Dunner Returns!!!

The Odessa Jackalopes have announced today that they have re-signed Kenny Bernard and signed Alex Dunn for the 2009-2010 season. This is extremely good news as both of these players are guys that work their behinds off while still producing at their respective positions. Lets start with Kenny first. This guy works hist butt off every time he is on the ice, and he is a scoring threat as well. He had numerous breakaway opportunities last season, and I expect him to put up even bigger numbers next season as he now knows Gillis' system very well and will have a full season to prove himself as opposed to the partial season that he played with the Jacks last season. He was on my wish list to bring back this season, and I am very excited to see that he will be in a Jacks sweater for the 09-10 season. Now on to one of my favorite signing so far as the Jacks have announced that Alex Dunn will be returning to the Odessa Jackalopes. In case you are wondering if this was the defenseman that I expected to be announced but was waiting for confirmation, it was. Dunn will definitely be a big addition for the Jacks as he is a very gritty and physical defenseman that can score too. Rumor has it that he will be Moyer's replacement as Moyer has supposedly left the Jacks for Europe, and I must say that he is a good replacement if these rumors turn out to be true. In fact, I think I would rather have Alex Dunn than Russ Moyer as he has less turn overs, and handles the puck very well. If the Jacks are somehow able to get Moyer back as well, then I definitely would not complain as he is still a very solid defenseman and he will be sorely missed if he decides to cross the pond. With the Jacks bringing back key players from last season while adding proven former Jacks as well as proven players from other teams, the Jacks will truly have a very good chance at bringing the cup home to Odessa. Things are looking good for the Jacks, and I can't wait for the 2009-2010 season. You can read the full article pertaining to Alex Dunn and Kenny Bernard at the Jackalopes website which can be viewed at http://www.jackalopes.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=249:07story16&catid=69:newstory&Itemid=119.

In other CHL news:

• Disappointing news for me personally as the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees have announced that they signed goaltender Andy Franck. Franck is one of the better goalies in the league, and he will definitely make the Bees that much better, maybe even a true contender next season. I was hoping that the Jacks could sign him, but with the signings that the Jacks have announced thus far, I can honestly say that I am not worried at all about the Jacks next season.


• A big trade was made between the Allen Americans and the Colorado Eagles as the Eagles have sent veteran defenseman Erik Adams to the Americans in return for future considerations. The Eagles had to drop some veterans since they would have too many for the 09-10 season, so I assume that they decided to at least get something in return for one of their vets instead of just releasing him into free agency and not receiving anything in return. Adams is definitely a big addition for the Americans, and I am sure that the Allen fans will welcome him with open arms as he is a proven player that is sure to become a fan favorite.


• Finally, the Laredo Bucks have announced that they have signed rookie goaltender Dustin Slade for the upcoming season. He had pretty good numbers in the WHL and was a WHL All-Star, but can he fill the shoes of the former Buck goaltender, Sebastien Centomo? In my honest opinion, I don't think so, but time will tell if he can lead the Bucks down the right path.

Until next time Jack fans all I have to say is GO JACKS GO!!! and October can't come soon enough!

Jacks Prove That They Mean Business!

Hello fellow Central Hockey League and especially Odessa Jackalope fans. It is a cool and rainy day in Odessa, and I must say that this is a relief from the scorching temps that we have had the last month or so. Anyways, lets cut right to the chase: the Odessa Jackalopes announced today that they have re-signed Dominic Leveille and signed defenseman Stuart Kerr for the upcoming 2009-2010 season. The Leveille signing isn't a real big surprise to me as he usually doesn't stray too far from his very good friend, Sebastien Thinel. This definitely makes the Jacks offense that much better as they have now signed their top three scorers from last season in Thinel, Leveille, and Karlander respectively. Leveille is one of my personal favorites, and it is defnitely good to see Dom returning to Odessa. Now on to the signing of the big, physical defenseman known as Stuart Kerr. This guy is a very large athlete that is definitely not afraid to drop the gloves whenever necessary. This does raise a question in my mind as it probably does several other Jack fans as well: is Kerr Joly's replacement? Now that Kerr has signed, we now have two enforcers in Gruenke and Kerr. Will the Jacks try and bring in another enforcer, or will they be happy with the combination of Gruenke and Kerr? I remember Kerr from the mini round of the playoffs a couple of seasons ago between the Jacks and Ice Bats, and I must say that I couldn't stand this guy. Now with him on our side, I am sure that he will become a fan favorite and fit in with the Jacks without much trouble. You can read the full article about the signings of Leveille and Kerr at the Jacks website which can be viewed at http://www.jackalopes.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=247:07story10&catid=69:newstory&Itemid=119.

In other CHL news:

• The Rapid City Rush have announced the re-signing of Jon Pelle for the upcoming season. This guy is a fan favorite in Rapid City, and the Rush fans are definitely happy to see him back in a Rush sweater.


• Bobby Chaumont has re-signed with the Mississippi Riverkings for the 09-10 season. This guy is an offensive threat and definitely a great signing for Coach Kaminski and the 'Kings.


• It looks like our old pal Mike Gorman has followed former Jackalope great and now Missouri Maverick head coach Scott Hillman to Independence. Not only that, but Groenestege has also signed with the Mavs giving Missouri two very solid goaltenders that can definitely get the job done. Good luck to Gorman in Independence, at least until we play them.


• Finally, it looks like the dynamic duo of Carroll and DeCaro is back together once again as the Mudbugs announced today that they have re-signed Ken Carroll for the upcoming season. I think just about every fan in the CHL remembers how much damage this duo did a couple of seasons ago, and they are sure to pose as a real threat to every team in the league once again.

Until next time Jack fans all I have to say is GO JACKS GO!!! and October can't come soon enough!

Two Huge Signings for the Jacks!!!

One of our co-captains from last season will return, as the Jacks have announced that Kory Karlander has re-signed for the 2009-2010 season. The Jacks have also announced that goaltender Joel Martin has signed with the Jacks for the upcoming season as well. This is fantastic news as Karlander is a proven leader and proven player that is definitely one of the best players in the entire CHL. He is a former MVP for the IHL, and by him returning to the Jacks, I think that Karlander thinks that the Jacks really do have a very good chance of bringing the cup to Odessa next season. Joel Martin is also a very good signing for the Jacks as well. This guy has played in several leagues throughout his career (including a short stint with the Jacks), has plenty of playoff experience, and has actually won a championship in his career. If the Jacks are able to re-sign Juha next season, then you better believe that the Jacks will have arguably the best pair of goaltenders in the entire league. One of the posters on the CHL Forums made a very good point when they pointed out that Martin could easily be a starter for just about any of the teams in the league, and if we have him and Juha both, then everybody watch out. Rumor also has it that a former Jackalope defenseman from the past (one of my personal favorites) is supposed to return next season. This guy is a very tough and gritty defenseman that can also score too. I will wait to announce who it is until the Jacks make the announcement, but I can honestly say that he was a fan favorite when he played here a couple of seasons ago, and he is sure to be a fan favorite when he returns. You can read the full article on the Jacks signing Karlander and Martin at the Jacks website which can be viewed at http://www.jackalopes.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=246:07story05&catid=69:newstory&Itemid=119.

In other CHL news:

• The Corpus Christi IceRays have made a very big move after acquiring Jeff Alcombrack from the Mississippi Riverkings in return for Nicolas Bachand. If you remember my wishlist from the CHL Forums, you know that Jeff Alcombrack was on that list. Corpus is putting together a decent roster so far, and I think that they have a pretty good chance of making the playoffs next season. You can read the article regarding Alcombrack at the league website which can be viewed at http://www.centralhockeyleague.com/pressroom/news/index.html?article_id=3544.


• Another rather dull and boring announcement out of Amarillo as the Gorillas have announced the re-signing of defenseman James Jernberg for the 2009-2010 season. This is another signing that does not impress me, and I will go ahead and predict that the Gorillas will once again be in the cellar of the conference for the upcoming season. You can read the full article.... oh never mind. It's not even really worth the time.

Until next time Jack fans all I have to say is GO JACKS GO!!! and October can't come soon enough!