Defenseman Mico Solorzano of the Texas Tornado made a milestone jump last weekend when he suited up against the Topeka RoadRunners.
Solorzano, from San Jose, Calif., started the season with the Texas Tornado’s U18 Midget team of the North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL), marking the first time a NAPHL player has graduated to the NAHL.
He scored a goal in the Tornado’s 4-3 loss to Topeka on Saturday.
After just five games in the young NAPHL season, the 17-year-old Solorzano has seven points, ranking him first in scoring among defensemen and third overall. His three goals also lead all NAPHL defensemen.
In its inaugural season, the NAPHL is made up of 34 teams from 24 programs around the U.S. that are competing at the Tier I Midget AAA level. The league is comprised of five events in which 20 Midget Major and 14 Midget Minor teams are playing for a league championship.
The next NAPHL event is slated for October 9-12 at the Rex-Plex in St. Peters, Mo., a suburb of St. Louis.
For more information on the NAPHL, visit NAPHL.net.