The Thunderbird U16 team has secured the Tier 1 Elite League Championship with an overall league record of 32-2-6.  "It is a great achievement for our program. We have been close in the past but this group of 20 young men have been extremely consistent week in and week out," said Angelo Ricci, Thunderbird U16 Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations for the Colorado Thunderbirds. The Tier 1 Elite League is comprised of 24 of the top AAA teams across the US and is considered by many to be the top midget AAA league in the country.  "While we are proud of this accomplishment, our focus is now solely on the Rocky Mountain District championships.  Our players have one thing on their mind and that is to earn an opportunity to advance to Buffalo," added Coach Ricci.  The RMD championships tournament will be held in Denver at Big Bear Ice Arena March 1-4.  The district champion will advance to the USA Tier 1 National Championship tournament which will be held in Buffalo, NY March 28 - April1, 2012.  The Thunderbirds U16 team won the USA Tier 1 National Championship in 2010.