FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, June 04, 2014
JACKALOPES ADD EIGHT PLAYERS IN 2014 NAHL DRAFT
Sacred Heart commits Kenny and Christian Hausinger and six others added to 2014-15 roster.
ODESSA, TX – The Odessa Jackalopes took another step in preparation for the 2014-15 campaign Tuesday during the NAHL Draft. The Jackalopes picked six amateur players from all across the world to compete for a roster spot on the 18th edition of Jackalopes hockey come this season.
The Jacks picked fourth and fifth in the first round of the 2014 NAHL Draft and like last season when the Wenatchee Wild took the Kuchera brothers and traded them to the Minnesota Magicians, the Jacks picked the sibling duo of Kenny and Christian Hausinger. The brothers out of Anchorage, AK, spent last season with the Baltimore Skipjacks 18U. Kenny Hausinger, a 5’9 189 lbs. forward had 47 points in 22 games last season, leading the team in scoring. Christian Hausinger, a 6’0 187 lbs. Defenseman had five goals and 29 assists to lead all Skipjacks defenseman in scoring.
In the second round, the Jackalopes went to the Chicago-area to select Nicholas Carbone from the Chicago Young Americans U18 and Jake Hamilton from Chicago Fury U18. Carbone, a 1996 born forward, is a 2014 Waterloo Blackhawks draft pick (USHL). Hamilton, the 1995 born defenseman from O’Fallon, IL, was a midget overager in 2013-14.
The Jacks went all the way to the home of NHL great Nicklas Lidstrom, when they picked Andreas Soje from Vasteras, Sweden. Soje, the 20-year old defenseman, will be heavily relied upon to run the Jackalopes power play come this season.
“The goal is to have him running the power play this season,” said Jacks Assistant Coach and Director of Scouting Craig Sarner. “There is huge offensive upside and leadership qualities in this young man.”
Last season, with Vasteras U20, Soje scored 26 points in 43 games at the Super Elite level.
With their fourth round selection, the Jacks chose forward Preston McConnell from the Kansas City Mavericks U18 of the Tier 1 Elite Hockey League. McConnell was a little better than a point-per-game last season with the Mavs, scoring 37 points in 35 games. The Liberty, Missouri native also had huge midget major seasons with the Russell Stover program in 2011-12 and 2012-13. His U16 season, McConnell had 15 goals in 35 games before getting called up to U18. His first full U18 season in 2012-13, McConnell had 15 goals and 14 assists in 40 games.
The Jacks final two picks came in the fifth round, selecting Center/Defenseman Clayton Cross from Phoenix U18 and Goaltender Brock Thompson from Dallas Stars U18. Current Jackalopes forward Derek Brown was ecstatic to have Cross selected by the team. Brown tweeted out moments after the pick, “Pumped to see @claycross_11 was drafted by the @letsgojacks. Ready to get some old chemistry going that we use to have when we were 5 (years old)”
Brock Thompson spent last season with the Dallas Stars U18’s of the Tier 1 Elite League where he posted a 2.67 Goals Against Average and a .905 Save Percentage.
These players along with current Jackalopes returners and tenders will compete for a spot on the team’s training camp roster during the team’s tryout camp in Plymouth, MI on July 16th-20th. Camp registration information is available on our website, http://www.jackalopes.org
In 2014-15, the Odessa Jackalopes will embark upon their fourth season in the North American Hockey League and 18th in the Permian Basin. Season tickets are on sale now! To reserve your seats, contact the Jackalopes’ ticket office today at 432-552-7825 or log on to www.jackalopes.org for more information.
Be sure to follow the Jackalopes on Twitter @LetsGoJacks all year long and don’t forget to ‘Like’ the official “Odessa Jackalopes” fan page on Facebook.
— ODESSA JACKALOPES —
