Coronavirus, ECHL Individual Awards, Zamboni Story, Jersey Auction, Martinson Comments and More

I had the urge to write this morning even though there isn't much new to write about. Not sure where this will end up so it may be more rambling than usual.


- I am positive no matter your situation this coronavirus pandemic has upended your life in so many ways. Being in the 70+ category (expendable category by some) you live in fear of catching the virus and keep thinking it is a death sentence even though the stats say other wise. To make the worry quotient even higher our only son and his wife live in Manhattan and our only daughter is a registered nurse (RN) at Parkland Hospital. I know each of you have equally stressful stories. I have to admit the memes from moms about homeschooling provided much comic relief the last few days. My only advice is stay safe!

 Other than solo bike rides around our neighborhood (made 10 miles yesterday) and one trip to Cheddar's for curbside pick up we have stayed close to home. We made our first online grocery order which I will pick up tomorrow. I may be over reacting but the last few days have taken me back to Vietnam where you have the feeling danger lurks around every corner. When you read how long the virus can stay alive on various surfaces it is easy to get paranoid. Here is a video I found made by a doctor that talks about how to handle various packages. If you are a 20 something you may scoff and say this goes too far but as a 70 something I will be heeding this advice when I pick up groceries tomorrow. This is worth watching!

- Enough about the other stuff. Here are some hockey topics to get your mind (and mine) off coronavirus.


- Next week could be a big one for the Allen Americans as the ECHL will announce individual award winners. I know this won't happen but you can make an unbiased argument that Allen could win Rookie of the Year, Defenseman of the Year, MVP and Coach of the Year.

Rookie of the Year - I would be shocked if Tyler Sheehy doesn't win ROY. Tyler finished with a 15 point lead in the rookie scoring race with 70 points. His 44 assists were 12 more than any other rookie. His 26 goals were #2 for rookies, one behind the leader. He accomplished all of this playing in only 47 games.

Defenseman of the Year - Alex Breton won the scoring race among defensemen by nine points and his 44 assists were tied with Tyler Sheehy for the most in the entire league. There were no weaknesses in his game and his stats stack up against any other defenseman in the league. Alex will definitely finish in the top three but may be hurt because some voters don't like to vote for multiple players from the same team and Sheehy is so strong. Alex is certainly deserving.

#1 - points (55)
#1 - assists (44)
#2 - points per game (.90)
#5 - games played (61)
#6 - goals (11)
#11 - plus/minus (+20)


Coach of the Year -  The job Steve Martinson did this season was outstanding and should make him one of the favorites for ECHL COY. Allen was on pace to finish the regular season with 102 points after totaling just 56 points last season. A 46 point turnaround would have been one of the biggest in ECHL history. It is hard to believe with 10 championships and more wins (1043) than any pro coach in North American hockey history other than Scotty Bowman that Martinson has never been selected Coach of the Year. Martinson had one of his best ever coaching jobs from recruiting a different type of team to handling so many of his players spending a majority of the season in the AHL. Martinson lost close to 300 games from the players he signed spending time with AHL teams in this shortened season. I think Martinson's main competition will come from first year South Carolina Stingrays head coach, Steve Bergin, who has had his team in first place the entire season. Allen and Martinson have never been the most popular around the league for various reasons so my guess is Coach of the Year will go elsewhere, most likely to Bergin.


MVP - This would be a long shot because voters will be reluctant to vote for Tyler Sheehy as Rookie of the Year and also MVP. Tyler missed out on the scoring championship by three points when he missed the last two weeks of February with an injury. Sheehy ended up playing in just 47 games this season because of injuries and call ups which makes his stats all the more impressive. Tyler is certainly deserving and should finish in the top five. Here are his stats to put the year in perspective:

#231 - games played (47)
#1 - assists (44)
#1 - points per game (1.49)
#3 - points (70)
#7 - goals (26)

By the way, Sheehy took just two minor penalties in 47 games (goalie interference and slashing).


- I had a chance to check in with coach Martinson and he is busy getting ready for next season. The way the season ended there are plenty of details getting everything organized and ready for next season. Martinson is already identifying players to recruit and will start making calls soon. I know from past seasons he usually doesn't talk to Allen players for a few weeks after the season is over. He will start having those conversations in the near future. You have to wonder what impact the Coronavirus pandemic will have on players signing in Europe. There are a lot of players with Allen ties that had AHL deals for this season. Will they get AHL deals for next season?


- Allen Event Center Zamboni driver extraordinaire, Geoff Gill, sent me this article from the Toronto Sun about the history of the Zamboni. It is a great read. https://torontosun.com/sports/hockey/sweet-ride-theyre-clunky-and-slow-but-the-fascination-with-the-zamboni-lives-on 


- If you are a jersey collector the Americans have another auction currently going on (ends on Tuesday) that includes among others, more Allen Americans military jerseys and game worn red jerseys. If you are not familiar with the auction you have to download the app (LiveSource) and select "Allen, TX" to bid. A chance to own an autographed jersey for as little as $250. I saw jerseys for Pollock, Sheehy, Heffley, Falkovsky, Breton, Lammon and Paterson.

DID YOU KNOW: How did the Allen Americans offensive production this season compare to prior ECHL seasons. Here are average goals per game for each season since the Americans joined the ECHL.

3.98   2019-20
2.89   2018-19
3.26   2017-18
4.08   2016-17
3.08   2015-16*
4.05   2014-15*

*Kelly Cup champions


   
      

What Is and What Could Have Been, Award Winners, Jersey Auction, New Veterans, Ironmen and More

It seems to me like the ECHL season was canceled a long time ago but the fact is it has only been five days and there are still well over 200 days before hockey returns to Allen. Most of the players have already headed home. With the talk of restrictions and self quarantine for people going into Canada the players from there were in a hurry to get back home. A handful of players (Asuchak, VanWormer, Durocher, Brittain) are staying in Texas for a variety of reasons. Stepan Falkovsky is about to leave on the 5600 mile trip heading home the Belarus.


- I have had more than a few fans contact me about why the Americans or the ECHL didn't do more to help the players when the season was cancelled. Many expressed their desire to contribute to a fund to help. The short answer is the ECHL and PHPA (Professional Hockey Players Association) would have to come to an agreement to extend pay and that didn't happen. As for the Americans being involved in any kind of fund raising or distribution of funds to players that is illegal because it violates the salary cap. There is nothing stopping fans from contacting players directly to offer help but that is complicated because most of the players are already gone.


- When you think of the potential money lost by Allen players it could easily amount to $10,000 - $15,000. If Allen would have won the Kelly Cup it would have meant 14 more weeks of salary, three more months of housing and playoff money.  


- While there is no way to know how Allen would have done in the playoffs there is little doubt they were poised for putting together a great roster for the post season. Gabe Gagne, Zach Sawchenko, Jack Sadek and Jake Doty would have likely been back for the start of the playoffs. There was a possibility Les Lancaster, Matt Register, Mitch McLain and Turner Ottenbreit could have been back at some point. Coach Martinson was also working on another player getting assigned to Allen that would have been huge.


- The job Steve Martinson did this season should make him a favorite for ECHL coach of the year if they hand out that award. Allen was on pace to finish the regular season with 102 points after totaling just 56 points last season. A 46 point turnaround would have been one of the biggest in ECHL history.


- It is worth noting the number of players that were expected to be in Allen that were not. Teams always lose players to the AHL but this season has seen more than anyone expected when the season began. Here is a list of players coach Martinson signed for Allen that have spent the majority of the season in the AHL. Included in the list below are the games each player played in Allen. 

Josh Atkinson - 0 games
Matt Register - 3 games
Jake Doty - 3 games
Turner Ottenbreit - 17 games
Les Lancaster - 34 games
Gabe Gagne - 36 games


- When I was talking to coach Martinson yesterday he mentioned it has been difficult for him since the workout facility he uses almost daily has shut down. He is trying to find someone who has free weights he could borrow. If you can help him out send him an email at steve.martinson@yahoo.com


- The Americans don't hand out awards each season but here is my opinion on award winners.

Tyler Sheehy - MVP (70 points)
Tyler Sheehy - Rookie of the Year
Alex Breton - Defenseman of the Year (55 points)
Jack Sadek - Plus Performer of the Year (+25)
Josh Lammon - Best Defensive Forward
Jared VanWormer - Charlie Hustle Award
Zach Sawchenko - Goalie of the Year (.930 save percentage)
Ben Owen & Les Lancaster - Community Service  



- There is an auction currently going on (ends on Tuesday) that includes the Allen Americans military jersey and the game worn red jerseys. If you are not familiar with the auction you have to download the app (LiveSource) and select "Allen, TX"

Stepan Falkovsky models military jersey

- Alex Guptill and Olivier Archambault passed the 260 professional games played this season and will be veterans at the start of the 2020-21 season.   


DID YOU KNOW: Even though 2019-20 was the shortest regular season in franchise history (62 games) it was the first time ever there were no players that played in every game. Alex Breton and Jack Sadek played in 61 of the 62 games. Here are the Ironmen, those players that didn't miss a game for each season in franchise history. 

2019-20 - None
2018-19 - Spencer Asuchak 
2017-18 - Joel Chouinard, Casey Pierro-Zabotel
2016-17 - Chad Costello, Joel Chouinard
2015-16 - Chad Costello
2014-15 - Chad Costello, Aaron Gens, Jamie Schaafsma
2013-14 - Spencer Asuchak, Daniel Tetrault, Mike Berube
2012-13 - Jamie Schaafsma, Jason Deitsch
2011-12 - Jason Deitsch
2010-11 - Colton Yellow Horn, David Strathman
2009-10 - Bruce Graham, Christian Gaudet




     

ECHL Season Canceled, Individual Awards, My Thanks To All and Who Would Have Won the Kelly Cup

The Allen Amercans season came to an abrupt end last night when the ECHL announced the season would be canceled. This coming just two days after the season was suspended. If you haven't seen the announcement from the league here it is: https://www.echl.com/en/news/2020/3/echl-cancels-remainder-of-2019-20-season


- When the ECHL Board of Governors (BOG) voted yesterday to cancel the season I am sure the health and safety of the players, employees and fans was top of mind. Far better safe than sorry. The ECHL BOG may end up being the leader in foreseeing what is to come in the next weeks and months. It is also a fact there are many ECHL teams that would have extreme difficulty keeping the status quo on expenses with no revenue.


- As I write the blog this morning I have a mixture of feelings from disappointment to sadness to disheartened. The Allen Americans typically play into May and June and even last season when they didn't make the playoffs the last game was April 6. It is dispiriting to know the last game this season was played on March 7 and it will be 220 days before hockey returns.


- This coronavirus pandemic impacts everyone both personally and professionally but my thoughts this morning are with the Allen Americans coaches, players and staff. The theme of this season was "Redemption" after missing the playoffs last season. The team was positioned for a deep playoff run with a real shot at another Kelly Cup. Being at the rink most days I have seen how the front office employees wear many different hats and work their butts off through trying times. I have seen the players dealing with off ice issues but give 110% on this ice. When you see how hard everyone has worked to have what was a promising season end this way has me feeling for them this morning.


- Not sure what the ECHL plans are for the typical awards given out to players at the end of the year. Coach Martinson thinks the league will still have the awards as voting is now taking place. Tyler Sheehy should be a lock for Rookie of the Year. Tyler finished the season with 70 points (26G, 44A) in just 47 games. His 70 points is 15 points more than any other rookie. Tyler finished third in the overall scoring race but led the league in average points per game at 1.49. Over a 72 game season that would be 107 points. Those are Chad Costello like numbers. In Chad's three seasons in Allen his points per game average was 1.74, 1.43 and 1.69.


- The other Allen player that should get an award is Alex Breton as Defenseman of the Year. Alex led all defensemen in points (44), was 6th in goals (11) and was tied with Sheehy for the most assist overall (44). Breton finished with a plus/minus of +20  which ranked #11 among defensemen.


- With the season canceled this will be my last regular blog. I will post periodically when I have any news about the team. It is hard to put into words my appreciation whether you read the blog every day or are a casual fan that stumbles across my daily musings. It has been my pleasure to meet many of you and your words of encouragement in person at games, comments at the end of each blog, posts on Twitter, Facebook, message boards, and email have been very satisfying and inspiring.


Thank you to the players who have never said no to a single request I have made of them for a chat, an interview or a question. I have gotten to know most of these young men both professionally and personally and they have represented the Americans in an outstanding manner.


Thanks to Steve Martinson and his staff  (Assistant Coach Jason Deitsch, Assistant Coach Chris Meriney, Goalie Coach Chris Johansen, Trainer Jordan Dutton, Equipment Mananger Tim Abbott) for always being willing to talk to me and help educate me. A special thanks to coach Martinson, for always taking my calls, answering my texts, allowing me to stop by his office after every game and every practice to ask questions and talk about the team. It is his openness and trust that has allowed the blog to have information you can't find anywhere else.


- There are too many people to thank for the help during the season from the front office, ice crew, off ice officials, interns, media, photographers, event center staff, bloggers and many fans. It does take a village to gather and share the information in the blog and my thanks to all of you.




DID YOU KNOW: In the last 15 seasons every Kelly Cup has been won by teams finishing in the top seven in the regular season. Only four times did the champion finish lower than fourth in the regular season. With the ECHL season canceled a lot of teams are saying “what if” had the playoffs taken place. Here are the top seven when the season was canceled. The eventual Kelly Cup champion would have most likely come from the top four below but would definitely come from this list based on past history.

.742 - South Carolina Stingrays
.742 - Florida Everblades
.710 - Allen Americans
.708 - Newfoundland Growlers
.669 - Toledo Walleye
.667 - Cincinnati Cyclones
.667 - Reading Royals


Here are the last 15 Kelly Cup champions with their regular season finish in parenthesis. Anyone who says once you get in the playoffs anything can happen hasn't looked at ECHL history.

2019 - Newfoundland  (3rd)
2018 - Colorado (4th)
2017 - Colorado (3rd)
2016 - Allen (6th)
2015 - Allen (2nd)
2014 - Alaska (1st)
2013 - Reading (2nd)
2012 - Florida (7th)
2011 - Alaska (1st)
2010 - Cincinnati (5th)
2009 - South Carolina (4th)
2008 - Cincinnati (1st)
2007 - Idaho (6th)
2006 - Alaska (1st)
2005 - Trenton (4th)

Update and Impacts on Allen Americans Suspended Season

What a difference 24 hours makes. If you were glued to social media yesterday like me you saw the professional hockey leagues suspend their season in what seemed like a coordinated order. The NHL announced they were suspending the season first, followed by the AHL a few hours later, the ECHL late in the afternoon and finally the SPHL.


- There are more questions than answers at this point and if there is anything we can all agree on is the health and safety of players, employees and fans is paramount. Here are some of the things that have been on my mind since hearing about the ECHL suspending the season.


- The Allen Americans spent yesterday flying to Utah where they were scheduled to play a three game series against the Grizzlies starting tonight. With the suspension of the season they made plans to fly back to Allen this morning.


- This is not a cancellation of the season it is a suspension. I have seen it referred to as a pause. In the press release announcing the suspension the league says in part, "We will continue to work with national and local health officials and local governance to monitor the situation." In other words it remains to be seen if, how and when the season will resume. Here is the ECHL press release:  https://www.echl.com/en/news/2020/3/echl-suspends-play


- The team will stay in Allen, they will get paid but they will not be allowed to practice. The ECHL provided very explicit guidance that includes there are to be no team activities including appearances, skating, and weight training. Team locker rooms are to be closed and no one permitted in them.


-  It will certainly be unfortunate if the season does not resume given Allen has one of the best records in the ECHL (40-14-6-2) and are in position for a deep playoff run. All the players can do now is act like the professionals they are and take care of themselves during what will hopefully be a short hiatus. Stay in shape, eat right and assume the season is not over.


- When I asked coach Martinson about what has happened he was as usual direct and to the point, "It is disappointing that it came to this. Hopefully things calm down and we can resume playing."


- Spencer Asuchak shared this with me, "I think a lot of guys are pretty anxious at the whole thing. The unknown is a bit scary. I just hope the season resumes because I think we have a team that can win it all and I would hate to waste that."  


- The financial impact on the team is certainly secondary to health and safety but could be catastrophic for some ECHL teams. Allen has five home games remaining which could be a loss of revenue from roughly 22,000 tickets. That would translate to an estimated loss in the neighborhood of $350,000 with my back of the envelope computation. I couldn't even guess the financial impact on the playoffs if they are nor held.


- The Allen front office went above and beyond the call of duty yesterday during the turmoil that was happening, mostly out of their control.  I am sure they were wondering what the future holds for them while putting together information for fans. Here is a link to the press release issued by the Americans. At the bottom of the press release is a FAQ link which answers many of the questions related to ticket refund policy. https://allenamericans.com/update/


- The other group you worry about are all of the folks this will impact. I assume more events than hockey will be postponed or canceled at the Allen Event Center. Will this impact the ice crew who are a big part of the Allen Americans family? It will certainly impact the vendors, concession workers, ushers, bartenders, cleaning crew to name just a few.


- With all of the uncertainty the best advice is to be kind, be flexible, be smart and be safe. Take care of yourself and take care of others.



DID YOU KNOW: Levity is often the best medicine when going through times like these. I still chuckle every time I think about what I included in the blog yesterday,  "If the Americans end up playing games without an audience how will the players know when to shoot the puck on the power play." It makes me laugh because there are several fans (you know who your are) that sit near me that give the shoot the puck advice all of the time. Here are a few comments I received yesterday that made me smile.

"Why didn't this happen last season."
"Now that everything is suspended, all of the ECHL teams need to identify their best gamers and play EA Sports version of the ECHL Games."
"This is slowing down Martinson's chase of Scotty Bowman for most pro wins all time."
"Hope Biscuit doesn't get laid off and sent to the "Dog Pound. " 


  

Allen Heads to Utah, Coronavirus Becomes Very Real, Hockey Humor, Scoring First Stats and More

As the Allen Americans left Love Field this morning at 6:00 am heading for Utah the impact of the coronavirus has become very real. The NBA suspended their season because a member of the Utah Jazz tested positive for the virus. The NCAA made a decision March Madness will be played without audiences. The Toledo Walleye played at home last night against the Cincinnati Cyclones and only official teams members, credentialed personnel and media were allowed to attend. The San Jose Sharks will play their three remaining home games in March without an audience. With the predictions of the spread of coronavirus cases it seems it is only a matter of time before NHL and ECHL games will be impacted on a much wider scale. I see on social media this morning the NHL might make a decision to suspend games as early as today.


- While the NHL and NBA have the finances to survive it is hard to believe some ECHL teams could survive a suspended season. Playing games without fans would be even worse when you consider the teams would have all of the expenses with none of the revenue. Ticket sales account for somewhere between 60% - 80% of a team's revenue. If you take that away and still have to play the games it would be the deathknell for more than a few teams in my opinion. 


- Unless something happens today with ECHL guidance it will be the show must go on for the Allen Americans tomorrow night. Once again Allen will be playing with a lot of players out of the lineup. Injured players Alex Guptill, Olivier Archambault and Corey Durocher stayed home and some players on the trip are listed as day to day. Coach Martinson is working to get a couple of the players currently in the AHL back for the weekend and continues to recruit college players just finishing their collegiate careers. If some of these puzzle pieces don't fall into place the Americans will be playing short against the Grizzlies.


- Have to admit as a person in the demographic where the coronavirus can be deadly and all of the depressing news about the postponing and canceling of public events, humor can be the best medicine. I saw this on social media several times and it made me chuckle. It goes something like this, adapted for the Allen Americans. "If the Americans end up playing games without an audience how will the players know when to shoot the puck on the power play."


- South Carolina and Cincinnati both lost last night. South Carolina is now tied with Florida for the league lead in points with 92 points. Allen has 88 points with a four point lead and a game in hand over Cincinnati for the best record in the Western Conference.


- Hockey leagues in Europe are quickly postponing and suspending games. Here is a link to the updated details: https://thehockeynews.com/news/article/top-leagues-in-slovakia-austria-poland-norway-cancel-seasons-due-to-coronavirus-outbreak


- In closing all I can say is to stay safe and be smart. Life has changed for all of us. Social distancing is the new catch phrase and your life and the life of your kids, parents, grandparents can be turned upside down very quickly. On a personal note, today would have been my dad's 100th birthday. During trying times like these having your parents around is reassuring no matter what your age. Happy birthday dad, missing you and thinking about you a lot today.



DID YOU KNOW: Scoring first makes some teams almost unbeatable. Leaguewide the winning percentage when scoring first is .747. The best:

.912 - Reading Royals
.871 - Allen Americans
.861 - South Carolina Stingrays
.859 - Florida Everblades
.855 - Toledo Walleye
.839 - Utah Grizzlies
.833 - Cincinnati Cyclones
.828 - Idaho Steelheads

Practice Update, Allen's #1's, Most Goals Among ECHL Rookies and More

It is another practice day for the Allen Americans as they prepare for the big three game series this weekend against the Utah Grizzlies. With six days between games there is an opportunity for players to heal some of the nagging injuries and for coach Martinson to work on some things in practice that haven't been worked on in a while. It is also time for Martinson to recruit college players and see if any AHL players might be assigned for the weekend. There is a good chance both will happen. Stay tuned.


- In addition to team goals like winning the Brabham Cup and/or being the top seed in the Western Conference, coach Martinson also wants players to achieve individual goals. He wants Tyler Sheehy to win the ECHL scoring title and the rookie scoring title. He wants Alex Breton to lead all ECHL defensemen in points and Stepan Falkovsky to lead in goals by a defenseman.


- Sheehy has 70 points and is one behind the league lead. He has a 15 point lead in the rookie scoring race. Alex Breton has 55 points and a nine point lead in the defensemen scoring race over second place Miles Liberati. Stepan Falkovsky has 15 goals and a one goal lead for the most goals by a defenseman.


- Here are all of the stats in the ECHL Daily Report where Allen players or the team is ranked #1:

TEAM
#1 - Most points in the Western Conference (88)
#1 - Most overtime wins (12)
#1 - Most goals scored (247)
#1 - Most goals scored in 3rd period (86)

INDIVIDUAL
#1 - Most assists in ECHL, Tyler Sheehy (44)
#1 - Most assists in ECHL, Alex Breton (44)
#1 - Most rookie points, Tyler Sheehy (70)
#1 - Most rookie assists, Tyler Sheehy (44)
#1 - Most rookie power play assists, Tyler Sheehy (15)
#1 - Most rookie power play points, Tyler Sheehy (20)
#1 - Most rookie shorthanded points, Tyler Sheehy (5)
#1 - Most points by defenseman, Alex Breton (55)
#1 - Most assists by defenseman, Alex Breton (44)
#1 - Most goals by defenseman, Stepan Falkovsky (15)
#1 - Most power play goals by defenseman, Stepan Falkovsky (8)
#1 - Best shooting percentage by defenseman, Stepan Falkovsky (17.0%)
#1 - Longest streak with an assist, Brett Pollock (10 games)
#1 - Longest home streak with an assist, Olivier Archambault (11 games)


DID YOU KNOW: Here is my post from ECHL Stats today. If you are on Facebook I ask you to go to my page (ECHL Stats & Information) and like the page. This is different than liking an individual post. If you are on Twitter go to ECHL Stats (@EchlStats) and and give it a follow. Thanks!

Most Goals Among ECHL Rookies This Season:
27 - Justin Brazeau, Newfoundland Growlers
26 - Tyler Sheehy, Allen Americans
26 - Samuel Asselin, Atlanta Gladiators
24 - Tyler Coulter, Rapid City Rush
23 - Liam Pecararo, Greenville Swamp Rabbits
22 - Brennan Saulnier, Rapid City Rush
 
 

  

Roster Update, Utah Series, PIMS Leaders and More

Needless to say this will be a critical week for the Allen Americans as they play three games in three days (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) on the road against the Utah Grizzlies. Until recently the schedule had the series beginning on Wednesday but that game was changed to Sunday at the request of the Grizzlies because of a scheduling conflict at their arena, the Maverik Center. Turns out the conflict is professional wrestling. A relatively new company (2019) called "All Elite Wrestling" will have a nationally televised (TNT) event on Wednesday.


- The schedule change will allow coach Martinson to have some concentrated practice time before the team leaves for Utah on Thursday, something that is hard to find this time of the season.


- It is hard to overstate the importance of the three games against Utah this weekend. If Allen sweeps the series with three regulations wins they would have a 94-79 point lead over Utah and could not be caught by the Grizzlies. However, if Utah gets the sweep the Americans point lead will be down to 88-85 with seven games remaining.    


- I have heard from many of you recently about the inconsistent play of the Allen Americans and that observation is certainly accurate. If you look back over the last month, Allen's record is a mediocre 7-6-0-0 and the team has lost games by scores of 1-0 to 6-1 to 6-4. The Americans have won games by scores of 1-0 to 8-5 to 5-4. Three of their last four wins have come in overtime.


- It is worth noting the number of players that were expected to be in Allen that are not. Teams always lose players to the AHL but this season has seen more than anyone expected when the season began. Here is a list of players coach Martinson signed for Allen that have spent the majority of the season in the AHL. Included in the listed below are the games they have played for Allen. FYI the Americans have played 62 games.

Josh Atkinson - 0 games
Matt Register - 3 games
Jake Doty - 3 games
Turner Ottenbreit - 17 games
Les Lancaster - 34 games
Gabe Gagne - 36 games


-  In addition to the six players above the last month has seen other key players miss time. Tyler Sheehy (injury), Brett Pollock (injury) and Jared VanWormer (AHL loan) have missed a total of 17 games in the last month. Olivier Archambault, Alex Guptill, Cole Fraser, Stepan Falkovsky and Corey Durocher have also missed games with injuries. Nick Boka hasn't played since the end of January and is out indefinitely. In the last three days Jack Sadek and Mitch McLain have been recalled by Iowa.


-  It all adds up to coach Martinson scrambling to find more college players, in addition to Ben Carroll, to sign for the remainder of the season. It is also possible the Wild are looking to sign some players just finishing their collegiate eligibility which could benefit the Americans.


- Coach Martinson has mentioned in the past he expects Jake Doty to be sent back to Allen for a weekend before the end of the season to get enough games (needs two more) to qualify for the playoffs. Seems like this weekend against Utah would be perfect timing. Allen may be shorthanded and more importantly it is an easy trip to get from Ontario (Los Angeles) to Salt Lake City.


- While Allen is playing three games in Utah this weekend, Idaho will be in Rapid City for three games and Tulsa will play Kansas City three times. The playoff picture could clarify a lot this weekend.


DID YOU KNOW: Here are the average penalty minutes per game leaders since the 2014-15 season. Looks like the new fighting rules for the 2019-20 season have impacted the average penalty minutes per game. The ECHL is on pace to have 755 major penalties (mostly fighting majors) this season. Last season there were 1061 major penalties. FYI, Allen's average penalty minutes per game this season is 12.02.

16.95 - Fort Wayne Komets (2019-20)
23.49 - Allen Americans (2018-19)
19.60 - Allen Americans (2017-18)
19.89 - Allen Americans (2016-17)
19.82 - Colorado Eagles (2015-16)
22.83 - Allen Americans (2014-15)