Saturday, December 22, 2012

Update on Former Players & Coaches

Thought I would take a look at how some of our past players and coaches are doing and bring those of you that don't follow them up to date:

- The biggest success story is Colton Yellow Horn (2009-2012) and his team (Ontario Reign - ECHL). They lead their division and are second in the conference in points. They are second (there are 23 teams in the league) in the ECHL in attendance with an average of 6760 per game. Colton leads the league with 19 goals in 27 games. And if you haven't seen his shootout goal you have to see it. Check out YouTube: Colton Yellow Horn Shootout Goal 12-22-12.

- At the other end of the spectrum the San Francisco Bulls, home of Americans alumni Justin Bowers (2009-2010), Scott Langdon (2010-2012), & Dylan King (2010-2012) are in eighth place in the nine team conference having garnered just 25 points in 31 games played. Bowers is second on the team in points with 7 goals and 19 assists and Langdon leads the team in plus/minus with a +8.

- Jordie Benn, the only player who has had NHL games (3) after playing for the Americans is having a good year with the Texas Stars (AHL) with four goals and seven assists. His plus/minus is a +6. The Stars are second in their division and fifth in the conference. Eight teams from the conference make the playoffs so it is looking good at this point.

- Bruce Graham (2009-2012) is having a typical season (a point a game guy) for the Nottingham Panthers (EIHL) with 15 goals and 16 assists in 29 games. The Panthers lead the league with a 19-5 record. When looking at Bruce's stats I noticed 41 penalty minutes (PIM) which seemed high. Upon further review I found out 29 of his 41 PIM came in one game against the Hull Stingrays who ironically are captained by another Americans alum Kurt Dulle (2009-2010). At 9:06 of the first period Bruce got two roughing penalties, a five minute boarding penalty, and a 20 minute game misconduct for a total of 29 minutes. Go Bruce!! By the way his team won the game 3-1.

- Dave Bonk (2010-2011) leads his team in goals with 15 and assists with 25. His 40 points rank him fifth in the league in scoring. His team, Nikko Ice Bucks (Asia League), are in fifth place in the seven team league.

- Coach Mullins (2009-2012) has had an up and down season thus far with the Elmira Jackals (ECHL). After a great start in which they won six out of their first seven games the team has fallen on tough times as they have lost five of their last seven games. They are in last place in the division and are 11th in the 14 team conference. They are also having trouble drawing a crowd as they are in 22nd place in the 23 team league with an average attendance of 2610. Still plenty of time to turn things around as the season has not even reached the half way point.

- Justin Decosta (2010-2011) who was playing in Europe returned to the US and signed a contract November 2nd to play for Coach Mullins and the Elmira Jackals. He has five assists and has a plus/minus of -3 in 18 games with the Jackals.

- Judd Blackwater (2010-2011) started off real fast scoring goals in the first three games for the Las Vegas Wranglers (ECHL) but has only three goals in the last 23 games and has not scored a goal since November 29th.

- Chris Whitley (2009-2011) who plays for the Williamsport Outlaws of the Federal Hockey League (FHL) is the second ranked goalie in the league with a 3.34 goals against average and a save percentage of 91.8%. His team is in second place in the six team league. They rank second in the league in attendance with an average of 1183.

- Liam Huculak (2009-2011) who started the year playing in Zagreb, Croatia which is in the Austrian League came back to the US and signed a contract November 29th to play for the Bakersfield  Condors (ECHL). Unfortunately the Condors are the worse team in the ECHL  with a 7-19 record.

- Jim McKenzie (2011-2012) was traded by the Trenton Titans (ECHL) to the Evansville IceMen (ECHL) on November 24th. He has no goals and four assists in seven games with the IceMen. He has 33 PIM which is 4.71 per game.

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