LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – The Henderson Force is the valley’s newest hockey team.
Previously known as the Las Vegas Thunderbirds, the franchise was created in 2018 and played out of City National Arena. Now, with new ownership coming in, the team has a new look and a new home at America First Center.
”Create an identity,” said head coach Matt Johnson. “City National is home to the Golden Knights, there is a lot going on over there. UNLV plays there, Faith Lutheran, through our talks moving to Henderson would be an opportunity to get Henderson involved in the youth hockey group.”
The Force are part of the United States Premier Hockey League, which is a tier three, pay-to-play junior league for kids ages 16 to 20-years-old. There are eight teams in the division and more than 60 teams in the league throughout the country.
”These kids need a place to play, A lot of kids will age out of age 17-18 and they don’t know what to do,” explained Johnson.
“Juniors provides that gap year with college freshman becoming 20-21, they need something to do. Juniors help them to allows them that opportunity to develop mature and hopefully put them in a position to play college hockey.
“Junior hockey in the United States is kind of an interesting path, it’s a good stepping stone for kids coming out of U18 to get their feet wet at the junior level before they make their jump to the Tier 2 or the college level.”
Prior to the Force, Head Coach Matt Johnson has spent time working with youth hockey programs like the Nevada Storm and Vegas Jr. Golden Knights. “It’s not where you play, it’s how you play. This is just another route for some kids, they may have another route at 18 and they know where they’re going, others may take a couple years and this is another viable option for them to grow and mature and when they turn 20, put them in a position to play NCAA Division III or ACHA Division 1.
”Part of it is making sure we’re giving the kids here in town to put themselves on the map as well.”
The Henderson Force will open their season on the road in Tahoe in September, with their home opener set for October 4th.
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