O'Dette returns for fifth season in Fresno
September 30, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release
FRESNO, CALIF. - The Fresno Falcons announced today that the team has agreed to terms with veteran defenseman Matt O'Dette for the 2008-09 season, and that left wing Jarrett Konkle has been invited to the training camp of the American Hockey League's Bridgeport Sound Tigers.
The 33-year-old O'Dette enters his fifth season with the Falcons, and his 12th in pro hockey. He begins the season just two games shy of the 600-game plateau in his professional career. O'Dette enjoyed one of his best statistical seasons as a pro last season, tying his career high with seven goals, and adding nine assists for 16 points.
O'Dette has played in 261 games with the Falcons, which ranks fifth in team history, scoring 17 goals and adding 42 assists for 59 points. His 661 penalty minutes in a Falcons' sweater rank third in team history.
"Matt has been a staple of our program and we are excited to have him back for another season," Falcons head coach and general manager Matt Thomas said. "Selland Arena is the perfect fit for a big, physical defenseman, and we look for him to be the player that sets the tone."
In addition to Fresno, O'Dette has seen ECHL time with Roanoke, and has played in 263 American Hockey League games with Saint John, Quebec, and Hamilton.
Konkle agreed to terms with the Falcons earlier in the off-season, and enters his fourth pro season, and his second in Fresno. Last year, he tied for seventh on the club in scoring with 39 points, despite playing in just 41 games.
The Falcons open the 2008-09 season on the road, taking on the Stockton Thunder on Saturday, October 18 at 7:30 p.m.
Opening Night 2008 at Selland Arena is set for Friday, October 24, when the Falcons host their arch-rivals, the Bakersfield Condors, at 7:35 p.m. Season Ticket packages start at just $432, and are now available by calling the Falcons at (559) 485-7825.
Began in 1988-89 with five teams playing in four states, the Premier 'AA' Hockey League has grown into a coast-to-coast league that will have 23 teams in 16 states and British Columbia playing 828 games from Oct. 17, 2008 to Apr. 4, 2009. Eighteen of the 23 teams have played at least five years in their current city.
The third-longest tenured professional hockey league behind only the National Hockey League and the American Hockey League, the ECHL averaged 4,174 per game last season, marking the fourth year in row and the 16th time in the last 18 years that the league has averaged over 4,000 fans. The league has drawn over four million fans each of the last five years and 11 times in the past 12 seasons.
ECHL Stories from September 30, 2008
- Aces Finalize 2008 Training Camp - Alaska Aces
- Kelly Named ECHL Hall of Fame Selection Committee Chairman - ECHL
- Sea Wolves Announce 2008 Training Camp Schedule - Mississippi Sea Wolves
- Checkers Trade For Blueliner Scuderi - Charlotte Checkers
- Stingrays Sign Defenseman Farynuk - South Carolina Stingrays
- Lynx Agree to Terms with Auffrey - Augusta Lynx
- Chiefs Name New V.P./General Manager - Johnstown Chiefs
- O'Dette returns for fifth season in Fresno - Fresno Falcons
- Las Vegas Welcomes Back Chris Neiszner, Adds Forward Jordan Hack - Las Vegas Wranglers
- Nailers Booster Steak Fry Set For This Weekend - Wheeling Nailers
- Blades add pair of forwards to roster - Florida Everblades
- MacLean Named Assistant Coach - South Carolina Stingrays
- Lammers Assigned From Dallas; Cescon Re-Signs; Paget Invited To Camp - Idaho Steelheads
- Checkers Begin Community Outreach With Checkmates Appearance - Charlotte Checkers
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