One organization. One standard. One pathway.
The Amarillo Wranglers are entering the 2026-27 season with one connected hockey operations department, one shared standard, and a clearer development pathway than ever before.
The organization has aligned the Amarillo Wranglers of the NAHL and the West Texas Wranglers of the NA3HL under a unified, player-first structure. The two programs will retain clear leadership and team identities while working together daily across recruiting, scouting, coaching, strength and conditioning, player evaluation, and individualized development planning.
Harry Mahood will lead the department as President of Hockey Operations and General Manager. Austin Sutter takes over as Amarillo Wranglers Head Coach, joined by Assistant Coach Chad Bailey. At the NA3HL level, Brit Brookes will serve as General Manager and Associate Head Coach alongside new Head Coach Gordon Bell. Gareth Ambler will serve as West Texas Assistant Coach and the shared Strength and Conditioning Coach for both programs, while Bob Thornton joins the organization as East Coast Scout.
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“This is a defining moment for Wranglers hockey. We have deliberately built a hockey operations staff that is collaborative, experienced, connected, and completely committed to serving our players. From the first conversation with a prospect to daily development on the ice, in the weight room, and in the community, every member of this group will work together to create the best possible experience and pathway for our athletes. The Amarillo Wranglers and West Texas Wranglers will operate with one shared standard – Humble. Hungry. Smart. – while giving players a real opportunity to develop, advance, and chase their college and hockey goals right here in Amarillo. We are reshaping what junior hockey can look like in the Texas Panhandle, and we could not be more excited for the season ahead.” – Austin Sutter, Owner & President |
For players, the alignment means coordinated evaluations, shared prospect discussions, connected development plans, and consistent communication between both coaching staffs. The West Texas Wranglers serve as Amarillo’s NA3HL development affiliate, giving players a closely connected environment in which to develop, compete, and earn advancement opportunities.
The objective extends beyond roster movement. Every department will be aligned around helping players improve: skills, habits, strength, preparation, decision-making, accountability, and readiness for college hockey and the next level.
The result is one organization working from the same plan, using the same language, and holding itself to the same standard.
Over the coming week, the Wranglers will introduce each member of the hockey operations staff and explain how the unified structure will serve players throughout the organization.
Humble. Hungry. Smart.
