For more information:
Chris Bilder, Public Relations/Marketing, Eugene Generals
541-359-4154 (office)
541-680-6222 (cell)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 23, 2008
Generals Final Tenders Include: Blake-Jones, Kroll, and Lehtola
Eugene, OR – The Eugene Generals announced earlier today that the team has tendered Jordan Blake-Jones, Zak Kroll, and Carl Lehtola for the 2008-09 season. Lehtola is an 18 year old forward from Irving, TX; Kroll is a 17 year old defenseman from Anchorage, AK; Blake-Jones is a 16 year old defenseman from Eugene, OR. These three players round out the final three tenders for the Generals this upcoming season.
At 5-11 175 lbs, Carl Lehtola is a highly skilled high character player with the ability to put points on the board. Last season he played for the Alliance Bulldogs U18 AAA where he amassed 18 goals, 24 assists, and 30 PIMS in 39 games respectively.
“Like we’ve said before, there’s talent in Texas,” Generals Head Coach Jay Miller stated referring to Lehtola. “We’re happy that another talented hard working player has made their way to Eugene. We’re excited to have him and look for him to make an immediate impact both on and off the ice.”
“I had been looking around at different Jr. Teams and thought the Generals looked like a pretty good fit,” Lehtola stated. “My dad met Jay and thought he was a good guy. Coach Miller looks like a coach I will enjoy playing for. I’m excited to come to Eugene and be a leader both on and off the ice. I will bring hard work, a positive attitude, and hopefully some goals to the team. This year I look to improve my skills and hopefully move up to the NAHL or USHL.”
Zak Kroll is a 5-7 168 lb stay-at-home defenseman. Last season he played for the Anchorage North Stars U18 AAA where he scored 3 goals, 18 assists, and had 22 PIMS in 36 games respectively. His older brother, Erik Kroll played two seasons for the Generals from 2005-2007 and now plays for Concordia University in Wisconsin.
“Zak is another high character quality defenseman,” Coach Miller stated referring to Kroll. “It’s nice to see second generation players who want to play for us. It shows us that we are doing something right within the organization and developing players.”
“It’s pretty cool tendering with the Generals,” Kroll stated. “It feels like I’m following in my brothers footsteps a little. I feel I can bring some scoring from the back end, a hard work ethic, and a good attitude. I really want to improve all facets of my game so I can go as far as I can in my hockey career, whether that be going Division I or professional.”
Jordan Blake-Jones is a 6-4 185 lb physical defenseman with the potential to have offensive capabilities. Last season he played for the Eugene Jr. Generals where he scored 15 goals, 20 assists, and had 50 PIMS in 30 games respectively.
“As a player who’s played on my midget team who I identify as having a lot of future upside capabilities,” Generals GM Flint Doungchak stated, “I felt with all the uncertainties of this year’s inaugural NORPAC draft that we go ahead and tender Jordan. In doing so, we’re protecting him from being drafted by other teams.”
“It feels good being tendered by the Generals,” Blake-Jones stated. “It’s a relief I don’t have to go somewhere else to play junior hockey. I get to stay home and hear the hometown crowd during games which is always nice. Even though I’m one of the younger guys on the team, I feel I can bring a good work ethic and desire to win that hopefully other people will follow. I hope to go as far as I can in my hockey career and hopefully play Division I hockey. I know playing for the Generals will help me get there.”
For more information on Generals players or tenders please visit eugenegenerals.com.