ODESSA, TX — The 2019 North American Hockey League draft is in the books. The Jackalopes made eight selections and took four forwards, two goaltenders and two defensemen in their first draft under new head coach Todd Watson.
(Round 1, Pick 6) F- Bram Scheerer:
Picking sixth overall in the draft the Jackalopes went for size and experience in forward Bram Scheerer. The Colorado College commit played in the United States Hockey League last season with the Dubuque Fighting Saints. Scheerer garnered 13 points (six goals, seven assists) in 53 regular season games. The 20-year old from Edina, Minnesota clocks in at 6’3”, 185 lbs which will make him an imposing force on the front end.
(Round 2, Pick 32) D- Jackson Decker:
The Jacks went with another 20 year-old out of the USHL for their next pick. A defenseman from Illinois, Decker posted 13 assists in 60 games and was a plus-0 for the Omaha Lancers last season. With the loss of both Connor Fedorek and Brendan Coughlin, the Jacks will look to Decker to fill a critical role on the blue line.
(Round 2, Pick 52 ) G- Zach Stern:
The first goaltender taken by the Jackalopes was late in the second round as they picked Littleton, Colorado native Zach Stern. An 18 year-old prospect, Stern stands tall at 6″2″” 160 lbs. He backstopped the Colorado Thunderbirds 18U last season, posting a 2.93 goals against average and a .920 save percentage.
(Round 5, Pick 110) F- Ryan Doolin:
The fourth pick for Odessa, and the third USHL player, forward Ryan Doolin played for both the Chicago Steel and the Lincoln Stars last season with a combined five goals, six assists for 11 points. The 6″3″”, 209 lb veteran will add some much needed weight on the front end.
(Round 6, Pick 136) F- Avery Smith:
Odessa also drafted a native of the Lone Star State in Avery Smith. Smith played with the Dauphin Kings of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League last season, garnering 12 goals and 12 assists 51 games. Before his time in Canada Smith played with the Philadelphia Little Flyers, the same program that produced defenseman Brendan Coughlin.
(Round 7, Pick 162) F- Will Dineen:
The Jackalopes went back to the Land of Lincoln for their next pick. Forward Will Dineen had a fair season putting up 18 points (four goals, 14 assists) in 16 games for the Chicago Mission 18U last season. An 18 year-old prospect, Dineen stands at 5″9″” and 159 lbs and will likely be a fine addition to the Jackalopes forward unit.
(Round 8, Pick 188) G- Mathias Onuska:
With goaltending a major focus for Odessa it’s no surprise that they took two goalies in the draft. Mathias Onuska may have been the second goalie taken by Odessa but he is their first and only Canadian taken this year. Onuska, a native of Waterloo, Ontario is a solid goaltending prospect standing at 6″2″” and 179 lbs. The 17 year-old boasted a 2.69 goals against average and a .915 save percentage with the Waterloo Siskins of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League.
(Round 9, Pick 214) D- Gunner Moore:
Gunner Moore was the final player taken by the Jacks in the draft. A defenseman from Las Vegas, Moore spent the last two seasons with the Atlanta Capitals of the NA3HL. During his time with Atlanta Moore accumulated 10 goals and 52 assists during two regular seasons plus 4 assists in the playoffs. Moore stands as another fine pick up for the Jackalopes defense, one that will look forward to having a 6″1″” Moore on the blue line.
