Allen Americans Weekly Update Plus Some News and Notes, Steve Martinson Coaching Again

 

Allen general manager Chad Costello continues to build the Americans 2023-24 roster with the addition of three players since my last update. The addition of forward Chad Butcher, goalie Chase Perry and defenseman Eric Williams brings the announced roster to 13 players. It is still relatively early in the process. You can expect one or two AHL level players signing with Allen, an older player or two and more rookies. This is the time of the recruiting process when the puzzle pieces become more difficult as ECHL coaches/general managers have to deal with the realities of affiliation help, salary cap, housing and a myriad of other issues.

 

- Chad Butcher has played 110 games for the Allen Americans over four seasons (23G, 60A) averaging .75 points per game. A fearless player that doesn't hesitate to go into the corners and tough areas to make a play. Chad is not a big player, and his fearless style of play makes him susceptible to injury. If he can stay healthy, he will be a big help up the middle for the Americans. Here is the press release from the Allen Americans: https://allenamericans.com/media/americans-add-depth-up-the-middle/

 

- Chase Perry arrived in Allen in January last season and was a big part of the Americans comeback from last place to second place. His record was 14-7-0-1 with a .921 save percentage. Chase won four of his last five starts in the regular season and in his lone loss he gave up one goal in a 2-0 shutout. Perry has a great attitude which is critical when you assume the Americans will get goalies from Belleville rotating to Allen to get playing time. Here is the press release from the Allen Americans: https://allenamericans.com/media/after-a-solid-2022-2023-season-between-the-pipes-goalie-chase-perry-returns/

 

- Eric Williams was a late season acquisition by the Americans in 2022-23 in a trade with Norfolk where he served as captain of the team. He played 16 regular season games in Allen (2G, 2A) and 11 playoff games (1G, 3A). Look for Williams to play a bigger role for the Americans is 2023-24. Here are a few bullet points from my player profile when Eric arrived in Allen and the press release from the Allen Americans: https://allenamericans.com/media/eric-williams-signed-for-the-upcoming-season/

• Two conference championships (Hockey East) at Northeastern University.
• #2 in blocked shots (81) as a junior in college, one behind the leader.
• Did not miss a single game in his college career (156 straight games).
• Scouting report says Eric has a cannon of a shot from the point along with the ability to get the puck to the net. A puck moving defenseman who is very cerebral.
• Eric has anchored the power play in juniors, college and as a pro.

 

- Here is the updated Allen roster with the 13 players announced for 2023-24:

GOALIES

• Chase Perry

DEFENSEMEN

• Matt Brassard
• Ty Farmer
• Ryan Gagnon
• Kris Myllari
• Eric Williams

FORWARDS

• Chad Butcher
• Liam Finlay
• Jordan Ty-Fournier
• Colton Hargrove
• Grant Hebert
• Colby McAuley
• Mikael Robidoux

 

 

NEWS AND NOTES

- I talked to Steve Martinson yesterday and he has expanded his portfolio. In addition to his solar business, which he operates with his wife, Michelle, he has taken on the role of head coach of the Roosevelt University Woman’s Hockey Team. Roosevelt is a small private college in Chicago. Per Martinson it is a great situation where he can continue to build the solar business from his home in Rockford and commute for his coaching duties. Martinson has been involved with women’s hockey throughout his daughter, Lily’s hockey career. She is a junior, playing hockey at NCAA Division I Providence College.  

Here is what Martinson had to say in his own words, "It's really nice to be able to coach from home and continue to build the solar business.  We partnered with JC Solar in Texas, so that we can now also offer financing and we don’t have to be in Texas full time. I probably should have gone into coaching college hockey years ago, but I was enjoying pro hockey. Anyone that knows me gets my passion for women’s hockey. I will have much more control coaching college hockey with fewer outside influences impacting the team.

Here is the press release from Roosevelt University announcing Steve Martinson's selection as the head coach of the Woman's Hockey Team:  https://www.rooseveltlakers.com/sports/wice/2023-24/releases/20230810jardax

 

 

- 3ICE wrapped up the season with the typical Allen Americans flair. In year one Chad Costello was the 3ICE MVP and his team won the championship (Patrick Cup). In year two Chad passed the torch to Hank Crone who was the 3ICE MVP and his team won the Patrick Cup. Ironically in the championship tournament (four of eight teams made the playoffs) Chad's team (Team Johnston) lost to Crone's team (Team Murphy) with the winner advancing to the championship game.  In the championship game Crone scored the only goal for his team in regulation and then score a shootout goal to win the championship. It was a dramatic ending to a dramatic 3ICE season.

 

- The SPHL has followed the lead of the ECHL and is now going by just SPHL instead of Southern Professional Hockey League. This may in fact be an easier transition for the SPHL as it is commonly known as the "SP" while the ECHL is still called the "Coast" by players and fans alike. Here are the details of the SPHL rebranding. https://www.thesphl.com/sphl-announces-rebrand

 

- The QMJHL, one of the three major junior hockey leagues in Canada has taken a big step in banning fighting starting with the upcoming season. Players who fight during a game will be automatically ejected and face additional suspensions as well. Here is a story with the details: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10085758-quebec-major-junior-hockey-league-bans-fighting-will-result-in-automatic-ejection

 

- Saw this article in a local paper about long time Allen Americans sponsor Gary Hirsch, the owner of Hirsch's Meats. Gary is easily identifiable at Allen games with his distinct handlebar mustache. Fans will also recognize him as the sponsor of the "steak race" at each game. Gary has a great story about his business in Plano: https://starlocalmedia.com/planocourier/this-plano-business-owner-supplies-quality-meats-for-residents-and-area-restaurants/article_af330348-37af-11ee-847d-63542e91d2fb.html

 

 

DID YOU KNOW: Here is my ECHL stats post for today. Allen's points per game leader was Hank Crone who has signed and AHL deal with Chicago. Here are the 2023-24 plans for 2022-23 average points per game leaders for each ECHL team (minimum 30 games played):

Re-signed with same ECHL team: ATL, IDH, NOR, WIC

*Unsigned: ADK, CIN, FLA, IND, JAX, ORL, RC, TOL

Europe signed: GVL, IA, NFL, REA, SC, TUL

AHL signed: ALN, FW, KC, SAV, TR, UTA, WHL

Re-signed with different ECHL team: KAL, MNE, WOR

 

*These players could be signed but just not yet announced.

 

Allen Americans Weekly Update - Roster Now Up to 10 with Addition of Myllari, Robidoux, Fournier, Farmer and Gagnon, 3ICE Update and More

 

It has been a busy week for the Allen Americans. Since my last update a week ago, the Americans have doubled the roster by announcing five more players for 2023-24. The flurry of announcements started on August 3rd with defenseman Kris Myllari, who was recently voted by his ECHL peers as the best defensive defenseman in the Western Conference. The Americans followed up Myllari's announcement with an unprecedented three players the next day. 

• Ty Farmer - Defenseman Farmer joined Allen late last season after finishing his collegiate career at the University of North Dakota. He played 10 regular season and five playoff games before being injured. He will start the season on injured reserve after undergoing surgery in the off season.
• Mikael Robidoux - Robidoux returns to Allen for a second season in his role as a third line player that can skate, hit and chip in on the scoreboard. His offensive production increased dramatically last season. In his first 53 pro games (Maine & Kansas City) Mikael had no goals. In his 42 games in Allen last season, he had nine goals. Over a 72-game season that would equal 15 goals. In the role Robidoux plays for the Americans he is always playing on the edge. He will have to do a better job of not crossing the line in the upcoming season. He showed great discipline at the end of last season. If that continues in 2023-24, he will be a valuable asset to the team. His combination of being a great skater, ability to finish checks and toughness makes him a good fit for Allen.
• Jordan Ty-Fournier - Fournier is an interesting signing for the Americans for a few reasons. He is a rookie having just completed his collegiate career at McGill University. He will play his first pro game in October, but he is one of those mature seasoned rookies who has played four years of major junior hockey (QMJHL) and five years of college hockey. He is 26 years old, 6'1" and 205 pounds who is a left shot forward. He is the younger brother of Stefan Fournier who was with Allen last season. He plays the same style of hockey as his brother and will remind you of Dyson Stevenson when he was first is Allen in 2015.   
        

- The announcements were completed today when Ryan Gagnon became the fourth defenseman on the Allen roster. Gagnon played in all 72 regular season games (plus all 11 playoff games) as a rookie last season. The ECHL had over 1000 players last season and just 27 played in every game. It gets lost in all of the stats, but Gagnon led all Allen defensemen in points in the playoffs with six points in 11 games. Look for his second pro year to be a big step forward as he plays a key role for the Americans.

 

- Here is an updated Allen roster with the 10 players announced for 2023-24:

GOALIES

DEFENSEMEN

• Matt Brassard
• Ty Farmer
• Ryan Gagnon
• Kris Myllari

 FORWARDS

• Liam Finlay
• Jordan Ty-Fournier
• Colton Hargrove
• Grant Hebert
• Colby McAuley
• Mikael Robidoux

 

-  Coach Costello confirmed that he has been cleared to play in the 3ICE championship which takes place in Philadelphia on August 12. Four teams will compete for the Patrick Cup which Chad's team won last season. It will be an uphill battle for Costello's team (Team Johnston) as they enter the championship weekend as the #4 seed and will play the #1 seed (Team Murphy) that includes Hank Crone, Colton Hargrove and Matt Register. I heard a couple of players from Team Murphy had to leave for Europe so that may help. FYI, Hank Crone finished the 3ICE regular season in a familiar spot, leading the league in scoring. Hank had 15 points (11G, 4A) in six games. Colton Hargrove assisted on many of the Crone goals as he finished #2 in the league averaging 1.17 assists per game. Hargrove also finished #2 in 3ICE in blocked shots with seven blocked shots in six games. 

 

- The second semi-final game is between #2 seed Team Patrick and #3 seed Team Bourque. Team Patrick scored the most goals in the regular season (31) and allowed the fewest (18) so should be favored to make the finals. If all goes as planned Team Murphy should meet Team Patrick for the championship but as ECHL fans know very well, upsets happen all of the time.  

 

DID YOU KNOW: ECHL COACHES WITH MOST CAREER PLAYOFF WINS

79: Brad Ralph - Idaho, Florida (2 Kelly Cups in Florida)

55: John Brophy - Hampton Roads (3 Kelly Cups)

54: Steve Martinson - San Diego, Elmira, Allen (2 Kelly Cups in Allen)

54: Matt Thomas - Atlantic City, Fresno, Stockton, Cincinnati

51: Dan Watson - Toledo

 

 

 

Allen Americans Weekly Update - A Life Well Lived, Colby McAuley Returns, Colton Saucerman to Europe and More

 

I want to start this week's update by sending my condolences to Rick Gosselin, who lost his wife, Ellen, last week after a long and courageous battle with cancer. As many of you know from the stories about Rick in the blog over the years, we became friends because of our mutual interest and joy of the Allen Americans. It was back in 2013 when as a brand-new blogger trying to find my way, I approached the NFL Fall of Fame writer at an Allen practice to ask about how to cover the team. He could not have been more generous with his time and information. Over the last 10 years we have become good friends on the foundation of the Allen Americans but so much more than that. I asked Rick if I could share the obituary he wrote about Ellen. When you combine a great writer, writing about the love of his life, speaking from the heart, this is what you get. I know the entire Allen Americans family sends heartfelt condolences to Rick during this difficult time.         

Ellen Marie (Mahon) Gosselin passed away on July 25, 2023 after a lengthy battle with cancer in Lewisville, Texas.

Ellen was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, on March 5, 1951 and became well-traveled at a young age, living in five different states by the time she was 20 – Pennsylvania, California (San Rafael), Illinois (Western Springs), Michigan (Grosse Pointe Park) and Colorado (Littleton). She attended St. Ambrose Elementary School, Dominican High School and Western Michigan University before settling down to have a family in the Grosse Pointes. She had three children – Peter Sullivan, Erin Sullivan and Rory Lynch (Patrick) – and one grandchild, Cole Richardson, who was the light of her life.

Ellen dated her husband Rick Gosselin in college before going their separate ways and reconnecting 35 years later. They were married in 2010, sharing common backgrounds, common interests and a forever love for each other.

Ellen enjoyed a lifelong love affair with music, dating to the first record she bought (Pineapple Princess by Annette Funicello in 1960) and the first concert she attended (Beatles in 1964). She grew up in Detroit on Motown, specifically Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson and the Temptations, adored the music of both James Taylor (she even got to meet him) and Frank Sinatra and later in life, after her move to Texas, developed a friendship with the music of Waylon, Willie and the Boys.

She coupled her love of music with dance – the East Coast swing, foxtrot, tango and Viennese waltz – and often broke out in dance with Rick in the kitchen at dinner time when a Sinatra tune turned up on the playlist. She hung a sign in her kitchen reading “When You Stumble, Make It Part of the Dance.” She lived by the credo when you fall, pick yourself up. She loved watching Fred Astaire movies for their blend of music and dance.

Ellen was a vibrant presence in life with a forever smile, admired and loved by all those who crossed her path. She was a Little League mom, a soccer mom and a hockey mom. She always put her kids first. She was involved in parent groups at both Trombly Elementary School and Pierce Junior High School in Grosse Pointe Park and also was active with her daughters in Girl Scouts.

Ellen had a professional career in Michigan in banking but gave it up in her move to Texas. She loved her Irish heritage and also favored a good Italian meal, preferably spaghetti from the Roma Café in Detroit. She loved taking long walks with her black Labradors Jack and Gracie and staying at Texas B&B’s in Fredericksburg and Palestine.  She also delighted in her trips to Naperville, Ill., to visit her son, the other light of her life.

Ellen was preceded in death by her parents, Gerard and Maryann Mahon. She is survived by her husband Rick, her brothers Rick Mahon (Claudia), Christopher Mahon (Robin) and Michael Mahon (Zsuzsanna), her sister Mary Cae Pilypaitis (Ben), her children and grandson plus countless nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan on Friday, Sept. 8 at 12 p.m.

 

- Allen added another piece to the puzzle with the announcement that Colby McAuley will be returning for the 2023-24 season. It will be Colby's fifth different season in Allen, but the prior ones have all been   partial seasons. Here is an interesting stat, only two players in the history of the franchise have played more seasons in Allen (Spencer Asuchak 10, Gary Steffes 6) than McAuley, but his 96 games played ranks him #45 on the all time list. 

McAuley joined the Americans at the end of January last season and was a big part of Allen's turnaround. He had 34 points (11G, 23A) in 38 games for a point per game average of .90. He has great skill, is a two way player and is hard to play against. McAuley hasn't played 40+ games for the same team since he was in juniors. If he stays healthy and is with Allen all season, he will have the best season of his pro career.

 

- Here is an updated Allen roster

GOALIES

DEFENSEMEN

• Matt Brassard

 FORWARDS

• Liam Finlay
• Colton Hargrove
• Grant Hebert
• Colby McAuley

 

- Colton Saucerman will not return to the Americans as he has signed in Europe with the Sheffield Steelers in the EIHL. The EIHL has been a popular destination for Allen Americans players. Here is a list of former Allen players that have already signed with the EIHL for 2023-24.

• Dyson Stevenson (Glasgow)
• Josh Brittain (Dundee)
• Travis Brown (Belfast)
• Collin Shirley (Fife)
• Kameron Kielly (Sheffield)
• J.D. Dudek (Coventry)
   

- If you have been tracking 3ICE the final regular season tournament will be tomorrow night with the top four teams in the regular season qualifying for the championship tournament which will be held in Philadelphia on August 12. Team Murphy (Hargrove, Crone, Register) have already qualified for the championships and Team Johnston (Costello) will likely make it. Chad Costello was injured and missed a week but plans to be back if Team Johnston qualifies for the championship. 

 

DID YOU KNOW: With five players announced, Allen is it the low end of player announcements. Here is the complete list:

Players announced thus far by ECHL teams for 2023-24 ranges from 16 to 0. The total announced is 108. That means by the time the season starts at least 575 more players will be announced. A couple of things to keep in mind. Many more players have been signed but not yet announced. Also, teams that expect a lot of contract players being assigned from affiliates will not have as many players announced

16 - FW

15 - IA

12 - KC

11 - NOR

10 - ATL, TR

9 - JAX

8 - WHL

7 - REA, TOL, WIC, WOR

6 - GVL

5 - ALN, MNE, SAV, TUL, UTA

4 - CIN, FLA, IND, SC

3 - ADK, ORL, RC

2 - KAL

0 - IDH, NFL