Past and Present Player News, Plus Chad Costello Coach's Corner

 

Noticed a lot of player announcements the last few days, past and present, near and far, so thought I would share some of them for those that don't keep up on a daily basis. 

 

HANK CRONE - The Allen Americans announced the signing of rookie forward Hank Crone yesterday. A local product who just graduated from Northern Michigan University (NMU) where he had 44 points (13G, 31A) in 32 games last season. Here are some details about Crone:

• Allen Americans press release: https://allenamericans.com/media/americans-sign-dfw-born-forward/  
• Story about Crone's signing from The Morning Skate: https://morning-skate.com/2022/07/19/echls-allen-americans-sign-homegrown-talent/
•  Story from March, 2022, "Former Cedar Hill Resident Has NHL Dreams"  https://www.focusdailynews.com/former-cedar-hill-resident-has-nhl-dreams/

 

- 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 
• Hank Crone

 

 BEN CARROLL - Ben has signed to play in Denmark for the Aalborg Pirates. Aalborg won the league championship last season. Carroll was one of seven players given qualifying offers so Allen will retain his rights for the upcoming season.  

Three of the seven players given qualifying offers (Carroll, McAuley, Butcher) have signed in Europe. The other four (Myllari, Skeoch, Kearley, Dudek) are still unsigned.

 

JOSH LAMMON -  After spending one year in Europe and winning the EIHL playoff championship with the Cardiff Devils, Josh Lammon has returned to the ECHL, joining the Kansas City Mavericks. Josh played two seasons in Allen before heading to Europe and in 121 games had 63 points (20G, 43A). 

COLTON YELLOW HORN - Colton just signed with the Coventry Blaze (EIHL) in Great Britain after playing for the Glasgow Clan (EIHL) last season. He played on the very first Allen team in 2009-10 and played three seasons for the Americans. The 35 year old turned pro in 2008-09 and has played for at least 15 pro teams all over the world, from Japan to Romania to Scotland to Czechia to Slovakia. The only player to ever have more points and assists in a single season than Yellow Horn in Allen franchise history is Chad Costello. Colton played in 167 games in his three seasons in Allen which is #16 all time. He is #7 in goals (67), #7 in assists (111) and #6 in points (178). 

TANNER EBERLE - I haven't seen this officially but the rumor is Tanner Eberle is also returning to the ECHL after spending the last four seasons in the EIHL with the Sheffield Steelers. Tanner played part of three seasons in Allen. He has supposedly signed with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits.

PHIL BEAULIEU - Phil has supposedly signed with the Worcester Railers. Phil was traded to Worcester as the future consideration that brought defenseman Nick Albano to Allen, so it makes sense he has signed with the Railers. 

 

- I have always had a "Coach's Corner" section of the blog for quotes from the coach when we have conversations after practice, games and when the team is on the road. The alliteration with Chad Costello Coach's Corner cries out for a name like 4C's or Quad C's for this section of the blog. I did talk to coach Costello last night and got a couple of gems:

"3ICE has been a great place for me to network and recruit."

"I am hopeful we will be having some big news on signings and affiliation very shortly."

 

DID YOU KNOW: Chad Costello owns Allen's top three seasons in points and assists, but another impressive stat from his time in Allen has to do with plus/minus. Did you know in the history of the Allen franchise, just two players have ever finished a season with a plus/minus above +40:

• +47: Joel Chouinard, 2016-17 (led the ECHL)
  
• +43: Chad Costello, 2014-15 (#3 in the ECHL)