Odessa, Texas (DEC 14, 2015) – The Odessa Jackalopes, proud members of the North American Hockey, have been a key piece to the advancement of over 51 players who have gone on to play NCAA hockey, including nine players who gone on to play at Division 1 programs. In November, Connor Hellebuyck became the first ex-Jack to appear in the NHL, with the Winnipeg Jets, Hellebuyck is 4-1-0 in five starts in the NHL. Each Month, Jackalopes.org will bring Jacks fans up to date with all former Jackalope’ players on their current hockey endeavors. Odessa joined the NAHL in 2011 and currently has 45 alumni competing in the NCAA and seven of those at the NCAA Division 1 level.
NHL
Former Jackalopes goaltender Connor Hellebuyck made his National Hockey League debut with the Winnipeg Jets on Nov. 27, 2015, earning a 3-1 win. Since, Hellebuyck has started four more games and has accumulated a 4-1 record with a 1.79 goals-against average and a .938 save percentage. Hellebuyck appeared in 53 games for Odessa in 2011-12, leading the Jacks to its lone post-season appearance, while going 26-21-8 with a 2.49 goals-against average and a .930 save percentage. After Odessa, Hellebuyck went on to play two seasons at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell (NCAA, D1) and was drafted by the Jets in the fifth round of the 2012 NHL Draft. At Umass-Lowell, Hellebuyck led the River Hawks to a Hockey East Conference title, and their first Frozen Four appearance in school history during his freshman season, and was named Regional MVP for his postseason excellence, while ending his season with a 20-3-0 record, .952 save percentage, and 1.37 goals-against average. As a sophomore, Hellebuyck led the River Hawks to another conference title, going 18-9-2 with a 1.79 goals-against average, and .941 save percentage. Before the promotion to the NHL, the Commerce, MI native was 2-7-1 in 10 games with the Manitoba Moose (AHL, Jets) with a 2.41 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage.
Player Team Yr. Record GAA SV%
Connor Hellebuck Winnipeg Jets (NHL) Rk. 4-1-0 1.79 .938
NCAA
The Odessa Jackalopes imprint can be felt throughout NCAA hockey, with a combined 45 Jacks alumni currently playing in both Division I and Division III programs.
Player Program Yr. 2015 GP G A PTS
Ryan Doucet Air Force (NCAA, D1) Jr. 0 0 0 0
Tyler Poulsen Alabama-Huntsville (NCAA, D1) Fr. 13 1 1 2
Jacob Theut Northeastern (NCAA, D1) So. GP: 0-0-0 GAA: 0.00 SV%: .000
Andrew Pikul Robert Morris (NCAA, D1) So. GP: 1-1-1 GAA: 0.00 SV%: .000
Nick Deery Minn-Duluth (NCAA, D1) Fr. GP: 0-0-0 GAA: 0.00 SV%: .000
Jesse Junttila Northern Michigan (NCAA, D1) Fr. 0 0 0 0
Tanner Creel UCONN (NCAA, D1) Fr. GP: 1-0-0 GAA: 0.00 SV%: .000
Ian Mansfield Army (NCAA, D1) Fr. 12 0 0 0
Willie Faust Army (D1)/St. Thomas (D3) Sr. 13 3 3 6
Marcus Ortiz SUNY-Fredonia (NCAA, D3) Jr. 12 7 6 13
Chad Hennum Hamline Univ. (NCAA, D3) Fr. 11 1 3 4
Tyller Robert Gustavus Adolphus (NCAA, D3) Fr. 2 0 0 0
Tyler Cayemburg Wisconsin-Stout (NCAA, D3) Jr. 12 5 4 9
Darren Lapic Gutavus Adolphus (NCAA, D3) Sr. 11 0 1 1
Lawrence Cornellier WIS-Stevens Point (NCAA, D3) Jr. 12 9 3 12
Taylor Portner St. Mary’s (NCAA, D3) Jr. 11 3 5 8
Mikko Virtanen Neumann Univ. (NCAA, D3) Sr. 7 0 1 1
Jared Docken Gustavus Adolphus (NCAA, D3) Jr. 11 1 0 1
Mason Wyman Gustavus Adolphus (NCAA, D3) So. 1 0 0 0
Blake Wojtala Salve Regjna (NCAA, D3) Fr. GP: 6-5-1 GAA: 2.63 SV%: .912
Patrick Thompson Salve Regina (NCAA, D3) So. 11 6 2 8
Zane Popilock Salve Regina (NCAA, D3) So. 0 0 0 0
Matthew Montemurro Lawrence Univ. (NCAA, D3) So. 10 0 0 0
Austin Ho Amherst College (NCAA, D3) Jr. 8 0 0 0
Phil Heinle St. Mary’s (NCAA, D3) Jr. GP: 4-4-2 GAA: 5.06 SV%: .897
Cody Guidorzi Lake Forest College (NCAA, D3) Fr. 4 2 0 6
Chad Guderian Johnson & Wales (NCAA, D3) Fr. 8 0 2 2
Drew Gannon Umass-Boston (NCAA, D3) Fr. 11 2 4 6
Erick Majerle Hamline Univ. (NCAA, D3) Fr. GP: 0-0-0 GAA: 0.00 SV%: .000
Matt Volonnino Plymouth State (NCAA, D3) Fr. 11 5 6 11
Matt Audet W. New England (NCAA, D3) So. 11 0 0 0
Mike Mezzano St. Mary’s Univ. (NCAA, D3) Jr. 12 1 6 7
Chris Taff SUNY-Plattsburg (NCAA, D3) So. 6 1 4 5
Trace Jablin Endicott College (NCAA, D3) Fr. 7 0 2 2
Brett Wagner Milwaukee School of ENG (D3) So. 9 1 2 3
Jude Warner St. Mary’s (NCAA, D3) So. 6 1 0 1
Joshua Racek Northland College (NCAA, D3) Fr. 11 3 2 5
Dylan Rosen SUNY-Canton (NCAA, D3) Fr. 11 2 1 3
Stephen Inman St. Michael’s (NCAA, D3) Jr. 13 0 1 1
Cody Slocum Worcester State (NCAA, D3) Fr. 12 1 1 2
John Feemster St. Olaf College (NCAA, D3) Jr. 8 0 0 0
Jake Kreutzer Lawrence Univ. (NCAA, D3) So. 6 1 0 1
Connor Thie St. John’s Univ. (NCAA, D3) Fr. 2 0 1 1
Robb Stautz St. John’s Univ. (NCAA, D3) Fr. 9 0 1 1
Tate Skyes Wisconsin-EAU Claire (D3) So. 1 0 0 0
Lane Valimont St. Norbert (NCAA, D3) Fr. 2 0 0 0
OHL
Former Jalen Smereck is the only Jack in team history to compete in the OHL (Ontario Hockey League). Smereck appeared in two games with the Jacks in 2014, recording one point (0 goals, one assist).
Player Team Jr. Yr. 2015 GP G A PTS
Jalen Smereck Oshawa Generals 3rd 29 1 8 9
USHL
The Odessa Jackalopes have proven to be a great platform and stepping stone for players to advance to the United States Hockey League. Currently, there are four former Jackalopes in the USHL including brothers Kenny (Des Moines Buccaneers) and Christian Hausinger (Muskegon Lumberjacks). In November, both Christian and Kenny decommitted from Sacred Heart University (NCAA, D1) and have reopened their recruiting process. Christian was also traded from the Lincoln Stars (USHL) to the Muskegon LumberJacks (USHL).
Player Team Jr. Yr. 2015 GP G A PTS
Christian Hausinger Muskegon LumberJacks 2nd 23 0 2 2
Kenny Hausinger Des Moines Buccaneers 2nd 24 7 10 17
Forbes Ploszaj Waterloo Blackhawks 3rd 0 0 0 0
Austin Alger Omaha Lancers 2nd 20 5 2 7
NAHL
Several players have made stops in Odessa and continued their junior careers on different teams in the North American Hockey League. Currently, 10 former Jackalopes are still competing in NAHL.
Player Team Jr. Yr. 2015 GP G A PTS
Alex Armstrong Janesville Jets 2nd 1 0 0 0
Edward Hirka Janesville Jets 2nd 5 0 0 0
Jake Hamilton New Jersey Titans 2nd 20 1 5 6
Max Rasberg Brookings Blizzard Released
Colton Schmidt Brookings Blizzard 2nd 4 0 0 0
Alex Alger Johnstown Tomahawks 3rd 30 5 15 20
Andrew Durham New Jersey Titans 2nd 24 5 10 15
Matt Bernanek Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights 3rd 22 2 4 6
BCHL
The only former Jack competing in the BCHL (British Colombia Hockey League) currently is Cornell (NCAA, D1) committed forward Corey Hoffman. Last year in Odessa, Hoffman appeared in 34 games for the Jacks, tallying 32 points (10 goals, 22 assists).
Player Team Jr. Yr. GP G A PTS
Corey Hoffman Prince George Spruce Kings 3rd 34 9 15 24
