A Trip Down Allen Memory Lane - Who is Playing, Who Is Not, Who is Coaching & More

The Allen Americans are back home for few days before they head to Tulsa for games on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The games in Tulsa this weekend will complete the second six game road stretch of the season and set the Americans up for 20 home games and just five road games the remainder of the season. Allen is in last place in the Mountain Division with a record of 13-27-2-2 but the Americans have been playing much better hockey recently. Many Allen fans are teetering between "they will get this turned around" and "will they get this turned around."

Rather than talk about the trials and tribulations of this year's team I thought today would be good time to talk about some of the teams and players from the past. If you are a long time Allen fan you will have fond memories of the early years and if you are a more recent follower of the team you can see how some of the players from the recent past are doing.



THE EARLY YEARS

2009-10: There are only two players from Allen's first team still playing professional hockey, Colton Yellow Horn and Jordie Benn. It was an exciting first season as the upstart Americans went all the way to the championship final before losing to Rapid City.

Jordie Benn (age 31) - Jordie didn't venture far from Allen as he signed with the Dallas Stars organization after playing in Allen and went back and forth between the Texas Stars (AHL) and Dallas Stars (NHL) for a couple of years before becoming a full time NHL player. In 2016-17 Dallas traded Jordie to the Montreal Canadiens. He is now has 441 NHL games to his credit.

Colton Yellow Horn (age 29)  -  The best description of Colton is "have skates will travel" as he has played hockey all over the world. He spent three years in Allen (2009-12) and was certainly a crowd favorite with his amazing offensive skills. Colton is top five in almost all offensive categories both all-time and single season for the Americans. Other than Chad Costello, Colton has the best single season in Allen history in points and assists. Yellow Horn has played in Austria, Hungary, Japan and the Czech Republic. He is currently playing in Graz, Austria for the Graz 99ers. Colton has 46 points (19G, 27A) in 40 games. He leads his team in scoring and is 10th in the league in scoring. Here is a memorable Colton Yellow Horn shootout goal from 2012 when he was playing in the AHL.

2010-11: Probably the most talented offensive team ever in Allen. They won their conference by 20 points and scored 271 goals in 66 games for an average of 4.11 per game. They had three 30 goals scorers, (Bruce Graham - 34, Nino Musitelli - 34, Colton Yellow Horn - 33) and five players that averaged a point per game (Dave Bonk & Judd Blackwater in addition to those above). Clearly the best team in the league but they disappointed in the playoffs losing to the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs in the conference finals, four games to one. The Mudbugs went on to beat Colorado in the finals to win the championship. In addition to Yellow Horn, Judd Blackwater is the only other player from that team still playing professionally.


Judd Blackwater (age 31): Probably most known for what is called the best fight in team history. Judd was an accomplished fighter but did not fight often. He only had two fights in 2010-11. He is a gifted offensive player and terrific with the puck. Judd has spent the last few years playing in Europe and is currently playing in Nitra, Slovakia. In 47 games he has 42 points (25 goals 17 assists). Judd's 25 goals leads his team and is #3 in the league. Here is the most famous fight in Allen history. If you like hockey fights you never get tired of watching this tilt.

FORMER PLAYERS UPDATE

Here is an update on some of the players from the past with a photo in their current jersey. I didn't have much choice on a couple of the photos. Stats courtesy of eliteprospects.com.

Chad Costello - Chad is playing for the Krefeld Pinguine in the top league in Germany (DEL). Chad leads his team in scoring with 26 points (15G, 29A) in 41 games. He is second in the DEL in scoring. Krefeld is in 10th place in the 14 team league.

Chad Costello

Colton Yellow Horn - As stated above Colton played on the very first Allen Americans team in 2009-10. This season he is in playing for a team in Austria, Graz 99ers. Colton has 46 points (19G, 27A) in 40 games. He leads his team in scoring and is 10th in the league in scoring. Yellow Horn has more points than any former Allen player that is playing in Europe. The Graz 99ers are currently in second place in the 12 team league (EBEL).

Colton Yellow Horn

Kale Kerbashian - Kale is spending his first year playing in Europe. He plays for HK Nitra in the Slovakian League. He has played in only 31 games and has 24 points (9G, 15A). HK Nitra is in fifth place in the 13 team league.

Kale Kerbashian

Judd Blackwater - Judd is a teammate of Kerbashian at HK Nitra. In 47 games he has 42 points (25 goals 17 assists). Judd's 25 goals leads his team and is #3 in the league. HK Nitra is in fifth place in the 13 team league.

Judd Blackwater

Alex Guptill - Alex is playing in England for the Nottingham Panthers. He has the most goals of any former Allen player that is playing in Europe. Alex has 44 points (28G, 16A) in 42 games. He leads his team in scoring and leads the league (EIHL) in goals. Nottingham is in third place in the 11 team league.

Alex Guptill

Rick Pinkston - After spending the first three years of his pro career in the ECHL and AHL, Rick headed to Europe this season. He plays in Scotland for the Fife Flyers who play in the EIHL. Pinkston has 19 points (2G, 17A) in 30 games. Rick has a plus/minus rating of +13 which leads his team. Fife is in fourth place in the 11 team EIHL.

Rick Pinkston

Alex Lavoie - After a couple of years playing in Scandinavia (Sweden & Finland) Alex is playing in Austria for HC Innsbruck in the EBEL. Alex has 26 points (8G, 18A) in 39 games which is seventh on his team in scoring. HC Innsbruck is in 10th place in the 12 team EBEL.

Alex Lavoie

Jonathan Lessard - Jonathan is playing for Bordeaux in the French League. He has 18 points (9G, 9A) to go along with 77 penalty minutes in 27 games. He is fifth on the team in scoring and third in penalty minutes. Bordeaux is in fifth place in the 12 team Ligue Magnus.

Jonathan Lessard

Tanner Eberle - Tanner is also spending his first season in Europe playing for the Sheffield Steelers (England) in the EIHL.  He has 17 points (5G, 12A) in 39 games which is ninth on the team in scoring. Tanner has 60 penalty minutes which leads the team. Sheffield is in ninth place in the 11 team EIHL.

Tanner Eberle

Jack Combs - Jack is playing for EHC Kloten in the second tier Swiss League. He signed late and has played in only 17 games. Jack has 17 points (8G, 9A). EHC Kloten is in fourth place in the 11 team league. Combs has to hold the record as he has played for 21 different teams in his 10 year professional career.

Jack Combs

Josh Brittain - Josh is playing for Deggendorfer SC in the DEL2 which is the second tier league in Germany. He has 22 points (10G, 12A) in 38 games which is fifth on the team in scoring. Josh has 62 penalty minutes which is first on the team. Deggendorfer SC is in last place in the 14 team DEL2.

Josh Brittain

Greger Hanson - Greger is a teammate of Chad Costello on the Krefeld Pinguine in the top German league (DEL).  Greger has 10 points (7G, 3A) in 39 games. He is 11th on the team in scoring. Krefeld is in 10th place in the 14 team league.

Greger Hanson

NO LONGER PLAYING

Here is a partial list of Allen players from the four championship teams that are no longer playing professional hockey.  Not sure all of them have officially retired but they aren't playing. Lot's of great memories and championships among this group. The years they were with Allen are included:

Jarret Lukin - 2009-14
Brian McMillin - 2010-15
Scott Howes - 2012-13
Kevin Young - 2014-16
Justin Courtnall - 2015-16
Kyle Follmer - 2014-16
Jonathan Parker - 2015-16
Anthony Maiani - 2012-14
Darryl Bootland - 2012-14
Tyler Ludwig - 2011-15
Jason Deitsch - 2011-13
Adam Pineault - 2011-13
Trevor Ludwig - 2011-15
Mike Berube - 2010-14
Daniel Tetrault - 2013-14
Phil Fox - 2013-14
Bruce Graham 2009-2014
Gary Steffes - 2014-18
Aaron Gens - 2014-17
Ian Schultz - 2014-16
Tristan King - 2015-18
Riley Gill - 2014-18
J.P. LaFontaine - 2015-17




FORMER PLAYERS STILL WORKING IN HOCKEY

Josh Hepditch - Assistant Coach, Moncton Wildcats  (QMJHL)
Daniel Tetrault - Head Coach, Rapid City Rush (ECHL)
John Snowden - Assistant Coach, Newfoundland Growlers (ECHL)
Jason Deitsch - Assistant Coach, Allen Americans (ECHL)
Phil Fox - Vice President, New Mexico Ice Wolves Hockey Association
Kyle Follmer - Works for Phil Fox as Assistant Director of Hockey
Steve Silverthorn - Asst. Director of Admissions and Asst. Boys Varsity Hockey Coach, Austin Prep School, Reading, MA.
Nolan Descoteaux - Assistant Coach, Skylands Junior Kings, (NA3HL), Stockholm, New Jersey
Christian Gaudet - Assistant Coach, University of Ottawa
Erik Adams - Head Coach, Allen High School




 DID YOU KNOW: In the 10 year history of the Allen Americans only seven players have reached the 200 games played mark. Here is the list.

274 - Spencer Asuchak
247 - Tyler Ludwig
238 - Jarret Lukin
229 - Mike Berube
216 - Chad Costello
215 - Brian McMillin
206 - Gary Steffes

Another thing these seven players have in common is they all won multiple championships playing for the Allen Americans.