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.