El Paso Rhinos

The El Paso Rhinos are a Junior "A" Tier II and Tier III ice hockey team, based in El Paso, Texas that play in the North American Hockey League and the North American 3 Hockey League. The Rhinos previously competed as part of the Mid-West Conference of the Western States Hockey League (WSHL). Their home games are played at the Sierra Providence Event Center located within the El Paso County Coliseum complex.
== Team History ==
The Rhinos were founded in 2006 by Cory Herman, a retired former El Paso Buzzards professional hockey playerhttp://www.elpasotimes.com/rhinosmania/ci_4362510. 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 seasonhttp://elpasorhinos.com/news/recent/index.html?article_id=7. 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 NAHLhttp://www.elpasorhinos.com/team/affiliates/.
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 http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/attendance.html?leagueid=369&seasonid=1435http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/attendance.html?leagueid=369&seasonid=2143 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. http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/scoringleaders.html?leagueid=369&seasonid=1435http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/goalieleaders.html?leagueid=369&seasonid=1435
== 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 40-6-1http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/standings.html?leagueid=369&seasonid=1435. Two of the team's players Willhite (RW) and Jendras (F) were in the league's top ten scoring leadershttp://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/scoringleaders.html?leagueid=369&seasonid=1435. Goaltender Brennan was ranked third amongst the league's goalies with a GAA of 2.72http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/goalieleaders.html?leagueid=369&seasonid=1435.
== 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 48-1-2http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/standings.html?leagueid=369&seasonid=2143. After winning 6 straight games in the playoffs http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/playoffstandings.html?leagueid=369&seasonid=1704 the team captured the Thorne Cup and became Champions of the WSHL in March 2008http://elpasorhinos.com/news/recent/index.html?article_id=84. Goaltender Natali closed his season with a #3 ranking in the WSHL with a GAA of 1.99http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/goalieleaders.html?leagueid=369&seasonid=2143. While Willhite (RW) and Kohn (RW) wrapped up in the league's scoring leader top tenhttp://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/scoringleaders.html?leagueid=369&seasonid=2143. 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) ==
left|thumb|200px| Sierra Providence Events Center. El Paso Rhinos Home Ice, prior to Game 2 of the 2008-09 WSHL Finals
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 saw unparalleled success. The team registered multiple shutouts against every team in their divisionhttp://stats.wshl.timetoscore.com/display-schedule.php?team=13&season=13&tlev=0&tseq=0&league=1. 
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 wellhttp://stats.wshl.timetoscore.com/. 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 kicked off while on the road with a 2-1 series win over the Boulder Bisonhttp://www.elpasorhinos.com/news/recent/index.html?article_id=233http://www.elpasorhinos.com/news/recent/index.html?article_id=231http://www.elpasorhinos.com/news/recent/index.html?article_id=237. Early season momentum was definitely in effect for the Rhinos' second week where they swept the San Antonio Diablos 3-0. Aside from the team's offense stepping up their gameplay significantly, Andrew Duff (G) notched his first shutout of the seasonhttp://www.elpasorhinos.com/news/recent/index.html?article_id=246http://www.elpasorhinos.com/news/recent/index.html?article_id=248http://www.elpasorhinos.com/news/recent/index.html?article_id=250. In their series against the Tulsa Rampage, Max Dizgun (G) earned his first shutout by blocking all 19 shots faced.http://www.elpasorhinos.com/news/recent/index.html?article_id=257http://www.elpasorhinos.com/news/recent/index.html?article_id=260. Nick Gualano (RW) set a new franchise record by scoring an impressive 6 goals in the third game of the series which ended in an 11-0 victory for the Rhinos. The Rhinos captured the division's top rank, coincidentally a rank held by the Rampage since the season's starthttp://www.elpasorhinos.com/news/recent/index.html?article_id=262. The "Rhino Charge" would continue through the next series in Week 5 against their soon-to-be rivals the New Mexico Renegades. Max Dizgun (G) notched his second shutout of the season in the team's first meeting with the Renegades. The Rhinos went on to sweep all 3 games against the Renegades, Erik Carvajal scored a career high 7 goals in 3 games.He later got injured and was forced to retire.http://www.elpasorhinos.com/news/recent/index.html?article_id=276
Following a successful test run during the '08-'09 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.http://www.elpasorhinos.com/news/recent/index.html?article_id=193 The Rhinos' were victorious in their home opener against the Boulder Bison at the Sierra Providence Events Center in late October. They extended their winning streak to 12 straight games, however the streak would not last as the Bison won the second game of the series. The loss would not go unanswered as the Rhinos finished out the week with a second win over Boulder, a game in which David Fegler scored a hat trick.http://www.elpasorhinos.com/news/recent/index.html?article_id=291http://www.elpasorhinos.com/news/recent/index.html?article_id=293http://www.elpasorhinos.com/news/recent/index.html?article_id=294
A second meeting against the Renegades took place in Week 7 of the regular season. Just as they had during their first series against New Mexico, the Rhinos swept all three games againhttp://www.elpasorhinos.com/news/recent/index.html?article_id=302. This series was unique in that the first game of the series was played at home in El Paso, where they unveiled special Halloween jerseys (auctioned off for charity); while the 2 remaining games were played in New Mexico, with the booster club joining them on the road for the Saturday game. The team will continue their road trip this weekend when they face off against Boulder.
==Jump to NAHL and NA3HL==
The organization would jump to the NA3HL for the 2020-21 season and then to the NAHL for the 2021-22 season.  The move came about when the WSHL suspended operations for the 2020-21 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.>https://www.aberdeennews.com/sports/professional/wings/nahl-approves-el-paso-texas-team-for-2021-22/article_2b1ce9be-b00a-11ea-8401-6bcd813acc2e.html
== 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. 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 (courtesy of a local sponsor) to all Military personnel and their families.
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, Texas. 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.
==Statistics==
===Season by season records===
Western States Hockey League	Western States Hockey League	Western States Hockey League	Western States Hockey League	Western States Hockey League	Western States Hockey League	Western States Hockey League	Western States Hockey League	Western States Hockey League	Western States Hockey League 	Western States Hockey League 	Western States Hockey League	Western States Hockey League	Western States Hockey League	Western States Hockey League	Western States Hockey League
Season 	GP 	W 	L 	OL 	Pts 	GF 	GA 	PIM 	Finish 	Playoffs 	 	 	 	 	
2006–07 	47 	40 	6 	1 	81 	312 	146 	1516 	1st of 5 Mid-West2nd of 13 WSHL 	Won Div. Semifinals, 2-0 vs. San Antonio DiablosWon Div. Finals, 2-0 vs. Tulsa RampageLost Thorne Cup Championship, 0-2 vs. Phoenix Polar Bears 	 	 	 	 	
2007–08 	51 	48 	1 	2 	98 	350 	112 	1164 	1st of 6 Mid-West1st of 11 WSHL 	Won Div. Semifinals, 2-0 vs. Colorado OutlawsWon Div. Finals, 2-0 vs. Tulsa RampageWon Thorne Cup Championship, 2-0 vs. Phoenix Polar Bears 	 	 	 	 	
2008–09 	49 	45 	3 	1 	91 	320 	89 	1109 	1st of 6 Mid-West1st of 11 WSHL 	Won Div. Semifinals, 2-0 vs. Colorado OutlawsWon Div. Finals, 2-0 vs. San Antonio DiablosLost Thorne Cup Championship, 0-2 vs. Phoenix Polar Bears 	 	 	 	 	
2009–10 	52 	47 	5 	0 	94 	313 	92 	1140 	1st of 5 Mid-West1st of 13 WSHL 	Won Div. Semifinals, 2-0 vs. San Antonio DiablosLost Div. Finals, 1-2 vs. Boulder Bison 	 	 	 	 	
2010–11 	46 	33 	11 	2 	68 	243 	137 	– 	1st of 5 Mid-West3rd of 13 WSHL 	Won Conf. Semifinals, 2-0 vs. Tulsa RampageWon Conf. Finals, 2-0 vs. Boulder BisonLost Thone Cup Finals, 0-2 vs. Idaho Jr. Steelheads 	 	 	 	 	
2011–12 	46 	35 	9 	2 	72 	274 	134 	1034 	1st of 5 Midwest3rd of 13 WSHL 	Won Conf. Semifinals, 2-1 vs. New Mexico RenegadesWon Conf. Finals, 2-0 vs. Dallas Ice Jets1-2-0 in Thorne Cup Round Robin (1-2 vs. Ice Jets; 6-9 vs. Jr. Steelheads; 3-2 vs. Monsters) 	 	 	 	 	
2012–13 	46 	36 	8 	2 	74 	290 	119 	1428 	1st of 6 Mountain3rd of 22 WSHL 	Won Conf. Semifinals, 2-0 vs. Phoenix KnightsWon Conf. Finals, 2-0 vs. Boulder Bison2-0-0 in Thorne Cup Round Robin (6-3 vs. Seals; 8-3 vs. Monsters)Lost Thorne Cup Semifinal game, 2-7 vs. Bay Area Seals 	 	 	 	 	
2013–14 	46 	44 	2 	0 	88 	374 	83 	1305 	1st of 6 Midwest1st of 24 WSHL 	Won Conf. Semifinals, 2-0 vs. Dallas SnipersWon Conf. Finals, 2-0 vs. Texas Jr. Brahmas3-0-0 in Thorne Cup Round Robin (4-2 vs. Jr. Steelheads; 5-3 vs. Knights; 9-3 vs. Jr. Brahmas)Won Thorne Cup Semifinal game, 4-3 vs. Phoenix KnightsWon Thorne Cup Championship Game, 7-3 vs. Idaho Jr. Steelheads 	 	 	 	 	
2014–15 	46 	41 	5 	0 	82 	279 	95 	1219 	1st of 6 Midwest2nd of 28 WSHL 	Won Div. Semifinals, 2-0 vs. Dallas SnipersWon Div. Finals, 2-1 vs. Oklahoma City Jr. BlazersWon Conf. Finals, 2-0 vs. Ogden MustangsLost Thorne Cup Championship series, 1-3 vs. Idaho Jr. Steelheads 	 	 	 	 	
2015–16 	52 	27 	23 	2 	56 	208 	192 	1012 	4th of 6 Mid-Western Div.15th of 29 WSHL	Won Div. Quarterfinals, 2-0 vs. Tulsa Jr. OilersLost Div. Semifinals, 0-2 vs. Oklahoma City Jr. Blazers 	 	 	 	 	
2016-17 	52 	38 	12 	2 	78 	322 	134 	- 	1st of 5 Mid-West 	Won Conf. Semifinals, 2-1 vs. Springfield ExpressLost Conf. Finals, 2-0 vs. Wichita Jr. Thunder 	 	 	 	 	
2017–18 	51 	49 	1 	1 	99 	405 	63 	- 	1st of 6 Midwest1st of 23 WSHL 	Won Div. Semifinals, 2-0 vs. Dallas SnipersWon Div. Finals, 2-1 vs. Oklahoma City Blazers1-2-0 in Thorne Cup Tournament Round Robin (L vs. Long Beach Bombers, 4-1, L vs. Oklahoma City Blazers, 4-3, W vs. Utah Outliers, 4-3) Won Thorne Cup Semifinals, 4-0 vs. Idaho IceCatsWon Thorne Cup Championship, 3-2 vs. Ogden Mustangs 	 	 	 	 	
Season 	GP 	W 	L 	OW 	OL 	GF 	GA 	Pts 	Finish 	Playoffs 	 	 	 	 	
2018-19 	51 	37 	8 	3 	3 	284 	101 	120 	1st Midwest 	Won Div. Semifinals, 2-0 vs. Dallas SnipersWon Div. Finals, 2-0 vs. Oklahoma City Blazers3-0-0 in Thorne Cup Tournament Round Robin (W vs. Bellingham Blazers, 6-0, W vs. Long Beach Bombers, 4-2, W vs. Ogden Mustangs, 3-2 (ot)) Won Thorne Cup Semifinals, 7-2 vs. Oklahoma City BlazersWon Thorne Cup Championship, 2-0 vs. Ogden Mustangs	 	 	 	 	
2019-20 	51 	43 	4 	2 	2 	294 	80 	135 	1st Midwest 	Playoffs Cancelled 	 	 	 	 	
North American 3 Hockey League	North American 3 Hockey League	North American 3 Hockey League	North American 3 Hockey League	North American 3 Hockey League	North American 3 Hockey League	North American 3 Hockey League	North American 3 Hockey League	North American 3 Hockey League	North American 3 Hockey League	North American 3 Hockey League 	North American 3 Hockey League	North American 3 Hockey League	North American 3 Hockey League	North American 3 Hockey League	North American 3 Hockey League
Season 	GP 	W 	L 	OW 	OL 	GF 	GA 	Pts 	Finish 	Playoffs 	 	 	 	 	
2020-21 	40 	28 	6 	2 	4 	193 	102 	62 	T-2nd South 	Lost Division Semifinals 	 	 	 	 	
2021-22 	47 	33 	13 	1 	0 	288 	140 	67 	3rd South 	Eliminated in Fraser Cup Round Robin	 	 	 	 	
2022-23 	47 	21 	21 	2 	3 	134 	149 	47 	6th South 	Did not qualify 	 	 	 	 	
2023-24 	47 	32 	13 	1 	1 	194 	103 	66 	2nd South 	Lost Division Semifinals 	 	 	 	 	
North American Hockey League	North American Hockey League	North American Hockey League	North American Hockey League	North American Hockey League	North American Hockey League	North American Hockey League	North American Hockey League	North American Hockey League	North American Hockey League	North American Hockey League	North American Hockey League	North American Hockey League	North American Hockey League	North American Hockey League	North American Hockey League
Season 	GP 	W 	L 	OW 	OL 	GF 	GA 	Pts 	Finish 	Playoffs 	 	 	 	 	
2021-22 	60 	15 	41 	2 	2 	131 	233 	34 	8th South 	Did not qualify 	 	 	 	 	
2022-23 	60 	18 	38 	3 	1 	111 	201 	40 	7th South 	Did not qualify 	 	 	 	 	
2023-24 	60 	38 	16 	4 	2 	180 	146 	82 	3rd South 	Lost Division Semifinals 	 	 	 	 	
===Tier III Junior B National Championship Tournament===
In the 2006–07 season, the Rhinos and the WSHL were sanctioned as Tier III Junior B by USA Hockey. Tier III Junior B included teams from the Central States Hockey League (CSHL), Empire Junior Hockey League (EmJHL), Metropolitan Junior Hockey League (MetJHL), Minnesota Junior Hockey League (MnJHL), and the Northern Pacific Hockey League (NorPac). The top two teams from each Junior B league advanced to the National Championship tournament separated into three divisions consisting of four teams each to play in a round robin style. The four teams with best overall records after round robin play would move on to the finals.
Year	Round Robin 	RecordRanking	Semi-final Game	Championship Game
2007	L, St. Louis Jr. Blues (CSHL) 2-4W, Boston Junior Bruins (EmJHL) 6-2L, Suffolk PAL (MetJHL) 2-6	1-2-03rd of 4	Did not qualify	Did not qualify
===Tier III Junior A National Championship Tournament===
Starting in 2007–08 season, the Rhinos and the WSHL were sanctioned as Tier III Junior A by USA Hockey. Tier III Junior A included the Atlantic Junior Hockey League (AtJHL), Central States Hockey League (CSHL/NA3HL), Eastern Junior Hockey League (EJHL), Minnesota Junior Hockey League (MnJHL), and the Northern Pacific Hockey League (NorPac). The top two teams from each Junior A league advanced to the National Championship tournament separated into three divisions consisting of four teams each to play in a round robin style. The four teams with best overall records after round robin play would move on to the finals.
Year	Round Robin 	RecordRanking	Semi-final Game 	Championship Game
2008	L, New Hampshire Junior Monarchs (EJHL) 4-11W, Minnesota Owls (MnJHL) 5-4W, Dubuque Thunderbirds (CSHL) 3-1	2-1-02nd of 4	Did not qualify 	Did not qualify
2009	L, New Hampshire Junior Monarchs (EJHL) 2-7L, Helena Bighorns (NorPac) 3-4T, New York Bobcats (AtJHL) 2-2 	0-2-13rd of 4	Did not qualify 	Did not qualify
2011	T, Granite City Lumberjacks (MnJHL) 4-4W, Northern Cyclones (AtJHL) 6-5W, Chicago Hitmen (NA3HL) 7-1 	2-0-11st of 4	W, Idaho Jr. Steelheads (WSHL) 2-1	L, Helena Bighorns (NorPac) 1-5
===United Hockey Union National Championship Tournament===
AAU Sanctioned Junior A National ChampionshipIn 2013 and 2014, the MWJHL, NSHL, and WSHL advanced two teams each to the tournament.
Year	Round Robin 	RecordRanking	Semi-final Game 	Championship Game
2014	W, Jersey Shore Wildcats (NSHL) 3-1SOL, Idaho Jr. Steelheads (WSHL) 2-3W, Soo Firehawks (MWJHL) 8-3	2-0-13rd of 6	W, Soo Firehawks (MWJHL) 12-2	W, Idaho Jr. Steelheads (WSHL) 6-3 National Champions
== External links ==
*http://www.elpasorhinos.com/ - Official Team Website
*http://www.wshlhockey.org/ - Official League Website
*http://www.elpasohockey.org/ - El Paso Hockey Association
== References ==
Category:American ice hockey teams
Category:Established in 2006
Category:Western States Hockey League team
Category:North American 3 Hockey League teams
Category:North American Hockey League teams