Over the past month, the Elmira Jackals have continued to add to their roster for the upcoming season, signing four more players for the year to come.
First up, on July 14, the Elmira Jackals announced the signing of forward Will Kessel to a Standard Player Contract for the upcoming year.
Kessel, 23, spent most of last year with Western Michigan University. As a senior captain for the Broncos, he recorded career-highs in goals (7), assists (13) and points in 37 games.
Following the culmination of his college career, Kessel made his ECHL debut with the Kalamazoo Wings. He had his first ECHL goal in just his second game in the league.
Jackals head coach Jamie Russell called Kessel a “big power forward” that can play center or wing. Russell said it was a “big recruiting battle win for the Jackals” and pointed out Kessel’s size, tenacity and character as points that will help him excel in the ECHL and further in his career.
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Just one day later, the Elmira Jackals announced the re-signing of forward Taylor Stefishen.
Stefishen, 24, registered 40 points in 58 games last season as a rookie. He was tied for first on the team with six power-play goals and earned two AHL call-ups, with the Adirondack Flames and Texas Stars.
Prior to his time in Elmira, Stefishen played with the University of Calgary, where he once served as an alternate captain. He also previously played with the Prince George Cougars of the WHL and Ohio State University. He was drafted by the Nashville Predators 136th overall in 2008.
Coach Russell said of Stefishen that he “mixes great vision and creativity with grit and edge,” excelling in all situations.
A lull in signings then ensued, until August 6th when the Elmira Jackals announced the return of captain Matt Tassone to the team.
Tassone, 25, registered 28 points (15-13) in 29 games, nearly a point-per-game average. He set a career-high in goals. Tassone also appeared in six AHL games last season, including three games with the Rochester Americans. He has 155 career games of experience in the ECHL and is a great veteran leader for the Jackals, a role he’ll be expected to continue this upcoming season.
Most recently, the Elmira Jackals announced the signing of Chris Langkow on August 7.
Langkow, 25, joins Elmira after two seasons with the AHL’s Bridgeport Sound Tigers. He registered 36 points (13-23) in 133 games over the course of those seasons. Langkow has prior experience in both the AHL and ECHL, having appeared in 138 ECHL games already in his career.
He previously played with South Carolina, Reading and Alaska and appeared in one ECHL All-Star Game. Prior to his pro years, Langkow spent time in the WHL with Everett, Saskatoon and Spokane.
Coach Russell called Langkow an “elite veteran play” that will provide integral help on the offense and power play. Expect him to see a lot of ice time in the coming season.
These signings come after a slew of other signings in late June and early July, which were reported on here.
The Elmira Jackals open their 2015-2016 Kelly Cup campaign on October 16 against the Adirondack Thunder.
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