Dunn, Ofukany Re-Sign with Jackalopes
August 24, 2010 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Odessa Jackalopes News Release
ODESSA, TX - The Odessa Jackalopes announced today that defenseman Alex Dunn and forward Troy Ofukany will return to the team for the upcoming 2010-11 Central Hockey League season. The two returnees bring Odessa's roster total to 15 players with training camp just over a month away.
The 28-year-old Dunn returns for a fourth season in the Permian Basin after his 16 goals last year were second and his 44 overall points placed him seventh among the league's defensemen. Dunn was voted as a starter for the CHL's 2010 All-Star Game where he tallied an assist, and was also named as a finalist for the league's "Most Outstanding Defenseman" award which eventually was given to Colorado's Aaron Schneekloth.
"Alex has been a terrific two-way player for us during his time here," said head coach Paul Gillis. "Defensively he works well to protect our zone, and offensively he's solid at moving the puck."
Dunn began his pro career in 2006-07 with the Jackalopes, and was named to the CHL's All-Rookie Team after scoring eight goals and 16 assists. He followed up his rookie campaign with a 33-point effort for Odessa in 2007-08 with 13 goals and 20 assists. The Waterford, Michigan, native spent the 2008-09 season in Europe, scoring 43 points for the Manchester Phoenix of the EIHL.
"Last year was a close one for us," added Dunn. "I was happy to come back, we won a lot of games, but we just fell short there in the end so I'm glad to be back this year to try and make another run."
Dunn has appeared in at least 62 games each of the last four seasons.
Ofukany (oh-FOO-kuh-nee) was acquired towards the end of last season in a trade with the Wichita Thunder for Paul Kelly and JR Bria. The 6'0", 200-pound forward scored three goals and added an assist in 18 games with the Jackalopes, and appeared in 11 postseason games. Two seasons ago, he tallied 17 goals and 19 assists with Wichita in his rookie year.
"(Ofukany) plays with a lot of grit," noted Gillis, "and that's critical for us to have. He has the ability to create a little more space for his teammates."
Prior to his time professionally, the Kamloops, British Columbia, product spent four years at the junior level in the Western Hockey League where he recorded 66 goals and 83 assists for 149 points in 265 total contests.
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 14th season in the Permian Basin on October 15th. Season tickets, mini-plans, and single game tickets are available by calling (432) 552-PUCK or visiting jackalopes.org.
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