Odessa, TX (July 14, 2015) The Odessa Jackalopes, proud members of the North American Hockey League (NAHL), have released their 2015-16 schedule in compliance with league rules. The 2015-16 season marks the 19th year of hockey in the Permian Basin and the fifth year in which the Jacks have been part of the NAHL. Odessa opens the season on the road Sept. 12 at the Amarillo Civic Center against the Amarillo Bulls before heading to the NAHL Showcase on Sept. 23-26 in Blaine, Minn. The Jacks wrap up the opening road trip at Wichita Falls on Oct. 3, before beginning the first home stand of the season at Ector County Coliseum against the Topeka RoadRunners on Oct. 9.
The North American Hockey League marks its 40th anniversary in 2015-16. The league is comprised of 22 teams representing four different divisions. The Central, East, Midwest and South. 2015-16 is the fifth year in which the regular season teams play a 60-game schedule. The Jacks will play 28 games at Ector County Coliseum this season, with 16 being played in the first half and 12 in the second half.
The Jackalopes will face all five Southern Division teams (Amarillo, Corpus Christi, Lone Star, Topeka and Wichita) at least ten times this season, including a season-high fourteen times against the defending South Division Champions, the Lone Star Brahmas. All 14 games against Lonestar this season come after the holiday break. After beginning the season on the road for the first six games, the Jackalopes will be home next for the next 16 of 24.
The Jacks travel just once in the month of October when they face the Witchita Falls Wildcats on the 16th and 17th. Odessa then hosts the Bulls for three games to wrap up the month of October before taking nearly a three-week break from Oct. 25th to November 13th when they host the Corpus Christi IceRays.
In December, Odessa welcomes back both IceRays and Roadrunners for back-to-back two-game series at Ector County Coliseum before a 16-day holiday break. The Jackalopes wrap-up 2015 with two more games at Corpus Christi, against the IceRays on Dec. 29th and 30th.
January starts and finishes at home against Lonestar, but includes a seven-game road trip in between against the Roadrunners and Bulls. In February, Odessa faces all four Texas teams, including beginning the month at home against he Witchita Falls Wildcats. March and April are split evenly, with the Jacks playing seven games on the road and seven at Ector County Coliseum.
Odessa wraps up the 2015-16 season at home against the Amarillo Bulls on April 9.
With the release of the 2015-16 schedule, the Jackalopes attention steers towards filling out its roster. Main camp will be held in Chicago, Ill. from July 31-Aug 2nd.
About the Jacks
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.
