Elmira Jackals Become Community-Run Team

ELMIRA, N.Y. -The Elmira Jackals, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Buffalo Sabres and AHL's Rochester Americans, announced today that co-owners Tom Freeman and Nate Cook have donated the team to the community. A board of directors will be assembled to provide guidance and ensure the company's prosperity towards a long-term future.

Freeman and Cook purchased First Arena and the Elmira Jackals on April 10, 2013. They have donated the team to the community in an effort to bring long-term success to downtown Elmira. Freeman and Cook will still own First Arena and will run the daily hockey operations for the Jackals.

"We want the Elmira Jackals to be a long-term success in this community," said Freeman. "Elmira is the smallest metropolitan area in professional hockey and we are very fortunate to have the Jackals here. There are just 71 cities in the United States that have an NHL, AHL or ECHL hockey team and we are committed to keeping this franchise in Elmira."

Freeman and Chemung County Executive, Tom Santulli, began meeting in early May to discuss the future of the Jackals and the deep-rooted support system in this community. The finalized names of those appointed to the board of directors will be announced at a later date. 

Mark your calendars! The Jackals open their home schedule for their eighth season of ECHL hockey on Friday, October 17 against the Kalamazoo Wings at 7:05 p.m.Don't miss a minute of the action with Jackals season tickets! Call 607-734-7825 or visit jackalshockey.com to order your season tickets today. Can't make it to every game? No problem! The Jackals are offering 10 and 20-game select and flex ticket plans! Get 'em while they're hot!