FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Monday, February 2, 2015
JACKS ACQUIRE ZECH, MENSLAGE FROM JOHNSTOWN
Alex Alger and 20-year-old Lane Valimont sent to the Tomahawks
ODESSA, TX – The Odessa Jackalopes, members of the North American Hockey League, have traded Miami (OH) commit Alex Alger and defenseman Lane Valimont to the Johnstown Tomahakws in exchange for forward Zach Zech and defenseman Dakoda Menslage.
Zech, 18, has had an impressive start to his junior career during the 2014-15 season with the Tomahawks. The South Lyon, MI native accumulated five goals and 10 assists in 33 games, including a brief stint in the USHL with the Muskegon Lumberjacks. The 5’9”, 180 lbs. forward played his AAA hockey with Victory Honda, scoring 50 points in 65 games at the U18 level.
Menslage, 20, is an early 1995 birth year that will have one more season of junior eligibility. The 6’4”, 205 lbs. defenseman has had no problem throwing his weight around since his junior career in Johnstown started back in 2013, with a mid-season call-up from Granite City (NA3HL). In 2013-14, Menslage led his team with 118 penalty minutes. Menslage also impressed offensively, ranking second on the team in defensive scoring with 16 points. So far this season, Menslage has five goals and nine assists, along with a team-leading 101 penalty minutes in 35 games.
Alex Alger ends his career with the Jackalopes as one of the most decorated players to play in Odessa since the team went from pro to junior in 2011. In 99 career games with the Jacks, the Livonia, MI native tallied 22 goals, 28 assists, and 90 penalty minutes. Alger was presented with the community service award for his efforts outside of the rink at the Jacks Awards banquet at the conclusion of the 2013-14 season.
An early season acquisition from Wenatchee, Lane Valimont filled a role as a veteran leader on a very young Jackalopes defense. The 20-year-old was second on the team in defensive scoring (20 points) only trailing Sacred Heart commit Christian Hausinger.
The newest Jacks players will almost a full two weeks to get accustomed to their new digs in Odessa, as the Jacks are idle the weekend of February 6th. The Jackalopes will return to action on Friday, February 13th against the Wichita Falls Wildcats at the Kay Yeager Coliseum in Wichita Falls, TX.
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 —
