Brahmas ink Deitsch first on the 2010-11 roster

Dynamic center to anchor Wildfong's top line

For fans of the Texas Brahmas, it doesn't get much better than this. This first player signed to the 2010-11 roster is veteran center Jason Deitsch. Deitsch, 30, is entering his seventh professional season and his third with the Brahmas.

Last season, Deitsch tallied 45 points (12 G, 33 A) and 78 penalty minutes in 51 games played. Showing a prowess for special teams, Deitsch was first in power play goals (6) and power play assists (14) and tied for first for short-handed assists (3).

Head Coach Dan Wildfong commented on Deitsch's re-signing.

"In our minds re-signing Jason was pivotal as we look to make a run for the Cup next season. He has proven to be a franchise player and we look forward to what he can bring us once again," Wildfong said.

During the Brahmas championship season, Deitsch split time playing with the Brahmas and the Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League (AHL). In the regular season Deitsch posted 44 points (20 G, 24 A) in 36 games for Texas and 15 points (4 G, 11 A) in 28 games with the Aeros.

During the postseason the Cincinnati, OH native went on an offensive tear scoring a playoff league leading 26 points (11 G, 15 A) in 16 games. His leadership on and off the ice during the playoffs earned him the MVP award for the playoffs and his third championship in four years.

Prior to joining the Brahmas, Deitsch split 69 regular season games in 2007-08 between Germany, where he played with Munich EHC and the ECHL with the Cincinnati Cyclones. He combined for 64 points (27 G, 37 A) with 175 penalty minutes. He played in 22 playoff games with the Cyclones, tallying 18 points (5 G, 13 A) with 35 penalty minutes on the way to a Kelly Cup championship.

In 2006-07, Deitsch also played with Cincinnati and posted more than a point a game with 71 points (26 G, 45 A) in 69 games. His strong play earned him an opportunity to play for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL) where he saw action in six games and netted one goal.

During his rookie season in 2005-06, Deitsch played for the Kalamazoo Wings (UHL), where he was the leading scorer on the team that captured the Colonial Cup. He tallied 87 points (38G, 49 A) in 72 games, the most by any rookie in the league. He was also named to the UHL’s All-Rookie team. He had 25 multi-point games, including six games with three or more and netted 37 points on the power play (18 G, 19 A).

Deitsch remains the all-time leading scorer at Wisconsin's St. Norbert College with 184 points (64 G, 120 A) in 122 games. St. Norbert posted a record of 101-13-10 during his career.

In 2002-03, he gathered 53 points (19 G, 34 A) in 31 games, collecting a league-best 14 multi-point games. In 2003-04, he was the NCHA’s leading scorer, netting 53 points (19 G, 34 A) in 32 games. That season, St. Norbert lost in the NCAA Division III National Championship game, 1-0, in overtime. He had a league-best 19 multi-point games and 10 power play goals. In 2004-05, he was named a Division III All-America player, the first three-time pick in St. Norbert history. He was tied for the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association scoring lead with 47 points (16 G, 31 A).

Deitsch played two seasons at NYTEX (then the Blue Line Sports Complex) with the Texas Tornado (NAHL) including the 2000-01 championship team.

Photo Credit: Robert Keith

Texas Brahmas Insider is now on Facebook

Yeah, I probably should have done this a long time ago, having been a Facebook member for a couple of years now. Anyway, the Texas Brahmas Insider group is now on Facebook and I'd like to see a few more members (actually, a lot more). If you are on Facebook, drop on by.