The Allen Americans helped shore up a defense that was last in the ECHL in 2024-25 (allowed 4.23 goals per game) with the addition of defensemen Matt Register and Kevin Spinozzi.
MATT REGISTER
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| Matt Register |
Matt Register does not need an introduction to Allen fans, as he started his pro career with the Americans back in the CHL days (2011-12). He returned to the ECHL Americans in 2015-16 and again in 2019-20, and 2020-21. With the announcement today that Matt will return to Allen as a player/assistant coach and then become the assistant coach when he retires as a player, it is a full-circle moment. It has been quite a journey from 2010 to 2025. Matt is arguably the best defenseman in the history of the league.
- Here is what Steve Martinson had to say about Matt: "Reggie is the Brent Burns of the ECHL. He leads the league defensemen in scoring, but was also Idaho's top plus/minus player the last three years. In three years in Idaho, he amassed 173 points and was +97. Reggie will be a player-coach for us until he is ready to retire, and then he will seamlessly step behind the bench."
- It is hard to know where to start when describing Matt Register's career thus far. The best is just listing them out in no particular order. Here goes:
- Three-time Kelly Cup Champion
- Three-time ECHL Defenseman of the Year
- Only defenseman to ever be named Kelly Cup Playoff MVP
- Played one year in Europe and won a championship
- In his last seven ECHL seasons, starting with last season, he has finished 1st, 2nd, 1st, 1st, 5th, 1st, and 2nd in assists among all ECHL defensemen
- In his last seven ECHL seasons, starting with last season, he has finished 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 2nd, 4th, 1st, and 1st in points among all ECHL defensemen
- Ranked #2 all-time in the history of the ECHL in games played by a defenseman (683).
- Ranked #2 all-time in assists by a defenseman (431)
- Ranked #3 all-time in points by a defenseman (547)
- Selected as an ECHL All-Star eight times
Maybe the best thing about having Register back in Allen is that the Americans will not have to face him. He has been a thorn in Allen's side wherever he has played.
KEVIN SPINOZZI
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| Kevin Spinozzi with his Dad, longtime coach, Frank Spinozzi |
- Kevin Spinozzi joins the Americans after playing the last four seasons in France. His dad (Frank) is a long-time hockey coach who moved to France in 2010-11 to coach professional hockey. Kevin, who is from the Montreal area, was 14 at the time and played U-18 in France for one year before returning to Canada to play youth hockey.
- Spinozzi is a 29-year-old, 6'2", 214-pound, left-shot defenseman who will be starting his ninth professional season with the Allen Americans. He is a defense first style of player that also has skill and grit. Here are some of his stats:
- In 140 games in France he had 118 points (56G, 62A)
- In 150 ECHL games with Wheeling, Toledo, and Rapid City, he tallied 79 points (27G, 52A)
- He played his junior hockey in the OHL (Soo Greyhounds & Sarnia Sting) and was the captain in Sarnia in his last junior season (2016-17).
- In 275 OHL games, he totaled 113 points (28G, 85A) and 297 penalty minutes.
- Spinozzi will fit right into a Steve Martinson system, as you can tell by his quote, "Kevin has a bomb from the point, but is also tough and can play a hard game against the league's top players."
- Here is a video from 10 years ago, when Kevin was playing junior hockey in Sarnia and was about to go to the Arizona Coyotes development camp. He also mentions his dad is a hockey coach. According to Elite Prospects, Frank Spinozzi's coaching career goes back to 1991-92. He has coached professional hockey in France since 2010-11. Even though this video is from 10 years ago, it will give you a good idea of what Allen is getting with Kevin.
OTHER COMMENTS
- If you have an interest in catching the 3ICE highlights, the tournament last night is the one for Allen fans to look up. You can find the highlights at NHL.com. Here are the former Allen players on the rosters from the tournament last night:
- 3ICE Dallas - Jeremy Brodeur, Colton Hargrove
- 3ICE Minnesota - Hank Crone, Matt Register
- 3ICE NY/NJ - Jack Combs, Brayden Watts
- 3ICE Buffalo - Dalton Skelly
The results:
- Game 1 - Buffalo beat Dallas 6-3
- Game 2 - NY/NJ beat Minnesota 5-4
- Consolation - Dallas beat Minnesota 5-2
- Championship - NY/NJ beat Buffalo 4-0 (Brayden Watts scored two goals)
You will see goals from Crone, Watts, Register and Combs if you watch the highlights from all four games.
DID YOU KNOW: ECHL Stats post from today:
Thanks Barry. Welcome Back to Allen Matt.
ReplyDeleteGreat signing.
ReplyDeleteAllen should still push for Chad Costello to be in the ECHL Hall of Fame at the Allen All Star Game in January. JUST DO IT!
Watts was -49 last season.
ReplyDeleteA team high.
If he is back, I hope the on ice product improves.
The goals and assists were good, but -49 is a problem.
How could anyone on last year's team have a +
DeleteWelcome to hockey. I will give you a little tip since you seem to know nothing about the game. When a good player is on a really bad team they are almost guaranteed to have a bad plus minus. Last years team was as bad as we’ve ever seen in the ECHL. Not hard to comprehend. So that means the other teams scored more goals than your team. You’ll learn as you go. We shall call it the BJ Adams effect.
DeleteThis i don't know how anyone can expect watts to have a + on a real bad team if he comes back he will definitely have a +
DeleteIt was the worst on the team.
DeleteIt's not that its a minus, its that he led the team and it was -49.
Watts is a great player. We was given a bag of shit by BJ Adams who was a joke to begin with How quickly we forget that BJ didn’t want to name a Captain, didn’t think power plays were a big deal. Let’s not blame a great player for a bad coach, poor assistant coach and Jr players.
DeleteHope he comes back!
Barry this Marty Party is even bigger than any of us could have predicted. I am so excited for this season! What a 180 degree turn around last season.
ReplyDeleteYou go and hire BJ Adams, what did we all expect?
DeleteDay 1 the fans were right about him.
This isn't a Ferguson dumpster fire.
All on Zawyer and BJ Adams.
Myles gets it. He's fixing the missteps.
Go Red!
Hooray for the return of former Allen Americans players! I can unretire their jerseys from my closet and wear them to games again. 😃
DeleteAgreed! Myles and JM stepped up big time, listened to the fans, and brought back Marty. It is on Marty to deliver and while he still has to actually win the games, these signings are an amazing start!! It is called a MARTY PARTY for a reason. Get the balloons ready.
DeleteCan we start the season this weekend??!!?? Let’s GO
DeleteGO RED!!!
last year was my first living in plano and going to games. I was blown away with the production value and overall fan experience, but even with that I did not renew because the team was so bad on the ice. I don't really know these players but wow the reaction is positive from fans. I think I'm coming back! Hunter get ready for a call tomorrow from me.
DeleteWin or lose, team will be exciting to watch. Couldn’t say the same for last coaching staff/roster.
ReplyDeleteI think this team will win a lot of games. Hargrove is the best 2 way power forward in the ECHL and Regi is the best scoring D in the league. We just need to get a stud goalie from the affilaite. Marco is a top second goalie who can get you 40 saves on any given night, but we need an AHL level one to make a run to the Kelly Cup.
DeleteWells/Costantini in the net
DeleteCostantini is a stud
ReplyDelete👍
DeleteWells is barely a backup
ReplyDeleteWells is an AHL goalie.
DeleteWas dealt a shit show early last season.
Agree
DeleteWe wont see Wells unless Ingram comes back to play. Utah will also have to place Anson Thornton somewhere. our duo could end up being Anson and Marco.
ReplyDeleteStauber will play ahead of Wells.
DeleteNo one wants bench time.
Luke Richardson???
DeleteWatts is back…. OK, I’m good with that. He has the supporting staff now to show how good he really is… up to him now:
ReplyDeleteYep. 👍🏼
Delete100% good post. And welcome back Brayden Watts!
DeleteAgree. He needs to develop as a on ice leader. The C last season was a dead weight on him. He didn't lead. Sure it was a rough season. I'm hoping he can turn things around. Go Red.
DeleteWatts had 63 points in 50 games in 2022-23. With Marty's style of coaching and the support he will have around him, he is an early favorite for ECHL MVP. The first MVP in Allen since Crone a few years back.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Watty4MVP!!
DeleteAny news on a new CBA?
ReplyDeleteHow many veteran players do we have signed now??
4 vets signed so no more. Imagine Marty will sign guys with europe expreince that dont count as vets.
DeleteThanks.
ReplyDeleteLooks like we have a reenergized Marty back. Looking to show the league a thing or two.
Interested to see what enforcer Marty has signed.
ReplyDeleteI like Goons! 😬
ReplyDelete