in october 1997, odessa joined the western professional hockey league (wphl). in their first season the home games drew an average of 4,000 spectators. over the next couple of seasons that number leveled off, and the team now averages just over 3,200 hockey fans each game. the team mascot, a jackalope, quickly became one of the most popular in hockey's minor leagues, and team merchandise featuring the snarling, antlered rabbit, has sold well throughout the united states and canada.