Hunter Hein, the 19 year old goaltender from Phoenix, AZ. Has been added to the current Odessa Jackalopes NAHL roster for the beginning of the 22-23 season. Hein who spent the past two seasons as a RoadRunner will have the opportunity to show the parent club that he has what it takes to play in the NAHL. In 25 games last season for the Runners Hein posted an impressive 16-7-2 record with a 2.51 gaa and a .924 sv% that earned him a NA3HL Top Prospect appearance as well as 2nd team NA3HL All Star status.
Hein, at 6’4 200lb received an offer last season from Babson College but decided to stay the course to the NAHL. A 2021 Draft pick of Odessa, Hein didn’t see any time last season with the parent club but Jackalopes Head Coach Scott Deur gave him the call just before training camp this season for a chance to prove he was the goalie coach Beavis says he is. “Hunter is a very good goaltender with a great work ethic. He has great size and with the exception of battling an injury early in his rookie season with us he has been outstanding in net. Hein feels he is now at the top of his game and has never felt more ready. Do we hope to have Hunter with us this season in the NA3HL… Absolutely not! I hope that he sticks with Odessa and has the best season of his career. That’s what this is all about.” states Beavis
I am sure the Runners would make some room for their netminder if things in Odessa didn’t pan out with the NAHL but I am certain that the staff and his teammates are rooting for him all the way this season.
Hein and his team will be heading to the NAHL Blaine showcase this week to kick off the 2022-2023 season. Odessa will match up in game one VS the defending Champion NJ Titans on the Wednesday September 14th. On Thursday the 15th the jacks will meet up with the Aberdeen Wings in game two. Then on Friday the 16th the Jacks will take on the North Iowa Bulls. To round off the showcase the Jackalopes will match up against the Fairbanks Ice Dogs on the 17th.
Meanwhile back in College Station the RoadRunners are putting the final touches on their game plan for this weekends opening games as they will host the Austin Ice Bats Friday and Saturday at 7:30 PM and Sunday @ 2:15 PM at ‘Spirit Ice Arena” Bryan / College Station.