FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Monday, May 19, 2014
JACKS DEFENSEMAN SYKES COMMITS TO DIVISION III UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN – EAU CLAIRE
Hastings, MN native moves on to play for 2013 National Champions.
ODESSA, TX – The Odessa Jackalopes, members of the North American Hockey League, are proud to announce the college commitment of Defenseman Tate Sykes to the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC).
In his first year in Odessa, Sykes piled up 13 points, which placed him second of the team to veteran blueliner Chris Taff.
Sykes’ ability to move the puck was something that Blugolds Head Coach Matt Loen found highly desirable in the 20-year old defenseman.
“Tate is a good skater, who moves the puck very well. That is something we look for at this level,” Said Loen. “It is so important for young players coming in to grasp the speed of the game, we saw that in Tate.”
Back in 2013, the Blugolds capped off an amazing season with a 5-3 win over Oswego State in the NCAA Division III National Championship game. Last season, the Blugolds finished third in the WIAC conference with a 19-8-1 record. Poised to make another run in 2014-15, Sykes is happy to be a part of it.
“We obviously didn’t have the success on the ice we were hoping for,” Said Sykes. “But I will be forever grateful to the Jacks for taking a chance on me as a 20-year old and giving me the opportunity to commit to a great school like Eau Claire.”
Sykes will begin his freshman campaign with the Blugolds this coming fall.
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 —
