Jackals Provide Updates on Upcoming Season at Press Conference
Published on July 23, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Elmira Jackals News Release
The First Arena and Elmira Jackals announced additions to their front office and roster at a press conference on Thursday afternoon, as well as updates on arena events.
JACKALS ADD NEW AND EXCITING SOUND TO BOOTH
This season, Elmira Jackals broadcasts will have an upbeat sound this season, as Marc Shelanski and Eric Levine have been added to announce the 2009-2010 Jackals campaign.
Marc Shelanski joins the Elmira Jackals as the Director of Broadcasting and Senior Sales Executive after spending time with Elmira's AHL affiliate, the Binghamton Senators. Shelanski has spent 19 of the last 20 years broadcasting hockey, and brings to the Jackals an expansive knowledge of the game. A native of St. Paul, Minnesota, Shelanski served as the Mississippi Sea Wolves (ECHL) announcer in 1998-1999 when the Biloxi-based team won the Kelly Cup. He has also made stops with the now-defunct Raleigh IceCaps (ECHL) and the Springfield Falcons (AHL), among multiple other organizations.
Joining Shelanski in the booth this season is Eric Levine, who will serve as the Broadcasting Assistant and Sales Executive for the 2009-2010 campaign. A Massachusetts native, Levine comes to Elmira as a recent graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he broadcasted hockey for the campus's radio station for three seasons, and most recently announced the NCAA Women's Frozen Four in Boston for Clear Channel Madison.
All Jackals games can be heard live on 99.5 WOKN and 98.3 WVIN, and can be streamed via webcast at www.jackalshockey.com.
SIX-SESS! MVP DEFENSEMAN RETURNS, HIGHLIGHTS SIX SIGNINGS
Coming off an extended playoff run, the Elmira Jackals have made the 2009-2010 season look even more promising by signing six talented players.
The Jackals' 2008-2009 Most Valuable Defenseman Travis Gawryletz returns to Elmira, while Jean-Francois David adds a threatening offensive presence at the blue line. Forwards Nino Musitelli, Chanse Fitzpatrick, Ryan McDonald, and Matt Dias join the Jackals as proven scorers.
Travis Gawryletz will stay with the Jackals for a second straight season after posting 16 points (2g-14a) in his first professional season and being named the Jackals most valuable defenseman. He was second on the Jackals in plus/minus last season with a +14. As an eighth round draft pick in 2004 NHL Entry Draft by the Philadelphia Flyers, Gawryletz skated four seasons for the University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs under head coach Scott Sandelin. Having played in 56 of the team's 72 regular season games and all 11 postseason games last season, Gawryletz figures to be an important blue line presence for the Jackals this year. Jackals head coach Steve Martinson said, "Travis had an excellent rookie season and is a very steady and strong defensive defenseman. We look for a great year from Travis."
Montreal native Jean-Francois David brings six seasons of professional experience to the Jackals. David has played for four AHL franchises and three ECHL teams, most recently the Texas Wildcatters in 2006-2007. David was leading the ECHL in scoring among defensemen with 23 points (3g-20a) through 19 games before he was called up to the AHL. In his last three seasons, David totaled 93 points (14g-79a). He spent the last two seasons abroad, skating for Roeun of the Ligue Magnus in France and Linz EHC of the Austrian Hockey League. "Jean-Francois David is an excellent offensive defenseman. We will look forward to David quarterbacking the power play," said Martinson.
Nino Musitelli will play hockey for a non-Ohio based team for the first time since 2003-2004. In his first professional season in 2008-2009, Musitelli led the Dayton Bombers of the ECHL in scoring, tallying 50 points (19g-31a) while playing in only 62 games. Prior to that, the Michigan native played four seasons for the Miami University (Ohio) RedHawks, recording 24 points (6g-18a) in his sophomore season. "Nino is an exciting player with great speed," Martinson said. "We are excited about him joining the Jackals.
Returning to Elmira for his second stint with the team, winger Chanse Fitzpatrick will once again play in a league in which he has seen plenty of success. Having played for the Jackals in 2006-2007 when the team was a member of the UHL, Fitzpatrick has played his best hockey at the ECHL level. Through 155 career ECHL games, Fitzpatrick has notched 114 points (56g-58a). The Prince Edward Island native spent the last season and a half abroad, playing in German and Swedish-based leagues. "Chance is a very gifted offensive player. He will add a scoring threat every time he is on the ice," Martinson said.
Center Ryan McDonald joins the club having led Prince Albert of the WHL in goals in the 2008-2009 season with 37. His 63 points last year were a four point improvement from his 2007-2008 campaign with Prince Albert. A Saskatchewan native, McDonald also laced up in one playoff game last season with the Rocky Mountain Rage of the CHL, his lone professional start. Martinson said, "Ryan is a good young player with a great scoring touch. We are counting on him to score some big goals."
Having played in just six ECHL games in his career, winger Matt Dias has made a name for himself in the OHL, where he led Sudbury in scoring in the 2008-2009 season with 66 points (31-35). In 2007-2008, Dias played five games for the Wheeling Nailers (ECHL), and last season played one game for the Cincinnati Cyclones (ECHL), notching a goal and an assist in his lone appearance with the Cyclones. Despite his limited time in the ECHL, the Ontario native has seen success in the league and could be an important part of the Jackals' 2009-2010 campaign. "Matt is another player who has a great scoring touch," Martinson said. "He is young and has great speed and will be an exciting player to watch."
Jackals General Manager Robbie S. Nichols stated, "By seeing the six players Coach Martinson has signed for the 2009-2010 season, it looks like we are getting set for another exciting season in Elmira. In our first year in the ECHL, we made the playoffs and lost in the first round. The second year, we made the playoffs and lost in the second round. This being our third year in the ECHL, I believe it is the year of the Jackals. The season is coming quick and our roster is taking great shape."
Jackals season tickets are still available. Call 607-734-PUCK or visit www.jackalshockey.com for more information.
NETWORK OF TALENT: JACKALS MAINTAIN RELATIONSHIP WITH AFFILIATES
The First Arena and Elmira Jackals also announce the continuation of their agreements with the Ottawa Senators (NHL) to serve as Ottawa's secondary affiliate and the Binghamton Senators (AHL) to serve as Binghamton's primary affiliate. The Jackals experienced significant success in their second season as Ottawa and Binghamton's ECHL affiliate, advancing to the American Conference semifinals with a first round victory over the Trenton Devils before falling to the Cincinnati Cyclones.
Last season, 13 Jackals at one point played for Binghamton. The proximity of Binghamton to Elmira is convenient for both teams, as the 45 minute drive makes it easy for each team to have a full and talented squad for each game. Furthermore, the affiliation with Ottawa ensures to Jackals players that there is a legitimate chance they will be recalled to Binghamton or Ottawa at some point during the season. The Jackals look forward to continuing their working relationship with Ottawa and Binghamton in the future.
SEASON TICKET HOLDERS: DON'T MISS OUT
The First Arena and Elmira Jackals announce that tickets for the Elmira Bulldogs two games on February 12-13, 2010 will go on sale on Thursday, July 30 at 10 AM until July 31 in a presale available only to Jackals season ticket holders. Former NBA great Dennis Rodman will lead the Pioneers as the head coach in their games against the Garden City Rebels and the New York Wizards, replacing James R. Schultz, the Pioneers head coach and general manager. Tickets go on sale to the general public on August 3 at 10 AM.
Also going on sale to the general public on August 3 at 10 AM are tickets for the world famous Lipizzaner Stallions. The stallions visit First Arena on September 29, 2009 at 7:30 PM. Don't miss your chance to watch horses perform amazing and world-renowned acrobatic feats, right here in Elmira!
Fans can purchase tickets for all events online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at (607)-734-7825.
ECHL Stories from July 23, 2009
- Reebok Hockey Is ECHL All-Star Game Presenting Sponsor - ECHL
- Idaho extends affiliation agreement with NHL's Dallas Stars - Idaho Steelheads
- Reebok Hockey to be Presenting Sponsor for ECHL All-Star Game and Skills Competition - Elmira Jackals
- Brent Thompson named Head Coach of the Alaska Aces - Alaska Aces
- Checkers Agree to Terms With Mike Taylor - Charlotte Checkers
- Wings Stadium to Host Holiday Inn Alumni Classic This September - Kalamazoo Wings
- Sticks N' Strikes - Kalamazoo Wings
- Two Chances to See Slappy - Kalamazoo Wings
- Jackals Provide Updates on Upcoming Season at Press Conference - Elmira Jackals
- Royals Announce Pre-Season Schedule - Reading Royals
- Valette Back In Thunder Uniform, Agrees to Terms - Stockton Thunder
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.
