Return to Jack Shack

I finished moving back few weeks ago. I notice Odessa Jackalopes home opener was over the weekend. It's been seven years since I last to a game at Jack Shack. Things have changed down there. No longer defunct CHL team its now a junior level NAHL hockey team. Team still going on as this is their 22nd season. Jacks took on Shreveport Mudbugs (former CHL team) on both days. I went to their home opener on Friday night during middle of high school football season. The east end entrance pictured.

South end entrance that along with oilmen statue

Hey look they got a team bus.

Be there tonight!

This used to be team shop. Now converted to bar and grill.

Jerseys of Dan Lavergne and Donnie Margettie hangs before the grill entrance. Both did alot for youth hockey around the area. Donnie is with the team as director of youth hockey.

Formerly a concession stand its now converted to team shop.

They added two extra boxes expanding to four. Used to be seats there. The retired numbers and banners from their years. The banners made mention of their moments in WPHL and CHL years. On the other side was banners of short-lived indoor football team (Roughnecks) which won a championship along undefeated record. 

Rock Girhiny is the first number to be retired. He's now coaching for St. Catherine Falcons. I was there when John Bossio played his final game and celebrated his career afterwards.

Donnie Margettie was always a fan favorite and face of entire franchise. He was always friendly when we chatted and joked around a bit. I still remember the advice he gave me as be who you are and do what you want to do. He helped out big in community with youth hockey and in charge as team's director of youth hockey. Scott Hillman took up coaching after his career ended. His latest stop is in Norway.

Sebby, as fans call him, is one of best players in CHL history. He packed 1-2 punch with Dominic Leveille from 2005 to 2011, Jacks final year in CHL. He went on play with Missouri Mavericks to the year til 2015 as team merged into ECHL. He holds team records in almost category as in games played, goals, assists, and points. Don McKee was franchise coach leading the team to multiple playoffs including Governor's Cup (CHL best regular season record) in 2001-02. I wasn't happy when he was unceremoniously fired despite a down year.

Don Thorn was a director of Ector County Coliseum for 30 years retiring in 2014. He provided much needed help on making hockey succeed in west Texas oil city. Mike Gorman manned the net for seven seasons, the longest for any Jackalopes player.

Glad these jerseys hang in the hallway along with past posters.

The scoreboard remain the same along the videotron

That's the radio broadcast booth still at its same place

They still have this seating section right near visiting team locker room. There were times I seen visiting team players getting ejected and the fans trash talk them on the way back. Good times

Jacks would score 16 seconds into the game

A little chippy there. Ref about to take a tumble as he gets skated into.

Mudbugs tied it up 1-1. Jackalopes scored making it 2-1. Kade Phipps stopped the shots as they held on to win.

Taking three stars of the game are Josh Fricks, Carl Skarstrom (scored first goal), Zach Heintz (scored the last goal).

Despite few changes I felt I never left "home" at all. I had fun time yelling at missed calls and doing the famous Jacks fans chant of, "He shoots! He scores! Hey goalie you suck!" every time Jacks scored. Can't wait get back there for remainder of the season.