The Allen Americans announced on Monday that forward Bruce Graham (shown above in Game 7 of the Southern Conference Semi-Finals against Laredo) has signed a contract for the 2010-2011 season. (Photo Credit: John O'Neill)
The Allen Americans announced today that All-Star forward Bruce Graham has been signed for the upcoming 2010-2011 season.
This is a key signing for the Americans, who were eager to get their top scorer back in the fold. Last season, Graham led the Allen Americans in goals (31) and overall points (79). In the playoffs, Graham continued to be an invaluable offensive weapon, scoring 22 points (9G, 13A) in 20 games, while posting a plus/minus of +5.
The Americans sent out a release about the signing, and it’s got some good quotes from Graham as well as head coach Dwight Mullins. Please read on:
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ALLEN, Texas – The Allen Americans are proud to announce that the club has signed All-Star forward Bruce Graham to lead its quest for a 2011 Ray Miron Presidents’ Cup title.
The forward is coming back to Allen for the 2010-11 season with one mission. “I’m returning to win a championship,” Graham said Monday.
Graham led the Americans in scoring in their inaugural regular season, netting 79 points (31g-48a=79) in 64 games. The Moncton, New Brunswick, native also led the team in plus/minus rating, going +23. He finished the season with nine game-winning goals, tied for the top spot in the CHL. Graham was also a finalist for the CHL Most Valuable Player.
The 24-year-old’s excellent play spilled over into the Americans first postseason. He averaged over one point per game, garnering nine goals and 13 assists in the 20-game playoff run that ended two wins shy of earning the Ray Miron Presidents’ Cup.
“Bruce is a huge piece of our organization. He’s an All-Star, a leader and a difference maker for our team,” Americans Head Coach and General Manager Dwight Mullins said.
Graham also noted Allen’s community helped make the decision easier. “For my personal life, Allen’s a great city. My wife and I loved everything about last year.”
The 6-foot-6, 235-pound center was a second-round draft pick of the New York Rangers in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, going fifty-first overall.
Graham joins returners Nino Musitelli and Colton Yellow Horn and newly acquired forward David Nimmo as players under contract with Allen for the 2010-11 season.
