Former 1998 Nagano Olympic Games goaltender Jiro Nihei of Swedish birth and Japanese citizenship has registered with Premiere Hockey Services, the worlds leader in hockey player placement and exposure services.

   Dan Delaney, Director of Hockey Operations for Premiere Hockey Services has announced that Nihei has been placed and recently signed with the Tupelo T-Rex of the Western Professional Hockey League.

   Jiro had originally signed a contract with the Mississippi Seawolves of the East Coast Hockey League, but opted to look elsewhere after a contract dispute. Jiro's record in Japan is considered second to none, winning the Japanese Professional Hockey League Championship three consecutive seasons with the Kokudo Bunnies. Jiro has won every major award in the Elite Japanese Professional League including representing Japan in the Nagano Games with starting goaltender and former Western Hockey League player Dusty Imoo. Jiro has won numerous awards, and has been rated as one of the best goaltenders in Japan.

1. Nagano Games, Nagano Japan, represented the Japanese National Olympic Team All Tournament.
2. Japanese MVP Professional Elite League Award National Team Member, Japan.
3. World Championships Player Of The Year Award, Swedish Division 1 Professional Hockey League.