Austin Bruins, Rochester Grizzlies announce new ownership group

The North American Hockey League (NAHL) has announced that its Board of Governors has approved the application, sale, and transfer of membership of the NAHL’s Austin Bruins and the NA3HL’s Rochester Grizzlies to Brian Raduenz who has purchased the team from Mike Cooper and Craig Patrick.

Raduenz is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of AEVEX Aerospace, an Aerospace and Defense company specializing in aviation-based technology solutions for the U.S. Department of Defense and Intelligence Community.  He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel after serving 20 years in the U.S. Air Force as a commander, flight test engineer, and program manager for a wide variety of manned and unmanned Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) programs.

Raduenz received his Air Force Commission and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the U.S. Air Force Academy, where he also played NCAA Division I hockey. He also holds a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology, and a Master of Science in Military Studies from Air University.

“I am excited to join the NAHL as an owner and help take the Bruins and Grizzlies to the next level. Craig and Mike have built a strong foundation and incredible record of success, and it will be an honor to build on their legacy going forward,” said Raduenz.

Raduenz also founded and is on the Board of the Iron Ranger Foundation, which awards scholarships to support self-motivated high school students who have succeeded and shown self-discipline and resilience despite the loss of parental guidance and support, such as death of one/both parents, estrangement, incarceration, terminal illness, or termination of parental rights.

“I want to thank both Mike and Craig for so many years in providing NAHL hockey to the players and the communities,” said NAHL Commissioner and President Mark Frankenfeld. “Their commitment to the players has produced hundreds of NCAA commitments and their commitment to the community has produced thousands of hours of support for local initiatives. We are excited have someone as committed to opportunity, development, and placement as Brian. We look forward to the next chapter for the Bruins and the Grizzlies and want to wish everyone the best.”

The Austin Bruins began play in the NAHL in 2010-11. In 13 seasons in the NAHL, the Bruins have made the playoffs nine times, won four Central Division regular season titles, and have an overall record of 412-266-87 in that time span. In that 13-year span, the Bruins have had more than 140 NCAA commitments. The team has been to the Robertson Cup Championship Game three times in 2014, 2015, and in 2023.

The Rochester Grizzlies just finished their fifth season playing in the NA3HL. During the 2021-22 season, the Grizzlies were crowned as Fraser Cup National Champions and during the 2020-21 season the finished as Fraser Cup Runner-Up. In five years in the NA3HL, the Grizzlies have amassed a 173-43-12 record and advanced dozens of players onto the NAHL and college hockey.