Jackals with a presence as AHL camps prepare to open
Published on September 18, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Elmira Jackals News Release
ELMIRA, NY - The Elmira Jackals, proud members of the ECHL, announced today the signing of forwards Benoit Doucet, Patrick Bordeleau, and Dan Veenema along with defenseman Chris Busby for the 2007-08 campaign.
Doucet, a 21-year old native of Longueuil, Quebec, comes highly touted as an offensive force after posting a team-high 43 goals and sharing the club lead with 100 points for Victoriaville (QMJHL). Upon completion of his junior hockey season, Doucet joined Rockford (UHL) for the IceHogs' march to the Colonial Cup championship. Under current Jackals head coach Steve Martinson, Doucet posted nine points in 15 playoff games.
Bordeleau (6'6"/220 lbs.) was a 4th round (114th overall) selection by the Minnesota Wild (NHL) in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft . The 21-year old notched 21 points in 20 games last season in skating with Drummondville (QMJHL) and Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL). In three seasons with Val-d'Or (QMJHL) between 2003 and 2006, Bordeleau appeared in 198 contests with the Foreurs and registered 112 points. He posted personal bests across the board in the 2005-06 campaign with 56 points (23+33) in 67 games.
Veenema, 21, was a product of the Jackals 2006 Pro Placement Camp and was signed following the club's UHL training camp last fall. In 55 games during his rookie season, the Dresden, Ontario, product scored six goals and 18 points in a year that was impacted by an early season injury.
Busby, 25, will inject an offensive element into the Jackals blue line in addition to taking care of his own end as the former Chicago (UHL) Hound comes to Elmira. The third-year pro had a breakout season a year ago. The first team UHL All-Star defender ranked second in team scoring with 49 points (9+40) with six of his nine lamplighters coming on the power play. Busby also led the Hounds with a +15 rating.
Doucet and Busby will be in camp with Springfield (AHL) while Bordeleau heads to top affiliate of the New York Rangers in Hartford (AHL).
"We're excited to have a group of players getting looks from the AHL as their camp opens," said Martinson. "In all, we'll have around a dozen Elmira players scattered amongst six AHL camps."
"Doucet comes with great skills and outstanding ice vision that serves his game well while Busby takes care of both ends of the ice and has a gritty element that I'm familiar with from last year," Martinson added. "And anytime you can bring in a player with the physical stature of a Bordeleau who has show some offensive touch along with a hard worker like Veenema, that's a nice combination."
Season tickets, along with 10 and 20-game plans, for the 2007-2008 Elmira Jackals ECHL season are currently on sale at the First Arena Box Office. For more information please call First Arena & the Elmira Jackals at 607-734-PUCK.
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