Players Arrive Next Week, Some To AHL Camps & More

I had a chance to spend over an hour in Coach Steve Martinson's man cave (office) in the bowels of the Allen Event Center (lockerroom) yesterday and had a wide ranging conversation about the championship, the off-season, the upcoming season, the mission of the CHL, player personnel, his family and much more. Hoping to post that story tomorrow. It should be a good one.

- AHL camps have already started or will be starting in the next few days. Kale Kerbashian & Alex Lavoie are at camp with the Oklahoma Barons on tryout contracts. This is a great experience for young players as it gives them a head start on getting into game shape, they can get noticed for possible call ups during the season, and they get to spend ice time with players and coaches from a higher level and learn new skills. There is one additional Americans player attending an AHL camp but that name has not as yet been made public.

- Americans players will be arriving in Allen next week. Players will move into the apartments, have their physicals, and take part in a players only practice. Training camp has always been open to the public so make plans to stop by the Allen Event Center the week of October 7th to check out this years training camp roster. There should be about 30 guys in camp. Mark your calendar for October 12th (Saturday) as in lieu of a preseason game there will be an intra squad game and it will be open to the public. Details are still being worked out but it should be a great opportunity to get familiar with the new team and see how the lines and defensive pairings are shaping up. In addition to the game itself there will be other activities. One idea being tossed around is a "skills contest" which would be great to see. We could determine the fastest skater (forwards and backwards), hardest shot, most accurate shot to name a few or do relays, and a breakaway challenge. It would be a big hit in my opinion.

- Heard there is a new leader in the front office sales challenge which should be coming to an end next week. Team Bootland has made a big comeback and is now ahead of Team Ludwig. Call your favorite and buy some tickets.

- Don't forget the Walk to End Alzheimer's takes place this Saturday (28th) at Celebration Park in Allen and starts at 9:30 am. The Allen Americans team has grown to close to 20 participants and includes players, players wives, front office staff, Ice Angels, and fans. You can help in two ways. You can sign up to be a member of the Allen Americans walk team or you can pledge to one of the members of the team who is already registered to walk. Go to alz.org and search for the Walk to End Alzheimer's in Allen and then search for the Allen Americans' Walk Page. They really need your help as they are only at 14% of their goal with just four days to go. HELP!!