The Allen Americans kept their "Tuesday Tease Day" streak alive with another player announcement this past Tuesday. Forward Corey Durocher will return for his second season with the Americans. The 6th round draft pick of the Florida Panthers (2010) was picked up last season by the Americans from the Kansas City Mavericks in the middle of November. One of the faster skaters on the team, Corey played in 44 games and had 23 points (9G, 14A) to go along with a plus/minus rating of +15. Here is the press release on Durocher's signing issued by the Allen Americans: https://allenamericans.com/another-forward-returning-with-the-signing-of-corey-durocher/
- Here is the interview Tommy Daniels posted with Corey Durocher after he was announced:
- The number of players announced by Allen is now seven which is about average for ECHL teams which have player announcements ranging from 17 (Fort Wayne) to just one for Kalamazoo. It is important to remember the number of players signed is always much higher than players announced as most teams stretch out publicizing signings as part of their marketing plan. The "Tuesday Tease Day" will continue next week as the Americans will announce their eighth player signing. Maybe time for another defenseman to be added to the roster.
- Here is the Allen roster as it stands today with age in parenthesis:
Forwards
Spencer Asuchak (28)
Corey Durocher (28)
Josh Lammon (25)
Braylon Shmyr (23)
Jared VanWormer (27)
Defensemen
Cody Corbett (26)
Les Lancaster (25)
- The Chad Costello sweepstakes seems to be in full swing with the Elite Prospects website, for the second week, having Chad heading back to the DEL (Germany). Last week the rumor was Chad heading to the Iserlohn Roosters, this week a source in Germany says Costello is a possible candidate for the Schwenninger Wild Wings. While I haven't talked to Chad, my take on what is going on based on past conversations with him is if he can get a contract in the DEL based on what he feels he is worth as the second leading scorer in the league last season he will return to Germany. Compensation is clearly more in the DEL than what Chad could earn in the ECHL. It also seems clear Chad has not signed a contract yet so until he tells Steve Martinson he has signed in Germany there is still a chance he could stay home this season. There is absolutely no doubt if Costello does not go overseas he would sign with the Americans.
- There hasn't been much talk about goalies for the 2020-21 season. Depending on who the Wild sign it is possible Allen could get two contracted goalies assigned but I would guess general manager Martinson will also sign a free agent goalie.
- The AHL Board of Governors (BOG) has approved moving the anticipated start of the 2020-21 regular season to December 4. The ECHL BOG is meeting on Tuesday and you have to assume they will vote to delay the anticipated start of their regular season until December 4 because of the close connection to the AHL and the many contracted players assigned to ECHL teams. I heard the BOG may also be discussing an extended training camp. According to ECHL Week there is an expectation of some type of announcement being issued at the conclusion of the BOG meeting on Tuesday.
- I will be interested to see if any Wild contracted players will be attending the Americans training camp as that is usually the case. It is also important to remember that whatever the ECHL announces after their meeting next week is subject to change depending on what happens with COVID 19 between now and the end of the year.
- I recently came across this article about possible ECHL expansion locations. One of the favorite topics of ECHL fans is the future of the league. There are many of these articles written with a lot of conjecture but this one contains in detail the author's rationale for the places included. There are seven locations included in this story, some have been talked about many times before and some are new. Allen fans would have a big interest in Iowa City as the Minnesota Wild could move their ECHL affiliation if that would come to pass. Fort Worth could bring back the old rivalry between the Americans and Brahmas but my understanding is the owner of the Americans would have to approve such a move because of the proximity to his franchise.
Trois-Rivieres, Quebec
Manchester, New Hampshire
Elmira, New York
Savannah, Georgia
Iowa City, Iowa
Reno, Nevada
Fort Worth, Texas
Here is a link to the article, "Future ECHL Expansion" from Game Changer Sports Network, it is worth a read: https://gamechangersportsnetwork.com/2020/07/10/future-echl-expansion/
DID YOU KNOW: The 2020-21 season will be the ninth year with Steve Martinson at the helm of the Allen Americans. Here is his regular season record for each season since becoming Allen's coach:
2019-20: 40-14-6-2
2018-19: 25-41-4-2
2017-18: 35-29-6-2
2016-17: 40-17-4-2
*2015-16: 41-24-3-4
*2014-15: 48-14-6-4
*2013-14: 39-22-1-4
*2012-13: 39-18-4-5
TOTAL 316-179-34-25
*won championship
It seems Marty's going to have to get some really good forwards to replace the top 8 point leaders from last year. Or get a lot more forwards willing to play 2 way hockey and some shut down dmen
ReplyDeleteEddyB, You are right that a lot of firepower from last season will not return but Martinson has a couple of surprises still to come. With COVID 19 things are still quite fluid regarding players signing overseas. Allen will have a very strong team and the affiliation with Iowa is stronger than ever.
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