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Odessa Jackalopes (1997–2011)

This article is about the defunct original Odessa Jackalopes. For the current franchise of the same name, see Odessa Jackalopes.
Odessa Jackalopes
CityOdessa, Texas
LeagueCentral Hockey League
Western Professional Hockey League
Operated1997–2011
Home arenaEctor County Coliseum
AffiliatesNew York Islanders (NHL)
Bridgeport Sound Tigers (AHL)
Championships
Regular season titles1 (2001–02)
Division titles3 (2001–02, 2002–03, 2005–06)
Conference titles1 (2001–02)
Ray Miron President's CupNone

The Odessa Jackalopes were a minor professional ice hockey team based in Odessa, Texas. The team played in the Central Hockey League (CHL), and was an affiliate of the New York Islanders. The Jackalopes played their home games at Ector County Coliseum.

All Jackalopes games were broadcast live on KMCM from the franchise's inaugural year until the 2009–10 season when KFZX took over the broadcasting rights to the live games and the Monday talk show called Hockey Talk.

History

In October 1997, Odessa joined the Western Professional Hockey League (WPHL). In their first season the home games drew an average of 4,000 spectators. Over the next couple of seasons that number leveled off, and the team averaged just over 3,200 hockey fans each game. The team mascot, a jackalope, quickly became one of the most popular in hockey's minor leagues, and team merchandise featuring the snarling, antlered rabbit, has sold well throughout the United States and Canada.[1]

Leagues

The Jackalopes continued playing in the WPHL until 2001, when the league merged with the Central Hockey League. Beginning with the 2001–02 season, the Jackalopes played in the CHL.[2]

On March 23, 2011, the ownership group confirmed that they would be leaving the CHL and joining the North American Hockey League (NAHL), by purchasing an existing NAHL franchise and moving it to Odessa and adopting the same name.[3]

Captains

Captain - Sébastien Thinel
Alternate - Philippe Plante
Alternate - Mike Ramsay

Note: Thinel named as captain replacing injured David van Drunen & Ramsay named alternate.

References

  1. ^ Scott, Jon C. (2006). Hockey Night in Dixie: Minor Pro Hockey in the American South. Heritage House Publishing Company Ltd. pp. 36–67. ISBN 1-894974-21-2.
  2. ^ "Team History at". HockeyDB. Retrieved January 29, 2012.
  3. ^ Scheide, Lee (March 23, 2011). "Jacks make move to North American Hockey League official". Odessa American. Archived from the original on September 15, 2011. Retrieved January 29, 2012.
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