If you are the type that can't for hockey to start every fall, the time has come to get excited. NHL preseason games have already begun, AHL training camps start in a week and ECHL training camps are right around the corner. Allen Americans players should start arriving in about a week with the official start of training camp on October 6th when teams can hold team meetings, physicals, registration etc.
- It is always a busy time as the Americans deal with details from housing to immigration to training camp meals. Coach Costello has spent a lot of time upgrading the physical environment in the locker room to meet the needs of the players. The locker room looks the part of a pro team and is more functional than in the past. Team building will be an important part of training camp and practices will likely be somewhat different than in the past. While Costello has been on a steep learning curve since being named the coach and general manager it is clear he brings a player's perspective to his new job.
- As many as eight players from the Allen roster will be attending AHL camps. Most will be at Belleville's camp, but there will also be players attending other AHL camps. This provides a great opportunity for young players to show what they can do in front of AHL coaches.
- With so many Allen players at AHL camps, Costello will have a some (mostly local) players on tryout agreements filling in at training camp. Again, a chance for them to show what they can do. The first organized, full on ice practice for the Americans will be October 10.
- #31 - Luke Peressini
- #3 - Ryan Gagnon
- #4 - Kris Myllari
- #5 - Nick Albano
- #19 - Jared Bethune (D/F)
- #23 - Colton Saucerman
- #55 - Lord-Anthony
Grissom
- #10 - Jackson Leppard
- #15 - Liam Finlay
- #18 - Zach Pochiro
- #26 - Spencer Asuchak
- #28 - Justin Young
- #32 - Mikael Robidoux
- #58 - Marcel
Godbout
- #67 - Hank Crone
- #77 - Stephen Baylis
- It remains to be seen how many players will be assigned/loaned to Allen by Ottawa for the start of the season. You can expect one goalie being assigned for sure, but the the number forwards and defensemen that will start the season in Allen has yet to be determined. Belleville's training camp begins October 2 so decisions on what players will be in Allen probably won't be finalized until the end of the AHL camp.
MIKAEL ROBIDOUX
- The Allen Americans announced last week the signing of forward Mikael Robidoux. He is 5'11" 190 pounds, 23 years old, forward from La Prairie, Quebec. He played his junior career in the QMJHL. Robidoux played in Kansas City last season (assigned by AHL Stockton) where he led the ECHL in penalty minutes (258) and major penalties (12). His 12 major penalties included nine fighting majors.
Even though Robidoux was just announced he is a player that Chad Costello started recruiting shortly after getting his job as coach/gm. Costello decided early on he need a team that could play any style of hockey because of the diversity of teams in the Mountain Division. Costello saw first hand the physical spark Robidoux brought to the Mavericks and was successful in recruiting him over several other ECHL teams.
Robidoux started his pro career with the Maine Mariners in 2019-20 after his QMJHL season ended. He played 11 games for the Mariners and had 80 penalty minutes. Here is a get to know you video from his time in Maine. https://youtu.be/eCuauTpyGYA
- The more time I spend with coach Costello the more clear it becomes the vision he has for the type of team he is assembling in Allen. The Americans will have a versatile team that will be able to adapt to any style of play necessary, depending on the opponent, but they will be much more than versatile. If there is a motto to describe what Costello is trying to achieve it would be go, go, go. Successful pro hockey requires speed, but that speed needs to be deployed within a system that allows for very quick transitions between offense and defense. To play this way takes speed, skill, smarts and a team first mentality. Coach Costello really likes the team he has put together for 2022-23 and is totally focused on how to best instill his vision within the framework of the roster.
- What are the areas that need the most improvement from last season? Here is a statistical answer to that question from the ECHL website. A list of stats Allen finished 15th or lower in 2021-22 among the ECHL's 27 teams:
- Allen was 3-8 in overtime and 2-1 in shootouts for a points percentage of .357 which ranked the Americans #23.
- Allen scored first in 50% of its game with a record of 21-10-4-1 and points percentage of .653 which ranked the Americans #22.
- Allen's power play was 18.5% (50-270) which was ranked #16.
- Allen allowed 20 shorthanded goals which was last in the league. 20 of the 27 ECHL teams allowed 10 or fewer shorthanded goals.
- Allen allowed an average of 3.39 goals per game which was ranked #20 in the league.
- Allen allowed an average 35.31 shots per game which was ranked #26 in the league.
- Not an on ice stat but attendance is another area that needs improvement. Allen averaged 3151 per game, well under the ECHL average of 3925 per game. The Americans were ranked #18 in attendance.
- Replacing the offensive firepower from last season will be a big challenge for coach Costello. Averaging a point per game is a very high standard. Here is a list of players that averaged a point per game last season in the games they played for the Americans. It should be noted some didn't play in a lot of games.
- 2.00 - Luke Henman
- 1.25 - Colby McAuley
- 1.13 - Gavin Gould
- 1.09 - Chad Costello
- 1.08 - Branden Troock
- 1.04 - Josh Winquist
- 1.03 - Jack Combs
- 1.00 - Chad Butcher
The only player on this list that isn't playing elsewhere in 2022-23 is Jack Combs. It is highly likely he will be in Allen, though nothing has been announced.
OTHER COMMENTS
- The ECHL announced yesterday that beginning with the 2022-23 season, game lineups will increase to 17 skaters and two goalies. The previous limit was 16 skaters. This change will not increase the number of players on the active roster and will not impact the salary cap.
- There was hope Dyson Stevenson might return to the Allen Americans after playing in Scotland last season. Stevenson was unsigned until a couple of days ago. He has decided to return to the Glasgow Clan of the EIHL. Glasgow has gotten off to a rough start losing its first four games while being outscored 17-7. The poor start generated this statement from the managing director of the team. https://clanihc.com/statement-from-managing-director-gareth-chalmers/
Stevenson was the captain of the team last season and was just added to the roster. He will bring leadership to the team on and off the ice.
- J.C. Campagna,, who signed in Allen last year when the team was shorthanded in February and scored 10 goals in 12 games, has signed with the Tulsa Oilers for 2022-23.
- Only two teams have announced fewer player than the 14 announced by Allen. Newfoundland has announced just three players which is typical since they get assigned so many AHL players. The other team is Savannah who has announced just seven players. At the other end of the spectrum is Norfolk (28 players), Fort Wayne (26 players) and Kalamazoo (24 players).
No to Dyson. He can't stay out of the penalty box.
ReplyDeleteYour wife apparently didn't proof read this. See you in a couple of weeks I hope.
ReplyDeleteTom, you are correct on my proofreader as she and our daughter were in NYC. Hope you are doing well. I am heading to North Dakota next week for some pheasant and duck hunting so will hopefully see you for the home opener on Oct.
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