2013 Elmira Jackals Pro Placement Camp Recap

ELMIRA, N..Y. - Last weekend the Elmira Jackals hosted their eighth-annual Pro Placement Camp at First Arena. Forty nine players showcased their skills in an effort to secure an invitation to the Jackals' main training camp in October. At the end of the weekend three players advanced from pro placement camp to the main training camp.

"We had a very successful pro placement camp last weekend. Dwight Mullins and I picked three young players who will have a chance to come to training camp in October and compete for a spot on the club for this season.

"From everyone on the Jackals, I'd like to thank the players for attending and giving a great effort, the fans for showing up to cheer the players on, and everyone who volunteered their time to make sure the camp ran smoothly," said Jackals vice president and general manager Robbie Nichols.

This year's pro placement camp was a grueling process that had the players on the ice for a total of seven hours in three days. After team practice sessions on Friday evening, Team White and Team Blue scrimmaged twice on Saturday and once on Sunday to close the camp. Team White swept the scrimmages and placed two players in Elmira's main camp.

The players were evaluated by pro placement camp directors Robbie Nichols, Jackals head coach Dwight Mullins, and head coach of the Federal Hockey League champion Danbury Whalers - Phil Esposito. At the conclusion of the camp they selected from Team Blue defenseman Scott Morongell, and from Team White forward Brett Leonard and goalie Mike McDonald.

Morongell, 22, looks to turn pro after finishing his collegiate career at Liberty University. A native of Augusta, New Jersey, Morongell is a 6-0, 205-pound blueliner who produced 19 points (5 goals, 14 assists) and 46 penalty minutes in 40 games for Liberty in 2012-13. Liberty is an American Collegiate Hockey Association Division-I program.

Leonard, 26, chipped in 14 points (2 goals, 12 assists) in 14 games with Danbury during the 2012-13 regular season and added another five points (2 goals, 3 assists) over six playoff games to help the Whalers claim the FHL title. From 2007-2012 Leonard, 5-6, 175-pounds, suited up for the University of Vermont alongside former Jackals forward Jack Downing. Leonard, who hails from South Burlington, Vermont, produced 16 points (3 goals, 13 assists) in 99 games for the Catamounts.

McDonald, 23, is a rookie goaltender out of Salve Regina University which competes at the NCAA Division-III level. He put together a career record of 9-27-3 with the Seahawks, and was named to the 2012 ECAC Northeast All-Academic Team. McDonald calls Whitby, Ontario home.

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, 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 to order tickets.

Saturday, September 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.

Saturday, September 21: Wegman's Twin Tiers Tap In presented by TLC Limo and Anchor Glass. 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sample fine craft brews from across the country, and tasty local food. Tickets are $30. Click here to order tickets.

Thursday, October 17: Air Supply Live in Concert. Show begins at 7:00 p.m. and tickets start at $25.75. Click here to order tickets.