ALLEN, Texas – The sweltering Texas summer heat has abated and cooler temps are slowly returning to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex with fall now upon us. Final preparations for the upcoming 2011-12 Central Hockey League campaign are underway and the Allen Americans are hoping that the old adage, ‘ third time’s the charm’ will work in their favor this season to complete a hat trick of accomplishments in this, their third season as a CHL franchise.
The Americans first made the league take notice with a deep run into the Ray Miron President’s Cup Finals their first season, losing in double-overtime of Game Six to the Rapid City Rush. In their second season, Allen was the class of the league in the regular season, putting together an impressive 47-16-3 record before falling to eventual CHL Champion Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs in the Berry Conference Final.
Allen earned yet another big feather in their cap this past week when former Americans defenseman Jordie Benn helped the Stars defeat the Colorado Avalanche in a pre-season contest Thursday evening, 5-2.
With the score level at 2-2, Benn broke the tie, netting the eventual game-winning goal from the slot just 22 seconds into the third period. The goal is both a first for Jordie Benn and the first ever scored by a former Allen American.
Jordie Benn played for the Americans during their inaugural season before being assigned to the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League. He is now under two-way contract with the Dallas Stars, as is former Corpus Christi IceRays forward Ryan Garbutt.
This off-season, Allen has been retooling and revamping their lineup, bringing back some familiar cornerstones to the club while adding many new faces to the mix. Over half of last year’s roster have departed through trades or a desire to explore other opportunities elsewhere, as is the norm in the world of minor professional hockey.
Gone this season for certain are David Nimmo (Arizona Sundogs, CHL), Kip Brennan (Vityaz Chekhov, KHL), Nino Musitelli (Dayton Gems, CHL), Chris Whitley (Dundee Stars, EIHL), Liam Huculak (Colorado Eagles, ECHL), Tobias Whelan (
Returning to the Allen this season are perennial favorites Colton Yellow Horn, Bruce Graham and Jarret Lukin, along with second-year players Mike Berube, Brian McMillin and Dylan King, all of whom made a big first impression with the coaching staff and fans last season.
New players donning the red and white at the Allen Event Center this season include Brett Clouthier (RGV Killer Bees, CHL), Jason Deitsch (Texas Brahma’s, CHL), Trevor Hendrikx (Florida Everblades, ECHL), Keith Johnson (Heilbronn Falcons, 2.GBun), Steve Kaunisto (Wichita Thunder, CHL), Mike Kompon (Munich EHC, DEL), Tyler Ludwig (Idaho Steelheads, ECHL), James Reid (Spokane Chiefs, WHL), Rejean Beauchemin, Spencer Edwards (Moos Jaw Warriors, WHL) and Andrew Randazzo (Drummondville Voltigeurs, QMJHL).
With many players off to AHL camps from Allen, two set themselves apart from the rest. Tyler Ludwig and Dylan King made strong impressions during their stints at their respective AHL camps and were brought up for a look at two NHL camps. Ludwig was called up to camp for the Washington Capitals and King for the Phoenix Coyotes. Both have since been released from their respective camps.
Along with the bevy of new signings, the Allen Americans recently announced a new NHL/AHL affiliation with the Colorado Avalanche and Lake Erie Monsters. The Monsters are the sole AHL affiliate of the Avalanche and in the past, several Americans players have seen ice time for
The Americans organization is excited for this new affiliation, as a means to attract more top talent to Allen and continue their model of player development and afford more players the opportunity to advance to the highest levels. Who will be the next Jordie Benn from Allen?
Contact the writer at maurice.fitzgerald@prohockeynews.com
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