Odessa Jackalopes

This article is about the current Odessa Jackalopes of the NAHL. For the original WPHL/CHL franchise of same name, see: Odessa Jackalopes (1997–2011).

Odessa Jackalopes
City	Odessa, Texas
League	NAHL
Division	South
Founded	2008
Home arena	Ector County Coliseum
General manager	Kevin Leisgang (2015)
Head coach	Greg Gatto (2014)
Franchise history
2008–2011	Owatonna Express
2011–present	Odessa Jackalopes
Championships
Regular season titles	0
Division Championships	0
Conference Championships	0

The Odessa Jackalopes are a Tier II junior ice hockey team playing in the North American Hockey League (NAHL). The team is based in Odessa, Texas and plays their home games at Ector County Coliseum. Jackalopes games are broadcast on the radio on KFZX.

History

Owatonna Express logo (2008-2011)

The franchise first played as the Owatonna Express in Owatonna, Minnesota, in 2008 replacing the recently relocated Southern Minnesota Express. The Express played their home games at the Four Seasons Centre at the Steele County Fairgrounds.^[1] The Express played in the Central Division for three season from 2008-2011 until the team was sold to the Odessa Jackalopes in 2011.^[2]

A previous minor professional hockey franchise known as the Odessa Jackalopes played in the Western Professional Hockey League and Central Hockey League from 1997 to 2011.^[3]

Season-by-season records

Season	GP	W	L	OTL	Pts	GF	GA	PIM	Finish	Playoffs
Owatonna Express
2008–09	58	29	24	5	63	214	189	812	3rd of 5, Central	Lost in 2nd Round
2009–10	58	32	22	4	68	188	190	843	2nd of 5, Central	Lost in 1st Round
2010–11	58	32	19	7	71	175	179	985	3rd of 6, Central	Lost Div. Semifinals
Odessa Jackalopes
2011–12	60	27	28	5	59	153	176	1,036	4th of 7, South	Lost Div. Semifinals
2012–13	60	6	51	3	15	121	309	1315	6th of 6, South	Did not qualify
2013–14	60	15	40	5	35	123	217	1149	7th of 7, South	Did not qualify
2014–15	60	15	38	7	37	172	261	1492	8th of 8, South	Did not qualify
2015–16	60	27	29	4	58	185	218	1315	4th of 6, South	Lost Div. Semifinals

Playoffs

• 2009

First Round – Owatonna Express defeated North Iowa Outlaws, 3-games-to-1

Second Round – Bismarck Bobcats defeated Owatonna Express, 3-games-to-2

• 2010

First Round – Alexandria Blizzard defeated Owatonna Express, 3-games-to-1

• 2011

Division Semifinals – Coulee Region Chill defeated Owatonna Express, 3-games-to-1

• 2012

Division Semifinals – Amarillo Bulls defeated Odessa Jackalopes, 3-games-to-1

• 2016

Division Semifinals – Wichita Falls Wildcats defeated Odessa Jackalopes, 3-games-to-0

References

1. "Express sold, will move to Texas after season". Owatonna People's Press. 2011-02-28. Retrieved 2011-03-02.
2. "NAHL approves sale, relocation of Owatonna membership". NAHL. Retrieved May 8, 2011.
3. "Central Hockey League: Jacks confirm move to North American Hockey League". Odessa American. 2011-03-01. Retrieved 2011-03-02.

External links

• Odessa Jackalopes