Sports in Texas are a moment when many gather together in celebration. No matter what is going on outside an arena, it's always a great time when fans gather together to root for their favorite team. Be honest, you've high fived someone you've never met a sporting event right?

For some people, it's great to be a fan of a team and be in the same area they are. That way, you can, if possible, regularly attend games if tickets are available. The Central Texas area is full of teams one could see live. But what if hockey is a sport somebody wants to see in Central Texas?

From a period of 1996 to 2001, the city of Belton, Texas had a hockey team residents could go see live. But, where did they play, and what led to the folding?

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Who Was The Central Texas Stampede?

Back in the year 1996, The Western Professional Hockey League was formed. According to HockeyDB, 6 teams were in the league to begin. One of those teams was none other than the Central Texas Stampede, even playing at the Cadence Bank Center, then known as the Bell County Expo Center. Located in Belton, the Stampede certainly lived up to their name, as their opening season in ended with a 4-1 loss in the league's finals to determine a champion.

In addition, as revealed by HockeyDB, the team never had a record that would be considered a "losing season." The team was winning and doing well on the ice, so where was the issue? Well sadly, money was the main issue.

How Did Money Affect The Central Texas Stampede Off The Ice?

Fun While It Lasted revealed that ownership was a big issue for the team. It got so bad that at one point, players refused to take the ice, trying to get an owner that would care about the team overall. Though that was unsuccessful, 2000 was the year owners in the area of Belton took over.

Unfortunately, the financial issues became too great. Following a game on January 6th, 2001, the team officially went under. While we may never see a hockey team in Belton again, we're left for with the memories:

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