(Courtesy of the Fort Worth Brahmas) Fort Worth- The Fort Worth Brahmas are losing a valuable member of their hockey operations staff. Sparky Sorenson, the team’s Equipment Manager, is leaving the Brahmas organization to accept a position of Assistant Equipment Manager on the staff of the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League.

Sorenson will be leaving Fort Worth this weekend and traveling north to New Jersey. He will begin his duties with the Devils next week. Sorenson, a Dallas native, will be working with Rich Matthews, the Devils’ Head Equipment Manager, and Alex Abasto, the Devils other Assistant Equipment Manager.

Sorenson has served two stints as the Brahmas equipment manager. He originally worked with the team from 1997-1999. After four years away from the Brahmas, he returned to the club in the summer of 2003, and worked for the team in both the 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 seasons.

Brahmas General Manager Mike Barack is enthused to see Sorenson moving up the professional hockey ladder.

“Sparky has definitely earned this opportunity,” said Barack, “His work with the Brahmas has been nothing short of outstanding. He has been an unbelievably hard working and dedicated employee. On behalf of the entire Brahmas organization, we wish Sparky nothing but the best.”

With Fort Worth’s 2005 Training Camp less than two months away, the Brahmas will now move fast to replace Sorenson.

“It’s going to be tough to fill Sparky’s shoes, but we’ve already made contact with several qualified individuals. A good equipment manager is critical for any hockey team, so we’ll make sure we decide on the right person,” Barack explained.

The Brahmas will begin their ninth season in franchise history and their fifth season in the Central Hockey League on Friday, October 21 in Oklahoma City against the Blazers.