It's Game Day! All the Details Plus Some Advice From Barry the Blogger

It has been four long months since the phrase, "it is game day for the Allen Americans" appeared in the blog. Today's rather meaningless exhibition game in Wichita is very different from the Americans last game on June 9 when they won the Kelly Cup. The team will leave around 10:30 this morning for a same day trip to play the Thunder tonight at 7:05. They will head back to Allen right after the game on the 360 mile trip and should arrive home very early Sunday morning.

- Coach Martinson was talking to players and putting the traveling squad together after practice yesterday. Unlike the regular season, this game will allow four lines so 12 forwards will make the trip along with six defensemen. Jamie Murray was on the ice yesterday for his first practice since being assigned by San Jose. He and Riley Gill will be the goalies. The third goalie in camp, Peter Di Salvo has been released. Most of the tryout players will make the trip to Wichita. A couple of the regular players will stay back in Allen.

Goalie Jamie Murray is back in Allen

- Per coach Martinson five players have returned from San Jose. Greger Hansen, Dyson Stevenson, Kyle Neuber, Eric Roy and Travis Brown. All but Stevenson will play tonight in Wichita. Tanner Eberle and Harrison Ruopp are still in San Jose. The Barracuda have their last exhibition game Sunday evening.

- Look for the training camp roster to be reduced after the team returns from Wichita. With all of the Allen signed players returning along with players being assigned from San Jose, it will be very difficult if not impossible for any of the tryout players to be around on Monday.

ADVICE FROM BARRY THE BLOGGER

When I first started this blog back in 2012 I had an experience that had a big impact on me and it was a lesson learned that sticks with me today. The Americans had a player that got off to a great start at the beginning of the season and got a call up to the AHL. He played well in the AHL but suffered a concussion and it was reported that the team had "shut him down" for the season. Being an eager new blogger that knew the Allen fans would be interested I wrote about this in my blog. After posting the blog I headed over to the Allen Event Center (AEC) to attend practice as was my usual routine. While watching practice my phone rang at it was the player I had just written about. He wasn't angry but asked if I would take the reference to his injury out of my blog. He went on to explain how my reporting about his injury may effect his ability to get a contract in the future. After practice that day, Darryl Bootland, who was a friend of this player, took me aside and had a thoughtful conversation about how when your occupation is a hockey player your health is a significant factor when prospective employers are considering hiring you. While past concussions are always a red flag, any severe or recurring injury can be the difference between getting a job, being promoted or being released. Once something is written in a blog or on social media it is there forever for everyone to see.

So here is my advice which I have followed since that learning experience in 2012. If you are a fan and/or blogger do not talk about player injuries on social media. Unless the player publicly says something about the injury do not be specific. Remember, hockey is how these guys make a living and talking about concussions, knee injuries, shoulder injuries, etc. could impact their future employment. Don't repeat what you hear from other fans, read on social media or even witness in person. Talk in generalities such as upper body, lower body, injured, limping, etc. I assure the players will appreciate it.


DID YOU KNOW:  Darryl Bootland, who played in Allen for their first two championship is about to start his 15th professional season. He now plays for the Colorado Eagles. Affectionately known as Booter, he will turn 35 next month. Booter has 32 NHL games to his credit having played 28 games for the Detroit Red Wings and four with the New York Islanders.

Darryl Bootland

Player Movement Begins - Jamie Murray Assigned to Allen, Five More On the Way

There will be a lot of activity around the Allen Americans today as they prepare for their one and only preseason game tomorrow in Wichita. Here is some of what is going on with the team:

- Goalie Jamie Murray has been assigned to Allen by San Jose, so the duo of  veteran Riley Gill and rookie Murray is set for the start of the season. There is a possibility coach Martinson could keep three goalies (Peter Di Salvo is also in camp) to start the season but that remains to be seen.

- Expect to see some of the Allen players that are at the San Jose Barracuda camp to be released and  return to Allen today. The plan was to have the Allen players play last night. The Barracuda had an exhibition game and beat the Tucson Roadrunners 4-2 led by Swedish rookie, Marcus Sorensen, who had a hat trick. Dyson Stevenson was injured in a fight early in the game and had to be helped off the ice. I just got an update from coach Martinson who had this to say, "Two players are staying with San Jose and five have been reassigned, but I am not 100% sure if Stevenson is coming today."

- AHL teams have started to assign contracted players to their ECHL affiliates and you will see more of that starting today and going through next week as they trim down to their opening day rosters. San Jose opens their season on October 15 and should at a minimum, assign two forwards and two defensemen to Allen unless they incur some injuries in training camp.

- The first cuts from the Americans training camp roster should start to happen today. With players returning from San Jose, expect the tryout players in Allen's training camp that do not go with the team to Wichita to be released.

- All of this activity of Allen players returning from AHL camps, tryout players from Allen's training camp being released and San Jose contracted players being assigned to Allen will lead to the opening day roster which is due to the league office next Wednesday (October 12, 3:00 p.m. ET).


OTHER COMMENTS

- Joel Rumpel had a great night in his first start as a member of the Cincinnati Cyclones. Joel had a 20 save shutout as the Cyclones beat the Wheeling Nailers 4-0.

- Jamie Murray made a great first impression with Allen fans when he played four games for the Americans last March. He played three times at the Allen Event Center and stopped 91 of  94 shots for a .968 save percentage. Maybe even more impressive is he left Allen to go back to college (Babson College) to finish his degree. Jamie has an interesting story of being a small goalie as a youngster and having trouble finding a place to play to becoming one of the rare small college (Division III) players to sign an NHL contract right out of college. Check out this interview with Jamie which is a great player profile. http://www.lockerroomtalk.com/half-time-talk-with-jamie-murray-san-jose-sharks-organization-player-and-former-babson-hockey-goalie/


- Photographer Dianne Webster devotes many hours of her time providing photos to the Americans, the media and of course to this blog. Here are a few from training camp yesterday.

Where is the puck?

A young Americans fan takes in practice

Aaron Gens entertaining goalie coach Thomas Speer

Gill and Steffes go mano a mano, looks like Riley won this battle

Chad Costello, penny for your thoughts

DID YOU KNOW: There have been just six times in Allen Americans history when a player has scored more than 30 goals in a season and five of the six happened in just two seasons. With the talented forwards on the team this season, there is a good chance this list could grow. Here is the list:
44 goals: Gary Steffes (2014-15)
41 goals: Chad Costello (2014-15)
34 goals: Bruce Graham (2010-11)
34 goals: Nino Musitelli (2010-11)
33 goals: Colton Yellow Horn (2010-11)
31 goals: Bruce Graham (2009-10)

Asuchak Returns, Camp Update and a Bunch of Nuts & Bolts

The big surprise at the Allen Americans practice yesterday was to see Spencer Asuchuk step on the ice. Spencer was at the AHL camp with the Toronto Marlies and wasn't expected back before next week. The Marlies have an abundance of forwards in their system. They reduced their roster by 11 players Tuesday afternoon and Asuchak was one of them. I talked to Spencer after practice and learned he scored two of his team's four goals in a scrimmage in the morning and then got released in the afternoon. Just shows how difficult it is when guys go to AHL camps on tryout agreements. There is little doubt Spencer will get AHL call ups this season. 


- Coach Martinson is beginning to focus on the team he will take to Wichita for the exhibition game on Saturday. It will be a mix of the regulars and the tryout players in camp. The expectation is the players at camp with San Jose will play in the Barracuda's exhibition game against Tuscon tonight and then return to Allen tomorrow. Most likely the tryout players that do not make the trip to Wichita on Saturday will be released. 


- My view is the competition during this training camp is not which tryout guys might make the roster. With so many good players already signed and the possibility of getting 4-6 players assigned by San Jose, the competition for playing time is between players the fans are familiar with. The players assigned by San Jose you can be assured will play as they are being sent to Allen for development. This means some of the Allen signed players may have to start the season on reserve or as healthy scratches. This team has so much depth, the competition for playing time will be fierce.


- The San Jose Barracuda have three goalies in camp (Troy Groesnick, Mantas Armalis, Jamie Murray) and it is expected that one of them will be assigned to Allen. In reading the information from bloggers and websites in San Jose, that will most likely be Jamie Murray who was outstanding in the four games he played in Allen last season with a GAA of 1.44 and save percentage of .963. 


- Photos from day three of training camp courtesy of Dianne Webster:

Joel Chouinard will play big minutes for the Americans

Riley Gill with his eyes on the puck

Listen up boys!

Spencer Asuchak is back, along with his scoring touch

NUTS AND BOLTS

- The AEC staff was finally able to start the process of installing the ice in the main rink. They were painting the lines yesterday.

- The season ticket holder event planned for Sunday to pick up season tickets has been cancelled because of Hurricane Matthew. In case you haven't seen it here is what the team sent out yesterday:

"We apologize in advance, but shipment of our ticket books has been delayed due to Hurricane Matthew off the coast of southeastern Florida. Our ticket books are coming in from Boynton Beach, Florida which is currently in a state of emergency as the hurricane moves in a path towards the outbound shipping point. As a result, Sunday’s Allen Event Center pickup event scheduled from noon to 4 PM is now cancelled."

"Barring further shipping complications, we will have our first scheduled pickup on Wednesday, October 12th beginning at 2 PM, here at Allen Event Center. We will be open on Wednesday until 8 PM and will open again on Thursday and Friday 10 AM to 8 PM. Please enter at the AEC Glass Rotunda Entrance. For those that can’t pick-up on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday of next week you will be able to pick-up at a Season Ticket table adjacent to the Allen Event Center Box Office during opening weekend, beginning at noon on Saturday October 15th. Again we very much apologize for the delay as we have looked at all possible alternative shipping options. 
Thank you for your understanding and patience."


- The Allen Americans official fan club asked that I share this info with everyone. This group does so much for the the players they deserve your support.

The Allen Americans fan club is running at full speed getting ready for the #Drivefor5. Training camp is in progress and the guys are being welcomed back and being served breakfast. We have some exciting new items for sale this upcoming season along with some awesome items for raffle. We look forward to seeing all of you and appreciate all your support. If you have not yet joined, please stop by the Fan Club table and talk to us. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to join the fan club. Every penny we make enhances the player's experience, from sheets, towels, silverware, pots and pans, to transportation to and from the airport, to providing snacks for the bus on road trips and much more. Be on the lookout for important fan club information on the big screen in the arena. See ya'll on October 15. LET's GO RED!!


- The Allen Event Center put out the info below that makes some game day changes that Allen fans need to be aware of:

Allen Event Center is dedicated to providing an exciting and memorable guest experience while ensuring the safety and security of all our guests. Please take a moment to acquaint yourself with the updated guest policies for the 2016-17 Allen Americans season.
Below are some key new policies:
- All guests are subject to a security screening entering the facility.
- All bags are subject to search.
- Bags/purses must be 14" x 14" x 6" or smaller.
- Outside food and beverage may not be brought into the arena.
- Full-size hockey sticks and/or other items that may be considered dangerous or inappropriate by Allen Event Center management are prohibited.
- No posters/signs larger than 2' x 3'.


DID YOU KNOW: Tommy Daniels, the voice of the Allen Americans, was a traffic reporter for radio station KRLD for about a year. Every morning and evening flying around Tarrant county in a helicopter reporting on traffic.

Allen Americans Training Camp - Day 2 & More News You Can Use

The second day of training camp was a repeat of day one with various drills to keep the pace up without over doing it. It seems pretty obvious that everyone is biding their time until more of the team regulars return this weekend. One thing new yesterday was another coach on the ice. Each season Steve Martinson finds some coaches to help out. Goalie coach Thomas Speer, skating coach Luke Chilcott and former Allen Americans captain Jason Deitsch will be helping out again this year. However, Tony Curtale, who attended many practices last season and helped with the defense is now the head coach of the Wichita Falls Wildcats of the North American Hockey League. Martinson has enlisted the help of Lucas Reid to help this season. Reid who is from Canada, has many years of experience in and around hockey. He was a regional scout for the Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western hockey league and prior to moving to Dallas was in a full time position with Hockey Canada as their Athletic Development Director in their Saskatchewan branch. He has over ten years of coaching experience at all levels of youth hockey.

Coach Lucas Reid will help Steve Martinson this season - photo by Dianne Webster

-  I asked coach Martinson after practice what he was trying to accomplish on day two. "I was working on a long pass drill to keep the pace up enough to try and get everyone in a little better shape every day but not try to kill them. The cross ice, three on three scrimmage at the end was just for fun with a little bit of skating. When you only have three lines and practice hard for an hour and twenty minutes they are tired. If you kill them today they can give you less tomorrow. You could get the team in shape faster if you skated them more but the skill would drop off in the practices. The guys showed up in good shape so we will take it slow. It is a long season."


 - Defenseman Nolan Descoteaux was signed by the Americans to a Standard Players Contract (SPC) last Friday. That brings to six defensemen that have been signed, Descoteaux, Ruopp, Pinkston, Gunn Chouinard and Gens.


- At this point there will not be any live stream of the Americans exhibition game in Wichita on Saturday. If there is any change I will let you know. If you are on Twitter and want to follow a live tweet of the game make sure you are following the Wichita Thunder (@Wichita_Thunder).

- If you have looked at the Americans promotion schedule you will see there are 10 specialty jersey auctions on the schedule. The team has released the mock ups of two of the specialty jerseys and they have certainly been well received. If you haven't seen them here is a photo along with all of the specialty jersey auction nights. It remains to be seen if so many auctions will have an impact on the prices paid for the jerseys.

October 21 - USA Hockey Jersey
November 5 - JDRF (diabetes) Jersey
December 3 - Sharks Affiliation Jersey
December 16 - Ugly Sweater Jersey
December 31 - Tuxedo Jersey
January 21 - Star Wars Jersey
February 3 - Texas Heritage Jersey
February 18 - USA Hockey Jersey #2
March 18 - Dinosaur Themed Jersey
March 25 - Military Themed Jersey

- The San Jose Sharks have assigned goalie Troy Groesnick to the Barracuda (AHL) and now have just two goalies in training camp, Martin Jones and Aaron Dell. Another big indication that Dell has won the competition to be the back up goalie when the season begins for the Sharks on October 12.

- Garrett Clarke is back in North America after starting the season in Europe. He has just signed a try out agreement with the Brampton Beast.

- Here is a sample of photos taken by Dianne Webster of the second day of training camp. If you are on Facebook and enjoy the photos you can check out all of Dianne's photos from each day of camp at "Dianne Webster Photography."

Tristin King

DID YOU KNOW:  Here is another of the "where are they now" series courtesy of Tom Manning, Director of Game Operations for the Americans. Britt Dougherty was one of several tough guys on the Allen Americans first team (2009-10). Because of injuries Britt retired from hockey after that season. One thing he found in Allen was a girlfriend who eventually became his wife, Kelly Sklar. If you are a long time season ticket holder you may remember Kelly was an Americans ticket representative. Kelly was the ticket rep that sold me my season tickets that first season. Kelly kindly provided this update:

Since finishing his career in hockey, Britt and I have gotten married and moved back to Britt's hometown in Saskatchewan, Canada. We bought a house and enjoy visiting our hunting & fishing cabin in Northern Saskatchewan and lake house on Lake Dieffenbaker. Britt is now working in oil and gas for Baker Hughes. Hunting is still Britt's favorite hobby, and he enjoys being able to do that regularly. In a future chapter, The Dougherty's will call Texas home, again.

Britt Dougherty lands a punch - photo by Chip Crail

Allen Americans Open Training Camp - Notes & Quotes

You couldn't help but notice there was something different when you walked into the Allen Event Center (AEC) Community Rink yesterday for the first day of training camp for the Allen Americans. The first thought was where are all the players and the second thought was who are these players. It was training camp number eight for the franchise and rather than close to 30 players to start camp there were just 18. Because of the recent World Cup, AHL camps are taking place at the same time as ECHL camps so the Americans have many players at AHL camps. Between the seven signed Allen players at AHL camps along with another five or six that will be assigned by San Jose, there were 11 or 12 players not participating yesterday that will be on the roster when the season commences.

- There were 10 signed players on the ice yesterday. The forwards were Chad Costello, Gary Steffes, Tristan King, J.P. LaFontaine and Kale Kerbashian. The defensemen were Aaron Gens, Rick Pinkston, Joel Chouinard and Mike Gunn. Goalie Riley Gill rounded out the 10 signed players.

- There were eight tryout players that joined the the veteran group. Most of these players have SPHL deals and have little chance of making the team. The names that were on the ECHL transaction list yesterday include goalie Peter Di Salvo, defenseman Graeme Strukoff, forwards Tayler Thompson, Mike Driscoll, Igor Leonenko, Bryan Sullivan, and Nikita Litvyak.



STEVE MARTINSON'S POST PRACTICE COMMENTS

This was the 21st training camp for Steve Martinson as a head coach. I had a chance to sit down with him after practice and get his thoughts.

- It is a strange training camp because we have so many guys missing this week. There were so many different types and colors of helmets out there today with all of the tryout guys. I told the staff to try and get everyone in red helmets. It is a little inconvenient but it looks better.

- With just 18 players on the ice, practice today reminded me of practice during the season when we have some guys hurt.

- I try not to do much at the start of training camp. I remember from my playing days when we were pushed so hard at first you were in a constant state of being tired. I try to take it a little slower so the guys can stay fresh.

- I thought the returning guys looked great. They look in shape and you can see the work they put in this summer. 

- I thought the tryout guys looked good as well. With the number of players we have signed it will be tough for any of them to make the roster.

- I need to figure out who will play in the exhibition game in Wichita on Saturday. The plan is for the guys in San Jose to return on Friday unless the Barracuda decide to keep them. Chris Crane (Chicago) and Spencer Asuchak (Toronto) will not return for the weekend. I need to balance how many tryout guys to play and how many signed guys to play. Some of the signed players will not make the trip to Wichita.



OTHER COMMENTS

- The ice in the main AEC rink will be put down starting today. The staff is installing new netting above the glass at each end of the rink and when that is completed the several day process of getting the ice surface ready will begin. Have been told it will take the better part of three days to get the ice ready.

- Saw this quote from Joel Rumpel in a story by Dakota Johnson from Team Sin Bin. Joel is now with the Cincinnati Cyclones as was talking about his experience in Allen the past two championship years. ""It was pretty special, considering some players don't get the chance to win a championship," remarked Rumpel. "I learned a lot from my teammates down in Allen. Leadership is crucial. I think it's huge to find the right leaders to be able to run a hockey team, and how you need to act around your team to bring a winning attitude."

- Here a few photos from practice courtesy of Dianne Webster:

DID YOU KNOW: Steve Martinson's first professional team was the Toledo Goaldiggers in 1981-82. He scored 30 points (12 goals 18 assists) in 35 games his rookie season along with 128 penalty minutes which included 13 fights. He fought one guy (Derek Davis) three times in one game. Martinson's quote after the game as he was laying on the trainer's table with an ice pack over his left eye,"He got me only once in all of that fighting, an uppercut. It's a minor black and blue eye. Nothing I haven't had before."

Training Camp Begins & Why Allen Fans Are Cheering the Loudest for Aaron Dell

Before I talk about the Allen Americans training camp which has arrived with the first on ice session on Monday, I wanted to say a few words about Aaron Dell who started his first NHL game Friday night. The San Jose Mercury News started their story about the game with this sentence, "Goalie Aaron Dell looked calm and cool in his first-ever NHL preseason start Friday night, allowing two goals on 22 shots as the Sharks came from behind to earn a 3-2 overtime win over the Arizona Coyotes at SAP Center."

“He was solid,” San Jose coach Pete DeBoer said of Dell. “I think we did a pretty good job in front of him defensively, but he made some big saves at the right time to let us hang around and find a way."

Dell has many fans watching and cheering him on to make the NHL. From those in his hometown of Airdrie, Alberta and the entire Calgary area that watched him growing up, to the hockey fans in North Dakota who watched him in college at the University of North Dakota, to those that watched him play for the Allen Americans, Utah Grizzlies, Abbotsford Heat, Worcester Sharks and San Jose Barracuda as a professional. 

The University of North Dakota has not had a goalie make it to the NHL since Ed Belfour who last played for North Dakota in 1987 so it has been a long wait for them. The Allen Americans have not had a player make it to the NHL since Jordie Benn who played for Allen in their first season (2009-10). Yes, for you trivia buffs, Alec Martinez played three games with Allen and then returned to the Los Angeles Kings but that was the NHL lock-out year. So it would be a big deal if Aaron makes the San Jose Sharks final roster. 

The biggest reason Allen fans are watching, cheering and praying for Dell is he is such a great guy who endeared himself to the fans when he was with the Americans. To say he is a quiet, calm and humble guy is an understatement. The best part of his story is that he has had to work for everything he has accomplished. At every step of the way from juniors, college and in the pro ranks he was never "the guy" who was designated the top goalie on his team. He always started out as the number two goalie and through hard work and performance became the number one goalie. It was true in college when he started on the bench and beat out an all-conference goalie for the number one spot. He signed his first professional contract with the Colorado Eagles in 2012-13 but was waived in training camp. He then signed with Allen, where two University of North Dakota alumni (Ed Belfour & Craig Ludwig) had just started working with the Americans. He was supposed to be the backup goalie to a veteran Kelly Cup MVP but won the starting job and led the Americans to their first championship playing in all 19 playoff games. The same thing happened when he got promoted to the AHL in Worcester and then San Jose as he earned his way as their top goalie. Aaron Dell has never been given a thing. He has climbed the hockey ladder through hard work, determination, and performance along with the support of his wife, Kelly, who is back in her home state of Minnesota finishing her degree at the University of Minnesota to become a Registered Dietitian. Now Kelly and Aaron are in position to achieve the ultimate rung on the hockey ladder by making the opening day roster of the San Jose Sharks. And for the quiet kid from a small town in Alberta who was home schooled, loves to play the guitar, and goes by the moniker of the "World's Okayest Goalie" there are no fans more excited to see this happen than the ones he has from his days with the Allen Americans. And don't forget, every time he has become a back up goalie he eventually became the starter. Just sayin!

Aaron & Kelly Dell

ALLEN AMERICANS TRAINING CAMP

Training camp officially starts tomorrow (Monday) and it will certainly be a little different than normal. Because of the World Cup, training camps for the NHL and AHL have been on a different schedule this year. Allen will have many players leave today (Sunday) to attend AHL training camps so they will not be on hand for the first week of camp with Allen. Five players will be going to San Jose on try out contracts  (Greger Hanson, Dyson Stevenson, Harrison Ruopp, Tanner Eberle, Kyle Neuber). Eric Roy, who has been in Allen for the past week skating with the team at their informal skates will also be at the San Jose camp but his situation is different because he signed with San Jose in the off season. In addition, Spencer Asuchak is going to camp with the Toronto Marlies and Chris Crane with the Chicago Wolves. Most of these players will be back in Allen in time to play in the preseason game in Wichita next Saturday (October 8).

- If you saw the official press release from the team there will be just nine signed players at training camp tomorrow. Forwards Tristan King, Kale Kerbashian, Chad Costello, Gary Steffes, and J.P. LaFontaine. Defensemen Aaron Gens, Mike Gunn and Joel Chouinard and goalie Riley Gill. Until the other players return from the AHL camps, coach Martinson will have other players (as many as nine per the team press release) signed to tryout agreements so he can run all of the drills and scrimmages in training camp.

- Training camp is open to the public and the players are scheduled to be on the ice at 9:45 in the community rink, unless something has changed over the weekend.

- All of the hockey experts (players and coaches) I talk to feel the team that coach Martinson has signed this season is the best team in his five years as head coach in Allen. And this team will only get better with some dynamic players being assigned by San Jose. However, you don't win championship on paper and you certainly don't win them in October. If this team doesn't get hit with a rash of injuries and if there are not too many AHL call ups where the player never returns, it could be another great year for the Americans. 



DID YOU KNOW: Winning a single championship in any professional sport is special. Winning four championships in a row is nearly impossible and few have been able to accomplish the feat. As the Allen Americans pursue their fifth straight championship here are the record holders in major sports.

NBA: The Boston Celtics are the only NBA team that has won four straight championships and they won eight straight from 1959-66.

MLB: The New York Yankees took home four championship in a row from 1936-39 and five in a row from 1949-53.

NHL: The Montreal Canadiens won five Stanley Cups in a row from 1956-60 and four in a row from 1976-79. The New York Islanders won four in a row from 1980-83.

NFL: No NFL team has ever won four straight championships. The Green Bay Packers are the only team to win three consecutive championships, having done so twice from 1929-31 and 1965-67.

  

Allen Americans Sign Defenseman Harrison Ruopp

Allen defenseman Harrison Ruopp

The Allen Americans have signed defenseman Harrison Ruopp to a contract for the upcoming season. Ruopp is a 23 year old, 6'3" and 205 pound defenseman from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan who was drafted by the Arizona Coyotes in the third round of the 2011 NHL draft. A year later he was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Harrison signed a three year entry level NHL contract with Pittsburgh in 2013.

- Ruopp is a fourth year professional having spent the last three years in the Pittsburgh organization where he split time between the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL) playing in 40 games and the Wheeling Nailers (ECHL) where he played in 80 games. In case you are wondering he was not with the Nailers when Allen played them in the Kelly Cup finals. Harrison was in the AHL during the playoffs.

- Prior to beginning his professional career, Ruopp played in 214 games over four seasons (2009-13) with the Prince Albert Raiders of the Western Hockey League, totaling 34 points (3 goals 31 assists) and 395 penalty minutes. He was an alternate captain for the Raiders in 2012-13.

- Coach Martinson was looking for a right shot, physical, stay at home, in your face defenseman and Harrison Ruopp fits that description perfectly. Martinson describes Ruopp this way, "A big, tough, physical, defensive defenseman who is solid in the zone and not a lot of fun to play against." He has a defensive first attitude and a tough as nails disposition.

- Ruopp describes himself as being more defensive, is gritty and takes pride in his compete level, making a good first pass and being solid in the defensive zone. He enjoys the physical side of the game and getting into battles. He is not afraid to drop the gloves.

- Ruopp will be joining several other Allen players heading to San Jose on Saturday to attend training camp with the San Jose Barracuda (AHL).

- Harrison has a younger brother (Sam) who plays defense and is the captain for the Prince George Cougars (WHL) where his coach is former Allen assistant coach, Richard Matvichuk. Sam is a 2015 fifth round draft choice of the Columbus Blue Jackets and is currently attending the Columbus training camp.



Here are the statistics for Harrison Ruopp courtesy of Hockeydb:

Harrison Ruopp

Defense -- shoots R
Born Mar 17 1993 -- Zehner, SASK
[23 yrs. ago]
Height 6.03 -- Weight 205

			Regular Season						Playoffs
Season	Team	Lge	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM	+/-	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2009-10	Prince Albert Raiders	WHL	33	0	0	0	38	-15	--	--	--	--	--
2010-11	Prince Albert Raiders	WHL	54	0	9	9	98	8	6	0	0	0	9
2011-12	Prince Albert Raiders	WHL	62	2	7	9	127	-23	--	--	--	--	--
2012-13	Prince Albert Raiders	WHL	65	1	15	16	132	11	4	0	0	0	4
2013-14	Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins	AHL	21	0	0	0	34	-5	1	0	0	0	2
2013-14	Wheeling Nailers	ECHL	19	0	3	3	42	5	--	--	--	--	--
2014-15	Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins	AHL	7	0	0	0	9	0	--	--	--	--	--
2014-15	Wheeling Nailers	ECHL	30	0	1	1	58	1	4	0	0	0	2
2015-16	Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins	AHL	12	0	1	1	11	-5	4	0	0	0	2
2015-16	Wheeling Nailers	ECHL	31	2	3	5	79	3	--	--	--	--	--

DID YOU KNOW: Harrison Ruopp was recommended to coach Martinson by Dyson Stevenson. They are both from Saskatchewan and played against each other in junior hockey. Here is one of their meetings from 2013.