Jackals announce initial signings
Published on August 14, 2008 under ECHL (ECHL)
Elmira Jackals News Release
Elmira, NY- The Elmira Jackals, proud member of the ECHL, is pleased to announce the team's first signings for the 2008-2009 campaign. The Jackals have signed center Benoit Doucet, right wing Pierre-Luc Faubert and defenseman Brandon Roach. All three will be with the Jackals when training camp begins in early October. For Doucet and Faubert, it will be their second season in a Jackal's jersey.
Centerman Benoit Doucet returns for his second season as a member of the Elmira Jackals. In his rookie season in 2007-2008, Doucet led the team in most scoring categories and was one of the top rookies in the ECHL. He scored 31 goals, 52 assists for 83 points, was second on the team in plus/minus (+20) and led the team in Power Play goals with 11 and Power Play points with 25. At 5-9, 183 pounds, Doucet was not afraid to mix things up as he racked up 96 penalty minutes in 71 games. After a slow start to the 2007-2008 season, Doucet became a model of consistency for the Jackals as he had points in 32 of the team's final 38 games. In that stretch, Benoit had a pair of 8 game point scoring streaks and a 5 game point scoring streak. A native of Longueuil, Quebec, Benoit spent four seasons in the QMJHL with Victoriaville Tigres where he scored 265 points (119 goals and 146 assists) in 191 games. Following Doucet's fourth and final season with Victoriaville in 2006-2007, Coach Steve Martinson, then with the UHL Rockford IceHogs, called up Benoit for the playoff run. In 15 games, he scored seven points (3 goals, 4 assists) and was a key player in the IceHog's Colonial Cup victory over the Kalamazoo Wings.
Right Wing Pierre-Luc Faubert returns for his second season in Elmira. Faubert finished second in team scoring with 74 points on the strength of 30 goals and 44 assists in 72 games (only Jackals player to appear in all 72 games). His plus 29 led the Jackals and, like his linemate Benoit Doucet, was a force on the team's Power Play as he scored 23 points (10 goals and 13 assists). Faubert gave the Elmira Jackals faithful a big thrill when he scored the game winning goal with 0:01 second remaining in the Jackals 4-3 win over the Bakersfield Condors at First Arena on November 10th, 2007. His best night was a four point night (1 goal 3 assists) in the Jackals 7-1 thrashing of the Wheeling Nailers at First Arena on January 19th, 2008. Like Doucet, Faubert recorded a pair of 8 game point scoring streaks. His outstanding play merited three call-ups to AHL Rochester, Albany and Bridgeport. The 6-0, 172 pound native of Levis, Quebec, spent four years of junior hockey with Vaudreuil of the QJAHL and the Lewiston MAINEiacs of the QMJHL. His best season was in 2005-2006 with Vaudreuil where Faubert scored 91 points (43 goals, 48 assists) in just 49 games.
"Faubert and Doucet not only led the team in scoring, they hit and are solid defensively", said Elmira Jackals Director of Hockey Operations/Head Coach Steve Martinson. "Ottawa is rewarding their outstanding rookie season in Elmira with invitations to their prospect tournament, which last year included several first round picks.
Along with Doucet and Faubert, the Elmira Jackals signed defenseman Brandon Roach. Roach is in his second season as a pro, played all of last season with the Florida Everblades of the ECHL. Last season in Florida, Roach was a huge fixture on the Everblades power play as 62% of his total season's point scoring (12 goals, 22 assists for 34 points) was on the man advantage (8 goals, 13 assists for 21 points). The 6-2 native from Terre-Neuve, NFLD spent four seasons in the QMJHL, one year with Sherbrooke and three with Lewiston where he was teammates with the Jackals Pierre-Luc Faubert. In 195 games, Brandon scored 111 points (35 goals, 76 assists) with his best season in 2005-2006 where he scored 62 points (18 goals, 44 assists) in 68 games. The season before, Roach potted 16 goals. He spent one season of collegiate hockey with Acadia University in 2006-2007 in which Brandon scored 17 points (7 goals, 10 assists) in 26 games. "Roach has a big shot, which I'm looking forward to bolstering our power play," said Jackals Head Coach Steve Martinson.
The Jackals will play in four pre-season games beginning Thursday, October 9th when the Jackals play host to the Reading Royals at First Arena with game-time scheduled for 7:05. The Jackals will then play for keeps beginning with the Home Opener on Friday, October 17th at First Arena when the Jackals play host to Reading at 7:35 pm.
ECHL Stories from August 14, 2008
- Condors Select-A-Seat Party coming up August 22 - Bakersfield Condors
- Jackals announce initial signings - Elmira Jackals
- Jackals and Senators to join forces - Elmira Jackals
- Jackals get a new voice - Elmira Jackals
- Royals and Jackals Go At It Again in Pre-Season Match-Ups - Reading Royals
- T-Devils Announce Preseason Schedule - Trenton Devils
- Bombers Get Everblades Trio in Trade - Dayton Bombers
- Blades trade for Bombers' Tifu - Florida Everblades
- Rays Re-Release 2008-09 Schedule - South Carolina Stingrays
- Deschamps Returns to Sea Wolves Blueline for 2008-09 - Mississippi Sea Wolves
- Royals 2008-09 Schedule Slightly Revised - Reading Royals
- Gladiators Reading Program Returns for 6th Season - Atlanta Gladiators
- Falcons Agree to Terms with Coghlan, Patrosso - Fresno Falcons
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
