The Allen Americans will be back at practice this morning as they prepare for a three game series in Rapid City on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. With just 10 games remaining in the season and the Americans four points out of a playoff spot, this series could not be more critical. The goal should be a sweep against Rapid City and that is not an unrealistic goal. The Rush did beat Utah yesterday and Saturday at home, but prior to these wins the last home win for Rapid City was January 13. I will have more details in a series preview on Wednesday.
- Allen lost two of three games against Kansas City over the weekend but got some help from the other teams in the division battling for a playoff spot. Here is the latest:
- Tulsa - The Oilers are in third place and have a six point lead over Allen. Tulsa's record over its last five games is 1-3-1-0. The Oilers have just eight games remaining, five straight against Wichita before their final three against Allen.
- Utah - The Grizzlies lost their last two games over the weekend in Rapid City but remain in fourth place in the standings, four points ahead of Allen. Utah lost 4-3 Saturday despite outshooting Rapid City 58-30. The Grizzlies have eight games remaining all against Idaho (5 games - 3H, 2A) and Kansas City (3 games at home).
- Wichita - The Thunder have fallen three points behind Allen and seven points from a playoff spot so are unlikely to get back in the mix. Wichita can certainly play the spoiler role since they play Tulsa five times and Allen once in their remaining nine games.
- I get asked all of the time about Allen's home record based on which jerseys they are wearing or by day of the week. Thanks to team president Jonny Mydra for sharing this information. It is no surprise to Allen fans that the data shows what they have been saying for years. There is indeed a Saturday night, big crowd, specialty jersey curse in Allen. Here is the Allen Americans home record this season broken down by jerseys and day of the week with points percentage in parenthesis:
- JERSEY
- Texas Jersey: 4-2 (.667)
- Red Jersey: 6-3 (667
- White Jersey: 2-6 (250)
- Specialty Jersey: 1-7 (.125)
- DAY
- Friday: 6-3 (.667)
- Wednesday: 4-2 (.667)
- Sunday: 2-3 (.400)
- Saturday: 1-9 (.100)
- Monday: 0-1 (.000)
- Allen's attendance has been over 6000 six times this season. Five of them have been on Saturdays. The Americans average attendance this season is 4221 with five home games remaining. The average attendance is up a substantial 705 per game from last season. That is one of the largest, if not the biggest increase in the ECHL this season.
- Here is Allen's average attendance for every season in the 15 year history of the franchise:
- 4221: 2023-24 (5 games remaining)
- 3516: 2022-23
- 3220: 2021-22
- 1859: 2020-21 (COVID restricted)
- 4001: 2019-20 (shortened season)
- 4073: 2018-19
- 4082: 2017-18
- 4340: 2016-17
- 4571: 2015-16*
- 4096: 2014-15*
- 4216: 2013-14*
- 4157: 2012-13*
- 4336: 2011-12
- 3986: 2010-11
- 3810: 2009-10
*won championship
- ECHL teams have between 7-10 games remaining in the regular season and just four of the 16 teams that will make the Kelly Cup playoffs have been determined (Adirondack, Toledo, Kansas City, Idaho). There are so many close races with playoff implications and anything can happen. Ironically, only one team has won more than six games in its last 10 games (Toledo is 8-2-0-0).
- Here is another
great story about the Allen Americans from NFL Hall of Fame writer Rick
Gosselin. This one is about Allen Americans owner Myles Jack's
transition from NFL linebacker to ECHL ownership: https://rickgosselin.com/myles-jack-leaves-football-behind-for-hockey/
DID YOU KNOW: The ECHL Stat post today is about how many players each team has used this season. Allen is a little above average with 46 players used. The Americans have used five goalies, 15 defensemen and 26 forwards.
And how many of they 4000 tickets per game are free tickets tickets? It's the main reason I didn't renew my season tickets for next year. I've had many friends attend as many games as I have this season (26) who have been attending games with a free ticket offer sent by the team via email or text. Or they were told which team sponsor to reach out to for free tickets by front office staffers.
ReplyDeleteI remember we used to get free tickets and BOGO vouchers with our season ticket package, which I think went away when Jack Gulati owned the team. Any other season ticket holders frustrated by this?
Whilst I don’t disagree with the sentiment, the success as to viability of the Allen Americans lies in the seats they sell, and overall revenue generated - be it team store or concessions. I get it, but surely there’s a premium and a value to you having your seats guaranteed every game? Whilst there isn’t a bad seat in the house, do you want back row seats or yours? The cost for the enjoyment really isn’t the issue spread across the season as a season ticket holder.
ReplyDeleteLet’s also determine the viability of the franchise and its ability to remain in Allen if the support isn’t there or if there is a spotlight on the team because they are located in one of the fastest growing areas of the country.
Let’s complain about the concessions, not the tickets. Let’s be a voice to the City of Allen as to the mediocre at best food offerings, all whilst paying premium prices.
If you want to play the ticket roulette game, you can, but I like my seats and the value for money is great.
Let’s not pick on the small stuff.
It’s disappointing that you don’t value the experience or atmosphere being a season ticket holder.
You must be on the staff whilst speaking the company script on value. The value is not there any more. The original post response has valid points of concern to most STM, especially those of us who chose not to renew after many, many years.
DeleteRead my post and remove the frustration you have out of the equation. Not on staff. Love the Americans, just not sure they deserve all the pushback.
DeleteThey aren't perfect as outlines in these comments, but far from a reasonable excuse to not renew.
Let's go RED.
Thank you for that official statement from the organization. The funny part is, you say you wanna be a "voice for the City of Allen" but I'm sure you've noticed that the organization doesn't like to recognize "Allen" anymore. Hence everything is referred to as "Americans Hockey " and no longer "Allen Americans Hockey."
ReplyDeleteGood Day to you Mr. or Mrs Annoynmous.
The "brand" was changed under Gulati because the president when Matt was canned told him it would be better. While there are still a few team logos that identify their location many don't. He even went around the back of house and stole or took down anything that said "Allen Americans" on it and replaced it with Americans. I paid out of pocket for Zamboni magnets he took and when I approached him about taking them he got all bent out of shape, only later did he replace them admitting finally he had done it. He also took stickers that were originally in the team store off of things we had stuck them on. Michelle, in the team store, was forced to have designs on everything changed to "approved" design, something many people did not agree with.
DeleteI quit last year because of all the jerks running the place, who also brought in more jerks.
Nope, not affiliated with the Americans.
ReplyDeleteJust my 2 cents on the issue.
I hear you, but they need to give an experience to turn them into season ticket holders - that’s marketing.
Now, should they be referring these people to sponsors - probably not.
Should they have a formalized process to follow up and solicit the free ticket for a mini season, half season or full season package - yes.
Should there be a system so your friends don’t get multiple free tickets - yes.
I love the team, love the experience, just saying that the free tix shouldn’t be why you don’t renew.
And these are my genuine thoughts season ticket holder to season ticket holder.
Hopefully the club reads my comments and can execute. I don’t think the intent is to diminish existing season ticket holders.
I do also think it’s fair to give new ownership a season or two to initiate positive change. That’s only fair.
I questioned the massive increase year over year. I was told I needed to pay my fair share for “the great value” because I had not been. I questioned that towards it supporting all the free tickets so they have perception the organization is selling seats and bolstering attendance tracked by league. Dead silence for several seconds. Then, “pay or go away”. More confirmation that STM have no real value to the organization. Not at all like we used to.
DeleteMassive increase YOY because you were given a discount?
DeleteLet's compare apples to apples here.
It's not like they increased all seats and all STM prices 40% or more.
We got an increase because we were getting the tickets at a substantial discount to the 23-24 season cost.
At some point, regardless as to how happy I am about it or you are about it, they need to have everyone paying the same.
That's economics 101.
Marketing 101 is if you're giving something for free, track it, audit it and work out a way to fill the venue every game.
Free tickets are useless.
Charge something for the experience.
$10 tickets and track the redemption by name, address, phone number and email.
Execute and gather the data to say 8% or 3% or 17% turn into buying a mini season, half season etc.
Then rinse repeat until you land on getting the venue filled.
It's a numbers game folks.
But... I agree, if you're giving free tickets out without the validation and execution to manage the process, you just frustrate STM's and look to pad one "stat" tracked by the ECHL.
As for not saying "Allen" ... I do see and observe that, but again that could be strategic marketing. Do people in Frisco want to support an Allen team? Some people are funny about that.
ReplyDeleteI think as long as the team doesn't relocate, how they brand to the masses isn't of my concern as they are officially the Allen Americans.
I would be interested to understand how long the team has agreed to play at the Event Center and when that comes up for renewal. That would speak volume as to your concerns.
I did read ownership has a board seat on an Allen board, so that's positive, why go through that exercise if the intent is to move the team.
The Event Center should be a sell out every night based on the surrounding population.
I've been to two games this season and what's being said about attendance is far from true. I went to the alumni night game and there's no way 6000+ were there. Even the door people told me there was less than 3000 expected. During the cup win seasons sellouts were in the 5K+ numbers and the stands were actually packed. Not so Saturday night.
ReplyDelete