The Rhinos won 11 straight games to start the 2008–09 season before losing 5–6 to the Tulsa Rampage. El Paso became the Mid-West Division Champions for the third time in three years, beating the San Antonio Diablos, by scores of 6-3 and 9–3, to sweep the Diablos in the Mid-West Division Finals. However, the Rhinos would be lose the 2009 Thorne Cup Championship by being swept by the Phoenix Polar Bears. By being the runner-up in the Thorne Cup Finals, the Rhinos would represent the WSHL at the Tier III Junior A Hockey Nationals for a second time in Marlboro, Massachusetts along with the Polar Bears. During the 2008–09 season, the El Paso Rhinos would adopt Tatenda, an actual rhino in Africa, as a mascot. Though the rhino was not physically moved to America, the organization continues to donate to the organization to cover Tatenda's food and upkeep expenses.