WPHL all-star preparations under way

by WPHL Press Release
Published on December 18, 2000 under Western Professional Hockey League (WPHL)

WPHL Press Release

Besides enjoying their best start in four seasons of play, the Odessa Jackalopes organization has been busily preparing to host the 5th Annual Western Professional Hockey League All-Star Game. The event itself will take place on Friday, January 26th, at Odessa's Ector County Coliseum, and will be preceded by several events, including the WPHL's All-Star Banquet on Thursday, January 25th. The event will be held in conjunction with the 11th Annual West Texas Sports Banquet and Memorabilia Auction, benefiting local area charitable foundations.

Specials guests scheduled to appear at the banquet include Ken Hitchcock, Head Coach of the National Hockey League's Dallas Stars, ESPN television personality Barry Melrose, and Art Howe, Manager of Major League Baseball's Oakland Athletics, among others. Another special "guest" at the Banquet and All-Star Game itself will be the Stanley Cup, the oldest trophy competed for in professional sports. The Stanley Cup was purchased in 1893 and symbolizes supremacy at hockey's highest level, the National Hockey League.

This year's All-Star Game features an Eastern Division vs Western Division format, and player selection will begin on several fronts in the coming days. The starting line-ups will be determined by voting amongst Head Coaches, media members, PR / Broadcasting staff and fans. Fans will have an opportunity to vote for the starting line-ups on-line the WPHL's website at www.wphlhockey.com beginning this Wednesday, and an autographed All-Star jersey will be awarded to one random entrant at the conclusion of fan balloting on Wednesday, January 3rd, 2001.

The respective All-Star Coaches, in conjunction with the WPHL's Hockey Operations department, will select the remaining players for the All-Star teams, with a minimum of one representative per team. The Coaches themselves will be determined by highest team winning percentage after the completion of all games played on Saturday, December 23rd.

"We are looking forward to a first-class event which will again showcase the finest talent in the Western Professional Hockey League," said WPHL President Brad Treliving. "The Odessa staff and entire organization are to be commended for their efforts in making this year's event entertaining and enjoyable for all in attendance."

For more information on tickets, lodging and a complete itinerary of events, please visit www.jackalopes.org , or contact the Jackalopes at 915-552-7825 or 915-683-4251.

Media members planning on attending may request All-Star credentials by contacting Steve Cherwonak by phone at 602-485-9399, by fax at 602-485-9449, or via e-mail at schew@wphlhockey.com by January 19th.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Brett Seguin, Austin Ice Bats
#: 40
HT: 5'9
WT: 190
DOB: 02-20-72

Seguin, Austin's leading scorer, totaled nine points in three outings this week, including a two goal, four assist outburst in the Ice Bats 8-1 win over Corpus Christi December 14th. The highly skilled center leads all WPHL playmakers with 30 assists to date this season.
GP: 3
G: 2
A: 7
PTS: 9

GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK
Grant Sjerven, Odessa Jackalopes
#: 35
HT: 6'0
WT: 195
DOB: 03-13-70

Sjerven led the 'Jacks to five points in his three games played this week, including a 5-0 blanking of the El Paso Buzzards on December 15th. Sjerven went a total of 119:01 without allowing a goal against, and leads the WPHL with four shut-outs, setting an Odessa single season record.
GP: 3 MIN: 180:00
GA: 7 SAVE%: .906
Wins: 2 Losses: 0
SOL: 1 Shut-Outs: 1

QUOTABLES

• "Tonight was a real weird game, we're usually a disciplined hockey team." (DEC.16)
  - Austin Coach Brent Hughes, after his Ice Bats received 88 minutes in penalties in a 6-2 loss at Fort Worth.

• "It would have been nice to bring it over to another game. We were dominating." (DEC.17)
  - Odessa Coach Don McKee, whose Jackalopes went nearly three complete games without allowing a goal against.

• "Our offense hasn't won us a lot of games for us and that's a core problem, not an individual one." (DEC.17)
  - San Angelo Coach Barry Smith, whose Outlaws have scored more than three goals just once in their last 14 outings.

• "Why do you think Monroe's successful right now? They're patient on offense and good things happen to good teams that do the little things well." (DEC.16)
  - Lake Charles Coach Bob Mantha, complimenting the opposition Moccasins after losing 3-1.

Western Professional Hockey League Stories from December 18, 2000

• WPHL all-star preparations under way - OSC Original by WPHL Press Release

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