Tier 1 Elite Hockey League Welcomes Las Vegas Storm as Newest Member
The Tier 1 Elite Hockey League is pleased to welcome the Las Vegas Storm organization as the newest member of the twenty-four team, nationally competitive league.
A merger between the Los Angeles Kings and Los Angeles Select hockey organizations created an open position in the Tier 1 Elite Hockey League. Numerous organizations applied for membership to increase their exposure and level of competition. After a lengthy interview process, Las Vegas was selected by the Board of Governors from a final pool of six qualified applicants.
Larry Johnson, Commissioner of Tier 1 Elite League noted, “We are excited to welcome the Las Vegas Storm to the Tier 1 Elite League. I am confident that the talent and professionalism exhibited throughout the Storm’s history will prove to be an asset to our organization by increasing the quality, competitiveness, and opportunities for local hockey players and fans.”
Participation in the prestigious Tier 1 Elite League will allow players to attend numerous events that showcase talent and compete against more highly skilled teams from around the country. As the players develop Tier 1 Elite Hockey League routinely extends their careers by advancing them to organizations such as the NAHL, USHL, NCAA, and NHL.
The Las Vegas Storm teams train and play at the Las Vegas Ice Center, a two sheet facility with ten spacious locker rooms, a full time pro locker room complete with washer, dryer, video capabilities, a complete modern workout room, and a skating treadmill. The Storm’s full-time coaching staff is led by Stanley Cup winner Pokey Reddick.
Kirk Brooks, owner, founding Board member, and sustaining sponsor of the Las Vegas Outlaw organization, purchased the USHL Tri-City Storm in 2009. The Outlaws fielded teams in all levels of youth hockey. Since the acquisition, the Outlaw organization as a whole has adopted the Storm brand. Now known as the Las Vegas Storm, the organization will field teams in the Midget Major and Midget Minor range in the Tier 1 Elite League, while maintaining younger division programs under the name of the Nevada Storm. Brooks, who also owns the Las Vegas Ice Center commented, “It is my goal and commitment to provide the players in Las Vegas with the best available affordable opportunity to succeed in the sport of hockey. I believe that the Tier 1 League affords them that opportunity.”
The Tier1 Elite Hockey League would like to thank the L. A. Selects for their past participation in our league. The Tier 1 Elite Hockey League appreciated the professionalism shown by the L. A. Selects staff, coaches, and players in their approach to promoting youth hockey.