All-Star Goaltender back in Odessa

(Odessa, TX) – The Odessa Jackalopes announced today that forward Jean Bourbeau has been called up to the team’s AHL affiliate, Bridgeport Sound Tigers. The organization also announced that it has signed goaltender Alexandre Vincent, and forward Mike Ramsay for the 2008-2009 Central Hockey League season.

Odessa received the call Monday morning for Bourbeau to head to Bridgeport, and head coach Paul Gillis notified the Jacks’ forward after the team’s morning practice.

“It’s great,” said Bourbeau, “(Team Captain Kory Karlander) told me to just enjoy it, keep it simple, work hard, and do all the little things and I’ll be fine.”

Bourbeau scored two goals and added an assist in the Jacks first two games of the season against Arizona over the past weekend.

“We’re very excited for him,” said Gillis. “He played well in Arizona over the weekend, and it’s great that Bridgeport wants to call him up this early in the season.”
 

Last season goaltender Alexandre Vincent, had a career year in his rookie campaign with Odessa. The 6’4” native of Drummondville, Quebec was named to the CHL’s Southern Conference All-Star Team, finished as a finalist for the Goaltender of the Year and Rookie of the Year awards, and was named to the CHL’s All-Rookie Team. He appeared in 39 games last season going 21-11-4 with a 2.79 goals against average and a .921 save percentage. In 2005, Vincent was selected 114th overall as a fourth round draft pick of the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks.

Mike Ramsay returns to the Jackalopes after playing in 62 games for Odessa during the 2006-2007 season. That year he recorded 24 goals and 20 assists (44 points). Last season the Newmarket, Ontario product scored 35 points (18 goals, 17 assists) in 65 games with the ECHL’s Fresno Falcons. Ramsay has also played in the UHL earlier in his career, and was a member of the Victoriaville Tigres of the QMJHL in junior hockey.

The Odessa Jackalopes are the Central Hockey League affiliate for the NHL’s New York Islanders and the AHL’s Bridgeport Sound Tigers. The team will begin its 12th season on October 17th against the defending champion Arizona Sundogs. Season tickets, mini-plans, and single game tickets are available by calling (432) 552-PUCK.