FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Southern Professional Hockey League Defenseman of the Year. First-Team All-SPHL Defenseman. Defensive-Scoring Leader. SPHL All-Star. The accolades for Marksmen Defenseman Travis Jeke were aplenty last season.

Now as all eyes are focused on the start of the 2019-2020 SPHL season, the Fayetteville Marksmen professional hockey team are excited to welcome back Jeke as our first-signing of the new year.

Jeke, 26, was an ironman for the Marksmen in 2018-2019, playing in all 59 games (56 regular season, three playoff) for the team. In his 59 game campaign, Jeke amassed 38 Points (6G+32A) to lead all SPHL defenseman in scoring by at least four points. He was also the fourth highest-scoring amongst Marksmen players.

The decision to return to the Marksmen was an easy one for the fourth-year pro hockey player.

“I’m super excited to be back in Fayetteville. [This] has become a second home to me, and I’m very excited to be back to bring a championship home. I wanted to return to Fayetteville because I felt there was unfinished business,” said Jeke “We had a great team last year and I feel as a team we will only get better. I want to bring a championship back home to Fayetteville and I believe we are capable of that.”

Last season also saw Travis Jeke awarded a Letter for the first time in his playing career; given the Alternate Captain “A” halfway through the year.

It wasn’t this memorable moment that propelled Jeke to have such a successful season, though. It was the faith from Head Coach Jesse Kallechy to let him perform.

“My breakout year started with the Coaching Staff allowing me to play my game, and trusting me in high pressure situations,” said Jeke “The notion of me playing the whole year in Fayetteville took away a lot of stress I had in previous seasons, and allowed me to relax and focus on each and every game with the Marksmen to the best of my ability.”

Coach Kallechy expressed his excitement in bringing back an everyday kind of worker to the Marksmen.

“Travis is a guy that came to the rink everyday ready to listen, learn, and work. He was given the opportunities to perform last year; he took the tools and succeeded with them,” said Kallechy “We are very excited to have Travis back for this season, and have him play a bigger role in leading our defense.”

For Jeke, his mindset hasn’t changed, with the same goal in the mind for the team.

“My expectations for this season is a President’s Cup,” said Jeke “We are capable of that, and I am looking forward to doing everything I can control to bring that Cup to Fayetteville.”

With the 2019 SPHL Season Opener set for October 18 in Macon, the Marksmen Training Camp roster will come together in the weeks leading up to the start of camp. With a strong start to the year in the signing of Defenseman of the Year Travis Jeke, the Marksmen look to build off the momentum of last season’s playoff team immediately.

Welcome back, Jeker.

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The preparation for the 2019-2020 season begins now for the Fayetteville Marksmen organization! Season Tickets are on-sale now, with the most affordable plans and best benefits we’ve ever offered.

If you’re interested in partnering up with the Marksmen organization, or hearing about our season ticket packages, group packages, mini-plans, or advertising benefits in-arena or with the broadcast, email Director of Digital Marketing and Media Shawn Bednard, SBednard@MarksmenHockey.com or call the Marksmen Office at (910) 321-0123.

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The Fayetteville Marksmen are owned and operated by Union Pro Hockey Group and play their home games at Crown Coliseum. The Marksmen are a committed community asset, designed to provide premium entertainment to families and individuals in Cumberland County and surrounding areas.