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.