Rookies Rule Today, Allen's Roster, ECHL Stats and More

 

Just a quick post to cover a couple of items, most importantly the 2026-27 roster.

 

- The Allen Americans have announced five players thus far, and they are all experienced players with a minimum of five years of professional experience. As a reminder, here is the current roster with the first season they played professionally:

 Forwards

• Spencer Asuchak: 2011-12
• Hank Crone: 2022-23
• Mathieu De St. Phalle: 2023-24
• Anthony Rinaldi: 2020-21 
• Brayden Watts: 2020-21 

 

- The average age of the announced players is 29, but that will take a nose dive today as the youth movement will leave the station. From experience to exuberance, as three 21-year-olds join the roster today. It is rookie day in Allen. How would I describe these three rookies? A greasy power forward, an offensive defenseman, and a tough heavyweight. Stay tuned!

8:30 AM UPDATE: I just talked to Coach Martinson and he has asked Tommy Daniels to add a fourth rookie to today's announcement. And you guessed it, the fourth rookie is also 21. The Americans have gone all-in on 21.   

11:00 AM UPDATE: Here is the press release announcing the signing of four rookies: https://allenamericans.com/news/2026/08/americans-add-youth-and-toughness 

 

- The announcements will keep coming, and next week will be a return to players back in Allen from last season.  

 

-  I had some questions and comments after I wrote about the Houston ECHL franchise in the last blog. Just to be clear, Allen is not the team referenced in that press release, and the Americans are not the team that has signed a contract with the ownership group in Houston. 

- Here are a few of the recent posts from my ECHL Stats page for those that don't follow:

 

 

- Most and fewest shots by a team in a game last season (2025-26):

 

MOST SHOTS

63 - Allen

58 - Toledo

57 - Indy

56 - Cincinnati

 

FEWEST SHOTS

9 - Iowa

10 - Kalamazoo

12 - Tulsa

12 - Wichita 

 

Most shots in a period - 25 by FLA, IND, NOR, WHL

Fewest shots in a period - 0 by KAL

 

 

 

- A big part of the reason it is so difficult for ECHL coaches/GMs. They have to recruit a new team every year. All contracts are one season, no multi-year contracts, and they must compete with higher salaries in Europe. A big difference maker for ECHL teams is the number of NHL/AHL players assigned by their affiliate.

 

Meanwhile, most NHL players have multi-year contracts, with many for as long as 8 years. The new NHL CBA, starting September 16, 2026, reduces the maximum term to 7 years (if re-signing with current team) or 6 years (signing with a new team as a free agent).

 

 

 

- Here are the number of players that averaged 1.00 or more points per game in 2025-26 for every ECHL team (minimum 20 games played):

 

3: TAH

2: ALN, FW, KC

1: ATL, BLM, CIN, FLA, IDH, MNE, TOL, UTA, WHL, WIC

0: ADK, GSO, GVL, IND, IA, JAX, KAL, NOR, ORL, RC, REA, SAV, SC, TR, TUL, WOR

 

Two years ago (2023-24) there were many more players that averaged a point per game. 12 teams had two or more players average a point per game, compared with just 4 in 2025-26:

6: KC

5: IDH

3: SC, TOL, NFL

2: ATL, CIN, FW, MNE, SAV, TUL, WHL, WIC

1: ADK, ALN, FLA, IND, JAX, KAL, RC, REA, UTA

0: FLA, GVL, IA, NOR, ORL, TR, WOR

 

 

 

DID YOU KNOW:  So you want to play in the ECHL and feel you have the talent. What do you do? The answer is right on the ECHL website under “Frequently Asked Questions” and here it is:

 

How can I try out for an ECHL team?

 

Because the ECHL does not hold a draft like the National Hockey League, individual teams are responsible for recruiting and signing their players. Players should contact the general manager or coach of an individual team to see if there is an opportunity for them to play in the ECHL.

 

FYI, a few teams hold open tryouts, but the vast majority do not.