Eric O’Dell has turned a career year into a contract extension with the Winnipeg Jets.
O’Dell, 23, was drafted in the second round of the 2008 draft by the Anaheim Ducks, but he was never able to land a contract with the club. After stellar years with the OHL’s Sudbury Wolves, O’Dell inked an amateur tryout with the Chicago Wolves, and turned that into a three-year entry-level contract with the Atlanta Thrashers.
The year after inking his deal, the Thrashers were on their way to Winnipeg, and O’Dell shipped out to St. John’s.
In his past two seasons with the IceCaps, the 6-foot centre has suited up in 101 games, tallying 41 goals and 36 assists. It was last season, however, when O’Dell showed the offensive flair that made him a second round pick. In 59 games with the IceCaps last season, O’Dell potted 29 goals and added 26 helpers — both career highs — making him almost a point-per-game player.
O’Dell’s deal with the Jets is for one-year and is a two-way deal.
American Hockey Blog 