Jackalopes Select Four in 2021 NAHL Entry Draft
July 14, 2021 - North American Hockey League (NAHL) - Odessa Jackalopes News Release
ODESSA, TX - The Jackalopes had a strong day at the 2021 North American Hockey League Entry Draft on Wednesday, welcoming four new prospects to help bolster the ranks heading into the Jackalopes main camp and fall training camp. The Odessa Jackalopes are proud to introduce their 2021 NAHL Entry Draft picks.
With the seventh overall pick of the draft, the Jackalopes went with sizable defenseman John Christen out of Tomah, Wisconsin. Christian stands tall at 6'2'' and weighs 185 lbs. The 17-year-old was a standout at Tomah/Spartan High School and Team Wisconsin in 2020-21 netting 39 points in 35 games played on the blue line.
For their second pick, 45th overall, the Jackalopes again went with young size. Forward Alex Bump from Prior Lake, Minnesota became the first forward taken by Odessa. Another 17-year-old, Bump stands tall at 6'0'', and weighs 180 lbs. He was a prolific scorer with Prior Lake High last season netting 32 points (13 goals, 19 assists) in 19 games.
With their third pick, 65th overall, Odessa selected Swiss defenseman Cristian Tallarico, standing at 5'7'' and weighing 153 lbs. Tallarico netted 16 points in 47 games for the ZUG-U20 Elit team last season. Tallarico's 2001 birth year makes him the only 20-year-old selected by the Jackalopes in this year's draft.
For their final pick of the draft, 83rd overall, the Jackalopes selected another forward, this time centerman William Marshall. Marshall, a native of St. Louis, Missouri, stands at 5'11'', and weighs 165lbs. Marshall spent the last three seasons with Culver Academy, netting 16 points (5 goals, 11 assists) last season with the Eagles.
Overall the Jackalopes took two defensemen and two forwards in this year's draft, three Americans and one European. The Jackalopes will now get set for their main summer camp in Chicago leading up to training camp in Odessa as fall approaches.
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