Tag Archives: el paso rhinos

Over the past ten years, the El Paso Rhinos have developed a school mentorship program that has become known as the “Skate Mates Educational Program.”

To expand community education efforts this season, Skate Mates will now include the Boys and Girls Club after-school program.

Rhinos Head Coach Cory Herman explains why Skate Mates has become such a significant part of the Rhinos’ philanthropic initiatives.

“It’s important for children to have mentors so they have someone to look up to and can develop a strong sense of who they want to become. Mentoring is also good for our players because it reminds them that they are held to a high standard and have a responsibility to
give back to the community that has been so good to our organization.”

Boys and Girls Clubs of El Paso’s Chief Executive Officer, Anthony Tomasheski, also expressed his enthusiasm for the new working relationship.

“We are excited about our amazing partnership with the Rhinos. Athletes are a great example for kids. Their drive, determination, and discipline are qualities that our children can take and apply to their everyday lives.”

The Rhinos will ‘drop the puck’ on the new partnership with the Boys and Girls Club by visiting the main location at 801 South Florence Street this week.

Over the next six months, the players will regularly visit five schools and the Boys and Girls Club. They will become mentors that work closely with students on educational tasks and encourage them to excel outside the classroom.

This weekend, the Rhinos will welcome the Mexican National Hockey Team for a two-game series on September 28 and 29 at the El Paso County Coliseum Events Center.

This series will be the first of its kind, as no other junior hockey team in the United States has had the privilege of playing a team comprised of Mexico’s top players.

“They compete at the World Junior Championships every year and it is exciting for our organization that they chose us to play,” Rhino Head Coach Cory Herman said.

Saturday morning, both teams will visit the El Paso Children’s Hospital (4845 Alameda Ave.) at 10 am to greet patients before stopping by the Rhinos’ training facility, Wolves Den Gym (1010 Wall St.), at noon.

Fans will be able to meet the returning Rhino alumni as well as current Rhinos and Mexican National Team players in a meet and greet at the rink at 6 pm, just before Saturday’s game. Also on Saturday, the Rhinos will be clad in commemorative “Los Rinos” jerseys that will be auctioned off immediately following the game.

All proceeds will benefit the El Paso Community Foundation Shooting Victims’ Fund.

Tickets are available for purchase through Ticketmaster or at the County Coliseum Box Office. The puck drops at 7 pm on Saturday and 4:30 on Sunday.

After winning two consecutive Thorne Cup Championships, the El Paso Rhinos are back on the ice for their second annual Black and Orange inter-squad game on Friday.

“The Black and Orange game is important to see how our guys play in an actual game format,” Head Coach Cory Herman explains, “It is also great for our future players to see what it is like to play a home game in Rhino Country.”

Currently, the Rhinos have 38 players from five different states and seven countries including Sweden, Russia, Germany, Mexico, Canada, and Denmark.

Eight of those players are returning from last year’s championship team but for the others, the Black and Orange game will be the first time they set foot on El Paso’s ice in a home-game atmosphere.

After the inter-squad game, the Rhinos will host their first opponent of the 2019-20 season, the Mexican National Team. The historic match-up will be played on Saturday, Sept. 28 and Sunday, Sept. 29 and tickets are on sale at Ticketmaster.com.

Friday’s game is FREE! The doors open at 6 pm and the puck drops at 7 pm at the El Paso County Events Center located at 4100 East Paisano.

For game details or more information, call 915-479-PUCK (7825).

After winning back-to-back championships in April, the El Paso Rhinos will continue to make history by facing off against the Mexican National Team this Fall.

Over the past month, Rhino General Manager Corey Heon has been in contact with Joaquin De La Garma, the President of the Mexican Ice Hockey Federation. Recently, Heon met with De La Garma and his son Diego, the coach of the U20 Men’s Mexican National Team.

“It was an extremely positive meeting and we have come to terms to play two exhibition games here in El Paso,” Heon explained. “This looks to be the start of a very successful partnership with the Mexican National program on various levels. We are extremely excited for this great opportunity.”

After they kick off their season with the annual Black and Orange game on September 21, the Rhinos will welcome the U20 Mexican National Team for a two-game series on September 28 and 29 at the El Paso County Coliseum Events Center.

This series will be the first of its kind, as no other junior hockey team in the United States has had the privilege of playing a team comprised of Mexico’s top players.

“Any time you can play a national team representing their country, it is a huge deal. They compete at the World Junior Championships every year and it is exciting for our organization that they chose us to play,” Rhino Head Coach Cory Herman said.

The historic series will be held in conjunction with the Rhino Alumni Weekend, where former Rhinos from the past thirteen seasons will return to Rhino Country.

Fans will be able to meet the returning Rhino alumni as well as current Rhinos and Mexican National Team players in a meet and greet just before Saturday’s game. Also on Saturday, the Rhinos will be clad in commemorative “Chuco Town” jerseys that will be auctioned off immediately following the game.

Alumni will help unveil the Rhinos’ newest third jersey, a “blackout” sweater, which will be worn during all Sunday home games.

Throughout the two-game series, fans can take advantage of sales on merchandise and enjoy promotions like Jerseys Off Our Backs, where those in attendance have a chance to win “Chuco Town” and “Blackout” game-worn jerseys on Saturday and Sunday.

Game-goers can also skate with the Rhinos for free following each game.

Tickets will be available for purchase through Ticketmaster or at the County Coliseum Box Office on September 1. The puck drops at 7 pm on Saturday and 4:30 on Sunday.

The El Paso Rhinos are champions once again and the entire city is invited to their Thorne Cup party.

The Rhinos defeated the Ogden Mustangs 2-0 in the championship game of the Western States Hockey League Thorne Cup Finals to defend their title on Saturday, April 13, at the Weber County Ice Sheet in Ogden, Utah.

Now, the team wants to celebrate the victory with the official Rhinos Fan Party at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 16, at the El Paso County Coliseum Events Center, located at 4100 East Paisano.

Fans will get the opportunity to celebrate with the players, coaches and staff, and win prizes, such as a signed replica jersey, stick and puck, at the free event. There also will be an auction, where fans can bid on the team’s official warm-up jerseys.

After posting a 3-0 record in the round-robin play and defeating their rival Oklahoma City Blazers in the semifinals of the Thorne Cup Finals tournament, the Rhinos relied on their strong defense to hold off the Mustangs in the championship.

El Paso forward Martin Dubsky opened the scoring with a laser shot in the second period, and forward Max Kamper sealed the victory with his goal in the final minutes of the third period.

This is the team’s fourth title, having claimed the trophy in 2008, 2014 and 2018.

After winning the Mid-Western Division in the Western States Hockey League playoffs last month, the El Paso Rhinos will once again defend their title as they head to the Weber County Ice Sheet in Ogden, Utah, for the 2019 Thorne Cup Finals.

The Rhinos earned their place in the finals after sweeping their longtime rival Oklahoma City Blazers 3-2 and 6-0, on home ice at the El Paso County Coliseum Events Center in front of a record 22nd and 23rd consecutive sellout crowd on March 29-30.

This week, the three-time Thorne Cup champion Rhinos will open with a battle against the Northwest Division champion Bellingham Blazers at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 9.

El Paso will then take the ice at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, April 10, against Western Division winner Long Beach Bombers, followed by a third game at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 11, against the host team and Mountain Division champion Ogden Mustangs.

The six teams in the finals are separated into two three-team flights, playing a modified round-robin tournament format. The four teams with the highest point totals advance to the semifinals on Friday, April 12.

The semifinal winners then earn a spot in the championship game on Saturday, April 13. Games can be viewed online

El Paso has previously won the Thorne Cup in 2008, 2014 and 2018.

Saturday night, the El Paso Rhinos completed the sweep, taking down the OKC Blazers in two straight games.

With the victory, the Rhinos now head north, and will defend their Thorne Cup title in Utah.

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The El Paso Rhinos continue their journey to defend their Thorne Cup title as they head into the Mid-Western Division final of the Western States Hockey League playoffs on home ice starting Friday night.

This weekend, the three-time champion Rhinos, in front of a possible record 22nd consecutive sellout crowd, will battle longtime rival Oklahoma City Blazers in a best-of-3 series at the El Paso County Coliseum Events Center (4100 East Paisano.)

The Rhinos (42-8-3) shut out the Dallas Snipers this past weekend, winning two straight games, 11-0 and 3-0, to move into the final. Meanwhile, the Blazers (39-11-1) earned their spot after defeating the Northern Colorado Eagles, 2-3, 3-2 and 5-1.

The Rhinos have beat the Blazers three of their five matchups this season.

Game one is set for 7 p.m. Friday, March 29, followed by Game 2 at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 30. If a third game is necessary, it will take place at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, March 31. The winner moves on to the Thorne Cup Finals in Ogden, Utah, April 9-13.

Tickets start at $5 and are available at the El Paso County Coliseum Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 800-745-3000, online and at the Coliseum Events Center Ticket Booth, which opens one hour before game time.

Free ticket vouchers also are available at several of the team sponsor locations, including Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q and Lube ’N Go.

Photo gallery by El Paso Herald Post Photographer Johnny Yturales

It’s playoff time in the Western States Hockey League and, once again, the El Paso Rhinos are in contention to take the Thorne Cup once again.

Starting this Friday, the top-seeded Rhinos hope to start that journey in front of a record 20th consecutive sellout crowd as they face the Dallas Snipers in a best-of-3 playoff series at the El Paso County Coliseum Events Center at 4100 East Paisano.

The Rhinos finished the regular season with a 40-8-3 record, placing them atop the Mid-Western Division, and securing the home-ice advantage in the divisional semifinals.

Dallas, 23-26-2, beat the Wichita Thunder in the play-in series to advance in the playoffs to face El Paso.  The Rhinos have beat the Snipers eight of their nine match-ups this season.

Friday’s game will feature the team’s 11th annual Teddy Bear Toss. Fans are asked to bring stuffed animals to toss onto the ice after the Rhinos’ first goal. The stuffed animals are then collected and donated to area children facing struggles and in crisis.

The players also will be wearing special teddy bear jerseys, which will be auctioned off for charity.

Game one is set for 7 p.m. Friday, March 22, followed by Game 2 at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 23. If a third game is necessary, it will take place at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, March 24.

Tickets start at $5 and are available at the El Paso County Coliseum Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 800-745-3000, online and at the Coliseum Events Center Ticket Booth, which opens one hour before game time.

The El Paso Rhinos played host to the Wichita Thunder this weekend, but were far from an easy-going host.

The Rhinos swept the series and now prepare for the WSHL Playoffs once again.

The El Paso Rhinos face the Wichita Junior Thunder in a three-game series ahead of their return to the Western States Hockey League playoffs.

The Rhinos lead the Mid-Western Division with a  37-8-3 record, while the Thunder (13-32-2) are in last place in the same division. El Paso has already secured home ice for the first round of the playoffs, which get underway March 22.

The final regular-season series is always a special one for the Rhinos, who will host their annual St. Baldrick’s event. After Saturday’s game, the Rhinos players, coaching and training staff, youth hockey players and the UTEP Miners hockey team will shave their heads to support the battle against childhood cancer.

All proceeds benefit the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a non-profit organization which raises funds to help find cures for children with cancer. Also, on Saturday, the Rhinos will recognize area childhood cancer survivors and those battling cancer, while Herndon’s Gift Shop will sponsor a cowbell giveaway.

The games are set for 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 8-9, and 4:30 p.m. Sunday, March 10, at the Coliseum Events Center located at 4100 East Paisano.

Tickets start at $5 and are available at the Coliseum Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 800-745-3000, online and at the Coliseum Events Center Ticket Booth, which opens one hour before game time.

After a weekend series that had the El Paso Rhinos collect a 2-1 series win versus Oklahoma City,  improving their overall record to 34-8 on the season and securing home ice for the first round of the playoffs.

The Rhinos currently sit atop the Mid-Western Division and are the first seed going into their final home regular season series

For the final home series versus Wichita Thunder next weekend – March 8, 9, and 10 – the series will feature the annual St. Baldrick’s head shaving event where the players and the staff shave their heads to raise funds for childhood cancer research.

Each of the three games will also include our Jerseys Off Our Backs promotion, Hot Diggity Dog, Miller Lite Scorer of the Game, and as always, our Post-Game Skate with the Team.

The Rhinos look to push a three-game series win into the playoffs beginning March 22. For more information, visit the Rhino’s website.

The Western States Hockey League division-leading El Paso Rhinos hockey team returns home for three consecutive home series at the El Paso County Coliseum starting Friday night.

The Rhinos will start off with a battle against the Northern Colorado Eagles this weekend in a WSHL three-game series at the Coliseum Events Center, 4100 East Paisano.

The games are set for 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, February 8-9, and 4:30 p.m. Sunday, February 10.

Heading into the weekend, the Rhinos boast a 29-8-2 record as they lead the Mid-Western Division. The Eagles, meanwhile, are 22-14-2 and in third place in the same division.

In honor of autism awareness, El Paso players will be wearing special themed jerseys that will be auctioned off after Saturday’s game.

El Paso then takes on the Oklahoma City Blazers on February 22-24, followed by a matchup with the Wichita Thunder on March 8-10.

Tickets start at $5 and are available at the Coliseum Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 800-745-3000, online and at the Coliseum Events Center Ticket Booth, which opens one hour before game time.

After spending more than a month on the road, the El Paso Rhinos return to their home ice for a Western States Hockey League three-game home series against the Ontario Avalanche.

The Rhinos skate back home boasting a 27-7-2 record, earning the top spot in Mid-Western Division and are on a four-game win streak after sweeping the Wichita Thunder on the road this past weekend.

The team scored a combined 31 goals, while goalies Nils Velm, Lane Timmons and Colin Woods allowed only five goals in the three-game series.

The Avalanche, meanwhile, are 12-21 and in fourth place in the Western Division.

The games are set for 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, January 25-26, and 4:30 p.m. Sunday, January 27, at the El Paso County Coliseum Events Center, 4100 East Paisano.

Tickets start at $5 and are available at the El Paso County Coliseum Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 800-745-3000, online and at the Coliseum Events Center Ticket Booth, which opens one hour before game time.