Training Camp Update - New Additions, Cutdown Coming, Roster Size Increases, COVID Road Map and More

 

Training camp just started but it is already crunch time. In just six days, on December 9 at 3:00 pm ET, opening day rosters are due to the league office. With so many players in camp and more on the way the next few days will be critical. Coach Martinson is planning a intrasquad game type of practice on Sunday and by Monday you will see the roster being trimmed. 

 

- For the first month of the season teams will be allowed to play two extra players, 18 skaters rather than 16. You can expect to see four lines and six defensemen dressing for games. As for the total number of players on the opening day roster it should be 23 or 24.

 

- Two more AHL contracted players have been assigned to Allen and coach Martinson has signed a free agent forward that will be announced today. The AHL contracted players are Joseph Garrefa from the San Jose Barracuda and Kameron Kielly from the Iowa Wild:

 

JOESEPH "JOE" CARREFFA" - This is what the Barracuda said in their press release when they signed Garrefa in May. Joseph is a highly competitive, dynamic player who makes plays and creates offense at a high tempo and we’re excited for him to join the organization.

In a shortened 2019-20 season, Garreffa, 20, finished seventh in the Ontario Hockey League in points with 90 (36 goals, 54 assists), sixth in plus/minus (+48) and tied for third in points-per-game (1.82) as a member of the Ottawa 67’s. Over a five-year career in the OHL, with Ottawa and the Kitchener Rangers, the five-foot-seven, 176-pound Toronto, Ontario, native totaled 315 points (108 goals, 207 assists), 34 penalty minutes and plus-13 rating.

Here is a video interview with Garreffa that is 28 minutes long but gives you an idea of what Allen is getting including including how a 5'7" 176 pound forward also plays defense.

 

 

 

KAMERON "KAM" KIELLY - This is from the Iowa Wild press release when Kameron was signed in July:

A 6-foot, 181 pound forward, Kielly joins the organization after three years at the University Of Prince Edward Island (UPEI). A Charlottetown, P.E.I. native, he posted 42 points in 2019-20, including a career-high 17 goals. The 23-year-old (12/13/96) finished fourth in USports scoring this past season, and was selected to the USports Second All-Star Team in each of the last two years. From 2013-2017, Kielly racked up 196 points (75g, 121a) in 246 contests with the Charlottetown Islanders of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). 

The best description of Kielly would be a player that can play in both ends of the ice in all situations. A two-way forward who can contribute on the scoresheet, play on the power play, kill penalties and shadow the top players on the opposing team.

Here is an interview with Kameron from about a year ago during which he shares his parents were both varsity athletes at UPEI:

 

- Another interview with Kameron, a get to know you interview: https://usports.ca/en/sports/hockey/m/news/2019/07/3873375571/getting-to-know-kameron-kielly-upei-panthers

 

-  Nothing new to report on the five teams (Cincinnati, Fort Wayne, Idaho, Kalamazoo, Toledo) that still haven't declared if they are going to play this season. With the pandemic numbers increasing each day and predicted to get worse, if these five teams are hoping current restrictions will be relaxed that seems unlikely. The more time that passes it seems the more likely most or all of these teams will opt out for the 2020-21 season.

- I have been getting several questions about COVID-19 protocols for the upcoming season. The Americans have put together a COVID road map that is very comprehensive which includes many questions and answers. I encourage everyone to take the time to go through this document: https://allenamericans.com/covid-19-roadmap/

Here are some highlights:

CASHLESS PAYMENT

• The Allen Americans and the Allen Event Center have transformed the AEC into a cashless environment for the 2020-21 season.This includes all ticketing,, food & beverage, and merchandise at the Allen Americans Team Store. As with in the main arena, masks must be worn at all times in the concourse and when shopping in the team store.

 

ARENA SANITATION

• A dedicated sanitation team will be present throughout events, continuously cleaning all high touch surfaces throughout the Allen Event Center. Additional deep cleanings will be performed between events.
• Hand sanitizing stations will be placed throughout the AEC. Guests are also encouraged to wash their hands for at least 20 seconds when using the restroom
  

 

SOCIALLY DISTANT SEATING & COMMUNITY AREAS

• Please respect the space of others; keep six (6) feet apart when possible.
• The Americans have recreated its existing facility seating manifest to allow for proper distancing, thus decreasing overall arena capacity, per State and Local Health Guidelines. The Temporary Seating locations for Season Ticket Members will be in effect until further notice.
• Seats will remain vacant to maintain proper distancing between familial parties. No guests will have other guests seated in the seats in front, behind, or within three (3) seats on either side of their reserved seats.
• Group and hospitality areas will operate with reduced capacity to promote proper distancing.
• Due to State and Local Health Restrictions and Social Distancing Requirements, there will be no Season Ticket Member Lounge until further notice.

LOCKER ROOM & ON-ICE PERSONNEL

• In order to ensure all players are placed in the safest conditions the clubs will work with the ECHL and its member teams to implement the following standards:
  • • Increased cleanliness in the home and visiting clubhouses.
    • Additional restrictions on clubhouse access – media and front office staff are likely to be prohibited.
    • Buffet-style food service will be discontinued and all utensils must be pre-packaged.
    • Limitations on the use of commonly “spit” items, including, but not limited to seeds, gum and peanuts.
• The Americans will follow the guidance of the ECHL regarding player and on-field personnel health and safety, including travel, fan/media interaction, dugouts, etc. At no times should any member of the public come within six (6) feet of ECHL Players, at the arena, or in the Community. Keeping our team covid safe ensures that we will play a complete 2020-21 season.

 

AEC ENTRY / EXIT

• The Americans will work with local law enforcement to encourage proper distancing upon entry, including, without limitation, walkways and sidewalks leading to AEC entrances.
• Stanchions and/or spacing markers will promote proper distancing between customers waiting in lines.
• Additional gates (where applicable) will be utilized to create more space amongst customers entering the arena.
• Security wanding that places employees within 6 feet of customers will be replaced by new security protocols.

 

Bag Policy

• The Allen Event Center’s clear bag policy remains in effect. However, guests are encouraged to avoid bringing bags if possible, to reduce contact with personal items during security checks.

FAN EXPERIENCE

Kids Zone

• The Americans will not operate traditional kids zone attractions such as bounce houses. Etc. during the 2020-21 season
• Other attractions that allow for proper distancing will be subject to heightened safety standards, including disinfecting between users and proper distancing while waiting in line.
• Stanchions and/or spacing markers will promote proper distancing between customers waiting in lines on the main concourse.

Restrooms

• Doors will be propped open to encourage touchless entry/exit.
• Restrooms will be sanitized frequently with disinfectant along all surfaces and an enzyme solution will be applied to all surfaces at the conclusion of each homestand.
• The Americans shall work in conjunction with its various partners to evaluate touchless enhancements, including motion-sensor dispensers and flush valves.

Team Store

• The Americans shall limit the number of people allowed inside the team store based on current social distancing guidelines.
• Masks must be worn in the team store at all times, with no exceptions. If you cannot wear a mask, please have someone shop for you.
• Stanchions and/or spacing markers will promote proper distancing between customers waiting in line and walking through the store.

Promotions/On-Ice Activities

• Autograph sessions with players will not be permitted during the 2020-21 season. If you have an autograph request, please email it to the attention of Casey Rusnak at cr@allenamericans.com
• Players will not be permitted to throw pucks or other items into seating areas. The Chuck-A-Puck Promotion will be done digitally in 2020-21 through the club’s DASH Auction platform.
• All intermission promotions will abide by proper distancing guidelines.
• Zamboni Rides have been cancelled for the 2020-21 season.

Martinson Post-Game Press Conference

• Head Coach Steve Martinson’s season ticket member post-game press conference will now be held via zoom only.

Fan High-Five Tunnel

• There will not be a player high five tunnel this season after the players come on and off the ice. Please refrain from coming within six (6) feet of the athletes at any time.

Medical Services

• The Americans will work closely with its community medical partners to implement stringent protocols in place for medical services at all AEC events.

 

FOOD AND BEVERAGE POLICIES

Allen Event Center’s Food & Beverage team has completed ServeSafe’s COVID-19 training. This program prepares foodservice workers to deliver safe dining experiences for their guests while also keeping themselves safe.

Additional policies and procedures include:

• All food and beverage transactions will now be cashless and contactless. Only major credit cards, debit cards and mobile pay will be accepted.
• Point of Sale registers have been properly spaced to allow for social distancing.
• Sneeze guards have been added at purchase points to provide a safe barrier between guests and employees.
• Condiment, silverware and drink straw stations have been eliminated and replaced with pre-packaged options upon request.
• To serve safer product selections and hopefully reduce wait times in line, a limited menu of fan favorites will be available at all food stands.
• Souvenir Cup drink refills will no longer be available.

 

DID YOU KNOW: The Allen Americans opening day roster may be the strongest in team history. However, the Americans may break camp with seven rookies and four second year players on the roster.