FM Jets Move Above .500
October 2, 2006 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Fargo-Moorhead Jets News Release
Fargo (ND) Last season at this time, Jesse Echternach (Bemidji, MN) was a rookie trying to make his mark on a veteran Fargo-Moorhead Jets team. Fast-forward by a year and Echternach is now one of those veterans and doing his best to fill a scoring void left by the loss of almost all of the team's top scoring threats of last year.
Echternach scored four goals, including a hat trick on Sept. 30, as the FM Jets won two of three games from the Alaska Avalanche at the Carlson Coliseum last weekend. Echternach had a goal and an assist in the FM Jets' 5-1 win on Sept. 28. After being held scoreless in a 4-2 loss on Sept. 29, he followed that with his second career hat trick on Sept. 30 helping to lead the FM Jets' to a 6-3 victory.
Echternach has opened the season with 12 points (7 goals) in the season's first seven games, and is on pace to have an unbelievably good year with over 100 points and more than 50 goals. Still, even if the pace drops off, the veteran is doing just what is needed.
"Early in the season, you need your veterans to be leaders and not just be around for the ride and many of ours are doing what is wanted" said head coach Chad Johnson.
Along with Echternach, other veterans have also stepped up including Chris Connolly (Duluth, MN) who is picking up where he left off last year in the assist department He leads the team with 7. In addition, Andrew Harrison (Temperance, MI) -who spent the past two seasons with the Texas Tornado - has 6 points (3 goals).
While the veterans are making their mark, the rookies are doing their part, much like a younger brother following a bigger brother around. Except, unlike an annoying younger brother, these rookies have actually served a purpose other than being a whipping boy for the veterans jokes and good-natured horseplay.
Former Thief River Falls High standout Robby Phillipp is tied for second on the team in points with 7 (3 goals). Marc Mihulka, formerly of Grand Forks Red River has 4 points (2 goals).
Between the pipes, it has been rookies who have guarded the FM Jets' net. Minnesota State-Mankato recruit Austin Lee (Bloomington, MN) is 3-1 with a 2.50 GAA and .919% save percentage. In addition, Beau Christian (Moorhead, MN) is 1-1-0 with a 3.00 GAA and .935% save percentage.
Johnson Moving into First Place
FM Jets' head coach Chad Johnson has won 231 games in his eight year Junior A hockey head coaching career, including 38 in a year plus with the FM Jets. Johnson's 38 FM Jets' wins has moved him into a tie for the most wins ever by a Junior A coach in Fargo-Moorhead.
Johnson is tied with Dave Christian, who also won 38 games over three seasons at the helm of the former Ice Sharks. Ironically, Christian is the father of current FM Jets' goaltender Beau Christian.
Bring on the Central Division
After starting the season with seven straight non-division games, the FM Jets begin a stretch of nine consecutive games against the Central Division with their upcoming series against the Alexandria Blizzard.
Last Week
Sept. 28 Alaska Avalanche 5-1 W
Sept. 29 Alaska Avalanche 2-4 L
Sept. 30 Alaska Avalanche 6-3 W
This Week
Oct. 6 Alexandria Blizzard 7:35pm
Oct. 7 Alexandria Blizzard 7:05pm
North American Hockey League Stories from October 2, 2006
- IceDiggers acquire netminder Mike Jarboe - Alpena IceDiggers
- Cats Lose Two in Santa Fe - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- FM Jets Move Above .500 - Fargo-Moorhead Jets
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