Odessa, Texas (DEC 24)- The Odessa Jackalopes, proud members of the North American Hockey League, have been off since December 12 and won’t be back in game action until December 29 in Corpus, but that hasn’t stopped the team from making multiple personnel moves. The Jacks have added forward Pierce Pluemer who was previously with the Sioux City Musketeers (USHL). Also, the team has released defenseman/forward Jason Watts and tendered Zach Heintz of the Fox Motors AAA (T1EHL U18). Last, the team has removed defenseman Dakoda Menslage (hip) injured reserve and placed forward Taylor Gatto (head) on injured reserve.
Pluemer, 19, is committed to play at Air Force Academy (NCAA D1) in 2016-17 appeared in 20 games for the Sioux City Musketeers where he collected six points (1 goal, 5 assists) with a +1 rating. The 6’4”, 201 lb. left-handed winger from Phillips, WI, appeared in five games last year with the Brookings Blizzard (NAHL) recording zero points. Pluemer becomes the sixth NCAA D1 committed player on the Jacks roster. Joining Jacks forward Jon Russel (Harvard), goaltender Dean Shatzer (Dartmouth), defenseman Daniel Kiraly (Alaska-Fairbanks), forward Derek Brown (Niagara) and forward Oliver Celec (Niagara).
Watts, 19, appeared in three games for the Jacks recording zero points, 4 PIM and a -2 rating. The Crestwood, KY native showed off immense physicality in three games playing both winger and defense. Watts will most likely return to the NA3HL where he appeared 22 games with the Wooster Oilers (Ohio) before joining Odessa, collecting 15 points (1 goal, 14 assists).
Heintz, 17, has appeared in 24 games for Fox Motors (T1EHL U18) tallying 22 points (8 goals, 14 assists). Heintz becomes the second Jacks tender from Fox Motors AAA. Forward Brandon Krumpshmid is the other tendered Fox Motors product. He appeared in one game for the Jacks recording zero points and an even rating.
Last, defenseman Dakoda Menslage, 20, has been removed from injured reserve and will make his debut for Odessa as early as December 29 in Corpus Christi. The 6’2”, 225, d-man has yet to appear in a game this season after recovering from offseason hip surgery. After being acquired via trade from the Johnstown Tomahawks last season, Menslage appeared in 11 games, scoring 7 points (2 goals, 5 assists) with a -2 rating.
In 2015-16, the Odessa Jackalopes will embark upon their fifth season in the North American Hockey League and 19th 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.
