Steve Martinson has added to an already crowded training camp roster with the signing of forward Samuel "Sam" Laberge (luh BERZH). Martinson had this to say about Laberge, "Sam is a big, strong, physical player that can also score goals. This signing gives us the right balance between skill, speed, size and toughness."
Laberge will be starting his fourth professional season having played two seasons with the Texas Stars and playing in the LNAH, known as the toughest hockey league in the world, last season. He played in the LNAH because he wanted to stay close to home (Quebec) because of family issues.
Laberge played his junior hockey for the Rimouski Oceanic in the QMJHL (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League) and had 120 points (55G, 65A) in 166 games. His team won the QMJHL championship in 2014-15 and he was the captain of the team in his last junior season (2016-17). Samuel was the back to back winner of the QMJHL Humanitarian of the Year Award for his work in the community. He is the only back to back winner of this award since it started being awarded by the QMJHL in 1992-93.
After juniors Laberge signed with the Texas Stars (AHL) where he played in 97 games between 2017-19. He had 22 points (8G, 14A) playing for the Stars.
Laberge had signed with the Adirondack Thunder for the 2020-21 season before they made the decision to opt out for the 2020-21 season. Martinson had recruited Samuel in the past so when he became a free agent it was a good fit. The 6'2" 205 pound, 23 year old left shot forward will provide both toughness and offense and will drop the gloves when necessary.
Checkout this tribute video of Samuel Laberge which takes you from when he started playing as a kid to signing an AHL contract with the Texas Stars and includes his QMLHL championship and Humanitarian of the Year award. It is in French with subtitles and well done.
- Here is the current training camp roster which includes three goalies, eight defensemen and 19 forwards. Coach Martinson will start to make cuts after the Sunday intrasquad scrimmage to get down to the 23 or 24 players on the opening day roster which is due December 9.
In parenthesis is the type of contract, 2019-20 team, nationality and age. Rookies (fewer than 25 pro games) are marked with * and veterans (260+ pro games in qualifying leagues) are marked with **
Goalies
C.J. Motte (ECHL, Coventry Blaze, USA, 28)
Chris Nell (ECHL, Atlanta Gladiators, USA, 26)
Zach Sawchenko (AHL, San Jose Barracuda, CAN, 22)
Defensemen
Phil Beaulieu* (AHL, Northern Michigan University, USA, 25)
Ben Carroll* (ECHL, Allen Americans, CAN, 25)
Cole Fraser (ECHL, Allen Americans, CAN, 21)
Nolan Kneen* (ECHL, Saskatoon Blades, CAN, 21)
Duggie Lagrone* (Tryout, Chambery, USA, 26)
Les Lancaster (ECHL, Stockton Heat, USA, 25)
Turner Ottenbreit (ECHL, Iowa Wild, CAN, 23)
Matt Register** (AHL, Iowa Wild, CAN, 31)
Forwards
Spencer Asuchak** (ECHL, Allen Americans, CAN, 29)
Jared Bethune* (ECHL, Queen's University, CAN, 23)
Corey Durocher (ECHL, Allen Americans, CAN, 28)
Zane Franklin* (ECHL, Kamloops Blazers, CAN, 21)
Joseph Garreffa* (AHL, Ottawa 67's, CAN, 21)
Jake Gricius* (Tryout, Portland Winterhawks, USA, 21)
Colton Heffley* (ECHL, Allen Americans, CAN, 26)
Kameron Kielly* (AHL, University of Prince Edward Island, 23)
Samuel Laberge (ECHL, Sorel-Tracy Eperviers, CAN, 23)
Josh Lammon (ECHL, Allen Americans, USA, 25)
Alex Lavoie (ECHL, Frisk Asker, CAN, 28)
Corey Mackin (ECHL, Reading Royals, USA, 25)
Jesse Mychan (AHL, Esbjerg Energy, CAN, 28)
Tyler Sheehy (AHL, Allen Americans, USA, 25)
Braylon Shmyr (ECHL, Guildford Flames, CAN, 23)
Dyson Stevenson** (ECHL, Utica Comets, CAN, 27)
Jared Van Wormer (ECHL, Allen Americans, USA, 28)
Patrick Watling (ECHL, University of New Brunswick, CAN, 27)
Larry Yellowknee* (Tryout, High Prairie Red Wings, CAN, 20)
- If you have ever heard Steve Martinson talk about how he constructs a team you know it is not a matter of just picking the best players. One of the sayings he often uses is you have to have players that carry the water and players that chop the wood. Getting the right balance of size, speed, skill and toughness is a big part of picking the team. If you look at the teams that have won the Stanley Cup, they typically are physical teams and that has been Martinson's philosophy over the years. He promised a more physical team than last season and that will be reflected in the final roster. One thing is sure, whether you are an AHL contract player or a tryout player, Martinson expects the same effort. While it is tough to make the roster as a tryout player, especially this season, it has happened before.
- With so many rookies and second year players on Allen's training camp roster the Americans are on the low side, compared to other teams holding training camps, when it comes to AHL experience. Allen's roster has 386 AHL games played. The 13 teams currently holding training camp have a total of 7115 AHL games played ranging from 1421 (South Carolina) to 70 (Tulsa).
- I tired to figure out where the Mountain Division teams stand with the number of fans that are allowed in their arenas. Wasn't able to find specific numbers on some so went with the general rules in place by the state or county. I wouldn't bet the farm on these numbers but I think they are close and will give you an idea of what the teams are dealing with.
Allen - 2150
Utah - 1800
Kansas City - 2000 (estimate)
Wichita - 25 (in place until January 9th when it could change)
Tulsa - 150 but can submit a COVID-19 safety plan for more than 150 to the Tulsa Dept.of Health 14 calendar days before the event.
Rapid City - no restrictions
Idaho - Idaho is the one Mountain Division team that has not decided if the will play in 2020-21. The current rule is no indoor gatherings of more than 10 people.
DID YOU KNOW: Allen will start the season with around 23 players on the roster but by season's end twice as many players will suit up for the Americans. Here is the total number of players utilized in each season since Allen joined the ECHL:
41 2019-20
45 2018-19
41 2017-18
42 2016-17
46 2015-16
41 2014-15
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