Training Camp Update, Meet Game Host Kayla McLain, Question of the Day, Trevor Ludwig Update

The second day on the ice for the Allen Americans early Sunday morning was somewhat similar to day one. It consisted of no more than a couple of warmup drills and a long scrimmage with the players divided into two teams. It must be the power of the red jerseys as the red team won the three on three tournament on Saturday and the scrimmage on Sunday.


- After coach Steve Martinson learned six players were returning from San Jose and he would have virtually a full team at practice this morning (Monday) he opted to let the players practice by themselves and have some fun with the red vs white scrimmage. Remember, typically the first practice in the past has been on Monday so there will be ample time to prepare for the preseason game on Friday. Don't get me wrong, the players were having a fun scrimmage Sunday morning but Martinson was in his favorite spot by the Zamboni doors taking it all in and I am sure the players were well aware he was observing what was happening on the ice. As he said to me, "You can learn a lot by watching how players perform when it is just a fun scrimmage."


- Martinson has often said it is difficult to have a lot of practice days in a row so having these first two days be more fun will help the rest of the week. The plan is to do a lot of skating drills the next three days combined with working a little on the system fundamentals each day. Thursday will be a lighter practice with the emphasis in special teams.


- Fans are invited to attend all practices which begin at 10:00 am and take place in the community rink. Here are all of the details in a press release issued by the team last night. The release still shows the preseason game on Friday starting at 8:45 pm. Coach Martinson mentioned when he addressed the fans at Fan Fest on Saturday he was going to try and get that time changed to an earlier start time. It may be too late with all of the logistics involved but stay tuned. https://allenamericans.com/americans-announce-training-camp-schedule/ 


 - Here is the current updated Allen roster:

Goalies
Riley Gill
Charlie Finn (tryout)
Matt Zenola (tryout)

Defensemen
Joel Chouinard
Mike Gunn
Miles Liberati
David Makowski (assigned by San Jose)
Jaynen Rissling
Eric Roy
Dalton Thrower
Josh Thrower

Forwards
Olivier Archambault
Vincent Arseneau
Mathieu Aubin
Marcus Basara
Max Cook (tryout)
Tyler Coulter
Tanner Eberle
Zach Hall
Jonathan Lessard
Peter MacArthur
Casey Pierro-Zabotel
Zach Pochiro


- A reader of the blog who is also a coach and couldn't be at the Fan Fest on Saturday wanted to ask coach Martinson if he changes his forecheck if he has a lead in the third period. I posed that question to Martinson and this was his answer, "Normally you get a little more conservative with a lead in the third period and might go from a two man forecheck to just one. One of the things I tell players when I am recruiting them is that we are not going to sit back in the third period with a lead, we are going to keep on the gas pedal. Points get guys noticed. Chad Costello got all those points here and ended up getting a big payday in Europe. We may lose a game because we don't get too conservative in the third period with a lead but we will win a lot of games because we have guys that want to play in Allen that enjoy that style of play. They know we are not going to sit back. The players like to win and they like to score."


- After several years without an "In Game Host" the Americans just hired one and introduced Kayla McLain at the Fan Fest on Saturday. Kayla is originally from southern California and is a 2014 graduate from TCU with a degree in Sports Broadcasting and Journalism. You may recognize Kayla if you attend Frisco Rough Riders games as she is the Game Day Host for them. She has done a lot of work for TCU including being their football stadium host and conducting post game interviews at TCU football, volleyball and baseball games. She has done work for the Dallas Stars and Dallas Cowboys and interned at Fox Sports Southwest where she co-hosted a 30 minute women's sports special which aired nationally. Kayla's Twitter handle is @KkayRae so give her a follow if you are on Twitter. Welcome to the Allen Americans Kayla and look forward to seeing you in your new favorite color, Rock the Red.

Allen Americans In Game Host Kayla McLain

DID YOU KNOW: It is always fun to keep track of former Allen Americans players after their playing days are over. Trevor Ludwig is a big part of Allen Americans history having played four years for the team and being part of three championships. After a year with the Missouri Mavericks and a year with the Orlando Solar Bears his playing days are now behind him. Trevor, Holly and their two young children are living back in the DFW area. Trevor recently started a pool and spa service company called Ludwig's Pool Service. I was talking to an Allen fan at the Fan Fest on Saturday and he shared with me he had struggled servicing his pool for over a year and hired Trevor. In just a couple of weeks Trevor had the pool looking great. It was a very nice unsolicited testimonial for Trevor. If you have need for a pool service give Trevor a call (817-368-0017).