Allen Americans Update, Current Roster, Steve Martinson Q&A on Saturday and More

It is down to one month and counting until ECHL training camps open. The number of players announced around the league has surpassed 300 ranging from three by Kalamazoo to 19 by Fort Wayne.

 
- 20 of the 26 ECHL teams have announced 10 or more players. As a reminder, there will be a total 575-600 players on opening day rosters.


- It is important to remember two factors that impact the number of player announcements. Some teams/coaches don't like to make these announcements while they are in the middle of recruiting. There are many good reasons not to show your hand to other teams and players who you have signed. The flip side is player announcements are seen as a way to build enthusiasm in the off season and it helps the sales and marketing staffs.


- The second factor impacting the number of player announcements is the trend of more NHL/AHL contracted players being assigned to ECHL teams. You can expect to see 10+ contracted players on some ECHL rosters this season. Teams with fewer than 10 players announced thus far (Allen, Jacksonville, Kalamazoo, Newfoundland, Tulsa, Wheeling) may be teams expecting a lot of help from their AHL/NHL affiliates.


- The Americans official roster now stands at eight players. There are still as many as 10 more players signed by coach Martinson but not yet announced. Just a guess but I wouldn't be surprised to hear some "off the record" names at the Martinson Q&A on Saturday (see below). Here is the current roster with the number of professional seasons and number of AHL games played. 

Forwards
Spencer Asuchak - seventh pro season, 60 AHL games
Jacob Doty - sixth pro season, 71 AHL games
Gabriel Gagne - fourth pro season, 154 AHL games
Mike Hedden - 11th pro season, 210 AHL games, 155 DEL games (top German league)
Jason Salvaggio - second pro season, 4 AHL games
Braylon Shmyr - second pro season, 3 AHL games
Jordan Topping - second pro season, 0 AHL games

Defensemen
Ben Owen - second pro season, 0 AHL games



- The Minnesota Wild have announced the roster that will take part in the NHL Prospect Tournament in Traverse City, Michigan from September 6-9. The only player from the Allen Americans announced roster that will be participating is Jordan Topping. Iowa signed players who spent time in Allen last season that will be at the prospects tournament are Alex Breton, Nick Boka and Jack Sadek. Here is a link to the press release issued by the Minnesota Wild with the complete roster and the schedule. The first game of the tournament pits Minnesota against the Dallas Stars prospects. Steve Martinson will attend the tournament to watch the prospects, many of which will be assigned to Allen this season. He also plans to spend some time at the Minnesota Wild's main training camp:  https://www.nhl.com/wild/news/traverse-city-prospect-tournament-082719/c-308688104
 


-  The Allen Americans are having an open house on Saturday (August 31) from 11:00 - 2:00. You don't want to miss the Q&A with Steve Martinson which will be at 11:00. I talked to coach Martinson this morning and he is very excited about the team he has put together for the upcoming season and the affiliation relationship that has evolved with the Wild organization. It is perfect timing for an update on the 2019-20 season from the coach. Come armed with your questions as this will be a must attend Q&A session. Martinson also shared with me they will be announcing a marquee player at the event on Saturday.


- While Martinson is pretty much done with recruiting for the upcoming season he is still working on what players will be attending the Minnesota Wild main training camp. In addition Allen players will be attending AHL camps with the Iowa Wild, San Antonio Rampage and Toronto Marlies. Another good question for the coach on Saturday is which players will be going to all of these camps.


-  The Americans announced last week they will play just one preseason game. On October 4th, Allen will be in Kansas City to play the Mavericks. I would assume there will be some opportunity for fans to see the team at home in some manner like an inter-squad game but nothing has been announced thus far. Here is the press release issued by the Americans about the preseason game in Kansas City:  https://allenamericans.com/americans-announce-preseason-game-in-kansas-city/


-  It was announced yesterday that Dante Salituro, who led Allen in points (61) and assists (39) last season has signed with the Indy Fuel. My reporting is Salituro felt he would be better positioned for loans to AHL teams by playing in Indy. Dante is a free agent when it comes to AHL teams.


- Former Allen goalie Joel Rumpel has returned to North America for the 2019-20 season after playing in Scotland last season. Joel, who was recently married, has signed with the Norfolk Admirals (ECHL).


- Nothing new to report on the sale of the team other than there is interest and things are progressing. Might be a good question for someone to ask on Saturday. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.



DID YOU KNOW: Getting off to a good start will be so important for the Americans this season. Last season Allen lost 25 of their first 31 games and were out of the playoff picture by Thanksgiving.