Jordan Pietrus Returns For Third Season With Jackals

ELMIRA, N.Y. -  The Elmira Jackals announced today that they have agreed to terms with center Jordan Pietrus for the 2013-14 season. He returns for his third season with the club and becomes the fifth member from last year's team to re-sign with the Jackals.

"Bringing Jordan back was a high priority for us this summer. He has proven himself as a top-tier player, and a leader on the ice and in the community. We're thrilled to have him back in Elmira," said Jackals vice president and general manager Robbie Nichols.

Pietrus, 27, is coming off of a 2012-13 season that saw him rack up 59 points (21 goals, 38 assists), a +17 rating, 89 penalty minutes, and set a team record with 279 shots on goal in 72 games. He set career highs in each statistical category while finishing second on the team in points and assists, and third in goals and penalty minutes. Pietrus added five points (4 goals, 1 assist) in six Kelly Cup playoff games.

The 5-10, 185-pound pivot came to Elmira in November of 2011 after beginning the season with six games for the Trenton Titans. Pietrus went on to notch 39 points (12 goals, 27 assists) in 59 regular season games along with eight points (1 goal, 7 assists) in 10 Kelly Cup playoff games. He has totaled 98 points (33 goals, 65 assists) and 170 penalty minutes over 131 games with the Jackals. Pietrus is within range of passing Chaz Johnson's 160 games played for the most ECHL games with the Jackals.

Pietrus turned pro in 2010 as a member of the South Carolina Stingrays. He logged 14 points (5 goals, 9 assists) in 63 games as a rookie. That came after a four-year career at Brown University where he posted 41 points (18 goals, 23 assists) over 100 games.

Pietrus joins forwards Rob Bellamy and Artem Demkov, and defensemen Kyle Bushee and Jordon Southorn as returnees from the 2012-13 Jackals team that won 40 games and qualified for the Kelly Cup playoffs for the sixth year in a row.

He has high expectations for his third season with the Jackals.

"I am extremely excited to be joining the Jackals for a third consecutive year. The organization and its new ownership group have made a huge commitment to the community and to winning a Kelly Cup, and I couldn't be happier to be a part of it.

"Elmira has the best fans in the league, is a special place to win, and is the best place for me to develop and advance my career. This season we're looking to make the transition from a good team to a great team and everyone is putting in the work to make it happen. I can't wait to drop the puck," said Pietrus.

Mark your calendars! The Jackals open their home schedule for their seventh season of ECHL hockey on Friday, October 25 against the Reading Royals at 7:05 p.m. Don't miss a minute of the action with Jackals season tickets. They offer the best discount off of the box office price and come with great benefits like merchandise discounts, exclusive meet-and-greets with the team, ticket exchange, and more. Call 607-734-7825 to order your season tickets today. They start as low as $10 per game!

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UPCOMING FIRST ARENA EVENTS:

Friday, August 30 - Sunday, September 1: Elmira Jackals Pro Placement Camp, All sessions free and open to the public. Click here for details.

Friday, September 6: Travis Tritt and Wendy Owens and Renegade Live in Concert, Show begins at 7:00 p.m. and tickets start at $29.75. Click here for tickets.

Saturday, Septbember 14: Roller Derby, The Dolls of Destruction host their third bout at First Arena with a 6:00 p.m. start. Tickets start at $10. Click here to order tickets.

Rookies Beaudry and Gagnon Sign With Jackals

ELMIRA, N.Y. -  The Elmira Jackals announced today that they have agreed to terms with rookie forward Michael Beaudry and rookie defenseman Mathieu Gagnon for the 2013-14 season. Both skaters join the Jackals after junior careers in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

"Michael Beaudry and Mathieu Gagnon are excellent additions to our hockey team. Beaudry is a dynamic offensive player and Gagnon can create a lot of offense from the back end while also playing a sound defensive game. We're excited to watch them develop into great pro players," said Jackals vice president and general manager Robbie Nichols.

Beaudry, 21, finished his junior career with a flourish last year. In  66 games combined between Val d'Or (32) and Acadie-Bathurst (34) he racked up 81 points (34 goals, 47 assists) and a +8 plus/minus rating. Beaudry's point total was good for 20th in the league while he also ranked 20th in goals and 19th in assists.

Listed at 5-8, 170-pounds, Beaudry spent most of his junior career as a center. He debuted as a 16-year-old in 2008 with Rouyn-Noranda and also played for Rimouski for parts of two seasons from 2009 to 2011. In total, Beaudry earned 220 points (79 goals, 141 assists) in 318 games.

"I am excited to be a part of the Jackals because the team and organization offer me the best chance to improve as a player and advance my career. I'm looking forward to working with Coach Mullins, getting better every day, and helping the team compete for a championship," said Beaudry.

Click here for Michael Beaudry's player profile.

Gagnon, no relation to Mathieu Coderre-Gagnon who signed with Fort Wayne, turns pro after finishing with 39 points (11 goals, 28 assists) in 2012-13 which placed him 17th among QMJHL defensemen in scoring. The 6-0, 180-pound blueliner from Gatineau, Quebec had his best year in 2011-12 between Gatineau (40 games) and Chicoutimi (28 games) when he led QMJHL rearguards with 48 assists and finished second overall with 62 points. Gagnon recorded 30 or more points in each of his final three seasons of junior hockey and finished his career with 134 points (30 goals, 104 assists) and a +24 plus/minus rating over 225 games. He also helped lead Gatineau to the QMJHL final in 2011, and Chicoutimi to the semifinals in 2012.

This past summer Gagnon showcased his talents at the Ottawa Senators' annual development camp. While there he skated alongside former Jackals, and Senators prospects, Chris Wideman Wacey Hamilton, and Darren Kramer.

"I'm very happy to have signed my first professional contract with Elmira. While I was at the Ottawa Senators' development camp, I only heard good things about this organization. I can't wait for the season to begin. I want to help Jackals win and I'm ready for to pick up the challenges that lie ahead," said Gagnon.

Click here for Mathieu Gagnon's player profile.

Mark your calendars! The Jackals open their home schedule for their seventh season of ECHL hockey on Friday, October 25 against the Reading Royals at 7:05 p.m. Don't miss a minute of the action with Jackals season tickets. They offer the best discount off of the box office price and come with great benefits like merchandise discounts, exclusive meet-and-greets with the team, ticket exchange, and more. Call 607-734-7825 to order your season tickets today. They start as low as $10 per game!

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UPCOMING FIRST ARENA EVENTS:

Thursday, August 15: Gary's Body Shop presents First Arena Comedy Club, 7:30 p.m. - Featuring headliner Mike Speirs. Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 day of show.Click here for tickets.

Saturday, August 24: Disney Junior Live! Pirate and Princess Adventure, Shows at 1:00, 4:00, and 7:00 p.m. Tickets start at $26. Click here for tickets.

Friday, September 6: Travis Tritt Live in Concert, Show begins at 7:00 p.m. and tickets start at $29.75. Click here for tickets.

Elmira Jackals Announce 2013 Preseason Games

ELMIRA, N.Y. -  The Elmira Jackals announced today that they will face off against their Atlantic Division rivals, the Wheeling Nailers and Reading Royals, once each in exhibition games in preparation for the 2013-14 ECHL season.

"Our preseason schedule is nice with a game each against Reading and Wheeling. It will give us a chance to really evaluate our players against our fierce division rivals," said Jackals vice president and general manager Robbie Nichols.

The Jackals open their preseason slate by visiting the Wheeling Nailers on Saturday, October 5 at 7:00 p.m. It will be the first exhibition meeting between the Jackals and Nailers, and will serve as the precursor to the season opener in Wheeling on Friday, October 18. The Jackals have won 35 times in 57 tries against Wheeling all-time which includes a 6-4-0 record in 2012-13. Elmira will face Wheeling 15 times during the regular season.

One week later the Jackals return to First Arena to host the Reading Royals at 7:05 p.m. The October 12 tilt will be a preview of the Jackals' home opener on Friday, October 25 against the defending Kelly Cup champions. The 2013-14 regular season features a 16-game slate between the Jackals and Royals, and gives Elmira ample opportunities to improve on its all-time record of 43-30-9 against Reading. The Jackals were 7-7-2 against the Royals last  year.

The preseason home game will also serve as the ticket pick up party for Jackals season ticket holders. All Jackals season ticket holders, and 20-game and 10-game plan holders will receive free admission to the game. Season ticket holders will also be able to pick up their exclusive, individualized season ticket booklets at the game.

For information on Jackals season tickets, which start as low as $10 per game, call the Jackals at 607-734-7825.

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Thursday, August 8: Gary's Body Shop presents First Arena Comedy Club, 7:30 p.m. - Featuring headliner Dan Mahoney. Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 day of show.Click here for tickets.

Friday, August 10: Roller Derby, 6:00 p.m. - Dolls of Destruction vs. B.C. Rollers. Tickets start at just $10. Click here for tickets.

Saturday, August 24: Disney Junior Live! Pirate and Princess Adventure, Shows at 1:00, 4:00, and 7:00 p.m. Tickets start at $26. Click here for tickets.