ECHL Protected Lists Due Today and Other Allen Americans and ECHL Happenings

 

There is not much happening with the Allen Americans but there is one action item due today. However, things will start to ramp up over the rest of June. I had a few unrelated items on my list so thought today would be a good day to share. Here it goes:

 

- It looks like the Brabham Cup curse will strike again and the best regular season team in the history of the ECHL will not end up with a Kelly Cup for the Idaho Steelheads. Idaho was shutout 1-0 by Florida last night as Everblades goalie Cam Johnson had his fourth shutout of the playoffs. Idaho is down 0-3 in the series with the next two games in Florida on Friday and Saturday. If Florida wins the Kelly Cup look for goalie Cam Johnson to become the first back-to-back playoff MVP in ECHL history.

   

- The first action of the 2023-24 season is due today (3:00 pm EDT) as ECHL teams must submit protected lists. This is a list of unlimited length of players that meet one of several criteria that allows teams to retain rights. There are always some unexpected names on the protected lists. Keep in mind the list is players that meet one of the criteria and doesn't say anything else.

1. All the players that signed contracts with Allen last season and weren't traded or released. In addition to all of the players with the team at the end of the season you can add Jared Bethune (left on his own), Nick Albano (loaned/signed to Belleville, then left for Europe) and Stephen Baylis (out all year injured) to the list.

2. Players that were given qualifying offers last summer and did not sign with Allen and weren't traded or released. Ben Carroll, Jake Kearley and J.D. Dudek are in this category. 

 A year ago, Allen had 30 players on the protected list. By my calculation the number of players meeting one of the criteria this year will be less.  

 

- The protected list does not tell you much about the 2023-24 roster. That will be clearer later in the month (June 22) when season ending rosters are due to the league office. This list is a maximum of 20 players and will be limited to players that signed a contract with Allen in 2022-23. 

 

- Typically, after the season is over and prior to the time players can sign for 2023-24 (June 23) there is not much going on between the players and the Americans. It is the time when players and their agents are looking at options for next season. The two main options are opportunities in the AHL and/or in Europe.

 

- Future consideration trades must be completed by June 20. I would expect it will go up to the deadline before those trades are completed. These future consideration trades typically are structured where one team can protect a number of players (agreed to at the time of the trade) and the team that traded a player can choose from the unprotected list. Allen will gain and lose one player from future considerations.

• Savannah owes Allen a defenseman. The Ghost Pirates will protect a predetermined number of defensemen and Allen will pick from the rest.
• Allen owes Norfolk a player for the trade that brought defenseman Eric Williams to Allen in early March. Williams was the captain in Norfolk and led the team in points by defensemen (by 9 points) even though he played in only 45 games before being traded. The point is you don't trade for a player like Williams without giving up a good player back. It should be noted the futures is for a "player" not a specific position. Coach Costello will be a able to protect predetermined number of players but there is little doubt Norfolk will get a good player from the list they will have to choose from.
  

 

- I am sure many of you have seen the ECHL press release on what they call the Team Awards which include both individual and group awards given to what I call front office employees. It covers everything from Broadcaster of the Year to Community Service Team of the Year to several Sales awards. Here is the press release with the 17 award categories and the five finalists for each award: https://www.echl.com/en/news/2023/6/echl-announces-finalists-for-2022-23-team-awards-presented-by-sponsorcx    

 

- It is always interesting to me to see which teams get the most nominations. I have never done the stats over a period of years, but it seems the Mountain Division is always at the low end. There are 17 awards with five nominations for a total of 85 nominations. If you divide by the 28 teams in the ECHL it comes out to an average of three nominations per team. If you multiply the average of three nomination by the seven teams in each division, it would be 21 nominations per division if distributed equally. The Mountain Division has a total of 14 nominations this year. 

 

- Allen has two nominations. One is for the Most Creative Revenue Generation of the Year, which was a Tickets for Teachers Program that offered discounted tickets for teachers to get visibility at schools. The second nomination is for Specialty Jersey of the Year for the Star Wars Night. 

 Allen Americans ECHL Specialty Jersey of the Year Nomination

 

- Two of the most visible of the 17 awards are Broadcaster of the Year and Media/PR Director of the Year awards because this group is well known in the local markets and around the league. The Mountain Division got no nominations for Broadcaster of the Year. However, congrats to Cam McGuire (Idaho) and Jason Mals (Wichita) who are finalists for the Media/PR Director of the Year.

 

- Here are the nominations for each ECHL team ranging from seven to zero. Remember there are 17 different categories:

• 7 - Indy, Cincinnati, Savannah
• 6 - Florida, Maine
• 5 - Toledo, Kalamazoo
• 4 - Jacksonville, Wichita, Norfolk, Orlando, Greenville  
• 3 - Rapid City, Fort Wayne, 
• 2 - Worcester, Allen, Trois Riviéres, Tulsa, Idaho
• 1 - Kansas City, Reading, South Carolina, Atlanta, Adirondack, Iowa
• 0 - Newfoundland, Utah, Wheeling  

 

- These awards will be presented as part of the ECHL summer meetings which takes place in Las Vegas at the end of June. The ECHL Board Governors always have a meeting during the week and in the past rule changes and ownership/franchise changes have come out the BOG meeting. I haven't heard what is on the BOG agenda, but it will be worthwhile to track what they discuss, decide and announce.

 

- Atlanta announced several changes this week. Coach Jeff Pyle is stepping down but will remain with the Gladiators as director of hockey operations. Long time Atlanta player and captain, Derek Nesbitt, who retired last season and was an assistant coach this season, has been named head coach. Atlanta also announced they will be affiliating with Nashville in 2023-24. Here are the details on all of these moves: https://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/sports/atlanta-gladiators-name-derek-nesbitt-head-coach-among-other-changes/article_34dcee18-0499-11ee-a060-9f34a0203f56.html     

 

- A couple of former Allen players are on the move. Vincent Arseneau was part of two championship teams in Allen and has been playing in the AHL full time since 2018-19. Arseneau was just traded from the Abbotsford Canucks to the Providence Bruins. Here is the press release:  https://www.providencebruins.com/news/detail/providence-bruins-acquire-vincent-arsenau-from-abbotsford-canucks

 

- Brett Skinner was an offensive defenseman who started the 2012-13 season with Allen. Coach Martinson knew when he signed Skinner he would not be in Allen very long because he was too good for the CHL. The hope was Skinner could help Allen get off to a good start. The strategy worked as Skinner lasted 28 games and had 37 points (7G, 30A). He was loaned to the AHL (Grand Rapids) and never returned. Allen won 22 of the 28 games Skinner was with the Americans on the way to its first championship. Skinner became a coach after retiring in 2017 and was just named as the head coach of the USHL's Fargo Force. FYI, Hank Crone, Grant Hebert and Ty Farmer all played for the Fargo Force. Here is the press release on Skinner's selection: https://fargoforce.com/news/2023/5/31/general-force-announce-brett-skinner-as-head-coach.aspx  

 

- If you have been tracking ECHL players heading to Europe there are some big names already on the list. 

• Newfoundland has lost three players including its all-time leading scorer, Zach O'Brien who has signed in Slovakia. He is an elite player at the ECHL level who has averaged 1.35 point per game in his 205 games with the Growlers. 
• Wichita's leading scorer this season, Michal Stinil has signed in Austria. He was Wichita's leader by 16 points. He had 79 points (31G, 48A) and a points per game average of 1.22. 
• Toledo's Gordie Green has signed in Austria. Green was Toledo's second leading scorer during the regular season. He is #1 in points per game in the playoffs (1.38). He had 18 points (9G, 9A) in 13 games before the Walleye were eliminated in the Western Conference finals. 
• Reading's Max Newton has signed in Slovakia. The rookie was Reading's second leading scorer and the ECHL's third leading rookie scorer with 72 points (34G, 38A). 
  

While no Allen Americans have signed in Europe it is likely just a matter of time. There has never been an off season when zero Allen players have signed in Europe. 

 

DID YOU KNOW: Florida goalie Cam Johnson had his fourth shutout of the playoffs last night. He also had four shutouts last season when Florida won the Kelly Cup. With eight career shutouts, Johnson is now tied with one other goalie for career playoff shutouts (8) and that is Riley Gill. Johnson still has a long way to go to catch Gill's ECHL all-time records of 90 playoff games, 53 playoff wins, and 11 finals series wins.

 

 

Year-End Question and Answer Interview with Allen Coach and General Manager Chad Costello

 

- I had a chance to sit down with coach and general manager Chad Costello to get his thoughts on the just completed 2022-23 season and his plans for the 2023-24 season. Costello will be starting the second year of the three-year contract he signed when he was hired a year ago. To say it was a challenging year would be a gross understatement. The obstacles Chad had to overcome from the day he moved from the locker room to the coach's room to the final game of the season were off the charts. Over and over again he had to deal with major issues on and off the ice. It is a tribute to Chad and the team how they stuck together as a family and overcame all of the obstacles to make it to the final eight teams in the playoffs. A job well done!

 

Q: What are your thoughts on the series loss to Idaho?

A: I liked our chances going into the series. I thought with a full lineup and how healthy we were we could give them a run. We were the better team in game one of the series but ended up losing 5-4. If that game had gone our way, it is a different series, but we lost. We handed them two or three goals and we should have won that game. Game two was canceled because of the tragic shooting in Allen and to be honest I still haven't really processed that with the impact on the families and the Allen area. I think I was protecting myself in not letting that in but will be thinking a lot about that this summer.

When the series shifted to Idaho for four games, I knew it would be a tough task. We hadn't beaten them all year. I had confidence we could beat them, and our goal was to get the series back to Allen. Trailing 0-2 in the series we knew we had to turn the series physical. It was very clear we had to be a much more physical team to be successful. With our penalty kill being so good I thought it would be a good idea to go after them a little more, within the rules. We didn't want to hurt anyone, but we wanted to hit, finish our checks and play more north-south with speed. The team bought in, and it worked with the 7-2 win in game three.

What we noticed is the way the games were being officiated it was very difficult to keep playing that way. We were taking penalties; we were short players and it slowly added up to what I consider is a terrible way to go out of the playoffs.

I wish we could have made Idaho earn it a little more, but at the same time our players were very tired. They did not give up. The scores may have looked like that, but they did not give up.

In the final game I thought we were playing well until we were called for several questionable penalties that resulted in six minutes of 5-on-3 time for them. At one point the penalties were 9-1 against us. I have never seen that before. I wish they would have given us a fair opportunity to win that game but in my eyes they did not. What can we learn from that experience? We need to adjust to the officiating.

 

Q: Is there anything you learned this season in dealing with the referees that will change your approach next season?

A: I wanted to be known as a coach that stood up for the players every time. Out of respect for Idaho and respect for the game and the series and given what the score was at in the last game, I opted not to stick up for the players with the referees and it haunts me to this day. After telling the players all season I would stand up for them and have their back every single time, I did not do that in the last game. I didn't want to be ejected out of respect for the game of hockey where you shake hands at the end of the series. I wanted to show respect for Idaho because they had a great season and they beat us.

As a coach and general manager will I look at how I treat referees and the league and officials differently, absolutely, I will look at everything. However, I will not stop standing up for the players. I would say for the most part I am respectful with the referees and talk to them kindly. In reflecting on the entire season, I will look at it as more of a process. If you continually fight for every single call it is exhausting. Maybe picking your battles is a better approach. That is something I have learned this season because otherwise it wears on you to be upset on every penalty.

I will say in the last game in Idaho, it wasn't just all of the questionable penalties, it was the way we were being treated. The referees are in a position of power and the way they talked to our players was disrespectful.

 

Q: Despite the ending you have to be pleased with the season overall?

A: I truly thought we would win the whole thing. Even when we went down 2-0 in Idaho, I thought that if we could just get the series back to Allen we would win. I am thrilled from where we started, we were able to get to the division finals. I learned so much because we had so many injuries early in the season and rather than find replacement players, I tried to find players to fill in until injured players returned. That didn't work as we lost at an incredible rate. What I learned is you have to try and win every single game. You can't have the approach of let's just get through this week or this month until the players return. You have to find good replacements right away and figure it out later when the injured players are healthy and return. I tried to buy time for injured players to get back and that is not how it works. You have to replace injured or suspended players right away or you are going to lose hockey games.

 

Q: How many future consideration trades do you have to settle before the June 20 deadline?

A: Two, Savannah owes us a defenseman and we owe a player to Norfolk.

 

Q: Did you do exit interviews with the players and what do you cover in exit interviews?

A: Yes, we did do exit interviews. The first question is always their summer plans, where they are going to be. Second question was what they liked about the season and what things did they wish went differently. It included everything from what happened on the ice to what happened off the ice from housing to the coaching staff and whatever else was on their mind. The third question was whether they would like to return or not and if we would like them to return or not. We also went over our plan to win the whole thing next year. We will be in contact with all of them during the summer. I can't sign players until June 23.

 

Q: What are your thoughts as you build your team for 2022-23?

A: I hope to have a core group of 10-12 players back and work with our affiliate to increase the number of players assigned. If we can get the assigned players number up to just five it will be a big help in getting some good players but will also be a big help with the salary cap, which will help in recruiting. Our number one priority is defense. Our goal will be to find that 50-point defenseman that can control the game offensively and defend. The way we play and guys that want to return we won't have any trouble with forwards that can find the back of the net. We do need to get faster, bigger and younger, no doubt about it. We can learn from Idaho who has a lot of players that can play different styles. Their leading scorers play very hard defensively, play fast and are big hockey bodies. In the playoff series their heaviness, hard work and grit outmatched our skill.

 

Q: How do you see Ottawa/Belleville fitting into your plans next season?

A: They have a plan and hopefully we will be part of that plan. The great thing is we built a good relationship with them this season. We would have had more players assigned, but they had an unusually large number if players injured. They visited Allen during the playoffs and the group included Ryan Bowness who is an assistant general manager for Ottawa and in that role is the general manager for Belleville. Bowness was very complimentary when he visited and thought the product in Allen was very good. The crowd that night was packed, the atmosphere was great, he liked our locker room, he liked our staff, he liked our pregame board, our meetings and he liked how Mandolese played. He seemed pretty impressed at what we have at this level.

 

Q: How do you plan to use you four veteran spots next season?

A: I plan on using all four spots. Veterans are a big key to success. They have to be good in the locker room and productive on the ice. We will look at our returning vets but also players around the league that become veterans after this season that will become free agents. There will be a lot of tough decisions with the veterans. With Hargrove now a vet we have five from last season ( Asuchak, Combs, Fournier, Hargrove, Saucerman,).

 

Q: How will your 3ICE season be different this season. It was a great networking and recruiting source last season. Do you expect the same this season?

A: I am really excited about it. There are a lot of new faces this year. Last season there were a lot of older retired guys. This year the lineups are very active players that are playing right now with a lot of them from Europe. I am excited to see them and expect to take a shot at a few of them. I am also excited to play because you never know when your last opportunity to play something like this will come along.

Personally, I am playing for a specific reason. My dad wanted me to play 3ICE one more time. If it wasn't for that I may not have done it because I have a lot of stuff I need to work on. The season is shorter this season. It will be only four weeks (five if you make the finals) and the games are on Wednesday, so it works good with my coaching/general manager job. I will be hands-on in watching every single game and following all the players to see who might fit in. One cool thing is the week in Grand Rapids (July 12). All the players from Allen that are playing 3ICE will be in Grand Rapids (each week only half the teams play) plus myself so I will try and fight a few of those guys. haha

 

Q: What are you most looking forward to this summer away from hockey?

A:  I have to go home to Iowa and see my dad's stuff, clean up his life and his business. Not to get too personal, but I put that part of my life to the side during the season. I had to do that for the players, the job and my protection. It is now time to face the music so to speak, walk the streets we used to walk together and go over the memories with my siblings. All of the stuff I put to the side I am excited to face. I don't know if I was scared to face them or I was just too busy but it is obvious to me and my family I buried those feelings and I am now excited to face them and see where I sit with the thought of my dad not being here anymore.

I am also excited to hang out with Ashley and the kids. It is weird because when I was a player I thought now that I am a coach I will have more time but that was a false reality. The fact is during the season you have the same schedule as the players plus all the thing you have to do other than playing the game.

We are not the type of family that flies somewhere like the beach for a week. Too many activities in the summer for that. I am sure we will take weekend trips with the family to Colorado and/or the Ozarks.

 

The Story of the ECHL Athletic Trainer of the Year - Allen's Own Jordan Dutton

 

 

 

The Allen Americans added to their treasure trove of 2023 post season awards this week when the ECHL announced Jordan Dutton had been selected in a vote of his peers around the league as the Athletic Trainer of the Year. Jordan adds his name to the long list of post season recognition for the Americans. Allen has more postseason awards than any other team in the league. Here is the list:

• Jordan Dutton - Athletic Trainer of the Year
• Hank Crone - Most Valuable Player
• Hank Crone - Rookie of the Year
• Hank Crone - Scoring Champion
• Hank Crone - All Rookie Team
• Hank Crone - All ECHL Team
• Liam Finlay - All Rookie Team
• Jack Combs - All ECHL Team 

 

- To win an award that is voted on by your peers in always a special honor and for Jordan, who has been around the Allen Americans since he was 17 it is especially satisfying. He is the first trainer in Allen franchise history to be selected Athletic Trainer of the Year. Here is what coach Costello had to say about Jordan being honored, "This is very well deserved, both the staff and the players love him. His work ethic is great and  his personality is great. We look at him as a big part of the team. I am very proud and happy for him.

 

- The story of Jordan's journey with the Allen Americans starts before the team had ever played a game. He was a 17 year old still in high school at Plano Senior High. He went to a team autograph event at Dodie's in October of 2009. During the event the Allen staff handed out cards for attendees to express interest in tickets or employment opportunities. He checked employment opportunities and talked to one of the employees at the event and told him he wanted to become an athletic trainer when he was older and he told me I needed to talk to Allen's trainer, Brent Woodside", (who is now the athletic trainer for the AHL Colorado Eagles).

Jordan circa 2010

 

 

- As Jordan told me, "I talked to Woodside and told him I wanted to be an athletic trainer. He said he could use someone to help fill water bottles and setup before games and I said absolutely. We talked several times over the next couple of weeks and he invited me to come and help him work the first game. I still remember it like yesterday, a preseason game (October 9, 2009) in the Community Rink against the Texas Brahmas. That was the start and from that I would work games filling up water bottles, setting up the benches, helping the visitors and helping the equipment guy at the time. It all grew from that random fan event at Dodie's."

 

- From that team autograph event on 2009 Jordan has been a part of the Allen Americans family ever since. He always stayed in contact with the team as he made his way through college and helped out whenever his schedule and timing worked out. He has worked with almost every trainer in Allen franchise history which makes his Athletic Trainer of the Year honor so special, because he learned from all of the prior trainers.

 

 - Here is a recap from the ECHL press release of Jordan's Allen Americans journey from that 17 year old high school kid to a master's degree in athletic training to the ECHL Athletic Trainer of the Year. All this and he is a fun guy to be around:

 

- Dutton began working as a student athletic trainer for the Americans in 2009, and during his time in Allen, he has been a part of championship teams in 2014, 2015 and 2016. He received his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology in 2017 from the University of North Texas, where he worked with the football and men’s basketball teams. Dutton then moved on to Texas Tech University, receiving a master’s degree in athletic training. While at Texas Tech, he worked with the Red Raiders’ baseball team, which earned the Big 12 championship in 2019 and advanced to the College World Series. He returned to the Americans for the 2019-20 season, and recently concluded his fourth season as the team’s head athletic trainer.

 

- After my crow eating event on Thursday I had a chance to ask Jordan a few questions about his time in Allen and his selection as Trainer of the Year:

  Question: What is your best memory of your time with the Allen Americans?

  Answer: There are so many! There are a lot of road trips on Big Red (bus) that bring up many crazy memories. My first championship with the team was the 2014 Presidents' Cup in the CHL. That was great fun for me and there were a lot of great guys on that team. I wasn't as involved in the first Kelly Cup (2015) because of school, but the second Kelly Cup in 2016 I was a lot more involved so got to know the guys and that was an amazing championship. That was the year I got to meet Costy, Gens, Steffes and Gill who are still involved with the team.

Locker Room Celebration - 2014 CHL Championship

 

 

Jordan Celebrating 2016 Kelly Cup

  Question: Have you heard from a lot of people from the past?

  Answer:  That has been the best and will be the most memorable part of being recognized as Trainer of the Year. Over the last few days, I have heard from so many people from the past. Former players in Allen and around the league, former coaches, equipment managers, trainers and that has been very special. 

 Question: Where do you see yourself three years from now?

 Answer: I like where I am at! Allen has always been home to me and I like what has been built here. I have really enjoyed working with Costy and Tony (equipment manager) and the people upstairs. I feel like I have been part of taking the next step and I want to be part of it going forward. I really don't see myself anywhere else. This is home, my family is here and I can't imagine myself anywhere else for the foreseeable future.      

Question: What do you like to do away from hockey. Any plans for the summer?

Answer: I enjoy spending time with my family who live in Justin, Texas, near Fort Worth. My interests include photography, hiking and hanging out with my dog, Waylon. I will be getting away this summer for sure. I plan to visit Montana (Bozeman and Three Forks). I will visit Yellowstone National Park for a week and spend a few days in Glacier National Park taking in all of the spectacular views. I will be doing some country musical festivals and will attend the Cheyenne Frontier Days. I am a big fan of country music and rodeo. 

 

ELATION! - Jordan and Steffes just before a giant bear hug (2016)

The Story of Eating Crow - A Promise Fulfilled

 

 

 

Love me some crow chili!

 

If you are a regular reader of the blog, you know I have been talking about eating crow for predicting the Allen Americans would not make the playoffs since the team started to turn around its season in January. The topic has made for some good-natured chirping around the locker room for many months and it culminated yesterday when I fulfilled my promise to eat crow. Here is the complete story:

 

- The exact origin of the idiom of "eating crow" in unknown. One version from around 1850 talks about a farmer in New York who had urban borders complain about the food he was serving and challenged him to eat a crow. Another version talks about an American soldier in the War of 1812 hunting for food who accidentally went behind enemy lines and shot a crow. Whatever the origin, eating crow has come to mean the humiliation by admitting you have been proven wrong after taking a strong position. The crow is presumably repulsive to eat the same way being proven wrong might be hard to swallow.

 

- Here is how I got in the crow eating business. I didn't start the season thinking Allen would miss the playoffs, even though others did. Here is the chronology:

 

- This is from the blog post on October 23, 2022, and I was in full support mode. Have to admit Matt may need my eating crow recipe after these predictions:   

My friend Matt Harding from Field Pass Hockey, who I have worked with the past decade, just posted his predictions for ECHL division champions, playoff teams and Kelly Cup champion. Have to say there are more than a few surprises in his predictions:

• You can't call Matt a homer as he lives in Wichita and is a long time Thunder fan but predicts Wichita will miss the playoffs.
• He also gives coach Costello no respect as a first-year coach, predicting Allen will miss the playoffs.
• His Mountain Division champ is Rapid City, with Utah, Idaho and Kansas City making the playoffs.
• Matt's most surprising pick is Fort Wayne to win the Kelly Cup.

In all seriousness, Matt has done a great job covering the ECHL (CHL before that) and knows more about the league than any writer I know. We will see how things turnout in April. As for my predictions, Allen will make the playoffs and Newfoundland will win the Kelly Cup. 

 

- This is from the blog post on November 27. It is my annual Thanksgiving post based on an NHL model that says 80% of playoff teams are decided by Thanksgiving. In my defense, this model is strictly by the standings with no judgement. However, the comment at the end was my judgement and where my crow eggs were hatched.

MOUNTAIN DIVISION

• 1. Idaho (.844)
• 2. Kansas City (.607)
• 3. Wichita (.600)
• 4. Tulsa (.533)

This is another division where every team, but one has a record of .500+. Rapid City and Utah are lurking just behind Tulsa. Utah was the #1 team in the regular season last season and Rapid City was #2, so it is easy to see them moving into a playoff position. Allen is in last place in the division with a .393 points percentage and is the only team out of contention for a playoff spot at this point.  

 

- By the end of December things had gone from bad to worse. The Americans had gone from a points percentage of .393 at Thanksgiving to a low point of .303 and a record of 5-12-1-0. This was my most optimistic (haha) outlook from the blog post on December 27, "It is hard to overstate the importance of the next month if the Allen Americans are going to turn around the poor start to the season. Making the playoffs is unlikely but not impossible." I remember this day very well, using my stats to talk to Chad Costello about the uphill battle to make the playoffs and doubled down on my opinion it would not happen. Chad said to me with complete confidence, "All we have to do is win two out of every three games going forward and we will make the playoffs." He started saying that publicly that day and for the next three months the team accomplished that goal.

 

- It didn't take long before I could see the Americans could make the playoffs because Allen was playing great and the teams ahead of them in the standings were not. The idea of my prediction of Allen missing the playoffs was going to be wrong hit me by the end of January. I started using the eating crow phrase periodically in the blog as the season progressed, but it was always in my mind figuratively not literally. 

 

- At some point the thought crossed my mind what if I could actually eat crow if Allen made the playoffs. I did some research and found you could eat crow, though it is not the best game meat, and it was possible to hunt them in Texas in February. I have hunted all variety of birds my entire life from ducks, geese, pheasants and grouse growing up in the Minnesota to quail and doves since moving to Texas. I have been dove hunting in Argentina and goose hunting as far north as Hudson Bay. In my 65 years of bird hunting, I have never hunted crow. My first step was to google Texas crow hunting and one of the first websites I found was called Texas Crow Patrol (TCP) which is a group of guys that help ranchers eradicate crows that are damaging their crops, mostly pecan crops. I sent an email to TCP to try and get some information about crow hunting and struck gold. Bob Irving, a retired CPA, called me back and I got a quick lesson about crows and crow hunting from a real expert. What was more impressive than all of his knowledge was his willingness to help. I shared my idea with Americans assistant coach, Aaron Gens, who is also an avid hunter, and he was all in with the crow hunt. 

 

- Bob is a field rep for several companies including FOXPRO (game calls) and Mossy Oak (hunting apparel) and offered to loan us some of his equipment. After a couple of conversations, I learned his nickname is gadget Bob and he has every crow hunting gadget that exists. They include extra-long barrels to suppress sound which you can see in the photos below. Once Bob learned the details and the back story why we wanted to go crow hunting he graciously offered take us on a hunt. We spent a day in February with Bob hunting in a pecan orchard near Bonham. It was quite an education and a lot of fun even though it was the wrong time of year to hunt crows. The pecan harvest was over by February. In the fall during the pecan harvest crows can congregate by the thousands and do considerable damage to the crop. 

Gens and Janssen - The Crow Hunters.

 

 

- We managed to harvest three crows which I cleaned and put in the freezer for use if Allen made the playoffs. The Americans were in fourth place the day we went hunting but the standings were very tight between second and sixth place. The next step in the process was to figure out the best way to serve the crow. I had lots of suggestions from fans but learned from a lifetime of eating whatever I killed if you have something that is questionable in taste put it in chili and that can help hide the taste. 

 

Our crow hunting coach Bob Irving and Gens

 

- Yesterday, the day finally arrived to fulfill my promise to eat crow. I spent all morning preparing the chili. I decided to make a big batch in case others might want to partake in the crow chili. There were so many questions? I am from Minnesota, and you don't make chili without kidney beans. I have learned from my neighbors that is a no-no in the south. I split the difference and put in half the beans I would normally use. My next problem was not enough crow meat. Problem solved by adding the top of the food chain when it comes to game meat. I took a couple of pheasants out of the freezer to add to the chili. More disguise for the crow. Then I cooked some jalapeno favored bacon (it was hot for this bland favoring Minnesota boy) but again, the bacon bits could help disguise the crow. I think you can see the plan, disguise the crow as much as possible.

 

- I had everything set up in the locker room by 12:30. Spent a few minutes telling everyone how happy I was to be eating crow and to be wrong about the Americans missing the playoffs.  Talked about what an impressive run the team had from last place in December to the final eight in the playoffs. Then it was time to chow done and face the music. It was a lot of fun and to my surprise about half of those in the in attendance tried the Chili. Stick taps to Chad Costello, Aaron Gens, Chris Meriney, Jack Combs and Bob Irving who didn't make me eat crow alone. And of course, the hunters (me, Gens and Irving) had seconds. The feedback from everyone was all positive, the disguise seemed to work. It was mentioned more than once that there are a few Allen fans that should also be eating crow. I had about half a crockpot of crow chili left over, so if there is anyone that predicted Allen wouldn't make the playoffs and wants to eat crow let me know.

 

- I want to thank equipment manager Tony Deyzner for his help in setting up the locker room in the middle of all he has to do as the players are clearing out their stalls and leaving town. Also, thanks to Elisabeth Brown for her help in taking photos and posting them to social media. Finally, I want to thank Bob Irving for sharing his expertise and giving so much of his time to this crazy idea. What started out as a random call about a crazy idea has turned into a real friendship for Aaron and me that will endure in the future. Even better, Bob has been a Dallas Stars fan for many years but had never heard of the Allen Americans. He attended a couple of Allen games with his daughter, Holly, and is now a big fan and supporter. A win-win all in the name of eating crow.

 

DID YOU KNOW: Some facts we learned about crows on our hunt with Bob Irving:

• A group of crows is called a murder.
• One study showed a single crow can eat or damage as much as seven pound of pecans in one year.
• Crows are very social and live in family groups of four to 15.
• Crows are some of the smartest creatures in the animal kingdom capable of making rule-based decisions and creating and using tools.
  

 

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You - A New Era in Allen

 

The day has arrived for the blog to say goodbye to the 2022-23 season and go into the summer hiatus. One year ago (May 2, 2022) when I wrote my thank you blog after Allen lost in the first round of the playoffs to Rapid City the title was, "Thank You, Thank You, Thank You - Uncertainty Abounds." I cast doubt on what would become of the blog if Steve Martinson did not return. My doubts were well founded because the blog was born when Martinson arrived in 2012 and thrived because of his trust in me and willingness to share information knowing I would use it wisely. Letting me hang out in his office after practice and games to be a fly on the wall was invaluable in gaining information, knowledge and perspective.

 

- All of the doubts about the future of the blog disappeared two weeks later (May 18, 2022) when Chad Costello was named coach and general manager. In our very first conversation, Chad made it clear he valued what I did covering the team on a daily basis and his office was open to me at any time. He also encouraged me to call/text him whenever I needed information. He even went the extra step to take me in the locker room to introduce me to the players and share his support for the blog. Bottom line is nothing has changed in my access from prior seasons.

 

- Thanks to Chad Costello and his staff (coaches Aaron Gens, Gary Steffes, Chris Meriney, Chris Johansen, equipment manager Tony Deynzer and trainer Jordan Dutton) for always taking the time to talk to me, share information and educate me. A special thanks to coach Costello for allowing me to stop by his office after every game and every practice to ask questions and talk about the team. It is his openness and trust that has allowed the blog to have information you can't find anywhere else. Thanks also to the players who have never said no to a single request I have made of them for a chat, an interview or a question. 

 

- A special thanks to team president Jonny Mydra for his support this season. He reaches out all of the time to share information for the blog related to the front office and helps publicize the blog along with his staff (thanks Eilsabeth Brown). Jonny both seeks and listens to feedback which is often rare when everyone is so busy. He is available early in the morning when I am writing the blog and late at night when I am planning the blog. It is nice to know the president of the team supports and reads the blog and lets you know it is appreciated.   

 

- While many ECHL teams will declare the season a success if they make the playoffs that is not the culture or expectation in Allen. Here are a couple of Costello quotes about one year apart that capture that sentiment:

May 18, 2022 - "I have high expectations. Here in Allen, it is championship or fail and that expectation will not change. That is something coach Martinson has left. Looking forward, I will strive to keep that expectation in Allen".....Chad Costello

May 5, 2023 - "I feel the same way now as when I took this job, it is championship or fail. That is the culture in Allen and that is how I feel going into this series against Idaho. That is the expectation. It doesn't mean if we don't win the championship the season is a failure. But it means we will die trying to win the championship and in no way are we satisfied with what we have accomplished thus far.".....Chad Costello

 

- When the final chapter of the 2022-23 season is written given some time to reflect, from my perspective is it will be seen as a huge success. Chad Costello was plucked out of the locker room and promoted to the coach's room into a job he didn't even apply for. While he was very familiar with the coaching part of the job, the general manager part of the job he pretty much started from ground zero. When you add the challenges of being a first-year coach with all of the obstacles Costello faced this season, both on and off the ice, it was off the charts. I am sure Chad would be the first to say he grew and learned a lot this season and with hindsight would make some decisions differently. However, it was his leadership that brought the team from last place to the final eight in the Kelly Cup playoffs. There are 20 ECHL teams that would have died to make it as far as Allen in the playoffs. When you consider this first year coach and team made up of the fewest NHL/AHL contracted players in the league made it further in the playoffs than just four teams, that is a great season. The foundation Costello has built and experience he has gained this season will make the Allen Americans expectation of championship of fail more likely in 2023-24.  

   

- My utmost thanks go to you, the readers of the blog. As most everyone knows the blog is a labor of love for me, not a business. The only reason for its existence is to share stats information about the Allen Americans with an insider's perspective. Information that is hard to get elsewhere. From a meager start in 2012, the blog passed 2.25 million unique page views this season. The blog reaches people all over the US and Canada as well as the hockey hotbeds in Europe. It proves fans of the Allen Americans are all over the world.


- It is quite an undertaking to write about the team seven days a week during the season and it does indeed take a village to make it all possible. It seems like as the years go by more and more blog readers help me out with information, ideas for stories, ask questions and let me know they appreciate the work I do. It is hard to put into words my appreciation whether you read the blog every day or are a casual fan that stumbles across my daily musings. It has been my pleasure to meet many of you and your words of encouragement in person, comments at the end of each blog, on Twitter, on Facebook, message boards, in email and texts have been very satisfying and inspiring. Thanks to you, the readers!

 

 - During the off season I will still publish a blog on an as needed basis as new information becomes available. I plan on sitting down with coach Costello sometime this week for a Q & A on the 2022-23 and recruiting for the 2023-24 season. I will write the story about the entire "eating crow" promise for predicting the Americans would not make the playoffs as soon as my feast of crow is served. I also have a bucket list of stories to choose from when I get the itch to write over the summer. Everything from the obstacles Costello faced this season, the story of affiliations, it's time to put Riley Gill and Chad Costello in the Hall of Fame, meet the CUTX Event Center staff, and Allen Americans connections to 3ICE are on that bucket list.

 

- If you are on Facebook or Twitter, you can see whenever there is a new post on the blog by liking my page on Facebook at "Allen Americans Blog" or following me on Twitter at @allenamericans1.  If you are not on social media, make sure you bookmark Allen Americans Blog and check in periodically.

 

 

DID YOU KNOW: I always end the last blog of the season with this list. Lots of memories good and bad when you look at the games on this list. If you consider only one team wins the last game of the season each year, Allen fans are fortunate to have had that experience four times and they all happened at home. Here is the date of the last game played in each season of the Allen franchise along with the results.

• May 4, 2010: 4-3 loss at Rapid City in the CHL Presidents' Cup finals
• May 8, 2011: 5-3 loss at Bossier-Shreveport in the CHL Berry Conference finals
• April 10, 2012: 4-2 loss at Texas Brahmas in the CHL Berry Conference semi-finals 
• May 11, 2013: 4-3 OT home win over Wichita in the CHL Presidents' Cup finals
• May 10, 2014: 5-2 home win over Denver in the CHL Presidents' Cup finals
• June 14, 2015: 6-1 home win over South Carolina in the Kelly Cup finals
• June 9, 2016: 4-2  home win over Wheeling Nailers in the Kelly Cup finals 
• May 9, 2017: 4-3  home loss to Colorado, Mountain Division finals
• April 25, 2018: 4-1 loss at Idaho, Mountain Division semi-finals
• April 6, 2019: 4-1 loss at Wichita, out of playoffs
• March 7, 2020: 4-2 home loss to Tulsa, no playoffs, season canceled
• June 22, 2021: 3-2 OT loss at Fort Wayne, Western Conference finals
• April 30, 2022: 6-3 home loss to Rapid City, Mountain Division semi-finals
• May 14, 2023: 6-0 loss at Idaho, Mountain Division finals

 

Allen's Season Comes to Disappointing End in Idaho, Plenty of Reasons to Celebrate

 

The Allen season came to an unceremonious end yesterday in Idaho as the Steelheads shutout the Americans 6-0 to win the series 4-1 and advance to the Western Conference finals. I am sure for all Allen fans, but speaking for myself, the way the season ended was tough to take. You get so invested in the team, the players and the coaches it is difficult to see it come to an end so swiftly and in an uncompetitive game. The end of the season always creates a lot of uncertainty. I will have more to say about that in my season wrap up/thank you blog tomorrow. 

 

- Here are the game recaps and highlights:

Allen Americans recap: https://allenamericans.com/media/americans-season-ends-with-game-5/

Idaho Steelheads recap: https://www.idahosteelheads.com/en/articles/adam-scheel-shuts-out-americans-in-series-clinching-victory-over-allen  

Video highlights: https://www.echl.com/en/video/2023/5/allen-americans-vs-idaho-steelheads---may-14-2023-Or6bcZI8

 

- In my opinion the Americans got wore down by playing four games in five days while being shorthanded. Playing two or three players short on the road in the playoffs is not the formula for success. Here is the final tally for the four games in Idaho with all stats favoring the Steelheads (1st number):

• Record: 3-1
• Goals: 23-12
• Shots: 204-119
• PIMS: 78-175
• Power Play: 37.5% (9-24) - 20% (3-15)
• Scoring first: 4-0
    

 

 - If you are an Allen fans there are many reasons why the Americans lost this series and I have seen a lot of them over the last few days. There will be plenty of time in the upcoming days and weeks to analyze the schedule, the playoff roster, the officiating, the performance, undisciplined penalties and all of the other reasons. The fact of the matter is Idaho is just a better team than Allen. Idaho had the best record in the 35-year history of the ECHL during the regular season (.826 points percentage). Idaho beat Allen early in the season when the Americans weren't playing well. Idaho beat Allen in March when the Americans were playing well. Now the Steelheads have beaten Allen in the playoffs. When the final record against Idaho (regular season and playoffs) is 1-12 it says all you need to know about who the better team is.

 

 

- The poor ending in Idaho should not take away from an amazing season by the Americans. When Allen was dead last at the end of December with a record of 5-12-1-0 and a points percentage of .306, very few (including myself) gave the Americans a chance of making the playoffs. Coming from that far behind has happened very rarely in the ECHL. The Americans not only made the playoffs they finished second in the Mountain Division and earned home ice in the first round of the playoffs. From the low point in December, Allen's record the rest of the season was 32-20-1-1 (.611). The cherry on top of the big regular season comeback was defeating Kansas City 4-2 in the first round of the Kelly Cup playoffs. It was a long way from last place in December to the final eight of the Kelly Cup playoffs. Remember, in the last five seasons the only time Allen made it to the second round of the playoffs was in the 14 team 2020-21 season. Coach/GM Costello, the team and the entire staff should be congratulated on an outstanding season. The success this season has built a great foundation for Costello going into the 2023-24 season. 

 

 

OTHER COMMENTS

- The Idaho vs Toledo Western Conference finals should be a great series. It will pit the best team in the regular season in Idaho against the best team thus far in the playoffs in Toledo. With a perfect 8-0 playoff record, Toledo is #1 in average goals scored (4.88) and #2 in average goals scored (1.75). Idaho's playoff record is 8-3 and the Steelheads rank #3 in average goals scored (4.09) and #8 in average goals allowed (3.00). The series format will be 2-3-2 and the home ice advantage Idaho earned by winning the Brabham Cup could be critical. The series will start Saturday in Idaho.

 

- The one undecided conference finalist could be decided tonight. Florida leads Jacksonville 3-2 with game six in Jacksonville tonight. Jacksonville is trying to rebound from trailing 0-3 in the series. If necessary, game seven will be in Jacksonville tomorrow night. Here is the ECHL Today with a preview: https://www.echl.com/en/news/2023/5/echl-today-may-15   

 

- Average attendance for the 65 ECHL playoff games thus is 4364 but that number will surely go up. The top two teams in playoff attendance are still alive. Toledo is #1 (8063) and Jacksonville is #2 (7152). The lowest average attendance of the teams still in the playoffs is Newfoundland (4073). FYI the average attendance in the playoffs last season was 4385 over 85 playoff games. 

 

- Two teams still alive in the playoffs would defy the odds and overcome history if they go on to win the Kelly Cup. Florida ranked #11 in the regular season and Idaho won the Brabham Cup. Here are the last 17 Kelly Cup champions with their regular season finish in parenthesis. Anyone who says once you get in the playoffs anything can happen hasn't looked at ECHL history. The Brabham Cup curse has been in effective since 2014 when Alaska won both the Brabham Cup and Kelly Cup. However, no team has won the Kelly Cup from lower than seventh place in the regular season going back to 2005.

2022 - Florida (3rd)
2021 - Fort Wayne (5th)
2019 - Newfoundland (3rd)
2018 - Colorado (4th)
2017 - Colorado (3rd)
2016 - Allen (6th)
2015 - Allen (2nd)
2014 - Alaska (1st)
2013 - Reading (2nd)
2012 - Florida (7th)
2011 - Alaska (1st)
2010 - Cincinnati (5th)
2009 - South Carolina (4th)
2008 - Cincinnati (1st)
2007 - Idaho (6th)
2006 - Alaska (1st)
2005 - Trenton (4th)

 

DID YOU KNOW: There are five ECHL teams remaining in the quest for the 2023 Kelly Cup. Here is how they ranked in the regular season standings by points percentage among the 28 ECHL teams:

 

1. Idaho - .826

3. Toledo - .681

4. Newfoundland - .681

6. Jacksonville - .646

11. Florida - .590

 

Idaho, Toledo and Newfoundland have already advanced to the conference finals.

 

 

Allen Suffers Worst Playoff Loss Ever, Trails 3-1 in Series, Game Recap, Video Highlights, Costello Comments, Possible Suspensions, Today's Preview and More

 

It was the best of times and the worst of times, all in a span of 24 hours. Welcome to Allen Americans playoff hockey. Friday night a shorthanded Allen team defeated Idaho 7-2 to get back in the series. Idaho has played a total of 82 games this season and it was the worst defeat the Steelheads had suffered all season. Last night, just 24 hours later, still playing shorthanded, the Americans embarrassed themselves with the worst playoff loss in team history. Before another sellout crowd in Boise (5017) the Steelheads beat Allen 9-3 to take a 3-1 lead in the series. The first playoff elimination game for the Americans will be this afternoon in Boise (5:10 CDT). 

 

- Anytime you go from a 7-2 win to a 9-3 loss in back-to-back games there is a lot that goes wrong. Friday night Allen's compete level was off the charts, they played smart in the defense zone, were relentless in the offensive zone, had a lot of net front presence and had great goaltending. That was all missing last night. Here is how coach Costello described the game and the challenge facing the Americans today, when I checked in with him late last night:

"We got outplayed from the opening puck drop all the way to the end of the game. We got outplayed from top to bottom. Our lives are now on the line. I certainly hope our effort will reflect that in tomorrow's game. Win a game and get the series back to Allen is the goal. Everyone involved will need to bring their "A" game and "A" effort if we want that to happen." 

 

- Every key to the game went Idaho's way last night. 

• Idaho scored the first goal of the game.
• Idaho had a 3-0 first period lead.
• Idaho had a 5-0 lead early in the second period before Allen scored.
• Idaho had a 7-2 lead after the second period.
• Idaho outshot Allen in every period, 43-31 for the game.
• Idaho was 3-5 on the power play, Allen was 1-6.  

 

-  Allen finally got on the scoreboard midway through the second period on a Jack Combs goal to cut the score to 5-1. The faint glimmer of hope was dashed just 38 seconds later when another defensive breakdown allowed Idaho to regain its five-goal lead. Colton Hargrove added a second period goal and Chad Butcher finished the Allen scoring in the third period. The final tally was Idaho outscored the Americans 3-0 in the first period, 4-2 in the second period and 2-1 in the third period. How bad was it? Prior to last night Allen had never allowed more than seven goals in a playoff game since joining the ECHL.

 

- Here are the game recaps issued by both teams:

Allen Americans: https://allenamericans.com/media/americans-fall-to-idaho-9-3-in-game-4/

Idaho Steelheads: https://www.idahosteelheads.com/en/articles/steelheads-erupt-offensively-in-9-3-win-over-americans-grabbing-three-to-one-series-lead 

 

- Goal scorers for Allen were Jack Combs (5), Colton Hargrove (6) and Chad Butcher (1). Liam Finlay had two assists. Here are the video highlights:  https://www.echl.com/en/video/2023/5/allen-americans-vs-idaho-steelheads---may-13-2023-8W07KKST

 

- I wrote yesterday how it was obvious Allen made a decision that the only way the Americans were going to win in Idaho was by playing a much more physical game. Playing physical has been the hallmark of Allen's most successful teams. However, there is a difference between playing physical and playing disciplined. Here is an update on the stats. Prior to the games in Idaho, the Americans were the least penalized team in the playoffs averaging just seven penalty minutes per game. Here are the playoff penalty minute stats for Allen:

• 49 penalty minutes - Total PIMS for first seven games of the playoffs.
• 48 penalty minutes - PIMS in 6-2 loss in Idaho on Wednesday.
• 65 penalty minutes - PIMS in 7-2 win in Idaho on Friday.
• 42 penalty minutes - PIMS in 9-3 loss in Idaho last night.
• In three games Allen's PIMS rank went from dead last (7.00 PIMS per game) to #3 with a PIMS average of 20.40.

 

- Here is where lack of discipline while playing physical has hurt the Americans in Idaho:

• In the loss on Wednesday Allen took three 10-minute misconduct penalties.
• In the win on Friday Allen took three 10-minute misconduct penalties including one game misconduct penalty.
• Last night Allen took a misconduct penalty, a game misconduct penalty for abuse of officials and a match penalty for an illegal check to the head.  

All of these penalties exacerbate the time on ice for what is already a short Allen bench. The Americans are a very tired club and all of these penalties that result in five-minute majors, 10-minute misconducts and game misconducts are making matters worse. Based on the rules cited in the third period penalties last night to Mikael Robidoux (game misconduct - abuse of officials) and Aiden Brown (match - illegal check to the head) they will both likely be suspended for the game today. If that happens the Americans will be playing short three skaters (14) today and that includes Spencer Asuchak returning to the lineup after serving a two-game suspension.   

 

 

 

- It will be a big challenge for Allen to extend the series this afternoon. All of the overused cliches are in effect such as win or go home (golfing), it's now or never, our backs are against the wall. The team is exhausted from playing shorthand and that will likely only be worse this afternoon. Other cliches, such as will over skill and leave it all on the ice will be the theme for the day. 

 

 

- A good start will be a must this afternoon for the Americans. Allen has given up the first goal in all three games in Idaho and coming from behind against Idaho after the 9-3 loss last night will be very difficult. 

 

 

- After last night the Idaho power play in the last three games is 6-15 (40%). Allen will not win today if they can't kill penalties better than that. Allen's power play has been decent in Idaho with a power play goal in all three games and a power play percentage of 23.1% (3-13).  

 

 

 

OTHER COMMENTS

 

- Newfoundland punched its ticket to the Eastern Conference finals last night with a 5-2 win over Reading. The Growlers won the series 4-1 and now await the winner of the Jacksonville vs Florida series. The Everblades had a commanding 3-0 lead in the series but lost the last two games at home. The series now returns to Jacksonville for game six and seven (if necessary).

 

 

- The Allen at Idaho game this afternoon is the only game on the schedule today. Here is the ECHL Today with the preview. https://www.echl.com/en/news/2023/5/echl-today-may-14  

 

 

- Talk about playoff travel nightmares for the rest of the Kelly Cup playoffs. The final four will be teams from Newfoundland, Florida, Ohio plus Idaho or Texas.   

 

 

 

DID YOU KNOW: During the 2022 Kelly Cup playoffs there were nine hat tricks. Thus far in 2023, a hat trick last night was just third of playoffs and the other two came on the same night. Here are the three hat tricks thus far in the 2023 Kelly Cup playoffs:

 

4/25 - Carter Johnson, Maine, in 7-3 win over Reading.

4/25 - Derek Lodermeier, Jacksonville, in 7-4 win over Greenville.

5/13 - Wade Murphy, Idaho, in 9-3 win over Allen.