Odessa, Texas (JAN 12, 2016) – The Odessa Jackalopes, proud members of the North American Hockey League, have announced they have traded defenseman Tim Faulkner to the Brookings Blizzard (NAHL) for a tender contract. Before the trade, Odessa had zero tenders available. Each team is allotted ten (10) tenders at the beginning of the year – plus or minus any trades
Faulkner, 19, joined the Jacks during the NAHL Showcase in Blaine, Minn. after being released by the Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL). Faulkner appeared in 20 games for Odessa collecting three points (0 goals, three assists) and a -6 rating. The New Baden, IL native was acquired by the Jackalopes from the Springfield Jr. Blues (NAHL) last season and appeared in 15 games for Odessa tallying one point (0 goals, 1 assist) before being promoted to the Fargo Force (USHL) where he appeared in 24 games with zero points and a -7 rating.
“Tim is a great kid, we believe he’s going to have a tremendous opportunity in Brookings, and we wish nothing but the best in his career moving forward,” said Head Coach, Greg Gatto.
Faulkner, a 6’4” 203 lb., left-handed defenseman was drafted by Odessa in the second round, 25th overall in the 2015 NAHL Draft. He will join former Jack Colton Schmidt on the Blizzards who currently sit in fourth place in the Central Division (33 GP: 15-14-4=34).
After the trade, the Jacks are down to 21 total players on their current roster and eight defensemen.
According to the NAHL.com, "A tender is a contract, of sorts, a player signs announcing his intentions to play for that particular NAHL team and that NAHL team only. Once a player signs a tender with an NAHL team, his playing rights belong to that team within the NAHL, and he may not be recruited by any other NAHL team. Each team is granted ten (10) tenders – plus or minus any trades – which become active on Nov. 1. Tendered players are not eligible for the NAHL draft."
The Jackalopes travel out to Topeka for three games this weekend against the RoadRunners beginning on Friday night at Landon Arena. Odessa returns home to Ector County Coliseum on Jan. 29-30 for a pair of games against he Lone Star Brahmas. On the 29th the first 500 will receive a Bud Light ice scrapper and on Saturday the 30th fans will get a free Jackalopes rally towel.
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.
