Have been getting a lot of questions and requests for an update what is happening with the Allen Americans. The most frequently asked question is when a new coach will be named. I got this update from team president Jonny Mydra this morning, "The search for the next head coach is almost complete. We have some strong candidates and ownership is close to making their final decision."
- The ECHL announced on May 20 that
Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations Joe Ernst would depart the
League to accept a position as Vice President of Hockey Operations for
Zawyer Sports & Entertainment. In his role, Ernst will oversee all
aspects of the Zawyer Sports hockey operations department including
establishing the strategic vision and philosophy for each of the
organizations. Zawyer owns, manages and operates ECHL teams Jacksonville Icemen, Savannah Ghost Pirates, Allen Americans, Tahoe Knight Monsters and manages the Atlanta Gladiators.
The press release said Ernst will begin his duties with Zawyer upon the completion of the 2024 Kelly Cup Finals.
The Allen Americans business staff will be in Jacksonville this week meeting with the Zawyer Group so should have some information to share when they return.
- The 2024-25 schedule is out and here are a couple of different breakdowns. FYI, 50% of the home games (18 of 36) are against Tulsa, Wichita and Kansas City.
Here is Allen's schedule by opponent, total games, home (H) & away (A).
Tahoe, Worcester and Jacksonville are the teams outside the Mountain Division that will visit Allen.
13: Wichita (6H, 7A)
12: Tulsa (7H, 5A)
10: Kansas City (5H, 5A)
9: Utah (4H, 5A)
8: Rapid City (3H, 5A)
6: Idaho (3H, 3A)
5: Tahoe (2H, 3A)
3: Jacksonville (3H, 0A)
3: Worcester (3H, 0A)
2: Fort Wayne (0H, 2A)
1: Indy (0H, 1A)
- Here is a breakdown of the home schedule by day of the week. Normal start time will be 7:10 pm.
0: Monday
4: Tuesday
8: Wednesday (2 school days with 10:30 am start)
0: Thursday
11: Friday
10: Saturday
3: Sunday (2:10 pm start)
- The next big decision for the team will be to settle all future considerations trades prior to the deadline which is just 10 days away (June 20). By my count, which I haven't been able to confirm, Allen owes a player to Iowa, Rapid City, Norfolk, Florida and Reading.
- Haven't seen any news on Allen players but in the last month over 30 ECHL players have been announced as signing in Europe and that number will grow a lot over the next month. Many top end players and goalies heading to Europe. Have to believe with the coaching change in Allen, you will see some of the players from 2023-24 team head overseas.
- Johnny Walker was a big hit in the Allen locker room and with the fans in his brief time with the Americans. He had 10 points (5G, 5A) in 21 games. His chirping stories on the ice and in the locker room are legendary. He announced his retirement last week in typical Johnny style. Here is one sentence from his announcement, "To my coaches, thank you for always believing in me, even if I made your job a bit miserable at times."
- If you followed the Kelly Cup playoffs it is impossible not to be impressed with the three-peat just completed by the Florida Everblades. Aaron Gens (who also lost his job as assistant coach when Chad Costello was let go) told me early in the playoffs Florida was built for the playoffs even though they were only ranked #8 in the ECHL in the regular season. Kansas City looked like the favorite after a record breaking season losing only four road games in regulation all season. Kansas City had 10 NHL/AHL contracted players, nine rookies and zero veterans. Florida had six NHL/AHL contracted players, just five rookies and the maximum four veterans. Gens was spot on. Florida beat Kansas City 4-1 to win its third straight Kelly Cup. Here are some stats from my ECHL Stats post after Florida completed the three-peat.
Congrats and stick taps to the Florida Everblades for winning the 2024 Kelly Cup last night and becoming the first ever ECHL three-peat champion. Some stats:
- Four teams had previously won back-to-back championships (Colorado, Allen, Toledo, Hampton Roads) but failed at the three-peat.
- Florida beat the #1 team (Brabham Cup winner) in the finals for all 3 championships while the Everblades were ranked #8 (2023-24), #10 (2022-23) and #3 (2021-22) during the regular season.
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Florida’s combined Kelly Cup finals record in the three-peat was a dominating 12-2.
- Florida won the Kelly Cup in 2023 by beating Idaho 4-0 after the Steelheads recorded the best regular season in the history of the ECHL with 119 points (58-11-3).
- Last night Florida beat Kansas City to win the Kelly Cup 4-1. Kansas City had the 5th best regular season record in the history of the ECHL with 114 points (54-12-6).
- If you haven't seen the video of Florida Panthers coach Paul Maurice congratulating the Everblades on winning the Kelly Cup at his press conference after game one of the Stanley Cup playoffs check this out. Maurice's son (Jake) is the play by play broadcaster for the Everblades. Nice shoutout for Florida and the ECHL.
DID YOU KNOW: Florida goalie Cam Johnson is a reminder of Allen goalie Riley Gill. They both have won three Kelly Cups. Gill is the the all-time ECHL leader in playoff games (90) and playoff wins (53). Johnson is has 63 games and 47 wins all in the last three seasons. Here is my ECHL Stats post about Cam Johnson:
Florida goalie Cam Johnson has been in goal for the last 3 Florida Kelly Cups and was playoff MVP in 2022 & 2023. Here are his 2024 stats which are better than the two previous years:
- 16 games won - 9 more than any other goalie.
- 1401 minutes played - 530 minutes more than any other goalie.
-
601 saves - 184 more than any other goalie. Most of his 3 Kelly Cups.
- 1.88 GAA - lowest of his 3 Kelly Cups.
- .932 Save percentage - highest of his 3 Kelly Cups.
Johnson played every minute of every game for the Everblades on their way to the 2024 Kelly Cup.
Will there be a blog next week about the info from the meeting?
ReplyDeleteBeyond lame HC decision. Obviously the Jack's are a puppet for Zawyer. Losing record, no traction in last 2 years of improving Erie or their performance, albeit marginal increase but a losing record in the last season.
ReplyDeleteCostello got a team together with essentially band aids to get them into the finals, made fantastic roster decisions, and yes we lost in the first round, but we beat Kansas more than anyone else.
I know management and Zawyer read these comments.
You've alienated a community.
2021-22 Erie Otters OHL Head‡ 54 24 27 0 3 0.472 Out of Playoffs
ReplyDelete2022-23 Erie Otters OHL Head† 35 12 20 0 3 0.386
Such a "great" record as a head coach. 12 total wins last year...didn't sniff the playoffs. Sorry but how is that an improvement for Allen?
Its not. Terrible decision. Spreadsheet decisions.
DeleteThe Jacks and Zawyer have no idea as to the culture and the Allen fan base.
Quite simply, they can't be trusted.
Zawyer control. As simple as that.
ReplyDeleteI feel terrible for Chad and Gens.
I suspect they can't and wont talk due to being paid out their salary for 24/25.
Dysfunction. Zero situational leadership.
Too many Zawyer puppets. Now it appears "yes" men inside the Americans.
I hope I have a seat in the house to hear the boos reign down if Ernst ever makes it to a puck drop.
A puppet for Zawyer.
ReplyDeleteI’ve got to think some players won’t be happy here.
Geeze, give the guy a chance.
ReplyDeleteMost would be surprised who this last post as well as some others on previous days are actually written and sent by.
ReplyDeleteMydra. Guaranteed.
DeleteMine are written by me - a fan. Barry has my IP address.
ReplyDeleteI didn’t write the misspelt “Geeze” comment though.
ReplyDeleteI'll give the guy the off-season to build a team and then a month to find their identity but I do miss chad awful decision but I wont write adams out yet
ReplyDeleteSome headlines. Confused as to how this is an improvement in any capacity....... No AHL coaching experience, No ECHL coaching experience. The insanity of this decision is mind boggling.
ReplyDeleteErie Otters fire head coach B.J. Adams after fourth straight Ontario Hockey League loss
"The Otters announced Monday night that Adams was fired, effective immediately. The decision was made with Erie's record at 12-20-0-3, last in the league's Midwest Division"
"On Tuesday, the Otters decided to move on from head coach B.J. Adams after enduring a miserable 2-13-1 stretch that had everyone in the organization frustrated. The good start they had during the first quarter of the season is now just a distant memory."
If he thought Erie fans were vocal and frustrated, wait until he hears the Allen fans.
AHL affiliate update?
ReplyDeleteLaSonjia Jack:
ReplyDeleteHe is a great fit for our players, the community, and our organization. Adams comes with a breadth of experience, from his playing history and years as a fearless coach. Here’s to chasing victories and crafting champions together!
This was discovered in 2 weeks?
He was fired based on performance from Erie.
Costello had to change the structure of the team 3 times to get us to the playoffs. He actually got us to the playoffs 2 years in a row. Bad decision firing Chad.
You think this guy can bring the Kelly Cup to Allen? Delusional. Time will prove my comments correct.
As others have said, the Jack's are puppets for Zawyer.
That's the best Zawyer could do.
ReplyDeleteWas Costello over ruled on AHL affiliation? Senators staying put?
ReplyDeleteWhat player is going to want to play on Allen with the Dollar Store coach and obviously questionable ownership?
ReplyDeleteDollar Store? Sponsored by Ollies Cheap Coaches :-)
DeleteI don't think ownership has any idea the ripple effect they have created and the substantial backlash and anger that exists.
Zawyer = owner.
Jacks = told what to do by Zawyer
What affiliate would want to work with Allen with the coach from the Land of Misfit Coaches and questionable ownership?
ReplyDeleteHow much time is left on the arena lease?
ReplyDeleteThe plan could be to cut costs to the bone, sell as many tickets as you can leveraging residual loyalty, make as much short term profit consuming the brand, then move the team and hire a credible coaching staff
Or fold ECHL team and play MLH 3vs3 in 2025?
DeleteThat’s not happening.
Delete$20m payroll projected for MLH 3x3.
Zawyer is cheap.
They don’t have that capital.
I’ve heard it from multiple people that Gulati lost money every season owning the Americans.
Zawyer comes in, gets him out of a losing situation, gets a capital contribution from Jack, reduce costs and try and turn the franchise to make some $$$.
As communicable as Costello and Gens were, to Barry and Season Ticket Holders, I wonder if the information to Barry now becomes “controlled”.
ReplyDeleteI personally witnessed Gens go out of his way to communicate with someone (STH) at the back of the room after a press conference concluded.
30mins later upon us leaving the venue, he was still deep in conversation. Witnessing that, his time, and the respect of STH showed me Gens character.
I’m speechless this character and the skills demonstrated during a beyond challenging season (that we made the playoffs) that they would fire both.
I’m perplexed as to why Zawyer or Jacks did not see and witness what everyone else did. The passion on the bench was huge.
I have deep concern our team could be relocated anywhere in Texas and in short order based on what I believe is 3 years or less on the lease.