Odessa Jackalopes Explained

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Team:Odessa Jackalopes
Logosize:200px
City:Odessa, Texas
League:North American Hockey League
Division:South
Founded:2008
Arena:Ector County Coliseum
Colors:Red, black, purple, blue
Gm:Scott Deur
Coach:Scott Deur[1]
Affiliates:Atlanta Capitals and Texas RoadRunners (NA3HL)
Colorado Springs Tigers (NAPHL)
Name1:Owatonna Express
Dates1:2008–2011
Name2:Odessa Jackalopes
Dates2:2011–present

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.

History

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.[2] The Express played in the Central Division for three seasons from 2008 to 2011 until the team was sold to the Odessa Jackalopes in 2011.[3]

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.[4]

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
2016–17 60 26 25 9 61 183 200 1683 5th of 7, South Did not qualify
2017–18 60 33 22 5 71 192 163 1211 3rd of 6, South Lost Div. Semifinals
2018–19 60 21 35 4 46 165 222 1386 6th of 6, South Did not qualify
2019–20 50 9 39 2 20 73 203 1014 7th of 7, South Season cancelled
2020–21 56 12 36 8 32 117 190 1021 6th of 6, South Did not qualify
2021–22 60 29 26 5 63 193 193 1071 5th of 8, South
18th of 29, NAHL
Did not qualify
2022–23 60 30 27 3 63 174 199 993 6th of 8, South
20th of 29, NAHL
Did not qualify
2023-24 60 23 29 8 54 162 187 874 7th of 9, South
24th of 32, NAHL
Eliminated

Playoffs

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

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

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

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

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

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

Division Semifinals – Lone Star Brahmas defeated Odessa Jackalopes, 3-games-to-0

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Scott Deur Announced as Jackalopes Head Coach . OurSports Central . July 30, 2021.
  2. Web site: Express sold, will move to Texas after season . 2011-02-28 . Owatonna People's Press . 2011-03-02.
  3. Web site: NAHL. NAHL approves sale, relocation of Owatonna membership. May 8, 2011.
  4. Web site: Central Hockey League: Jacks confirm move to North American Hockey League . 2011-03-01 . Odessa American . 2011-03-02.