Jackals Ink Four to Tryout Agreements
August 25, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Elmira Jackals News Release
ELMIRA, NY - August 25, 2015 - The Elmira Jackals, ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Buffalo Sabres and the AHL's Rochester Americans, announced today that the team has signed four players from its Pro Placement Camp to tryout agreements. Defensemen Justin Apcar-Blaszak and Brad Bourke, forward Mark Bennett and goaltender Brad Barone will join the Jackals at the team's main training camp in October.
"Our Pro Placement Camp was a resounding success," said Jackals head coach Jamie Russell. "The calibre of play was quite high and we had some tough decisions. We attracted players from Sweden, Norway, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Quebec, Ontario, Western Canada and from all over the United States. We identified four players that we have invited to our main camp and we will work with several more to help them find pro teams as we have interest in them for call up situations."
Apcar-Blaszak, 27, spent last season overseas skating for SK Lejon in Sweden's Division I. The 6-foot-1 190-pound blueliner recorded nine points (four goals, five assists) in 40 games. The Valley Village, Calif. native previously played at the College of the Canyons in the ACHA and ACHA III ranks.
Bourke, 26, skated at the University of Alberta-Augustana for the previous five seasons, recording 93 points (27 goals, 66 assists) and 132 penalty minutes in 140 CCAA games. The Onoway, Alberta native also added 17 points (four goals, 13 assists) in 26 playoff contests and helped the Vikings win the 2011-12 CCAA championship. The 6-foot-1 190-pound defenseman spent the previous two seasons in the BCHL with the Prince George Spruce Kings and the Merritt Centennials, collecting 59 points (13 goals, 46 assists) in 86 combined games. Bourke's brother, Troy, was a third round pick by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft and currently plays in the AHL.
Bennett, 24, competed for four seasons at Union College, logging 16 points (five goals, 11 assists) over 71 games. The 6-foot 205-pound forward was a part of Union's National Championship squad in 2013-14 in addition to helping the Dutchmen win consecutive ECAC championships in 2011-12 and 2012-13. The Oakville, Ontario native played for the Oakville Blades in the OJHL prior to attending Union College.
Barone, 24, earned his first professional experience at the end of last season, appearing in a playoff contest for the Florida Everblades on an amateur tryout agreement. Barone also signed an amateur tryout agreement with the South Carolina Stingrays, but did not see any action. Prior to turning pro, Barone was a four-year member of the Boston College Eagles. During his time at Boston College, the Medfield, Mass. native won a National Championship, a Hockey East championship and twice was a part of Hockey East regular season championship squads.
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