Jacks Add Corupe, Schutte to Lineup for 2010-11
Published on September 28, 2010 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Odessa Jackalopes News Release
ODESSA, TX - The Odessa Jackalopes announced today that forward Kenny Corupe and defenseman Michael Schutte have joined the team for the upcoming 2010-11 Central Hockey League season. The two signings bring Odessa's roster to 19 players with training camp beginning next week.
For Corupe (kor-OOP), the new season will be a return to Odessa ice, after scoring 50 points in 49 games for the Jacks in 2001-02. Since that time the Hamilton, Ontario native has seen action in the East Coast Hockey League, American Hockey League, and overseas - where he played each of the last four years.
"Kenny is a very good, very balanced hockey player," said head coach Paul Gillis. "He is a veteran. He is a leader. He can put the puck in the net, and he makes plays for his teammates."
During the last four years in Europe, Corupe has recorded 85 goals and 118 assists in 148 games between Austria and Italy. Before heading overseas, the forward spent two seasons with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL, scoring 26 points (11 goals, 15 assists) in 83 contests.
"I'm very excited to come back this season," said Corupe. "I enjoyed the first time I played here, and now this is an even better team that's been close to winning. I want to be apart of what they're trying to build on here."
That 2001-02 Odessa squad was the franchise's first Governor's Cup Championship team, and during that year Corupe played on the same line as current Jackalopes assistant coach, Matt Cressman. His wife is also a native of Crane, TX and they are expecting their second child later this year.
2010-11 will be Schutte's (SHOOT) first season in the Permian Basin. The 6'2", 200-pound blueliner brings 191 games of AHL experience, where he scored 17 goals and added 44 assists during that time. Schutte spent the last two seasons overseas also, where he recorded 75 points (16 goals, 59 assists) in 91 games playing in Germany.
"I'm anxious to get things started," said Schutte. "I like the way our team looks so far. I know that everyone here is hungry to win and I'm ready to just contribute any way I can for this team."
Last season while in Germany, Schutte also skated alongside Brady Leisenring - who signed with Odessa earlier this summer and is currently in training camp with the team's AHL affiliate Bridgeport Sound Tigers.
"Being able to recruit Kenny and Michael really had more to do with the relationships they had with current players on our roster. Kenny played with (Cressman), Mike played with Brady, and Brady actually played with (Mike) Ramsay and (Kenny) Bernard in the past as well," added Gillis. "Hockey can be a small world and it's always a plus when you enter a new locker room and already know players that you are comfortable with."
The first day of training camp for the Jackalopes is scheduled for October 4th at Music City Mall.
The Odessa Jackalopes are the Central Hockey League affiliate for the NHL's New York Islanders and the AHL's Bridgeport Sound Tigers. The team will begin its 14th season in the Permian Basin in October 2010. Season tickets, mini-plans, and single game tickets are available by calling (432) 552-PUCK or visiting jackalopes.org.
Central Hockey League Stories from September 28, 2010
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- Bucks Preseason Road Game Moved - Laredo Bucks
- Scouting for a RiverKings Home Opener Victory - Mississippi RiverKings
- Jacks Add Corupe, Schutte to Lineup for 2010-11 - Odessa Jackalopes
- Bucks Sign Three to PTO's - Laredo Bucks
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