The Allen Americans announced two more players for the 2022-23 roster yesterday with the addition of forwards Justin Young and Alex Aleardi. Young returns to the Americans for his rookie season after joining Allen for seven games at the conclusion of his collegiate career last season. Aleardi was acquired from Florida in a trade that sent defenseman Nolan Kneen to the Everblades. More on Young and Aleardi later.
- Here is the current announced Allen roster which is now at 10 players.. Remember, many
more players are signed but not announced.
- Nick Albano
- Lord-Anthony
Grissom
- Jackson Leppard
- Jared Bethune (F/D)
- Zach Pochiro
- Hank Crone
- Marcel Godbout
- Justin Young
- Alex Aleardi
- No changes on the status of the seven players qualified by Allen.
- Ben
Carroll - signed in Denmark
- Kris Myllari - unsigned
- Darian Skeoch - rights traded to Savannah
- Jake Kearley - unsigned
- Chad Butcher - signed in Northern Ireland
- Colby McAuley - signed in Northern Ireland
- J.D.Dudek - unsigned
- Justin Young was one of several players I wrote about a month ago:
The third group of players from last season you have to assume are
already signed include the following list. If they are not signed they
are free agents and can sign with any ECHL team. My guess is they will
be back with the Americans:
- Spencer Asuchak
- Jack Combs
- Nolan Kneen
- Luke Peressini
- Justin Young
Young signed with Allen last April after finishing his collegiate career at American International College. He played in 12 games for Allen (7 regular season and 5 playoff) and tallied two assists. He was primarily used in a defensive role, often playing against the opponents top line. As Chad Costello said in the press release on Young's signing, "He came in last season and made an immediate impact. With his great speed, we expect him to have an even bigger role this season."
Young is a rookie but he is 24 and has plenty of experience with his four year junior and college career and he has been a scorer. Over his 167 games in junior hockey (AJHL) he had 157 points (66G, 91A) and last season at American International he was second on the team in scoring with 31 points (12G, 19A) in 36 games and led all forwards with a plus/minus of +18. You can also look for Young to have a key role on the penalty kill.
Here is the press release from the Americans with more info on Justin Young: https://allenamericans.com/media/americans-bring-back-rookie-forward-justin-young/
- The Kneen for Aleardi trade is interesting from a couple of different perspectives. The fact that Aleardi was even available is a head scratcher. He was a key member of the Florida Everblades Kelly Cup championship team last season. He was the second leading goal scorer on the team in the regular season with 31 goals in 61 games. His .51 goals per game led the team. Aleardi had 26 even strength goals which was second in the entire league. He had another eight goals in the playoffs which was also second on the team. There is no doubt Aleardi will be an impact player for the Americans.
This trade raised two questions in my mind. Why was he traded and is there any chance he will forego Allen and sign in Europe? I bring up Europe because prior to last season, Aleardi had spent five seasons in Europe (2015-2021). I am sure coach Costello had this all figured out before he made the trade and made the call to go ahead.
- The loss of Kneen in the trade with Florida has the Americans with just two announced defensemen and several of you have raised a concern about shoring up the blue line. Between players Costello has recruited from 3ICE, a highly recruited college player and unsigned players from last season, he is comfortable where he is at with defensemen.
- In talking to general manager Costello this week it is clear good news is quickly approaching regarding an affiliation, an assistant coach and the mix of rookies and veterans that will be part of the 2022-23 Allen team. From my perspective everything is falling into place better than expected. The 2022-23 Allen team is shaping up to be a fast, skilled, hard working team, but as in the past will have plenty of toughness and grit as well.
- If you haven't been following 3ICE, the regular season concluded last Saturday in Nashville and now it is on to the playoffs which take place in Las Vegas on August 20. The top four teams in the league qualify for the playoffs. Chad Costello's team (Team Trottier/Blue Team) is the second seed and Jack Combs' team (Team LeClair/Black Team) is the third seed. That means they will play each other in the opening round (one game) in Las Vegas with the winner advancing to the championship finals and a chance to win $137,000 (each player). It is guaranteed either Jack or Chad will be playing for $137,000 on the 20th. From what I understand the playoffs will be broadcast live on regular TV on CBS. (Channel 11 in Dallas).
- Today is the last day to vote for the 3ICE awards. Chad Costello is up for the league MVP. It is quite an honor to be one of the four players in the league nominated for the MVP award which will be announced in Las Vegas. If you haven't voted go to 3ice.com/vote and vote with every email address you can (one vote per email address).
Voting ended yesterday.
ReplyDeleteHey Barry. Who/where is the grit you talked about?
ReplyDelete