eight-year history of the Texas Tornado, Montoya has been the highest NHL draft pick, going 6^th overall to the New York Rangers in the 2004 Entry Draft.  This past week, Montoya was named the CCM Vector/American Hockey League Player of the Week. In three road games last week, Montoya went 3-0-0 with two shutouts to help the Hartford Wolf Pack keep pace in the tight Atlantic Division.  A 21-year-old native of Glenview, Ill., Montoya is on a personal four-game winning streak to improve his record to 6-9-0 on the season. In 18 appearances, he ranks seventh in the league with a 2.48 goals-against average and also sports a .910 save percentage. As a rookie in 2005-06, Montoya went 23-9-1 with a 2.61 GAA and .907 save percentage for Hartford and also played in the 2006 AHL All-Star Classic.  Montoya holds the distinction of being the youngest Tornado player ever.  When he joined the team in the fall of 2000, Montoya was only 15-years-old.  He then went on to play for the USA National team followed by three years as the starting goalie for the University of Michigan.  In 2004, Montoya led the United States to their first-ever and only World Junior Championship to date, and was named as the Most Outstanding Goalie of the Tournament.

Brett Blatchford (Defenseman, 2003-06) - Talk about an outstanding freshman season!  Brett Blatchford has had it.  As one of only five Tornado players to have three National Championship rings, Blatchford has transferred his success onto the University of Notre Dame.  The Irish are the talk of college hockey right now, as they are in first-place in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and ranked #2 nationally.  Blatchford has scored 8 points in 12 games and leads all NCAA Division I freshman defenseman in points per game production through the first half of the season.  Blatchford, who received the 2005-06 NAHL Academic Achievement Award and led all NAHL defensemen in scoring last season, currently is holding down a 3.25 GPA at Notre Dame.

Jon Awe (Defenseman, 1999-01) - If you want to catch a glimpse of the NHL's Atlanta Thrashers' future potential, in the spotlight is at least one player that caught the organizations' attention through his play with their affiliate in the East Coast Hockey League's Gwinnett Gladiators. Former Tornado and current Gladiators Defenseman Jon Awe, an imposing 6-foot-4 blueliner with a wicked outside shot, is having a career year... leading the entire ECHL in scoring for defensemen.  The Memphis, TN, native made quite a splash in his first season of pro hockey out of Northeastern University last season, helping the Gwinnett Gladiators to the ECHL finals. "It's a very good opportunity," Awe said. "It's great just to have a chance to play with these guys.  The NHL is our dream." Before attending Northeastern, Awe got his shot with the Texas Tornado, playing for them during the inaugural 1999-2000 season, and Robertson Cup Championship 2000-2001 season. In 101 career regular season games, Awe had 72 points.

Dave McKee (Goaltender, 2002-03) - Talk about doing a lot in a short period of time... Former Tornado goaltender Dave McKee has been a whirlwind ride since he left the Tornado three years ago.  McKee went on to Cornell University, where he wasted very little time in becoming the team's starter and catching the attention of the hockey world. As a freshman in 2003-04, he was named ECACHL Co-Rookie of the Year, honorable mention All-ECACHL, and second team All-Ivy League. The next season was the one that put McKee on the map. He would become a Hat Trick Finalist for the Hobey Baker Award. Over his final 21 games, he allowed just 20 goals while posting a 0.93 goals against average and a .962 save percentage to go along with a 18-2-1 record. He was a major reason for Cornell's 19-game unbeaten streak that was the nation's longest of the season. His 15 career shutouts also broke the school record held by Ken Dryden `69 and the ECACHL record held by Dryden and three others. He was named Ivy League Player of the Year and first-team All-Ivy on Feb. 28.  Following his brilliant collegiate career, McKee signed a professional contract with the Anaheim Ducks on April 1, 2006. McKee has spent of the majority of this season with the Augusta Lynx of the East Coast Hockey League, but has been called up twice to Anaheim this season.  McKee, who was born and raised in Irving, Texas, played for the Texas Tornado during the 2002-03 season, the final season for the Tornado before they moved to Frisco.

Jason Bloomingburg (Forward, 1999-02) - One of the most popular players during his three years with the Tornado has now made a name for himself in college hockey.  Playing for the Wayne State Warriors of the College Hockey America Conference, Bloomingburg is wrapping up one of the most successful careers in team history.  After playing his freshman year at Providence College, Bloomingburg transferred to Wayne State and had an unforgettable sophomore season in which he set a new team record for goals in a season with 20.  This year, Bloomingburg was named as team captain and currently leads the Warriors in scoring.  Bloomingburg also plays along side former Texas Tornado alumni in Matt Krug (2003-04), Derek Punches (2004-05), and Mark Nebus (2000-03).

Jason Guerriero (Forward, 1999-01) - After setting all the early career scoring records for the Tornado during the 1999-2000 and 2000-2001 seasons, the former Tornado team captain headed off to Northeastern University and was named to the Hockey East All-Star first team after becoming Northeastern's first-ever Hockey East scoring champion in 2004-05. He was also been named to the New England Hockey Writers All-Star team. He led Hockey East with 11 goals and 23 assists for 34 points in 24 Hockey East games. He also won the Len Ceglarski Sportsmanship Award and was runner-up for the Walter Brown Award, given annually to the best American-born college hockey player in New England.  Guerriero, along with Dave McKee (2002-03) and Jason Deitsch (1999-01) were all named as NCAA All-Americans, marking the first time a junior team has had three alumni with such a distinction in the same playing year.  This past fall, Guerriero signed a professional contract with the NHL's Nashville Predators, and is currently playing with the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League, where he as 19 points in 28 games played.

Nick Mazzolini (Forward, 2003-05) - Tornado fans remember "Mazz" for his incredible stick work and his ability to make something out of nothing, especially when shorthanded.  Who can forget Mazzolini's shorthanded game-winning goal in the 2005 National Championship game that gave the Tornado the lead for good during their repeat performance?  Now as a sophomore at Providence College, Mazzolini has brought some of that offensive magic to the Friars.  Through the first half of the season, Mazzolini co-leads the team in scoring.  Last year, Mazzolini had 14 points during a very productive freshman year.  What has made the transition easier for the Anchorage, Alaska native is that Providence has become "Tornado University" in recent years.  Mazzolini is joined by four former Tornado players at Providence, including Brad Cooper (2002-05), Austin Miller (2002-05), Dinos Stamoulis (2001-03), and Dallas Stars draft pick Trevor Ludwig (2002-04).

Andy Wozniewski (Defenseman, 2000-01) - Wozniewksi has the honor of becoming the first former Tornado player to play in an NHL game.  Back on October 5, 2005, Wozniewski made his NHL regular season debut with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Wozniewski was the surprise of last year's Toronto Maple Leafs training camp and made the Opening Night roster.  "It was an unbelieveable feeling," recalls Wozniewski. "I had so many calls it was hard to know what to do next." Texas Tornado Head Coach and General Manager Tony Curtale agreed that Wozniewski worked very hard to get to his ultimate goal of playing in the NHL. "Andy was always a hard-working kid who possessed a tremendous amount of skill," said Curtale. "I felt that he had NHL potential from the moment I saw him."  Wozniewski played for the Texas Tornado during the 2000-2001 season, where he was a 1st team All-NAHL selection, scoring 44 points in 54 regular season games. His performance also earned him a spot on the 2001 NAHL All-Star Team. During the playoffs, Wozniewski led all NAHL defensemen in scoring with 9 points in just 8 games played as the Texas Tornado won their first ever Robertson Cup Championship. After the Tornado, Wozniewski went on to play for the University of Wisconsin, where he accumulated 38 points in three outstanding years. During his senior season, Wozniewski was named team captain for Wisconsin. After graduating, Wozniewski was signed as a free agent by Toronto in 2005, and so far has spent this entire season with Toronto in the NHL.

Brad Flaishians (Defenseman, 2002-04) - University of New Hampshire junior and former Texas Tornado defenseman Brad Flaishians is not only dominating on the ice, leading the #4 ranked Wildcats in scoring for defensemen this season with 14 points in 18 games played, but also is dominating off the ice and in the classroom.  In 2006, Flaishians was named the co-recipient of the Top Scholar-Athlete in the Hockey East Association with a 3.95 grade point average and was one of five Wildcats named to the Hockey East All-Academic Team. Flaishans was also named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Second Team as voted on by the College Sports Information Directors of America (COSIDA).  He is a two-time winner of the Sid Knight Award which given annually to the men's hockey player with the highest GPA. He is also a two-time member of the Hockey East All-Academic Team. Flaishans is a Presidential Scholar enrolled in the Whittemore School of Business working towards a degree in Business Administration with dual options in Finance and International business and economics. He was the recipient of the Whittemore School of Business honors award for a grade point average of 3.7 or higher. Flaishans is a teachers assistant, as well as serving as a tutor for other UNH students. He is a member of the Atkins Investment Group, a student run investment portfolio. He was also one of five students athletes selected of the 2005 NCAA Self-Study Committee, which is charged with evaluating the UNH athletic department. Flaishans played for the Tornado from 2002-2004 and was a key member of the 2003-2004 Texas Tornado National Championship team. During that season, Flaishans was named to the NAHL 1st team and scored 7 points in 9 playoff games leading the Tornado to their first-ever National Championship.

Ben Bishop (Goaltender, 2004-05) - Now is his sophomore season, 6'7" Ben Bishop has gone from unknown prospect in the Fall of 2004, to National Champion, legit Hobey Baker contender for the University of Maine this season.  Bishop is 5^th in the Nation in goaltending statistics and has backstopped Maine to a #3 National ranking.  In October of 2006, Bishop was named as the Hockey East Goaltender of the Month.  During the incredible month Bishop led the conference with a 6-0-0 record and was also tops in goals against average (1.40) and save percentage (.944). It was Bishop's third Hockey East Goaltender of the Month honor, receiving the award twice last year. Bishop has earned Hockey East Defensive Player of the Week honors twice this season, having received the honor on October 9 and October 23.  In late December, Bishop backstopped the Black Bears to the Florida College Classic tournament, while also being named to the all-tournament team.  Last season he earned Hockey East Rookie of the Week honors three times, Hockey East Player of the Week honors once and Hockey East Rookie of the Month honors twice.  Bishop played for the Tornado during the 2004-05 season, helping them to their second consecutive National Championship, while earning NAHL All-Rookie team honors.

Jason Deitsch (Forward, 1999-01) - The dream ride for former Texas Tornado forward Jason Deitsch continues to get better and better. Deitsch, who played for the Tornado during the 1999-2000 and 2000-2001 seasons, won the United Hockey League Championship as a member of the Kalamazoo K-Wings (Michigan) last season.  This season, Deitsch has made the step up to the Cincinnati Cyclones of the East Coast Hockey League, and has goals in nine of the last twelve games and is second on the club in scoring with 28 points.  Back on April 26, 2006, Deitsch was named as the Easton UHL Rookie of the Year by league head coaches, general managers, and members of the media. He led the Kalamazoo Wings in scoring with 87 points (38g, 49a). That total also led all UHL rookies and ranked tied for eighth overall in the league. His 38 goals were third among rookies and his 49 assists ranked tied for second. He played in 72 regular season games and registered a plus-36 rating which ranked third among UHL rookies. At one point, he earned an even or better rating in 20 straight games. His 18 power play goals were the most among rookies and tied for fourth overall in the league. Deitsch led the entire UHL with a .245 shooting percentage. Deitsch was also a member of the 2005-2006 UHL All-Rookie team. After leaving Texas, Deitsch attended St. Norbert College in Wisconsin, where is finished as the Knights career scoring leader. Deitsch, who played with SNC from 2001 to 2005, had 38 goals and 49 assists for 87 points in 72 games.

Again, these are just a handful of former Texas Tornado players who are doing extraordinary things.  The list of players having success at the next level continues to grow and impress.  All are worth mentioning, including players like Scott Talbot (2003-04), who led the Tornado to their first-ever National Championship and later went on to the University of Calgary where he become the Male Athlete of the Year for the entire University during his freshman season.  Players like Luke Flicek (2002-04), who is currently serving his country as a member of the Army at West Point, and who also leads his team in scoring.  Teammates Karl Sellan (2003-06) and Jordan Mowbray (2004-06) decided to stay together as teammates after the Tornado, and are both experiencing success as members of the Central Hockey League's newest franchise, the Arizona Sundogs.