The first thing you notice at a Lone Star Brahmas game isn’t the puck dropping or the roar of the crowd. It’s the feeling. The sense that this is more than a sporting event. It’s a gathering. Families arrive early. Friends claim their favorite seats. Kids press up against the glass, eyes wide, waiting for the moment the ice comes alive. From the second you walk into NYTEX Sports Centre, it’s clear that Brahmas hockey is as much about community as it is about competition.
That connection has been building for decades.
The team’s story began in 1997, originally founded as the Fort Worth Bulls. Before a single game could be played, the name was changed to the Fort Worth Brahmas to avoid litigation with the Chicago Bulls. The Brahmas first called the Fort Worth Convention Center home, competing in the Western Professional Hockey League. Around the turn of the century, the WPHL was absorbed by the Central Hockey League, ushering in a new chapter for the organization.
In 2007, the Brahmas made a pivotal move to NYTEX Sports Centre, seeking more favorable scheduling and a better opportunity to grow their fan base. That same year, the team became part of the NYTEX Sports umbrella and hired Head Coach Dan Wildfong, who had just retired from professional hockey. The impact was immediate. A Final Four appearance in the 2007–2008 season was followed by a championship win in 2008–2009. The momentum was undeniable.
As professional hockey evolved, so did the Brahmas. In 2013, the Central Hockey League underwent changes that led the team to join the North American Hockey League. With the new league came a new name: the Lone Star Brahmas. The rebrand signaled growth, ambition, and a deepened commitment to the region. Since joining the NAHL, the Brahmas have appeared in the Final Four four times and claimed two Robertson Cup titles — the league’s highest honor — all under the leadership of Dan Wildfong and the NYTEX Sports umbrella.
Strong leadership has always been central to the organization’s success. Ownership by Salvatore and Frank Trazzera has provided the stability and resources needed to build competitive teams year after year. Their vision reaches beyond wins and losses. The long-term goal is to grow the game of hockey in Tarrant County and develop homegrown players who can progress through every level offered at NYTEX Sports Centre, with the dream of one day reaching the NHL.
That sense of purpose carries through every layer of the organization.
The Brahmas operate with a family-first culture. Season ticket holders, billet families, sponsors, players, staff — all are treated as part of one extended family. That philosophy is felt the moment you enter the building. NYTEX Sports Centre offers a smaller, more intimate venue than many teams in the league, allowing fans to feel close to the action from any seat. The experience is personal, immersive, and electric.
And the energy is undeniable.
Brahmas fans are passionate, loyal, and loud. The arena fills with chants reminiscent of European soccer matches, with supporters locked in on every shift and every shot. On game nights, it’s not unusual for the building to shake with noise. If you’re coming to your first game, bring your outside voice. You’ll need it.
The game-day experience extends well beyond the ice. ZuRomaSicilian Bar & Grill has become a cornerstone of Brahmas culture and a favorite gathering spot for fans. Led by Scott and Ricardo, ZuRoma offers something rarely found at sporting venues: real food, made with care. Instead of settling for stale hot dogs or generic concessions, fans can enjoy scratch-made pizza, a variety of pastas, fresh salads, burgers, sandwiches, traditional favorites, and a full bar. It’s a place where families linger, friends reconnect, and the energy of the game flows seamlessly from the rink to the table.
Community involvement is not an afterthought for the Brahmas — it’s part of who they are.
Each fall, the team hosts a Teddy Bear Toss benefiting the Community Enrichment Center in North Richland Hills. This year alone, four pallets of toys, stuffed animals, and food were delivered through the event. The organization also hosts an annual fundraiser supporting the North Richland Hills Police Foundation. These efforts reflect a platform intentionally used for good, reinforcing the belief that success on the ice should translate into impact off it.
Fans are at the heart of it all. On game day you can find Brahmas fans such as Randy and Melody Smith, owners of Texas Polished Concrete, who are not only season ticket holders but have also hosted several Brahmas players during their tenure with the team. Stories like theirs speak volumes about the relationships built through this organization — relationships that go far beyond the final score.
While individual achievements naturally emerge each season, the heart of the organization has always centered on something bigger. Development, discipline, and a commitment to the team guide every decision, on and off the ice. Players are challenged to grow not just as athletes, but as young men, learning what it means to compete with integrity, support one another, and represent something greater than themselves. That focus has shaped the Brahmas’ culture for decades and continues to define why families, fans, and players feel such a strong sense of pride in the program.
For fans looking to show their support, the onsite merchandise store offers everything from jerseys and hoodies to blankets, hats, cowbells, trading cards, foam fingers, mugs, and more. Whether you’re a longtime supporter or a first-time visitor, there’s no shortage of ways to feel game-ready.
Ultimately, a Brahmas game isn’t just about hockey. It’s about belonging. It’s about showing up with your family, grabbing dinner at ZuRoma, cheering alongside neighbors, and feeling like part of something bigger. It’s the kind of night that becomes a tradition — the kind you talk about long after the final buzzer sounds.
Tickets, schedules, and team news can be found at www.lonestarbrahmas.com, along with updates on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. But the real invitation is simpler than that.
Come feel it for yourself. Once you experience a night with the Lone Star Brahmas, you’ll understand why this team isn’t just part of the local sports scene. It’s part of the community’s heartbeat.