Dave LaCouture Joins Jackalopes Front Office
June 23, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Odessa Jackalopes News Release
(Odessa, TX) - The Odessa Jackalopes announced today that Dave LaCouture has joined the organization's front office and will serve as the team's Senior Vice President. LaCouture has also purchased a minority interest in the Central Hockey League club.
"We are pleased to welcome David to our organization," said Jackalopes General Manager Joe Clark. "David is a hockey guy, and his experience in the industry should serve us well."
LaCouture, a native of Natick, Mass., won a NCAA national championship his senior year at the University of Maine, and had a brief stint in the American Hockey League afterwards. The 39-year-old was a 5th-round selection of the St. Louis Blues in the 1988 NHL draft.
"This is a great opportunity for myself and my family," said LaCouture. "We have been working on this deal for several months, and I'm anxious to get to work. My family enjoyed our visit to the Permian Basin last month, and we're all looking forward to being a part of this community."
Jackalopes co-owner Rick Gasser said that he and partners Bill & Tracey Nyborg are excited about adding someone with hockey experience to the staff.
"Bill, Tracey and I know that we are building our front-office staff the way it should be built," said Gasser. "We try to acquire good hockey players to make us competitive on the ice, and the same goes for the front office. Dave will be an asset, plain and simple."
Clark said LaCouture's main duties will involve marketing the team, as well as helping the Jackalopes become more involved with youth hockey.
"There are certain areas in our organization we need to improve, but we also need quality people to fill those roles - not just anyone," said Clark. "Our attendance was up last year, but it still needs to improve. Youth hockey needs to be turned around, and Dave has tremendous experience in that area."
LaCouture is moving to West Texas along with his wife Amy, son Christian and daughter Taylor. He officially goes to work for the Jackalopes June 1.
The Odessa Jackalopes are the Central Hockey League affiliate for the NHL's New York Islanders and the AHL's Bridgeport Sound Tigers. The team will begin its 13th season in October. Season tickets, mini-plans, and single game tickets are available by calling (432) 552-PUCK or visiting jackalopes.org.
Central Hockey League Stories from June 23, 2009
- Gorillas remain in Amarillo - Amarillo Gorillas
- Dave LaCouture Joins Jackalopes Front Office - Odessa Jackalopes
- Get A Free, Exclusive Bucks Polo: Sign Up By June 30th - Laredo Bucks
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