Jacks 2010-2011 Schedule Released!

Hello fellow Jackalope fans! It is a warm, breezy day here in the Permian Basin, and the Central Hockey League released it's 2010-2011 schedule today. You can read the article from the CHL at: http://centralhockeyleague.com/pressroom/news/index.html?article_id=4757

I was pretty happy with the Jacks schedule overall, although there are a few things that kind of make you scratch your head. The Jacks will see plenty of Allen, Arizona, Texas, Colorado, and especially Rio Grande Valley. The Jacks will play the Killer Bees more than any other team this season, with ten games played between the Southern Conference foes. The Jacks will play Colorado more than they play Laredo, which is a little bit strange, but it will be great to see more games between the Jacks and Eagles. The Jacks also play Rapid City five times this season, with three of those games taking place at the Ector County Coliseum. Both Rapid City and Colorado are two Northern Conference powerhouses, so those games will be big tests for the Jacks.

Something that I found a bit strange with the Jacks schedule is that they will not play Mississippi at all this season, even though they are in the same conference. Also, the Jacks only play the Mudbugs three times this season, and once again these two teams are in the same conference. I would have liked to see the Jacks play the 'Bugs more, but I won't complain too much. The Jacks will also open up the season on the road way up North. They open the season against Missouri, then play three former IHL teams in a row. Those teams are Quad City, Bloomington, and Dayton respectively. It will be great to see the Jacks show the IHL teams how the big boys play in the CHL! The only former IHL team that the Jacks will see at the ECC is the Bloomington Prairie Thunder for a pair of games in the middle of March.

Those are just a few of my initial observations when it comes to the Jack's 2010-2011 season. Here is a breakdown of who the Jacks will see in the upcoming season, and how many times they will play each other:

• Rio Grande Valley - 10 total (4H 6A)


• Texas - 9 total (4H 5A)


• Arizona - 8 total (4H 4A)


• Allen - 7 total (3H 4A)


• Colorado - 7 total (3H 4A)


• Laredo - 6 total (4H 2A)


• Rapid City - 5 total (3H 2A)


• Tulsa - 4 total (3H 1A)


• Bossier - 3 total (2H 1A)


• Bloomington - 3 total (2H 1A)


• Wichita - 1 total (1H 0A)


• Missouri - 1 total (0H 1A)


• Quad City - 1 total (0H 1A)


• Dayton - 1 total (0H 1A)


• Evansville - NO GAMES


• Ft. Wayne - NO GAMES


• Mississippi - NO GAMES

Now that we have discussed the schedule, lets move on with some player news. The Jacks announced a couple of days ago that All-Star Dominic Leveille will return to the Odessa Jackalopes for the 2010-2011 season. This is another big signing for the Jacks, and the Jacks will definitely be a force to be reckoned with next season. And no, Mr. Benway, the Jacks do not cheat the salary cap as you suggested in your last blog posting. Grow up a little, and get over the Jacks beating the Bucks a couple of seasons ago in the playoffs. Here is the full article from the Jackalope's website pertaining to the signing of Dominic Leveille: http://jackalopes.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=464:07story07&catid=69:newstory&Itemid=119

Until next time Jackalope fans all I have to say is GO JACKS GO!!! and bring it on CHL!!!