News release
26 June 2006
Elmira, NY The Elmira Jackals announced today the signing of defenseman Arturs Kupaks to a contract for the 2006-2007 season. He is the 5th player signed by the Jackals for the upcoming campaign.
The Jackals have agreed to terms with Latvian defenseman Arturs Kupaks (COO-packs), the second defenseman signed by Elmira. The 60, 195 lbs native of Riga, Latvia played 13 games for the Tulsa Oilers of the CHL in 2005-06, scoring 5 points (2 goals, 3 assist) and recording 37 penalty minutes. The 32 year-old defender has played 12 seasons of professional hockey in North America, registering 516 points (148 goals, 368 assists) and 938 penalty minutes in 624 games played.
Kupaks best statistical season came in the 1999-2000 with the Lubbock Cotton Kings, then in the WPHL. He had 86 points (16 goals, 70 assists) in 66 games, earning a trip to the WPHL All-Star Game and was named the WPHL Defenseman of the Year. Kupaks also was an All-Star the previous year, 1998-99, with the ECHLs Chesapeake IceBreakers. Kupaks also represented his country when he played for Team Latvia in the World Championships both in 1993 and 1994.
Kupaks 2005-06 season took a long time to get going due to some immigration issues that forced him to leave the country. But the Latvian defenseman straightened out his affairs to receive his green card and make it back for the last fifth of the season, 13 games with Tulsa. Not playing most of last year has left a lot of desire in the blue-liner, and Kupaks is more focused this off-season than anytime in his 12 years as a pro. He is currently training full-time for the upcoming season with another new member of the Jackals Brent Cullaton.