All-Star plans continue to develop

by WPHL Press Release
Published on January 8, 2001 under Western Professional Hockey League (WPHL)

WPHL Press Release

Tobacco & Nicotine Free Snuff Company Partners with WPHL, Odessa Jackalopes

Smokey Mountain Snuff, America's original and best selling tobacco and nicotine free snuff, has partnered with the Odessa Jackalopes and the Western Professional Hockey League to serve as the official sponsor of the WPHL's upcoming 5th Annual All-Star Game, scheduled for Friday, January 26th, in Odessa, Texas.

Smokey Mountain promotes itself as non-harmful alternative to traditional snuff, and uses an herbal combination to emulate leading tobacco manufacturers. Randy White, former Dallas Cowboy and a 1994 inductee into the pro Football Hall of Fame, serves as Smokey Mountain's national spokesperson. For more information on Smokey Mountain Snuff, you may visit their website at www.smokeymountainsnuff.com .

"We are very pleased to welcome Smokey Mountain Snuff as title sponsor of our 5th Annual All-Star Game," said Chris Potenza, the WPHL's V.P./Sales and Marketing. "Smokey Mountain has shown an immediate commitment to allying with the WPHL and our member teams, and we believe strongly in their product as an alternative to traditional snuff users."

The starting line-ups for the All-Star Game have been announced, while the remainder of each team's 17-man squad will be released January 10th after consultation between the WPHL's Hockey Operations staff and the respective All-Star Coaches; New Mexico's Tony Martino (Western Division) and Austin's Brent Hughes (Eastern Division).

QUOTABLES

• "Five goals has to be enough to win a game for us. We don't want to get into a run and gun game with anybody." (JAN.07)
  - Bossier-Shreveport Coach Scott Muscutt, after his Mudbugs were handed a 6-5 loss by the Odessa Jackalopes.

• "Some goaltenders will tell you they don't care for the shootout. Some guys respond real well. It's something we work on daily." (JAN.07)
  

  - El Paso Coach Trent Eigner, after his Buzzards earned a 4-3 Shootout win over San Angelo, with goaltender Matt Wealick stopping all five attempts.

• "We continue to do silly little foolish mistakes from guys trying to do too much. and as a result we get punished for it."(JAN.07)
  - Bob Mantha, Lake Charles Coach reflecting on the Ice Pirates 5-2 loss to the Tupelo T-Rex.

• "We joke that we're a package." (Jan.05)
  - Lubbock forward Jan Melichercik, on the fact that him and goaltender Neil Savary are playing together for the 6th consecutive season.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Justin Cardwell, Fort Worth Brahmas
#: 33
HT: 6'0
WT: 205
DOB: 11-26-73

Cardwell provided the offensive spark which allowed Fort Worth to earn four out of a possible six points in their three games played this week. The St. Paul, MN native has recorded 14 multi-point games this season for the Brahmas.

GP: 3
G: 5
A: 3
PTS: 8

GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK
Roby Gropp, Tupelo T-Rex
#: 1
HT: 6'1
WT: 185
DOB: 05-22-73

As goaltender of the highest scoring team in the WPHL, Gropp's play is often overlooked. He won both his starts this past week, stopping 59 of 63 shots faced in the two key wins. Gropp hails from Kamloops, B.C., and has gone 11-0-0 in his last 13 appearances, keeping Tupelo atop the Eastern Division.

GP: 2 MIN: 120:00
GA: 4 SAVE%: .936
Wins: 2 Losses: 0
SOL: 0 Shut-Outs: 0

Western Professional Hockey League Stories from January 8, 2001

• All-Star plans continue to develop - OSC Original by WPHL Press Release

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