Houston Bulls saw high turnout at inaugural 2026 NAHL Draft party

The North American Hockey League (NAHL)'s Houston Bulls hosted their first ever event following the announcement of the relocation to the Texas city. 

Hundreds of people showed up on a June 10 afternoon — a weekday — for the Bulls' inaugural party that corresponded with the 2026 NAHL Draft. The Houston hockey organization and its fans watched as the team selected Chicago Mission 18U AAA Vinnie Wrzos with their first-round (No. 10) selection, in addition to Sioux City Musketeers' Gavin Carr (round one, No. 13). Forward Maddox Boyle of the Kent School was chosen in the second round at pick No. 47, with the Bulls also having seven more additional selections.

The NAHL previously announced on March 18 that it would be relocating the North Iowa Bulls to compete as the Houston Bulls in the NAHL South Division.

Devon Buckland, Vice President of Business Operations for the Houston Bulls, said the turnout at the Bulls' 2026 Draft Party can only be indicative of future success once the upcoming season gets underway. 

"I was pretty blown away with the turnout today, with it being at 1 o'clock on a Wednesday," Buckland said in an exclusive. "I mean, if we're getting turnouts like these on weekdays, when people should be at work, I think there's a lot of exciting stuff to come for home games and future events here in the Houston area."

Houston Bulls inaugural 2026-27 season inches closer

The team is to play at the Deep South Ice & Sports Center in Richmond, Texas, which will host the team in the inaugural 2026-27 season and be completed with 1,800 seats and 14 suites in addition to a second NHL size practice ice sheet. 

Sporting News has also obtained information that season ticket sales interest has currently reached over 3,000 for the Houston Bulls and their inaugural season.

With the NAHL team arriving in Houston, the Bulls also brings the city a long-awaited return of high level hockey for sporting fans. Houston hockey fans also saw excitement from Tyler Myers becoming the first player in Dallas Stars history who was born in the state of Texas — a Houston native — to appear in a regular-season game following a trade from the Vancouver Canucks.

Myers concluded his 2025-26 NHL season on the Stars' roster with three assists and five games played in the playoffs.

For those unfamiliar with the NAHL, 23% of NCAA Division I hockey players are NAHL alums, and more NCAA alumni are playing in the NHL than ever before per recent reports.

MORE: Inside the Houston Bulls with the president