The Elmira Jackals announced on Wednesday that they have signed goaltender Nick Niedert to a contract. The Jackals also announced that goaltender Timo Pielmeier has been reassigned from the club by the NHL's New Jersey Devils to the AHL's Albany Devils and that forward Jean Bourbeau has signed a PTO with the AHL's Adirondack Phantoms.

Niedert, an eighth-year pro, will make his first-ever ECHL start tonight as the Jackals take on the Wheeling Nailers at WesBanco Arena. The Hudson, Iowa native is 5-5-0-0 this season with the FHL's Danbury Whalers with a .901 save percentage and a 3.75 goals-against average. Niedert made his ECHL debut in the third period of an 8-2 Jackals loss on Dec. 9 to the Florida Everblades, making one save on three shots.

Pielmeier is 5-5-0-0 with save percentage of .899 and a goals-against average of 3.25 this season. His NHL contract was traded by the Anaheim Ducks to the Devils on Dec. 12.

Bourbeau has 11 points (4-g7a) in 26 games with the Jackals this season. This will be his first AHL appearance of 2011-2012.

Elmira returns home to host Wheeling on Dec. 26 on 4-for-$44 night. To reserve your seats call (607) 734-PUCK (7825), visit the First Arena Box Office, or log onto JackalsHockey.com.
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UPCOMING FIRST ARENA EVENTS

Jackals vs. Nailers
Monday, December 26
7:05 p.m.

Jackals vs. Nailers
Friday, December 30
7:35 p.m.

Wine on Ice
Friday, January 27
6:00 p.m.

Saturday, January 28
1:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m.

Harlem Globetrotters
Monday, Feb. 6
7:00 p.m.

X-Treme Ice Racing
Friday, February 10
7:35 p.m.

Saturday, February 11
7:35 p.m.