Practice Notes, More on McMillin & Howes, Hockey-N-Heels For Dudes?

Had a chance to stop by practice yesterday and the team continues to work hard at many phases of the game. Power play, shootout, cycling, getting the puck out of the defensive zone, and driving the net were just a few of the drills the team was working on in a two part practice. I've said this before but when you see the Zamboni come out to resurface the ice and that is only the half way point of practice you know it is a long practice. Jarret Lukin and Darryl Bootland did not participate.

- Brian McMillin will not play this weekend. Look for him to meet up with the team sometime on the road trip after Christmas. If I was guessing it would be in St. Charles on December 27th. The McMillin case reminds me of something I have wanted to share on the blog ever since the season started and it has to do with player signings and when they get announced. Why does information show up in the blog before it is announced by the Allen Americans? The answer is actually very simple as the Americans cannot announce a player signing (or any other action) until it is official. Often times it takes time to get all of the signatures on a contract and send it to CHL headquarters. This blog on the other hand can use information from coaches, players, agents, social media, fans, players friends and family and know what has been agreed to even though it is not official. In McMillin's case, coach Martinson said at the press conference with season ticket holders on Friday, "Brian McMillin will be signed by Wednesday" but what he meant was he would come to terms with Brian by Wednesday. A contract must be drawn up, signed by both McMillin and the Americans and sent to CHL headquarters. Tommy Daniels cannot put out a press release until all of these actions are completed. Sometimes players change their minds or the team changes its mind so until all signatures are secured it is not official. So the next time you wonder why there is information about a player signing on the blog before the official announcement comes from the Americans remember I am reporting what is going to happen while the Americans must report what has happened. I can make a mistake but Tommy Daniels can't when it comes to player signings. In the McMillin case it was easy to report as the information came directly from the coach in a public forum. They aren't always that easy.

- Everyone is asking whether Scott Howes will play this weekend when Allen takes on Brampton. The answer is you will have to wait and see. I have heard different answers on this from sources I trust. One says he will play and one says he will not play. If the Beast arrive tomorrow and practice at the AEC we will know the answer. Here is the release put out by the Brampton Beast which only reminds you of how great Scott was last year with the Americans:

Brampton Beast are proud to announce the signing prolific scorer Scott Howes, pro hockey’s 2012-13 leader in goals per game. The former ECHL playoff MVP joins the Beast after a short stay with Olimpija Ljubljana of the Erste Bank Eishockey Liga (Austria).

 The 26 year old native of Toronto, ON played his junior hockey in the QMJHL where he accumulated 118 points in 113 regular season games and added 26 points in 19 post season matches. Invited to training camp by the Vancouver Canucks, Howes began his pro career with the Manitoba Moose (AHL) in 2008-09 and has put up strong numbers in both the ECHL and AHL. In 2012-13 Howes joined the Allen Americans and lit up the Central Hockey League by tallying 1.59 points per game, scoring 20 goals in 20 game and finishing at a 0.95 goals per game rate, the highest goals per game of any player in the four professional hockey leagues in North America in the 2012-13’s regular season.

TOP 5 GOALS PER GAME (2012-13)		TOP 5 POINTS PER GAME (2012-13)
SCOTT HOWES (CHL)	0.95	Chad Costello (ECHL)	1.61
Colton Yellow Horn (ECHL)	0.75	SCOTT HOWES (CHL)	1.59
Jordan Eberle (NHL)	0.73	Sidney Crosby (NHL)	1.56
A.J. Gale (CHL)	0.72	Jack Combs (ECHL)	1.55
Austin Smith (ECHL)	0.71	Jordan Eberle (NHL)	1.50
*minimum 20 games

- Did you notice the Americans just opened up the Hockey-N-Heels session on Saturday to guys? This is a great deal as for $10 (if you have a ticket for the game) you get to spend time with the coaches, upgrade to a suite for the game, wine tasting and snacks in the suite. Act fast as this will fill up quickly. Here are the details from the Americans. Go to the Americans web site (allenamericans.com) to register.

  

Allen Americans Hockey-N-Heels

Saturday, December 21st

Allen Americans vs. Brampton Beast

Event Starts at 5:30 pm  ~ Puck Drops at 7:05 pm

Cost: $30 per person ($10 if you already have a ticket to the game)

Sponsored by Cavit Wines 

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This Saturday will be the 2nd session in a series of 4 Hockey-N-Heels socials with your Allen Americans. We will have an on-ice demonstration with Americans coaches Steve Martinson & Richard Matvichuk, as well as the normal Q&A group discussion. While there, enjoy complimentary wine tasting provided by Cavit Wines as well as light snacks. All ticketed and non-ticketed guests will receive a luxury suite ticket to enjoy the game in style.

This promises to be a truly unique event and is not just limited to our female fans, we will welcome any one who wishes to attend and learn more about the great game of hockey.  

To register fill out the form below. If you have any questions regarding the event please contact Erk Adams at erikadams@allenamericans.com or 972-912-1059.

DID YOU KNOW: There have been 335 different NHL players wear #27 including Darryl Bootland. If you look at all of the numbers worn by the Allen Americans, the number worn by the most NHL players is Garrett Klotz's #21 which has been worn by 455 different NHL players. On the other end of the spectrum is Jonathan Lessard's #91 which has only been worn by 18 different NHL players.