FM Jets Upcoming Schedule
Published on September 7, 2007 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Fargo-Moorhead Jets News Release
(Fargo, ND) Jesse Echternach, a veteran of the Fargo-Moorhead Jets, will be playing for the Division I Mercyhurst Lakers in Pennsylvania for the 2007-2008 season.
Echternach signed with the Lakers in late March.
"I got a phone call from their coach, and they wanted to offer me a scholarship," he said. "I had three weeks to make a decision."
Originally from Bemidji Minn., he has never been that far away from home before. After much debate and weighing of every option, he decided to sign on the dotted line.
"It was hard making a decision knowing I would be so far away from home," he said. "But it was the best offer on the table and I knew I would be ridiculous not to take it."
His main concern is the distance from his family.
"I'm so close to my family, that the distance is going to be hard to deal with. I've never lived 19 hours away from my family before," He said. "But it's an opportunity to do something I've wanted to do since I was a little kid."
After being with the Jets for three seasons and wearing the same number, he will be staking with a new identification this year. A senior on the team has the number 16, but Echternach has his name on it for next year.
"It will be weird wearing a different number, but who knows if I have a good season, maybe I'll keep jersey number 14," he said.
Echternach was the leading scorer on the Jets in the 06-07 season, as well as the second in the North American Hockey League with total points. His hard work has put him to the next level where he knows that he will need to continue to work hard everyday and be willing to work with a new team.
"The hardest part about going to a new team is proving yourself, " he said. "It's all about how hard you are willing to work on and off the ice."
Echternach is excited to be a college student, playing hockey, and being in a new environment doing something he loves to do.
When taking the next step to the big Division I league, there is always memories left behind.
"I'll miss the road trips with the team, and 75 game season," he said. "These guys are your family. But life goes on and you need to move forward."
He is very excited to be able to continue his hockey career and engage in a well-rounded education. Echternach will be meeting up with some familiar faces sometime during the season. Bobby Preece, Tom Dickhut, Chris Myhro, are guys he has played with, and will also see Matt Becker, who he played with this past season.
"I have no doubts, and I'm glad I made this decision," he said. Echternach reports to campus at the end of August for freshman Orientation.
The FM Jets Junior A Hockey Club is in its fifth season as members of the North American Hockey League. The NAHL is the nation's largest Junior A hockey league and is now in its 32nd year of operation. For more information, visit fmjets.com or call (701) 235-2354.
Jets home games are played at the John E. Carlson Coliseum in Fargo, ND. All games are broadcasted on Today's Hot New Country 103.9 THE TRUCK, video broadcast through B/2 Network and audiosportsonline.com.
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