The El Paso Rhinos are a Junior "A" Tier III ice hockey team, based in El Paso, Texas. The Rhinos compete as part of the Mid-West Division of the Western States Hockey League (WSHL) and are the current Division Champions. Their home games are played the Sierra Providence Event Center located within the El Paso County Coliseum complex.

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Team History

The Rhinos were founded in 2006 by Cory Herman, a retired former El Paso Buzzards professional hockey player ^[1]. The Buzzards had ceased operations in 2003 and Herman wanted to bring Ice Hockey back to the city of El Paso. The team began their first season as a Junior "B" Hockey Team and became a Junior "A" team just before the start of the 2007-08 season ^[2]. The Rhinos youth hockey program also has teams from mini-mites to midget major AA. The Rhinos Organization has an affiliation to the Fairbanks Ice Dogs of the NAHL ^[3].

The Rhinos presence in El Paso has been nothing short of a success. They have consistently set and shattered league records. In 2007-08 they led the league in attendance ^{[4] [5]} a trend that has continued into the 2008-09 season. They have also ended each of their seasons with players at the top of the WSHL leaderboards. ^{[6] [7]}

2006-07 Season (Junior B)

The El Paso Rhinos inaugural season saw them clinch the WSHL Midwest Division Title and finishing in second place with a record of 40-6-1 ^[8]. Two of the team's players Willhite (RW) and Jendras (F) were in the league's top ten scoring leaders ^[6]. Goaltender Brennan was ranked third amongst the league's goalies with a GAA of 2.72 ^[7].

2007-08 Season (Junior A)

The Rhinos had a hard fought season that culminated at the WSHL finals. They finished up the season with a record of 48-1-2 ^[11]. After winning 6 straight games in the playoffs ^[12] the team captured the Thorne Cup and became Champions of the WSHL in March 2008 ^[13]. Goaltender Natali closed his season with a #3 ranking in the WSHL with a GAA of 1.99 ^[14]. While Willhite (RW) and Kohn (RW) wrapped up in the league's scoring leader top ten ^[15]. The team represented the WSHL at the National Tournament winning 2 of 3 games, but losing to the National Champions from New Hampshire.

2008-09 Season (Junior A)

With several Rhinos returning to the team for the 2008-09 season as well as new acquisitions joining the team; the defending Thorne Cup Champions kicked off with a win against the Colorado Outlaws. This win set the stage for the rest of the season which was comprised of unparalleled success. The team registered multiple shutouts against every team in their division ^[16]. The Rhinos finished the regular season with an impressive record of 45-3-1, not only leading the Mid-West division in points (91) and wins, but the entire WSHL as well ^[17]. They secured home ice advantage for the 2009 WSHL playoffs. The Rhinos performance in the playoffs was excellent, they swept the Colorado Outlaws and the San Antonio Diablos to become the Mid-West Division Champions for a third straight season. In a rematch of the last two Thorne Cup Finals, the Rhinos faced off against the Phoenix Polar Bears to defend their championship. Despite a great effort by the Rhinos , they lost in the finals without garnering a win. They were one of the two teams who represented the WSHL at the Junior A Nationals. At the close of the 08-09 season the Rhinos finished 1st in their division and 2nd in the WSHL overall.

2009-10 Season (Junior A)

The Rhinos regular season is scheduled to begin on September 18, 2009 in a road game against the Boulder Bisons. Their home opener is penciled in for October 23, 2009 also against the Boulder Bisons. Following a successful test run during the playoffs the team announced on April 28, 2009 that a television deal was signed with Time Warner Cable. All of this season's home games will be broadcast on a tape-delayed basis by Metrosports. ^[18]

Community Outreach

The Rhinos frequently wear specialized jerseys on the ice and auction them off to help raise funds for local and/or charitable causes. They have raised money for causes including, but not limited to: Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Special Olympics, and local youth hockey. Coach Herman was approached by Karrie Kern the CEO of the U.S. Branch of the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force, after seeing the team's bus in San Antonio, TX. During their conversation she told him the story of an orphaned rhinoceros in Zimbabwe named Tatenda, and jokingly suggested the team adopt her as their mascot. The Rhinos organization thought this was a great idea and so in November 2008 the team adopted Tatenda. The Rhinos also receive strong mutual support from the U.S. Military stationed at nearby Fort Bliss. The Rhinos not only host Military Appreciation nights, but they also give free admission to all Military personnel and their families.

2009-10 Player Roster

(The roster is still being shaped for the upcoming season, this listing is not yet final.)