- The Allen Americans announced their fourth player for the 2024-25 season yesterday and all four are returning from last year's team. Here is the current roster with stats from last season
Goalies
- Marco Costantini - 24 games, 3.19 GAA, .913 save percentage
Defensemen
- Ryan Gagnon - 48 games, 8 points (0G, 8A), 52 PIMS, +5
- Justin Allen - 38 games, 10 points (2G, 8A), 16 PIMS, -2
Forwards
- Easton Brodzinski - 62 games, 39 points (22G, 17A), 91 PIMS, 0 plus/minus
- How does Allen rank in the number of players announced thus far. The Americans are in the middle of the pack. Player announcements range from a high of 15 to a low of zero. Fort Wayne has announced 15 players and five teams have announced zero. Here are the numbers for the Mountain Division:
- 8 - Wichita
- 7 - Kansas City
- 6 - Tahoe
- 4 - Allen
- 1 - Rapid City
- 1 - Utah
- 0 - Tulsa
- 0 - Idaho
- Next Tuesday is shaping up to be a big day for Allen fans as the Americans hold a wide ranging press conference. If you have been following along you may have noticed the graphic the team put out has the event's top billing "Affiliation Press Conference" with "Meet the Coach" in smaller print. The words that accompany the graphic say, Join us on Tuesday, July 23rd at 2 PM at the Credit Union of Texas Event Center as the Allen Americans announce our affiliation heading into the 2024-2025 ECHL Season and introduce new head coach B.J. Adams! If you click on the RSVP link it says, "Allen Americans Affiliation Press Conference RSVP."
I share all of this detail because it is clear the Allen organization sees this affiliation announcement as a big deal. Every other team (28) in the ECHL has already announced its affiliate. If Allen was going to extend its affiliation with Ottawa/Belleville they would not wait until now and set up a big press conference to do so. It is abundantly clear the Americans have a new affiliate.
The next question is which NHL team has Allen affiliated with. To be clear there are only three NHL teams that don't have an ECHL affiliate: Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets and Utah Hockey Team. As I have said before I won't scoop the Americans on their announcement, but it is pretty clear, if you have been following the blog, who the affiliate will be. The Americans themselves gave a very big hint in the short video they posted on social media announcing the press conference. Here is a photo I took with my phone from that video:
- To add even more intrigue to the Tuesday press conference is this message at the end of the Marco Costantini announcement on social media yesterday, "Not so secret message...make sure to be at the press conference this Tuesday where you can meet our next signing in person." After announcing four returning players I will take a guess this just might be a new player announcement.
- The press conference on Tuesday is a great opportunity for fans to hear from a variety of people. I don't think these press conferences have been open to everyone very often in the past. I know it is a work day, but if you can make this press conference it should be well worth your time and there is always a Q & A at the end of the presentations. In addition to hearing from head coach and general manage B.J. Adams, I expect you will hear from the Allen owners, Zawyer Sports, the NHL affiliate representative and the player that will be announced. If you have a question and can't make the press conference let me know and I will do my best to get an answer. You can contact me on social media or by email (janssenfamily@msn.com).
- There is an easy to access list of all affiliations on the ECHL website. From the drop down menu click on "Teams" and then "NHL/AHL affiliates. Here are the affiliates for 2024-25:
- Adirondack Thunder-New Jersey Devils-Utica Comets
- Allen Americans-????????-???????
- Atlanta Gladiators-Nashville Predators-Milwaukee Admirals
- Bloomington Bison-New York Rangers-Hartford Wolf Pack
- Cincinnati Cyclones-Toronto Maple Leafs-Toronto Marlies
- Florida Everblades-St. Louis Blues-Springfield Thunderbirds
- Fort Wayne Komets-Edmonton Oilers-Bakersfield Condors
- Greenville Swamp Rabbits-Los Angeles Kings-Ontario Reign
- Idaho Steelheads-Dallas Stars-Texas Stars
- Indy Fuel-Chicago Blackhawks-Rockford Icehogs
- Iowa Heartlanders-Minnesota Wild-Iowa Wild
- Jacksonville Icemen-Buffalo Sabres-Rochester Americans
- Kalamazoo Wings-Vancouver Canucks-Abbotsford Canucks
- Kansas City Mavericks-Seattle Kraken-Coachella Valley Firebirds
- Maine Mariners-Boston Bruins-Providence Bruins
- Norfolk Admirals-Winnipeg Jets-Manitoba Moose
- Orlando Solar Bears-Tampa Bay Lightning-Syracuse Crunch
- Rapid City Rush-Calgary Flames-Calgary Wranglers
- Reading Royals-Philadelphia Flyers-Lehigh Valley Phantoms
- Savannah Ghost Pirates-Florida Panthers-Charlotte Checkers
- South Carolina Stingrays-Washington Capitals-Hershey Bears
- Tahoe Knight Monsters-Vegas Golden Knights-Henderson Silver Knights
- Toledo Walleye-Detroit Red Wings-Grand Rapid Griffins
- Trois-Riviéres Lions-Montreal Canadiens-Laval Rocket
- Tulsa Oilers-Anaheim Ducks-San Diego Gulls
- Utah Grizzlies-Colorado Avalanche-Colorado Eagles
- Wheeling Nailers-Pittsburgh Penguins-Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Wichita Thunder-San Jose Sharks-San Jose Barracuda
- Worcester Railers-New York Islanders-Bridgeport Islanders
- Here is the status of Allen's leading scorers from last season, plus two key players that were injured:
- Colby McAuley, 63 points - unsigned but likely will play in Europe
- Hank Crone, 55 points - unsigned but will likely sign with another ECHL team
- Blake Murray, 53 points - unsigned but will likely sign with another ECHL team
- Kris Myllari, 48 points - unsigned, still deciding if he will play next season
- Easton Brodzinski, 39 points - has re-signed with the Allen Americans
- Bennett MacArthur, 32 points - signed AHL contract (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins)
- Eric Williams, 31 points - Retired
- Liam Finlay, signed in Scotland (Glasgow Clan)
- Colton Hargrove, unsigned but will likely sign with another ECHL team
- A couple of other players from last season who were moved after the season to settle future consideration trades have signed for 20204-25. Colin Jacobs has signed with the Worcester Railers (ECHL) and Ty Fournier has signed with the Thetford Mines Assurancia (LNAH). The LNAH is a semi-pro league based in Quebec. It has had many former NHL enforcers play in the league that was once called the world's toughest hockey league. Fournier's brother, Stefan, who played in Allen in 2022-23, played in the LNAH last season.
- I have been asked to explain how the ownership works with the teams owned and/or are managed by Zawyer Sports. Zawyer recently bought the controlling interest in the AHL Charlotte Checkers and a photo of some of the minority owners includes among others, former NASCAR drivers Kevin Harvick and Regan Smith and Allen owner Myles Jack. For most of the teams under the Zawyer umbrella the organization owns the majority interest, but they have a business model of having numerous minority owners, people from the community and some pro athletes. I am pretty sure Myles Jack has a minority interest is several teams in addition to Allen. His first involvement as a minority owner was in Jacksonville where he played football for the Jaguars. Savannah and Charlotte are other teams he has a minority interest in. Allen is a different story. Zawyer does not own the controlling interest in the Americans. Myles and LaSonjia Jack own the controlling interest and Zawyer is a minority owner. Zawyer has a contract to operate the Allen Americans.
- Here is how this was explained in the Charlotte Checkers press release. The Checkers are the latest addition to Zawyer Sports &
Entertainment’s family of teams. The organization owns and operates
three ECHL franchises: The Jacksonville Icemen, Tahoe Knight Monsters
and the Checkers’ newest affiliate, the Savannah Ghost Pirates. It also
owns and operates the Gastonia Baseball Club, Community First Igloo in
Jacksonville and 32 Degrees Marketing, a full-service agency.
Additionally, Zawyer operates the ECHL’s Allen Americans and Atlanta
Gladiators as well as Ghost Pirates Ice in Savannah.
DID YOU KNOW: ECHL 2024-25 salaries:
Rookies: (fewer than 25 regular season pro games)
Minimum: $530 weekly
Maximum: $620 weekly
The salary cap dictates how much you can pay players. For the 2024-25 season the salary cap is $14,600 per week. If you have 20 players on the active roster that is an average of $730 per player.
There is also a minimum amount teams must spend per week which is $11,100.
Most teams are trying to stay under the max salary cap, however, if a team has 10-15 NHL/AHL contracted players assigned, who only cost $525 per week against the salary cap, staying above the minimum can be a challenge.
In addition to salary, players are provided housing. Single players share, married players get their own housing.
Hey barry is there any way to watch the affiliate announcement on youtube
ReplyDeleteAnother great article.
ReplyDeleteSo, the Jacks do in fact have ownership, then why was Costello fired a mere weeks after being assured by Myles Jack that he had his back and engaged in discussion how to help and provide further assistance for the 24/25 season?
Either Myles can’t be taken at his word, or Zawyer may not have majority ownership, but they have 100% influence.
I remain disappointed and jaded over the changes.
There had better be a solid structured plan to replace the lost points.
One thing is clear, players loved playing for a real hockey guy in Costello.
The director of the Ice Angels was assured by the Myles they would provide support and also never did. I've given them a lot over the years and have always been willing to give as much as my monthly income would allow. You can't ask them to each pay their own way to be part of this team. Even if you're a football player you ought to know something having been around the league dealing with your agent and teams. Why he seems to not want to do his own research to me is stunning.
DeleteIm dissappointed with this ownership group already. Promote affiliation announcement presser and then not give the affiliation. Add the Costello firing and you have nothing but lies from this ownership group. Very dissappointing.
DeleteCostello is NOT a good coach. Period. Should have kept Martinson, despite a few rough years at the end. Martinson was a winner virtually everywhere he's gone. I Had 10 years of season tickets with The SD Gulls and he won championship after championship. He won with Rockford. Took Elmira to the playoffs after no playoffs in any years prior. Came to Allen and we know what happened here.
DeleteHe loses favor because fat-headed, arrogant owners want more control than they're willing to give...they run Martinson out of town. Let the guy coach and play gritty hockey (and don't give me any garbage about the NHL doesn't favor that. Please. did you want this years toughness of FL and other teams? Defense wins. Costello was a solid player but not coaching material. I can't coach so I'm not one to talk.
Having said all of that, Let's hope Coach Adams gets us going for a full season.
And who the heck is our Affiliate? Jeez, Utah would be horrible (other than geographically).
If affiliate is Utah, why would they walk away from Colorado?
ReplyDeleteUtah is attached to Tucson Roadrunners and that is expected to end AFTER the 24/25 season. There is a belief Utah will have their own AHL team for the 25/26 season. Utah wants a total detachment from Alex Meruelo after this upcoming season.
ReplyDeleteSince this group turned on Coach Costy it appears this franchise is doomed. IMO
ReplyDeleteGetting rid of Costello is a good thing. Mediocre at best.
DeleteIt's the "Moneybag" theory. Remember the quote, "If if he's such a good hitter, why doesn't he hit good?"
DeleteIf Costello is such a good coach, why doesn't he coach good?
(Pardon the grammar in order to align with the quote)
wow... what is done is done... get over it and move on... if Costello was so great... why hasn't he been signed by another team? the players don't need a friend they need a coach, they don't need a cool uncle that "gets them" they need a coach to help them get to the AHL and NHL... Costello never played in the show... how would he help them get there if he doesn't know the way...
ReplyDeleteIt's called Allen paying out his contract, and if he signs elsewhere, there is a clawback provision in the payout of the season Costello sits if he signs elsewhere. Costello got screwed. It is really as simple as that.
DeleteThe new coach has never even coached in the small show. By your own reasoning the coach they hired is not qualified
DeleteThat comment was for Johnny walkers 2nd biggest fan
DeleteSome understand loyalty and some don’t. Tells a lot about a man.
ReplyDeleteRight - 100%. Johnny's second biggest fan should also know Walker was intent on coming back to Allen, but elected to retire once Costello was fired.
DeleteWhen you look at a sampling of the players in Barry's article above, you will see the respect and following Costello had, more than ever after rebuilding the team on the push to the playoffs.
I think Barry has also commented on the stats and Costellos record as being one of a handful of coaches to have achieved what he did in 2 seasons.
There are an awful lot of supporters not happy...
you want talk about a man... post with your real name....
ReplyDeletebut seriously... Mr Janssen great blog.. thank you for the time you spend doing these, i wish the starts had some of this level.
ReplyDeletecan't wait for the press conference... these trolls should show up and ask their questions directly... but they won't... which "tells a lot about a man."
I think you’ll find that those that engage here are some of the Americans biggest fans, and some of those that spend serious $$ between seats, travel to away games, team store purchases etc.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, the environment here and the banter back and forth allowing fans to express their opinions and concerns, as long as without personal attack, or disparaging remarks is good.
With any luck Myles will read the posts, hopefully Mydra too, and they can understand the concern, frustration, anger etc.
The issue with attending today and asking ownership to “walk us through the coaching selection process” positions BJ in an extremely uncomfortable position and I just don’t think that’s fair.
Decisions have been made that have angered a fan base. It is what it is. But fans that spend serious $$$ on an ECHL team can take that spend elsewhere and make decisions based on ownerships decisions. The comical approach here is the team has no was of telling what people spend (outside of seats), can’t identify their most ardent and dedicated fans and don’t care as to their opinion.
It’s a shame. Go Red though….!
So they send out numberous e-mails for and Affliliation Pres confrenece for the middle of the week when people with jobs have to work. Why was this not schedueld on a weeked? The do not annouce an Affiliation did not even give a date to expected the annoucoune that everyone was there to see. Seems to that Allen Americans Ownership is over promising and under delivering again. It is sad to see this organiztion drop the ball yet again for the fans and season ticket owners.
ReplyDeletevery disappointing to take time off, make the effort to go there to support the team, just to be told sorry we can't tell you but something exciting coming in November!
ReplyDeleteSo what exactly was accomplished today?
ReplyDeleteFrom the sounds of it I'm glad I got busy at work and couldn't attend the press conference.
ReplyDeleteLet’s all go back and read the comments since Costello was fired, what is different today? It is a colossal mess with massive dysfunction.
ReplyDeleteI get it - owning this team is a business and the purpose of a business is to make money. The original owners and the team were tax clients of mine. The new owners don’t value the opinions of their revenue source and they eventually feel that where it hurts. Easy to nose dive in that direction - very difficult to build it back. They need to feel the pain quickly and harshly. Only way to get their attention.
ReplyDeleteNovember?????? Season will already be in progress by then…….unless there is no team or organization. Complete idiots running this &(/?!$@$ show
ReplyDeleteThey already have season ticket holders' money, so they are not going to be hurt or make any changes until the season ticket holders stop buying. I more than likely will not renew. I have been going to most games since the opening season. Last year I did not buy any merchandise for the first time.
ReplyDeleteAs someone that elected my time would be better spent elsewhere, I’m curious as to feedback as to how many supporters were there. My initial guess would be fewer than 30 would actually show. If the actual number is anywhere close to that, then that is astonishing and says so much on so many levels.
ReplyDeletehold on, they did not say it would be November when the affiliation would be announced. the owners said they have ANOTHER announcement in November about what they are going to be doing in or with the city of Allen. most likely another investment.
ReplyDeletewe were there to support the team and she said we would see the new jerseys... and then nothing...
but honestly... they knew it was a bust before it started... and they needed to just be straight and honest with us as what is going on.
the lack of a tv camera there or radio camera really makes me wonder... Zawyer is running the show, i would be happy to volunteer to support the media relations team on how to do their job and or help them call reporters (be it local reporters etc) so we can get actual press... our favorite blogger was the only press there... so hard to call it a press conference...