Americans continue to build their offense

ALLEN, Texas – As summer comes to a close and with the 2010-11 season approaching, the Allen Americans are preparing to open their second training camp with a good mix of returning players and some new acquisitions that look very promising.

The Americans have officially announced the signing of 11 players, seven of them from their inaugural 2009-10 season. Among those returning are forwards Bruce Graham, Nino Musitelli, Liam Huculak, Tobias Whelan, Colton Yellow Horn, defenseman Brandon Straub and netminder Chris Whitley.
 
Those reportedly not returning are Justin Bowers, Ryan Fairbarn, George Bradley, Tyler Wooddisse, Alexander Vincent and Christian Gaudet. Bowers will be playing in the ECHL, Fairbarn in Norway, Bradley was traded to the Colorado Eagles, Wooddisse was dealt to Mississippi, Vincent will be playing in Quebec and Gaudet has returned to college.
 
The Americans offensive lineup for the upcoming campaign is taking shape, led by solid scorers Graham and Musitelli, who were ranked first and third respectively in team scoring last season. With the departure of CHL All-Star Justin Bowers, the Americans have been making moves to fill the gap he leaves behind.
 
Two recent acquisitions for the Americans are left wing Bobby Bolt and center Dave Bonk. Both look to be solid additions to the offensive corps with a good balance of size, speed and skill.
 
Bolt played three seasons in the ECHL and the International Hockey League and has been called up to the American Hockey League’s Portland Pirates  for a total of nine games. He is a tough, scrappy winger, unafraid to mix it up in the corners, which will be a great fit for the Americans’ style of play.
 
Bonk, who qualifies as a veteran player, has played six pro seasons in the ECHL, UHL and in Europe. He spent last season in Norway with Manglerud Star, for whom he averaged over a point per game (18 G, 28 A and 62 PIM in 46 games played). In 2008-09 with the Bakersfield Condors (ECHL), Bonk tallied 82 points (31 G, 51 A) and 59 PIM in 60 regular season games, putting him on par with Bowers’ performance last season for the Americans.
 
Another addition, third-year pro and 2010 ECHL All-Star forward Judd Blackwater had a combined 56 points (26 G, 30 A) in 64 games last season with the Stockton Thunder and Alaska Aces.
 
Earlier in the summer, the Americans announced the signing of former Amarillo Gorillas scoring threat, David Nimmo. A former CHL All-Star, Nimmo looks to be another solid offensive contributor. The 6’, 2″, 220-pound forward has amassed 159 points (81 G, 87 A) and 185 PIM in 168 games during three seasons in the CHL and ECHL. He added another 15 points (7 G, 8 A) and 20 PIM in 15 Games with the Edinburgh Capitals (EIHL) in 2008-09.
 
With the offensive lineup beginning the flesh out, the question remains as to the status of the Americans defense. With only one officially announced defensive signing to this point (Straub), there is still a big void to fill. Add to that, there’s been no word on who will be the backup for Chris Whitley in net. The next couple of weeks should see more announcements in this regard.
 
The Americans will take to the ice for two pre-season match-ups against their cross-town rivals, the Texas Brahmas October 8th at the NYTEX Sports Centre and on October 9th at the Allen Event Center.
 
The 2010-11 season will open with a two-game series against the Brahmas, also at the Allen Events Center on October 15-16th.
 
Contact the author at maurice.fitzgerald@prohockeynews.com Contact the photographer at robert.keith@prohockeynews.com