Odessa, TX – The Odessa Jackalopes would like to congratulate Charlie Banquier on reaching 100 NAHL games. The Jackalopes are a member of the North American Hockey League and play out of the Ector County Coliseum located in Odessa, TX.
Many players do not get the opportunity to play 100 games let alone for the same team. For the Oakville, ON native playing in Odessa and wearing the Jackalopes jersey has meant everything to him. “My time here in Odessa has been some of the greatest years of my life. It may not have gone the way that we had hoped for but being in such a great town and community has helped me so much. I remember my first game like it was yesterday and now getting to 100, it’s crazy. I truly couldn’t have done it without my teammates and the organization.”
Before reaching the NAHL, Banquier played 63 games in 2019-20 for Mount St. Charles Academy 18U AAA. While with them he totaled 22 points (7g, 15a). He also spent some time that season playing seven games for Rhode Island Saints 18U AAA (BEAST). In 2018-19, the 6’3”/195lb. right-handed defenseman played for Virtua Hockey 16U AAA (AYHL). During his time there he put up seven points (2g, 5a) in 21 games. He also spent from 2016-19 playing for Moorestown High (USHS-NJ). He was their assistant captain in 2018-19. Banquier won the USHS-NJ (South Jersey 1A) Championship with Moorestown High in 2018-19. In 2019-20, he won the 18U Regional Hockey Championship (New England). Banquier also was the Moorestown Quaker Ice Hockey Club, Varsity Outstanding Defenseman from 2017-19.
The 19-year-old started his NAHL career with the Jacks in 2020-21. He played 47 games last season and finished with six points (1g, 5a). His first NAHL goal came back on December 11, 2020, against the Shreveport Mudbugs. This season with Odessa, Banquier has played 53 games and has scored 19 points (1g, 18a). Which puts him 12th on the team. He has the second-most points as a defenseman on the team. Banquier was also selected by his teammates to be an assistant captain this season. He is tied with three other Jackalopes for the second-most assists on the team. However, he leads the team in power-play assists with seven. Also, his plus/minus of +20 is a team-high. Banquier now becomes the 15th player to skate in 100 games for the Jackalopes. There are still four more games left this season and Banquier has the option to return next year for his final season of junior hockey.
