Training camp swung into high gear yesterday as the scrimmage coach Martinson promised was competitive and spirited. The blue and white teams looked to be divided equally by size and skill. There will be more of the same today as coach Martinson will have to start making roster decisions soon.
- There are three tryout players in camp, Duggie Lagrone who is a local player that played two games with Allen in 2018-19, forward Jake Gricius who is a rookie that played for the Portland Winterhawks in the Western Hockey League and Larry Yellowknee, another rookie forward who played in the GMHL (Greater Metro Jr. A Hockey League). It is always hard to make the team as a tryout player and this season the task is even more unlikely.
- Coach Martinson shared more AHL contracted players have arrived and will join practice as soon has they get COVID tested and complete their physicals. Here are the names Martinson provided:
Zach Sawchenko - Zach is a goalie in the San Jose Sharks organization. He spent the early part of the 2019-20 season in Allen. Sawchenko played in 13 games with a record of 8-2-3, a GAA of 2.35 and save percentage of .930.
Phil Beaulieu - Phil is a rookie who signed with the Iowa Wild in July. Here is the Iowa press release issued when Phil signed: 24 years old (9/2/95), turned pro after four seasons at Northern Michigan University (NMU) where he compiled 121 points in 158 career games. Listed at 5-foot-11, 187 pounds, Beaulieu led the Wildcats with 19 assists in 2019-20, and finished fifth overall in points (25), while serving as team captain. As a sophomore in 2017-18, the Duluth, Minn. native was named a CCM / ACHA Second Team All-American, the 17th All-American in Wildcats history, and the first since 2010.
Phil will join some well known former Allen players who were NMU grads. Greger Hanson, Phil Fox and Kyle Follmer all played their collegiate hockey at Northern Michigan.
Jesse Mychan - Another Iowa contracted player who signed with the Wild in July. Here is his background from the Iowa press release: 28 years old (7/02/92), spent the majority of the last two seasons in Denmark with the Esbjerg Energy. In 2019-20, Mychan scored 11 goals and added eight assists to go along with 58 PIM in 46 games. A 6-foot-2, 203 pound winger, Mychan has logged 10 AHL games in his career, spending time with Portland, San Jose and San Antonio. A native of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Mychan has also played in overseas in Wales, Germany and Austria. A seven-year-pro, Mychan has also compiled 135 points (80g, 55a) in 195 career ECHL games, all with Colorado from 2013-2018.
Allen fans will remember Jesse from his time with the Colorado Eagles. In 2016-17 he led the ECHL in goals with 32 and also had 169 penalty minutes. A skilled player that is tough to play against.
- There are two more contract players that should arrive in Allen before weeks end. No doubt this will be an ECHL all-star team when the Allen season starts.
- The saga of the five teams (Cincinnati, Fort Wayne, Idaho, Kalamazoo, Toledo) that still haven't declared if they are going to play this season continues. Nothing new to report other than more calls will take place today.
- I saw this post by writer/broadcaster Andrew Zadarnowski who I have gotten to know a little bit this off season when I used some of his stats and information. Andrew posted this recently and it captures where the ECHL stands right now and the possibilities that lay ahead. "All risks aside, the ECHL has positioned itself as the only pro hockey game in town. Good opportunity to grow the visibility of the league among casual fans who are looking for their sports fix. The quality of play should be at its highest, with lots of AHL and NHL talent."
- The Jacksonville Icemen announced yesterday they have added three new additions to their ownership group, all football players. Former Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Tim Tebow, current Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Myles Jack and former Jaguars defensive end join a large group of 20 local business leaders and sports professionals to join the Icemen's ownership group. Here are the details: https://www.jacksonvilleicemen.com/en/news/december-2020/icemen-announce-additions-to-ownership-team
DID YOU KNOW: Jacksonville adding sports professionals to their ownership group is reminiscent of what the Allen Americans did in May of 2012. It was a much bolder move as owner Doug Miller brought in four Stanley Cup winners from the Dallas Stars to the Allen leadership team, Mike Modano, Ed Belfour, Craig Ludwig and Richard Matvichuk. The group moved quickly and fired coach Dwight Mullins and hired Steve Martinson. The new minority ownership group proved successful with the hiring of Martinson as the Americans went on to win their first championship that season (2012-13). The group soon fell apart, with some hard feelings, when owner Doug Miller ran into financial problems but it was a great time while it lasted on the ice and in the community with the attention these four Stanley Cup winners brought to the Americans. And of course Steve Martinson went on to win four straight championships.
Here is the press release from May 4, 2012 which will bring back these memories. Check out the photo of the group: https://www.mckinneyonline.com/sports/former-members-of-stanley-cup-winning-dallas-stars-join-allen-americans-leadership/
Wow, it will hard to make this team with so much talent! Cool to hear Jacksonville has more owners.
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