PLAYER SIGNINGS
Zach Pochiro press release: https://allenamericans.com/americans-sign-forward-zach-pochiro-for-second-stint-in-allen/
Dalton & Josh Thrower press release: https://allenamericans.com/double-the-fun-as-the-thrower-brothers-return/
ROSTER
The announced Allen roster is now up to 14 players. Here is the current roster:
Goalie
Jeremy Brodeur
Defensemen
Josh Atkinson
Joel Chouinard
Mike Gunn
Miles Liberati
Dalton Thrower
Josh Thrower
Forwards
Chad Butcher
J.C. Campagna
Matt Foget
Casey Pierro-Zabotel
Zach Pochiro
Braylon Shmyr
Kevin Sundher
- The plan is for two more player announcements this week, one tomorrow (Tuesday) and the other most likely on Thursday. If you live in Allen and follow the City Council, on the agenda for the Council meeting tomorrow night (#4 on the agenda) is an item that says, "Presentation Regarding the Allen Americans Professional Hockey Team" so wonder what that is all about.
COACHES CORNER
- Coach Martinson underwent shoulder replacement surgery last Monday and as you might imagine is already antsy to get going with his rehab. When I talked to him late last week he said everything went well and he was running errands the day after surgery. He has already been back to the AEC but is mostly working from home. He has to keep the shoulder immobile for the first two weeks before rehab starts.
- Despite his shoulder surgery, Martinson still plans to attend the NHL Prospect Tournament in Traverse City, Michigan (September 7-11) where he will be able to meet more of the Minnesota Wild staff and watch the prospects including a couple that should be playing in Allen. The eight team tournament field consists of prospects from the Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, New York Rangers and St. Louis Blues.
- Martinson's recruiting at this point is mostly staying in touch with player/agents who are trying to get AHL deals and are not ready to sign ECHL contracts.
- There will be a minimum of five Allen players going to the Iowa Wild training camp hoping to do well enough to get a contract offer.
- The official announcement of two home preseason games should happen this week. Because of the short training camp the only option for weekend preseason games is the weekend of October 5th. Stay tuned for specifics (date, time, etc).
- Based on history and knowing the ECHL season will start on October 12, here is what I think will be the key dates:
September 27 - Training camp rosters due to league office
September 28 - Training camp opens
October 10 - Opening day rosters due to league office
October 12- 31st ECHL regular season begins (Allen starts on the road in Kansas City)
OTHER COMMENTS
- Biscuit went above and beyond the call of duty to publicize that Allen Americans single game tickets are now on sale. Check out this video:
- The ECHL has put together a list of the top 30 players in their 30 year history and are doing a countdown, 10 players at a time. Former Allen Americans Riley Gill and Matt Register were in the first group of the countdown (21-30). Here is the second group (11-20) video. There are no Allen Americans in this group but as you watch take note of the scoring from players that played in the 1990's when offensive hockey was at its peak. It will be interesting to see who is in the top 10 when it is released. Chad Costello will be in that group for sure. Here is the 11-20 video:
- Former Allen forward, Wade MacLeod, is about to undergo his fourth brain surgery in the last five years. He had surgery just two months ago but the tumor has returned. Here are the details from a gofundme account that has been setup to help Wade and his family. If you would like to donate here is the link: https://www.gofundme.com/wade039s-treatment-fund
We would like to start by telling you about this incredible young man, Wade MacLeod and his beautiful young family.
Wade is 31 years old and has spent his entire life dreaming of being a husband, and father while playing in the NHL. This dream almost came true 5 years ago, but while playing for Springfield Falcons in the AHL, Wade suffered a grand mal seizure on the ice, which led to the discovery of the first tumor. Wade returned to the game a year later, after undergoing brain surgery to remove the tumor. Following surgery, Wade lost the ability of speech and spent 3 months undergoing speech therapy. His dream of being a husband and father has come true with a beautiful wife, Karly and 11 month old baby girl, sweet Ava James. Wade’s courage and unwavering determination to be a loving husband and father and still play the game he loves so much has been an inspiration to us all. Since then, Wade’s tumor has relentlessly grown back 3 times. Each time, Wade returned to the game but his dream of playing in the NHL was over.
Wade was going to return to playing hockey in Dresden, Germany, this August. That dream was dashed as our dear friend Wade MacLeod is now preparing to have his 4th brain surgery in less than 5 years.
He has a Grade 3 Glioblastoma tumor and it has come back, once again, with a vengeance, after going through surgery only 2 months ago!
What this means for Wade and his family, is that they have to incur all prescription costs that he will have to take his entire lifetime as well as any treatments outside of his basic medical services plan, which is weighing heavily on their finances and they will not be able to sustain the strain with no income.
Wade’s recovery would be so much easier without the financial strain as he is no longer able to provide for his family.
Thank-you for taking time to read this and consider funding to this cause.
DID YOU KNOW: Last week I researched for a Twitter account (@ECHLStats) where the 2017-18 leading scorer for all 27 ECHL teams will be playing for the 2018-19 season. Atlanta had two players tie for the team lead in scoring so there were a total of 28 teams leaders. Here is the status of the leading scorer for each ECHL team.
8 - re-signed with their ECHL team (Adirondack, Allen, Brampton, Cincinnati, Kansas City, Utah, Wichita and Worcester)
7 - signed overseas (Atlanta, Florida, Fort Wayne, Kalamazoo, Manchester, Norfolk, Orlando)
6 - remain unsigned (Atlanta, Greenville, Idaho, Indy, Jacksonville)
4 - signed with a different ECHL team (Rapid City, Toledo, Wheeling, Quad City)
2 - signed AHL deals (Colorado, Tulsa)
1 - retired (Reading)
Thanks for the update.
ReplyDeleteHoping all turns out well for Wade.
ReplyDelete