Central Hockey League: Jackalopes start training camp

The Odessa Jackalopes players were sore, the result of a punishing set of physical tests Sunday to see just what kind of shape they were in for the start of training camp.

The players were tired, as head coach Paul Gillis put them through their paces Monday morning in the first session of the 12th training camp for the team.

Despite the aches and pains, along with the deep gulps of air after each drill, the players were smiling.

"It's great to be back," forward Dominic Leveille said. "I'm a little sore but I've been riding the bike all summer, so I was OK."

The rest of the 24 players in camp survived the first morning of action - but things are going to heat up a bit today as six more players that have been in American Hockey League training camps in Bridgeport (Conn.), Quad Cities (Ill.) and Rochester (N.Y.) arrive to battle for playing sports on Gillis' roster.

Forwards Jean Bourbeau and Mike Lesperance and defenseman Russ Moyer were in Bridgeport with the Sound Tigers, the AHL affiliate of the New York Islanders. Forward Jeff Pierce was with Quad Cities, the affiliate of the Calgary Flames. Mark Johnson was in camp in Rochester, which partners with the Florida Panthers.

Also, the Sound Tigers are sending forward Mark Rechlicz to the Jackalopes on a two-way contract.

"Our job with Marc is to try to develop him," Gillis said. "He's a big kid (6-foot-4, 193 pounds) who likes the physical part of the game.

"He will be here to learn about the pro game and hopefully we'll be able to move him up and on."

There also will be plenty of competition for the two goaltending positions on the team as four netminders are in camp - Juha Toivonen, Kevin Druce, Derek Dolson and Len Discostanzo.

For Dolson, Monday's skate was a homecoming of sorts.

He broke in as a professional with the Jackalopes in the 2004-05 season, posting a 12-8-4 record with a 2.05 goals against average in a backup role to Mike Gorman.

Dolson then played both in Fort Wayne (Ind.) and Odessa in 2005-06 and was back with the Jackalopes in 2006-07.

Last year, Dolson moved to the International Hockey League with the Bloomington (Ill.) Prairie Thunder.

He's happy to be back in the Permian Basin.

"This is one of the best organizations in minor league hockey and you realize that more when you are not here," Dolson said. "I'm very thankful to have the opportunity to be back in Odessa because I had heard about all the good things that were happening here and what Coach Gillis is trying to do.

"The difference in the team from the first time I was hear four years ago is night and day. There is so much talent on the ice."

After practicing today and Wednesday at MCM Ice, the Jackalopes will board a bus for North Richland Hills for a Thursday scrimmage with the Texas Brahmas, practice on Friday and then a Saturday exhibition game with the Brahmas.

After that, it's back to the Permian Basin for the final week of practice before the season opener Oct. 17 in Arizona.

"We have a lot of work to do in a short amount of time," Gillis said.