Jackals Extend Six Qualifying Offers

ELMIRA, N.Y.- July 1, 2013 - The Elmira Jackals announced today that they have extended qualifying offers to six players from the 2012-13 team. The group is comprised of four forwards and a pair of defensemen.

"We qualified these players because they will comprise the core of the team for the upcoming season. They bring the perfect mix of production along with leadership on and off of the ice. It's a great way to start building the roster for this season," said Jackals vice president and general manager Robbie Nichols.

The following are the players whom the Jackals qualified:

Rob Bellamy, Forward - Finished fourth on Jackals with 48 points (20G, 28A) and was one of only two skaters to play all 72 games. Set career highs in goals, assists, points, and penalty minutes (84) in 2012-13, and served as an alternate captain.

Jean Bourbeau, Forward - Had the most productive pro season of his career with 38 points (20G, 18A) while serving as the Jackals' captain in 2012-13. Scored third most goals and seventh most points on the team. Qualifies for veteran status with 285 professional games played.

Kyle Bushee, Defense - Recorded second-most points among Jackals defensemen with 32 (9G, 23A), and ranked 19th among league defensemen in scoring. Set career highs in points and +/- (+15) last year with Elmira. Qualifies as a veteran with 353 professional games played.

Artem Demkov, Forward - Scored second most goals on the team (23) despite playing only 39 games for Elmira in his second pro season.

Jordan Pietrus, Forward - Established career highs in every major statistical category (72GP, 21G, 38A, 59Pts, +17, 89PIM) with Elmira in 2012-13. Finished second on club in points, assists, and +/-. Along with Bellamy was one of two players to skate in all 72 games for the Jackals. Served as an alternate captain.

Jordon Southorn, Defense - Top scoring Jackals defenseman in 2012-13 with career-best 34 points (11G, 23A). Goals were third most among league defensemen and points were ninth. Established third-best single season +/- rating in Jackals ECHL history at +27.

Players who had already signed a contract by June 30 did not need to receive a qualifying offer.

Each team was entitled to reserve the rights to a maximum of eight qualified players. Of the eight qualified players, no more than four could be veterans (260 regular season professional hockey games played as of the start of the upcoming 2013-14 season). Players on open qualifying offers cannot be traded.

The qualifying offer must remain open for acceptance until Aug. 1 at which time the qualifying offer becomes null and void and the team may sign the qualified player to any salary or may elect to take no further action. Teams that extend a valid qualifying offer to a non-veteran player shall retain the rights to that qualified player for one playing season.

A team that extends a valid qualifying offer to a veteran player will retain the rights to that veteran until Aug. 1. After Aug. 1, if the veteran player is not signed to a contract by the team, the veteran shall be deemed a restricted free agent and shall be entitled to seek and secure offers of employment from other ECHL teams. Restricted free agents may not be traded. When a restricted free agent receives a contract offer from a team other than the team with the player's rights and the restricted free agent wishes to accept the contract offer, the restricted free agent and the offering member must, within 24 hours, notify the ECHL, the team with the player's rights and the Professional Hockey Players' Association. The member with the player's rights shall have seven days after the date it is notified to exercise its right to match the contract offer.

If a restricted free agent is not signed to either an offer sheet or a contract by an ECHL team by Aug. 31, the player shall be deemed an unrestricted free agent.

Mark your calendars! The Jackals' 2013-14 home opener is Friday, October 25, 2013 against the Reading Royals. Season tickets are on sale right now and are the best way to enjoy the thrill of Jackals hockey. Season tickets start as low as $10 per game and offer great benefits like an exclusive season kick-off party with the team, merchandise discounts, ticket exchange, and more. Call 607-734-7825 to order your season tickets today!

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Thursday, July 11: First Arena Comedy Club, 7:30 p.m. - Featuring headliner Moody McCarthy. Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 day of show. Click here for tickets.

Friday, July 13: Roller Derby, 6:00 p.m. - The Dolls of Destruction from Troy, Pa. host their first bout at First Arena. Tickets start at $10 and kids 10 and under get in free.Click here for tickets. 

Thursday, July 18: First Arena Comedy Club, 7:30 p.m. - Featuring headliner Davin Rosenblatt. Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 day of show. Click here for tickets.