Allen Americans Update - Ownership, Roster, Training Camp and More

 

I want to give one last update before I head off on the first of my two annual treks to North Dakota to pheasant hunt. You have heard me say it in the past and it is even more true now, two old guys (76) and a 12-year-old black lab named Jett (equals 84 in human years) stomping around fields and cattails is quite the sight. Luckily, Jett still has the nose of a teenager. I am unsure how much I will be able to post while on my hunting trip, but my plan is to try a few times.

Here is the latest info I have on a variety of topics with a lot of conjecture mixed in:

OWNERSHIP 

- Nothing new from the team officially. As I reported in my last post on the sale of the team the expectation is the formal announcement of the sale will happen before the start of training camp. Since training camp begins a week from today, look for something to happen next week. The ECHL Board of Governors has approved the sale.

 

- Several representatives of the new ownership group (Zawyer Sports and Entertainment) were in Allen this week.

 

- I have had several questions about my opinion on the new ownership group and if I am looking forward to the change. My opinion is Zawyer puts the Allen Americans in the best position in franchise history to be very successful. The company has proven success with the other teams it owns (Jacksonville and Savannah), knows the hockey business, brings financial resources to Allen, has experience not only in owning but operating ECHL franchises, will include local business leaders as minority owners and purchased the Allen Americans because of their desire to be in a top 10 market like DFW. Maybe most important for Allen fans is they believe a key to success is having a great on ice product. Everything won't be perfect, but fans will be appreciated, and coach Costello will have the resources and freedom to be successful on the ice.  

ROSTER 

- Allen still has a couple of players to announce before the start of training camp. One is a high-end scorer who played for another ECHL team last season. Coach Costello is still recruiting a defenseman that is trying to get an AHL deal but so far is unsigned. I get asked about Spencer Asuchak returning and I would expect he will be back. He returned for a few games at the end of last season after a season long injury and has had the summer to get stronger. I know he has been skating regularly with other local pros.

 

- If you paid attention to the recent Ottawa Senators Prospects Challenge you might have noticed a surprising standout player who got a last-minute tryout invitation and became the star of the tournament. Forward Tarun Fizer was under contract with Colorado (AHL) last season but played 62 games in Utah where he had 50 points (27G, 23A) in 62 games. In three games at the recent Prospects Challenge, Fizer scored a goal in each game, had a total of four goals including a shorthanded goal and led his team in points with five. His effort earned him a one year, one way contract with Belleville for 2023-24. This could be good news for the Americans in case Belleville decides to send him to the ECHL anytime during the season because will be assigned to Allen. Here is the press release announcing Fizer's signing: https://bellevillesens.com/belleville-sens-agree-to-terms-with-forward-tarun-fizer-on-a-one-year-one-way-ahl-contract/

 

- Here is a video of Fizer after the last game of the Prospects Challenge before he found out he was going to be signed:

 

 

- The names haven't been formally announced yet but four Allen players will be attending the Belleville Senators AHL training camp. It is great exposure for these players and an opportunity to get on the radar if they do well in camp. I have been told the plan is they will all get a chance to play in a preseason game with Belleville.

 

 

TRAINING CAMP

- Allen's training camp will get underway next week. I don't know for sure if the practices will be open to the public, but I think it is highly likely. With the change in ownership, you can't say with 100% certainty, but you can tentatively plan to attend practices if you are interested. The team should issue more details next week. Here is the schedule:

• October 5 (Thursday) - Players report to training camp for team meetings, registration, physicals, etc. Training camp roster due to league office by 3:00 pm EDT.
  
• October 6 (Friday) - First day of on ice sessions. Coach Costello plans to start camp with some captain's practices before he takes over. 
  
• October 13 (Friday) - Preseason game against Tulsa at NYTEX Sports Centre.
• October 14 (Saturday) - Preseason game in Tulsa against the Oilers.
• October 18 (Wednesday) - Opening day rosters due in league office (3:00 pm EDT).
  

- With some players off at AHL training camps, coach Costello will have to add tryout players (PTO) to Allen's training camp. There will be four players on PTO's at the start of camp.

 

 

OTHER PLAYERS

- Former Allen player Joshua Lammon announced his retirement this week after eight years as a professional. Josh played more pro games in Allen than any other stop. His totals in Allen included 121 games with 63 points (20G, 43A). He was voted as the best defensive forward in the league in college and that skill carried over to his pro career.

 

- Veteran Shawn Szydlowski has returned to the Fort Wayne Komets for the 2023-24 season after playing for the Orlando Solar Bears in 2022-23. The 2018 ECHL MVP & 2021 Kelly Cup champion played nine seasons in Fort Wayne before last season. Szydlowski returns to Fort Wayne as the ECHL’s all-time leader in points (519) & goals (194) among all ECHL currently active players. Since Fort Wayne joined the ECHL in 2012-13, Szydlowski is the all-time leader in games played (476), points (487), goals (179) and assists (308). He is #2 in penalty minutes (597).