Jackals Invite Five From Pro Placement Camp

ELMIRA, N.Y. -  The Elmira Jackals, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Buffalo Sabres and AHL's Rochester Americans, announced today that they have signed five players to tryout agreements who participated in their ninth annual Pro Placement Camp. Tyler Gjurich, Luke Kasteel, Tom Silber, Duncan Schulz and David Mead will compete in the Jackals' main training camp this October for a chance to earn a Standard Player Contract.

Gjurich, 22, skated in two American Hockey League preseason games with the Hartford Wolf Pack on a tryout but did not earn a contract for the season. Gjurich then earned a taste of ECHL hockey, with a two game stint last season with the San Francisco Bulls before the team ceased operations. He also notched one assist in three games with the Columbus Cottonmouths in the Southern Professional Hockey League. The 5-foot-10 190-pound forward was slated to play at Nipissing University in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS), but played just four games due to an injury.

The Hatfield, Pennsylvania native skated for the Buffalo Jr. Sabres in the Ontario Junior Hockey League during the 2012-13 campaign. Gjurich lit up the league, notching 53 goals and 97 points in 53 regular season games while adding 18 points (nine goals, nine assists) in 10 playoff games. He led the league in goals and points and earned OJHL Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Player and First All-Star Team honors. Gjurich also notched 91 points (38 goals, 53 assists) in 74 games over two seasons for the Springfield Jr. Pics of the Eastern Junior Hockey League.

Kasteel, 21, is a big-bodied winger who played two seasons for the Carleton Place Canadians in the Central Canada Hockey League. The 6-foot-2 200-pound forward recorded 34 points (18 goals, 16 assists) in 42 games for the Canadians. The North Vancouver, BC native also skated for the Flin Flon Bombers in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League and the Dryden Ice Dogs in the Superior International Junior Hockey League.

Silber, 26, is a St. Louis, Missouri native, who took the last six years off from ice hockey to pursue other career options. He played competitive inline hockey and returned to the ice this past January. The 6-foot 200-pound forward played for the St. Louis Blues Junior Program before discontinuing his collegiate career.

Schulz, 23, spent the past three seasons playing for Thompson Rivers University in the British Columbia Intercollegiate Hockey League. In 41 BCIHL games, the 6-foot 170-pound forward notched 62 points (23 goals, 39 assists) and 82 penalty minutes. Prior to attending Thompson Rivers University, the Kamloops, BC native played three seasons for the Kamloops Storm in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League, where he posted 89 points (35 goals, 54 assists) and 70 penalty minutes in 103 games.

Mead, 22, played in eight games last season at Selkirk College in the BCIHL before an injury ended his season early. Before heading to the BCIHL, the physical 6-foot-1 220-pound defenseman spent a season with the Wenatchee Wild in the North American Hockey League, where he recorded nine points and 132 penalty minutes in 39 games. He also spent a season and a half in the United States Hockey League playing for the Fargo Force and the Omaha Lancers. Mead totaled three points and 91 penalty minutes in 53 USHL games. The nearby Conklin, New York native began playing major junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey League with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Mead logged six points and 56 penalty minutes in 83 OHL games.

Mark your calendars! The Jackals open their home schedule for their eighth season of ECHL hockey on Friday, October 17 against the Kalamazoo Wings at7:05 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!