Albert Lea Thunder

The Albert Lea Thunder were a Tier II Junior A ice hockey team in the North American Hockey League's Central Division. The team was an expansion franchise for the 2008-2009 season and played their home games at the Albert Lea City Arena in Albert Lea, Minnesota.
==History==
The Franchise joined the North American Hockey League for the 2008-2009 season with Chicago businessman Jim Perkins and Barry SoskinAlbert Lea Thunder Hockey Registration & Management Software By GOALLINE.ca as owners. Soskin is the owner of NJHL independent Junior teams the Findlay Grrrowl and Pittsburgh Cougars, as well as the former owner of the ECHL Toledo Storm and CHL Nashville Nighthawks.
On November 18, 2009, reports came out that the Thunder were engaging in "pay to play," or taking money to guarantee players' spots on the team. A total of 8 players where named.NAHL finds Thunder guilty of pay-to-play The organization was facing a $400,000 fine from the NAHLMinnesota Meltdown-- NAHL Roster Spots for Sale?
On December 7th, 2009, the NAHL issued following statement:
:The North American Hockey League’s Board of Governors today voted to terminate the Albert Lea membership. The league is now involved in addressing a number of transition issues regarding the future operations of the team. The league will work to stabilize the team as quickly as possible. NAHL Statement on terminating Albert Lea Thunder ownership
Despite the scandal, the Thunder mounted a late-season comeback and made the playoffs for the first time in team history in 2010.
On May 11, 2010, it was reported that the team had found new owners and would relocate to Texas for the 2010-2011 season.Albert Lea, Mason City Lose NAHL Teams  The team would become the Amarillo Bulls.
==Regular season records==
Season 	GP	W 	L 	OTL	PTS	GF 	GA 	PIM 	Finish
2008-09	58	4 	49	5 	13 	112	309	1,497	5th, Central Division
2009-10	58	19	34	5 	43 	153	231	1,345	4th, Central Division
==Playoff Records==
Season	GP	W	L	OTL	GF	GA	PIM	Finish
2009 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	Did Not Qualify
2010 	3 	0	3	0 	5 	18	68 	Lost in 1st Round
== External links ==
*Official site
*NAHL website
==Reference List==
Category:North American Hockey League team
Category:American ice hockey teams
Category:Established in 2008
Category:Disestablished in 2010