I am sure by now most of you have heard that Allen Americans owner, Jack Gulati, has sold his other ECHL team, the Reading Royals. Needless to say that generated a lot of questions from Allen fans wondering what the Reading sale means for the Americans. The short answer is it means no change for the Allen Americans other than Jack will have more time to spend in Allen. I contacted Jack last night and this is what he shared with me, "I am pleased that I was able to consummate the deal with the current owners of the Reading Royals Arena, where the team has played since 2001. This will have a very positive impact not only for the Reading Royals but as well for the Allen Americans. With the completion of this transaction it will allow me more time to visit with our great fans in Allen and to help the team grow. I am pleased and I hope all of the loyal fans of the Allen Americans will also be pleased that I will be able to see them more often."
- Mark your calendars for February 16 as it will be quite the trifecta for Allen Americans fans new and old. The first ever Alumni game will take place at 4:00 pm followed by the Americans taking on the Reading Royals. To top it off it will be Harry Potter Night, complete with a specialty jersey, post game auction and post game skate.
ALUMNI GAME
- Here is the press release with a list of players that will be at the alumni game. In addition to former Allen players there will be some special guests that are NHL alumni. https://allenamericans.com/americans-announce-players-for-february-16th-alumni-game/
- Many players from the past can't make the alumni game because of work and/or family commitments. Many are still playing hockey or involved in hockey so getting away in February is impossible. With that said many of the former players that will participate represent Allen Americans royalty from the past. Here is a brief synopsis of some of the players from the early years (CHL). I will cover the players from the later years (ECHL) later.
Bruce Graham
Bruce had two stints in Allen, playing from 2009-2012 and then returning for the 2013-14 season. Bruce played 184 games (13th all-time) in Allen and is #3 all time in goals (97), #2 in assists (138) and #2 in points (235). He won a championship in 2014.
Jarret Lukin
Jarret Lukin was the first player ever signed by the Allen Americans and was the first captain of the team. He is one of just three players that spent at least five season (2009-14) with the team. Jarret is #3 all-time in games played (238), #6 in goals (74), #9 in assists and #8 in points. Lukin won one championship in Allen (2013).
Brian McMillin
Brian McMillin is also one of three players that spent five seasons in Allen (2010-15). Brian is #6 all-time in games played (215), #10 in goals (53), #14 in assists (73) and #12 in points. A rare stat about Brian is in his 215 games as an Allen American he had more goals (53) than penalty minutes (45). Brian was part of three championships (2013, 2014, 2015) and was the playoff MVP in Allen's first championship in 2013.
Tyler Ludwig
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| Tyler, Craig & Trevor Ludwig will all be part of the Alumni game |
Tyler spent four seasons in Allen (2011-2015) and is #2 all-time in games played. Tyler is #1 all-time among defensemen in points (172), assists (121) and is tied in goals (51) with David Makowski. Tyler also is #1 among defensemen in playoffs games (61) and points (37). Tyler was part of three championships in Allen (2013. 2014, 2015).
Trevor Ludwig
Trevor spent four years in Allen (2011-15) and is #14 all-time in games played (171). It seemed like every season Trevor would sustain a significant injury that kept him out of the lineup for long periods. Among all Allen defensemen Trevor is #6 in games played, #6 in points (62), #5 in goals (20) and #8 in assists. Trevor was part of three championships in Allen (2013, 2014, 2015).
Justin Bowers
Justin Bowers spent just one season in Allen (2009-10) but what a season it was. In 49 games (he spent time in the AHL) Justin had 73 points (23G, 50A) with a plus/minus of +21. His points per game (1.49) was by far the best on the team. Bowers led Allen in a playoff run that ended with the first year Americans losing in the championship finals. Justin had 30 points (12G, 18A) in 20 playoff games which led the CHL in playoffs scoring.
Tobias Whelan
Tobias played two seasons in Allen (2009-11) and was the captain of the team. In those two seasons Tobias played in 117 games and had 86 points (35G, 51A) and had a plus/minus of +23. A great defensive player and penalty killer, in the 2011 playoffs Tobias had three shorthanded goals in 13 playoff games.
Erik Adams
Erik played three seasons in Allen (2009-12) as a player but was also a long time front office employee and served as the Americans assistant coach in 2014-15 when they won their first Kelly Cup championship. In his Allen playing career Erik's totals were 107 games played, 53 points (10G, 33A) and a plus/minus of +26.
Jason Deitsch
Jason played two seasons in Allen (2011-13) and served as captain of the team both seasons. He arrived in Allen after playing for their crosstown rival, Texas Brahmas. Jason is #20 all time in games played (132) and #16 in points (100) which is amazing giving he only played two seasons with the Americans. The reason is because he never missed a game in his Allen career playing in 132 of 132 games. Jason was part of the 2013 championship team. He is now serving as the assistant coach for the Allen Americans.
Mike Salekin
Mike was a tough nosed defenseman who played just one season in Allen (2009-10). He led the league (CHL) during the 2010 playoffs with 82 penalty minutes.
DID YOU KNOW: There are memorable Allen players that have played five regular season games to over 200 regular season games for the Allen Americans. Here are some examples:
5 games - Todd Robinson - scored most famous goal in Allen history to win first championship
13 games - Wade McLeod - outstanding player who has valiantly fought health issues
25 games - David Simoes - voted best pound for pound fighter in CHL
32 games - Jack Combs - best points per game (1.750) average in Allen history
100 games - Darryl Bootland - most entertaining player in Allen history
199 games - Jamie Schaafsma - "The Captain" - always gets to the championship finals
216 games - Chad Costello - never missed a game, regular season or playoffs in three seasons
274 games - Spencer Asuchak - only player in Allen history to play in six seasons
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