Allen Americans Week in Review - Zach Pochiro Returns, Qualifying Offers Expire, Jack Combs Last 12 Days, 3ICE Update and More

 

-  The number of Allen Americans announced signings increased to four this week with the addition of forward Zach Pochiro. Zach is the first player announced that wasn't on the roster last season, but he is no stranger to Allen fans, having played for the Americans in 2017-18 and 2018-19. In his two seasons in Allen, Pochiro played in 105 games and scored 52 goals. In the history of the Allen franchise only two players have a better goals per game average (minimum 100 games).  

• .527 - Bruce Graham
• .503 - Greger Hanson
• .495 - Zach Pochiro

 

- Here is the press release from the Allen Americans on the Zach Pochiro signing:  https://allenamericans.com/media/zach-pochiro-returns-to-the-americans/

- Here is the current announced Allen roster. Remember, many more players are signed but not announced:

Goalies - None

Defensemen - 

• Nick Albano
   

Forwards

• Jackson Leppard
• Jared Bethune (F/D)
• Zach Pochiro
  

 

 

- The time period for signing players given qualifying offers expired on Friday. In talking to coach Costello he verified that none of the seven players given qualifying offers signed prior to the deadline. Here are the seven:

• Ben Carroll
• Kris Myllari
• Darian Skeoch
  
• Jake Kearley
• Chad Butcher
• Colby McAuley
• J.D.Dudek 

It is important to remember not signing a qualifying doesn't mean much. Allen retains the ECHL rights to all of these players for the 2022-23 season and can sign them at any time and salary. None have signed elsewhere except McAuley and Butcher, who signed with the same team (Belfast Giants) in the EIHL. The other players are still looking at opportunities in the AHL and/or Europe. There is little doubt in my mind one or more of these players will eventually sign with Allen. 

 

 

- Nothing new to report on an affiliation or AHL training camp slots but each week I check in with Costello he sounds more optimistic in the outcome of this arduous process. He feels confident something will get done soon. Stay tuned.

 

 

 

3ICE

 

- It was off to London, Ontario for Chad Costello and Jack Combs as they competed in the fifth weekly tournament of the 3ICE eight week regular season. Chad's team made it to the second round of the tournament even though they lost in the first round. There are six teams in the league so the three first round winners plus the loser with the most goals scored advance. Chad's team (Team Trottier) lost to Jack's team (Team LeClair) 9-4 in the opening round but the four goals scored in a losing cause was enough to advance to the second round. 

 

 

- The tournament results had Chad's team eliminated in the second round and Jack's team losing in the championship final in a shootout. 3ICE shootouts are only one round so it is basically sudden death. 

 

 

- It was quite a tournament for Jack Combs who had seven goals in three games including hat tricks in the first and second round. Jack is second in the league in goals with 13. Combs is also fifth in the league in points with 17.

 

 

- Chad's team is still holding on to a slim lead for second place in the league and he is ranked #4 in assists (9) and #6 in points (16). 

 

 

- The 3ICE tournament next Saturday will be in Pittsburgh (2:00 pm CDT). You can watch it on CBS Sports Network.

 

 

JACK COMBS

- It is a foregone conclusion that Jack Combs will be back with the Allen Americans for the 2022-23 season though nothing has been announced. Talk about staying in game shape and travel shape for the upcoming ECHL season, check out Jack's schedule the last 12 days.

• July 6 - drove from his home (St. Louis) to Alabama for the World Inline Hockey Tournament. Jack has been on the USA team for many years.
• July 7 - World Tournament Opening Ceremonies
• July 8 - USA wins against Canada
• July 9 - Fly from Birmingham to Hershey, PA for 3ICE tournament. Jack's team wins 8-4 in the first round but loses in the second round
• July 10 - Fly back to Alabama, USA wins against Columbia
• July 11 - USA wins against Italy in semifinals
• July 12 - USA wins gold medal with a 2-1 OT victory over defending champion Czech Republic
• July 13 - Drive back home to St. Louis from Birmingham
• July 14 - Day off
• July 15 - Fly from St. Louis to Detroit, drive 120 miles to London, Ontario
• July 16 - Play three games in 3ICE tournament, lose in championship finals
• July 17 - Drive back to Detroit, fly back to St. Louis.
   

If you add it all together you are talking about nine games in 12 days, scoring double digit goals and traveling close to 4000 miles. Now that is a guy that still loves hockey in all forms. Last season for the Americans, Jack was second in scoring with 62 points (21G, 41A) in 60 games and was also second on the team in plus/minus (+15). 

 

 

 

ZACH POCHIRO

 

- In 2018-19 Zach Pochiro led to Allen Americans with 34 goals which placed him #3 among goal scorers in the ECHL that season. His 34 goals is also tied for #4 in franchise history for goals scored in a single season. Here are the top three:

• 44 goals - Gary Steffes (2014-15)
• 41 goals - Chad Costello (2014-15) 
• 35 goals - Greger Hanson (2016-17)
     

-  When players return to the Americans it is always fun to look back in the archives to see what I wrote about when they first arrived in Allen. Here is the blog from September, 2017 talking about Zach Pochiro.

ZACH POCHIRO: Zach is a 23 year old 6'2" forward that weighs 200 pounds. He was drafted by the St. Louis Blues in the fourth round (#112 overall) in the 2013 NHL draft. He played two years in the WHL for the Prince George Cougars before signing a three year professional contract with St. Louis. But after playing a few pro games for Kalamazoo Wings in 2013-14 and Alaska Aces in 2014-15 he was sent back to juniors (Prince George) as a 20 year old. Here is a video that gives some background.

Here is another story that gives you some background on Zach: https://www.nhl.com/blues/news/pochiro-out-to-prove-hes-no-gamble/c-725775



What kind of player will Zach be for the Allen Americans. Here is one scouting report (McKeen's) prior to Zach being drafted by St. Louis that gives you a good idea of the type of player he is. Pochiro is an energetic hard working center that shows a good mix of speed, grit and skill. A good intense skater that reaches a top gear fast and boasts a terrific lateral step. Not belligerent yet ultra aggressive and fearless. Will sacrifice himself diving in front of pucks on the penalty kill and is a willing combatant.

There are many examples of talented forwards that seem to thrive in the Steve Martinson system and have increased production when playing for Allen. Jonathan Lessard, Gary Steffes, Spencer Asuchak and Bryan Moore are good examples. Zach Pochiro could be that kind of player this season. He played in Norfolk last season on one of the worst teams in the league and scored just three goals and had 24 assists in 42 games.

From my research it appears Zach is a fan of #13 but you can be assured that number will not be available anytime soon, if ever. That number is headed to the rafters once Chad Costello finishes his playing career.

DID YOU KNOW: In 2015-16 four former Allen Americans were teammates playing for the ECHL Quad City Mallards. Olivier Archambault, Zach Pochiro, Tanner Eberle and Kyle Follmer.