Training Camp Begins, Wild Assign Six Players, Allen Players Still at AHL Camps, Allen Success Unparalleled and More

After a long summer being reminded of the worst season in Allen Americans history the page officially turns today as the team takes the ice to begin the 2019-20 season. Allen is scheduled to take the ice at 11:00 am in the community rink and remember practice is open to the public.


- You will definitely need a program with so many new players on the ice. Here is the status of the roster as of this morning. Steve Martinson has 19 players under contract:

Forwards
Spencer Asuchak
Jacob Doty
Gabriel Gagne
Alex Guptill
Mike Hedden
Regan Nagy
Shawn O'Donnell
Brett Pollock
Jason Salvaggio
Braylon Shmyr
Jordan Topping

Defensemen
Josh Atkinson
Kayle Doetzel
Les Lancaster
Turner Ottenbreit
Ben Owen
Matt Register

Goalies
Jake Paterson
Evan Weninger


- From what I can determine this morning there are five players on the list above still at AHL training camps. The rest are either back in Allen or on their way back. Here are the five still at AHL camps:

Iowa Wild
Josh Atkinson
Les Lancaster
Matt Register

Ontario Reign
Jake Doty

Toronto Marlies
Ragan Nagy


- Iowa has assigned six of their contracted players to the Americans:

Forwards
Olivier Archambault
Tyler Sheehy

Defensemen
Alex Breton
Stepan Falkovsky
Jack Sadek

Goalie
Dereck Baribeau


- The final component of the training camp roster is up to five players that have been invited to tryout. I don't have the names but coach Martinson did share with me that three of the tryout players are from the DFW area. I will have the names tomorrow.


- With the addition of the six Wild contracted players to the Allen roster the total number of AHL games played by the entire group (25 players) is now at 1140.


DID YOU KNOW:  The 2019-20 season will be the 11th for the Allen franchise. While Allen missed the playoffs last season the success over the last 10 seasons is unparalleled. Here are the results:

4 - championships
1 - loss in the finals
1 - third round loss
1 - second round loss
2 - first round losses
1 - out of playoffs



 

Allen Signs Alex Guptill, Training Camp Schedule, Season Ticket Pickup, AHL Training Camps, AHL vs ECHL TV Prices and More

- ECHL training camp has arrived and while the Allen Americans will not take the ice until Monday many of the other teams around the league will hold their first practice today (Saturday) or tomorrow. The Americans released the training camp schedule yesterday with the first on ice session scheduled at 11:00 am on Monday. All practices are open to the public and most take place in the community rink. Note on Saturday, October 5 from 3:15 to 5:00 the team will have a Red vs White scrimmage in the Community Rink.  Here is the complete training camp schedule:  https://allenamericans.com/americans-announce-2019-training-camp-schedule/


- Season ticket holders can pick up their tickets today at the Allen Event Center from 11:00 am until 3:00 pm as part of an Open House the Americans are hosting. Here are the details:  https://allenamericans.com/americans-open-house-this-saturday-features-new-ice-angels-squad/


- If you follow social media I am sure you have noticed ECHL contracted players at AHL camps are already being returned to their ECHL teams. I haven't seen anything about the 16 Allen contracted players being returned to the Americans but that will happen for most of them today or tomorrow. However, there is certainly a chance that a couple of them will start the season in the AHL.


- Spencer Asuchak, Braylon Shmyr and Ben Owen were in the lineup for San Antonio last night as their team beat the Texas Stars 3-2. The Iowa Wild beat the Manitoba Moose 2-1 last night. Allen defensemen Matt Register, Josh Atkinson and Les Lancaster were in the lineup for the Wild. The Wild play Manitoba again this afternoon (2:00 pm) and there should be a lot of Allen players, especially forwards, in the lineup.


- I have also seen NHL/AHL contracted players already being assigned to ECHL teams. When and how many players are sent to Allen by the Wild will impact the moves Martinson will have to make prior to October 9th when opening day rosters are due. The best case for Allen would be if the Wild would not send so many players at once but the Wild have to do what best benefits their teams so Martinson will have to adapt to the situation. I am sure the Wild prefers their young prospects get playing time in Allen as opposed to being healthy scratched in Des Moines.


- Yesterday, Alex Guptill became the 19th player signed by coach Martinson. The third round draft choice of the Dallas Stars (2010) played in England last season for the Nottingham Panthers and had 56 points (34G, 22A) in 58 games which led the team. Here is a story written by Hall of Fame writer Rick Gosselin in April of 2018 which gives you his background. In this story Steve Martinson describes Guptill like this, "He has a knack for scoring, he has size, a great shot, he can skate and he is tough. He can hit and he can fight. He sticks up for his teammates. You get points in Allen for toughness." Here is the complete story:  https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/stars/2018/04/12/the-winding-journey-of-a-former-stars-prospect-who-is-now-a-key-piece-with-the-allen-americans/


- With Guptill in the fold the final tally for contracted players is 19. Alex has 89 games of AHL experience which brings the total for the 19 Allen contracted players to just under 1000 AHL games. And this doesn't include any of the 6-10 players that will be assigned to Allen by the Wild. Anyway you cut it this team is loaded with talent.




OTHER COMMENTARY


- Haven't seen the ECHL TV prices for the upcoming season but ECHL fans can only hope the prices will be more competitive this season. For 2019-20 the AHL will charge just $99.99 to watch all teams, all games (including the playoffs). For one team, all games, the cost is $59.99 and just away games is $39.99. Compare that to ECHL TV last season where the all teams, all games was $199.99 and didn't include the playoffs and for one team, all games, the cost was $149.99. If the ECHL can't lower costs with their current provider they need to get a new one.


- Former Allen teammates Dyson Stevenson and Vincent Arseneau are now teammates at the Utica Comets training camp. They were both in the lineup last night as Utica beat Binghamton 6-1. Here is a photo of them from the game last night introducing themselves to Binghampton players.

  
DID YOU KNOW: The Americans now have 19 players under contract. Here are a few facts about the team courtesy of eliteprospects.com:

- 15 from Canada, four from USA
- as a group they have played just 592 games for Allen (Asuchak has 302)
- average age is 25.26 years
- average height is 6'1"
- average weight is 193 pounds  

Allen Americans Blog Changes, Roster Update, Training Camp and More

It is that time of year again. I celebrated a birthday last Friday (72nd) and that is always the start of the "blog season" after a long summer. This will be the eighth year of the Allen Americans Blog and I am proud of the 1.6 million page views during that time but after thinking about this all summer I have decided to make some changes for the upcoming season.


- The biggest change you will notice is I won't be writing the blog seven days a week throughout the season. There will still be a blog most days but it will no longer be billed as a daily blog.


- The focus this season will be more feature stories and I plan to use more video in the blog as a way to make things fresh for everyone.


- On a personal note, the Americans have asked me to be the "Official Blogger" for the team again this season. Along with my stories being posted on the Allen Americans website there will be more content overall at allenamericans.com. I will be doing less around game previews and game recaps as the Americans will post these stories on their website. I will still have keys to each game and do some post game analysis but not as thorough as in the past.


- Many of you know about a year ago I started "ECHL Stats & Information" which has been a labor of love where I post something each day about teams, players, seasons, records, rules, CBA etc. I will continue to post daily on ECHL Stats & Information in addition to what I write for the Allen Americans Blog. FYI, both of these efforts are for fun, not profit. I don't now nor will I in the future ever try to make money off either of these endeavors. If you haven't already done so, please give ECHL Stats a follow if you are on Twitter (@ECHLStats) and if you are on Facebook give the ECHL Stats & Information page a "Like" to get notified of new posts.


- Enough about process, let's get updated on the upcoming season which is right around the corner. ECHL teams can actually take to the ice today, however, Allen will not hold their first practice until Monday. The primary reason for the delay in starting training camp is a record 16 of the 18 players signed by Steve Martinson are attending AHL training camps. Most of these players will be back in Allen by Monday.


- You often hear players say all they want is a chance to show what they can do at the next level and it is great to see so many get that chance at AHL camps. Let's hope a couple of these 16 players don't return to Allen to start the season.


- The Americans official roster now stands at 18 players and this doesn't include any players that will be assigned by the Wild. Here are the 18 players that have been officially announced by the Allen Americans:

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)
Regan Nagy - first pro season, 0 AHL games
*Shawn O'Donnell - seventh pro season, 188 AHL games
Brett Pollock - fourth pro season, 102 AHL games 
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
Josh Atkinson - fourth pro season, 3 AHL games
Kayle Doetzel - third pro season, 68 AHL games
Les Lancaster - first pro season, 0 AHL games
Turner Ottenbreit - second pro season, 4 AHL games
Ben Owen - second pro season, 0 AHL games
*Matt Register -  ninth pro season, 11 AHL games

Goalies
Jake Paterson - fifth pro season, 10 AHL games
Evan Weninger - first pro season, 0 AHL games

*Veterans


- Steve Martinson is talking to one additional player that could be added to the list above. Another proven goal scorer with AHL experience that is also a gritty player.


- Each training camp Martinson invites a few players to attend on tryout basis. There will be four or five tryout players at training camp with several being local players trying to get a pro contract. These are long shot chances for sure with so many players already signed by Martinson and more to be assigned by the Wild. If players show well in camp Martinson will help them find opportunities in the SPHL and you never know what the future holds. Last year defenseman Ben Owen was at training camp on a tryout, ended up in the SPHL but returned to Allen at the end of the season which led to a contract for this season.


- There are four goalies at the Iowa Wild training camp competing for two roster spots. The other two will be in Allen if past history is followed. Here are the four goalies:
Kaapo Kahkonen - started 39 games for the Iowa Wild last season
Mat Robson - rookie, signed to a two year free agent NHL contract in March, 2019
Dereck Baribeau - rookie, signed to a three year entry level contract in September 2017
Jake Paterson - Allen contracted, invited to Iowa Wild training camp

 You can expect Paterson will be in Allen and either Robson or Baribeau will be assigned to Allen as the depth goalie for the Wild should a goalie in Iowa or Minnesota get injured.


- Iowa will play two preseason games (Friday & Saturday) and the 10 Allen players should play in one or both of them. The Wild play their first regular season game on October 4th. 


- Dante Salituro recently signed with the Indy Fuel but has now signed a tryout contract with Saipa in the top league in Finland.


- Chad Costello has gotten off to a great start in Germany. After four games Chad has nine points (3G 6A) which leads the league (DEL) in scoring.


- Here is a story from 10 days ago about Aaron Dell. If you know Dell's story it is one where he has had to fight and prove himself over and over from youth hockey to college to the CHL to the AHL. It is happening again in the NHL. Based on the past I wouldn't bet against Aaron. https://www.theeagle.com/on-shorter-leash-sharks-aaron-dell-out-to-prove-himself/article_bb96deab-89ea-5011-8c71-f68c6680815d.html



DID YOU KNOW: Of the 18 players signed by the Allen Americans for the 2019-20 season, 14 are from Canada. The 18 players have a combined total of almost 900 games played at the AHL level.
  


   

Allen Americans Update, Never Miss a Steve Martinson Q & A, Prospect Tournament and More

It has been awhile since I have written an update on the Allen Americans. I want to start by going back to the Q & A session Steve Martinson conducted at the Allen Event Center 10 days ago and then cover a few assorted topics.


I have said many times in the past, Allen Americans fans should never pass up the opportunity to attend a question and answer session with Allen coach and general manager Steve Martinson. Whether it is a post game Q & A, a personal appearance or his annual recruiting update as it was a week ago Saturday; the unvarnished, off the record, tell it like it is Steve Martinson is always entertaining and informative. Fans got their money's worth hearing about everything from emergency surgery Martinson had in August where six inches of his small intestine had to be removed to some surprise player announcements to insights on Allen players that will be attending various hockey camps (Minnesota Wild, Iowa Wild, San Antonio Rampage, Toronto Marlies).


- The highlight of the Q & A session was intended to be the planned announcement that three time ECHL Defenseman of the Year and three time Kelly Cup champion, Matt Register is returning to Allen for the 2019-20 season. It will be Register's third stint with the Americans. Matt spent part of the 2011-12 season with Allen (22 games) and was part of the Americans 2015-16 Kelly Cup championship (13 regular season and 23 playoff games).


- There are a lot of stats you can cite to show Register's impact but the one that best says what he brings to the ice is the fact he has been in the Kelly Cup finals the last four seasons with three different teams and won three of the four. If you look at ECHL playoff games over the last five seasons Matt is #1 in games (110), assists (65) and points (89). Here is the press release with the details about Register:  https://allenamericans.com/matt-register-returns-americans-add-4-key-parts-to-roster-today/


- The Register announcement turned out to be just the beginning as by the end of the session, to everyone's surprise, coach Martinson had shared three additional player signings including returning defenseman Josh Atkinson, veteran forward Shawn O'Donnell and defenseman Turner Ottenbreit.

Josh Atkinson - Last season Atkinson was #2 among Allen's regular defensemen in points per game, #1 in penalty minutes, #3 in assists and #1 in plus/minus. At the end of the season Josh was loaned to  Chicago (AHL) and spent the Calder Cup playoffs with the Wolves. Chicago lost in the Calder Cup finals to the Charlotte Checkers.

Turner Ottenbriet - Turner is a hard-nosed defenseman starting his second pro season. He played for the Utah Grizzlies last season and had 23 points (11G, 12A) in 58 games. His dad, Grant, also played pro hockey and Martinson shared they had fought each other back in the day. Here is the press release issued by the Americans on Turner Ottenbreit:  https://allenamericans.com/americans-add-offensive-punch-on-the-blue-line-with-the-addition-of-turner-ottenbreit/

Shawn O'Donnell - Shawn adds veteran experience at forward to the Americans with almost 300 professional games, most (188) at the AHL level. Here is the press release issued by the Americans on O'Donnell:  https://allenamericans.com/americans-add-experience-up-front-with-addition-of-shawn-odonnell/


- Here is how coach Martinson described the three new players he has signed for the 2019-20 season:

"The best thing about signing Matt Register is I won't have to watch him score game winning goals against us this season like he did those years in Colorado. He just makes the big play for his team when you need it. He knows how to get it done in the playoffs and I am excited to have him back."

"Ottenbreit is a big, physical defenseman who had 11 goals in Utah last season. He was under contract with Colorado. He is going to the Traverse City tournament.

"O'Donnell is a point a game guy in the ECHL with a lot of AHL experience. I expect Shawn will be a key player for us. He is a greasy, skilled. right shot center.


- The Americans official roster now stands at 14 players. Martinson shared at the Q & A he has signed 10 forwards, six defensemen and two goalies and this doesn't include any players that will be assigned by the Wild. Here are the 14 players that have been officially announced by the Allen Americans:

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)
*Shawn O'Donnell - seventh pro season, 188 AHL games 
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
Josh Atkinson - fourth pro season, 3 AHL games
Turner Ottenbreit - second pro season, 4 AHL games
Ben Owen - second pro season, 0 AHL games
*Matt Register -  ninth pro season, 11 AHL games

Goalies
Jake Paterson - fifth pro season, 10 AHL games
Evan Weninger - first pro season, 0 AHL games

*Veterans


- Former Allen Americans Casey Pierro-Zabotel and Miles Liberati signed with new teams this past week. Casey will play for Adirondack and Miles will play for Tulsa.


- The Minnesota Wild prospects have dropped their first two games at the prospect tournament in Traverse City losing to the Dallas Stars prospects 2-1 on Friday and 3-2 in overtime to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday. The Wild play the New York Ranger prospects today (Monday 1:30 pm CDT). The games are live streamed for free at Fox Sports Go. Here are the game recaps:  https://www.iowawild.com/news/detail/the-wild-wire-2019-nhl-prospects-tournament-blog


-  I had a chance to talk to Steve Martinson yesterday. Martinson and assistant coach Jason Deitsch are in Traverse City watching the prospect tournament and meeting with Wild management and staff. Current Allen players (Turner Ottenbriet & Jordan Topping plus one player that hasn't been announced by Allen) have acquitted themselves quite well. Alex Breton, who signed with Iowa in the off season, has had a lot of ice time in both games and was on the #1 power play unit.


- There are several Allen players in the hunt to be signed by Iowa depending on how they perform at the Wild training camps over the next couple of weeks.



DID YOU KNOW: Here are the top 10 players in ECHL career points (regular season) that have played at least one game for the Allen Americans. The number of ECHL games each player played for Allen is in parentheses. Over the last 10 seasons, Casey's career points (504) is ranked #1 in the ECHL and Chad's career points (489) is ranked #2:

504 points - Casey Pierro Zabotel (138)
489 points - Chad Costello (216)
487 points - Mathieu Aubin (48)
319 points - Matt Register (35)
273 points - Tyler Barnes (11)
269 points - Adam Miller (62)
263 points - Jack Combs (32)
258 points - Tristan King (61)
246 points - Judd Blackwater (49)
235 points - Justin Bowers (49)