ALLEN

Colton Yellow Horn scored 2 goals, the more dramatic of the two coming 55 seconds into overtime lifting the Americans to their 2nd win of the season, and the first in front of the home faithful since October 14th, a preseason 2-1 shootout win over the Texas Brahmas.

“We played a great game the night before and didn’t get the outcome we wanted,” said Yellow Horn. “Tonight we came together as a team. A team that isn’t going to give up easily.”

The Americans also get goals from Jarret Lukin, his first of the season, Jim McKenzie his 3rd goal and 5th point. Bruce Graham his 3rd, Keith Johnson his 2nd, respectively.

“It was nice to be rewarded for our hard work,” said Americans Head Coach and GM Dwight Mullins.

A wild third period saw eight goals scored, including the game tying goal by Arizona’s Kyle Hood with a minute to go in the third. Five lead changes overall, including the final one on Yellow Horn’s thrilling game winner in overtime.

Allen goalie Brian Mahoney-Wilson picked up his first win of the season and first as an American in his second straight start.

The victory moves Allen into a three- way tie for 3rd place in the Berry Conference with Arizona and Rio Grande. The Americans will meet the Killer Bees on Wednesday night, in Hidalgo, Texas.

ALLEN

Sundogs forward Daymen Rycroft’s three point night led the charge for Arizona, which played their first road game of the season. Allen got on the board first tonight when Americans forward Joshua Hepditch found Nick Layton in front of the Arizona net to give the Americans a 1-0 lead. That score would hold up until 16:23 of the first when Tyler Butler’s wrist shot from the right wing boards was deflected in front of the Allen net by Daymen Rycroft. It was 1-1 after 20 minutes of play.

In the second period the Sundogs grab their first lead of the night. Jesse Perin on the power play from Daymen Rycroft and Craig McDonald at 8:35. Arizona on top 2-1 for the moment. The Americans would strike again at 19:10 of the second, when Brian McMillin would win a battle in the corner setting up the second Allen goal.. Nick Layton followed up a Brian McMillin shot to tie the score at 2 after 40 minutes of play.

In the third it was the Rycroft line doing the damage again, when Daymen Rycroft found Kyle Hood in front of the Allen net to give Arizona their second lead of the night. That 3-2 score would stand despite a late power play by Allen. The Sundogs hold on for a 3-2 win picking up their first road win of the year, and dropping the Americans to 1-2-2 on the season.

Note Americans forward Nick Layton scored the first two regular season goals of his professional career in the 3-2 Allen loss.

Allen, TX

The Americans next game will be tomorrow night October, 22nd in Wichita Kansas against the Thunder. puck drop is 7:05 pm

Neither team scored a goal over the first 40 minutes of play as all three netminders looked sharp. Mark Guggenburger got the start for Texas, playing the first 30 minutes, before giving way to Kraymer Barnstable midway through the second period. Rejean Beauchemin went all the way for Allen stopping 18 of 19 shots.

The Brahmas opened the scoring at 2:02 of the third period when forward Jordan Kary beat Beauchemin on a one timer on a pass from Phil Fox behind the Allen net. It remained 1-0 until Mike Kompon scored on a beautiful pass from Colton Yellow Horn to tie it ten minutes later. Kompon’s first as a member of the Americans from Yellow Horn and King at 12:47.  Allen had several chances to grab the lead in the 3rd period, Brian McMillin nearly deflected one past Barnstable late in final period and Mike Kompon again from Colton Yellow Horn with a great scoring chance as the horn sounded to end regulation.

Nothing was solved in overtime as both netminders stood strong. It wasn’t until the 14th round in the shootout before Bruce Graham ended it giving the Americans and number one star Rejean Beauchemin the win. Allen and Texas will tangle again tomorrow night at Nytex Sports Centre in North Richland Hills for the second and final preseason game for both clubs. Puck drop is at 7:30.

“It’s a great indicator that we as an organization are on track with our priority of player development” said Americans Head Coach and GM Dwight Mullins.”The Lake Erie Monsters have been big supporters of our organization and to have them make this kind of commitment to us is really a big show of trust, one that we will take pride in”

In the Americans first two years of existence, Allen has had a working relationship with Lake Erie, Colorado’s only AHL affiliate. Americans two-time All Star Bruce Graham, defenseman Scott Langdon, and former goalie Chris Whitley have all been in game action with the Monsters over the past two seasons.

“The culture that has been created in Allen mirrors the ways of the Avalanche and Monsters,” said David Oliver, Avalanche Director of AHL Operations and Lake Erie Monsters Assistant Coach. “We are excited to go to work with the Allen Americans, knowing our prospects are in good hands with Dwight Mullins and Bill McDonald.”

This new affiliation will give the Allen Americans yet another option to bring top young prospects to Collin County via the Colorado/Lake Erie partnership.

Sources with the Allen Americans have confirmed that although the direct affiliation with Lake Erie and Colorado will provide opportunities for talent they may not have had in the past, their working relationship with the Dallas Stars and Texas Stars will continue.

Allen sent several players to the Texas Stars training camp last season, and the expectation is that at least one player will be going this season, as well.  The Americans sent a 14 players to American Hockey League Camps in 2010-2011.

The Americans announced the signing of defenseman Tyler Ludwig on Wednesday.  Ludwig is the son of former Dallas Stars defenseman Craig Ludwig, who won a Stanley Cup with the team in 1999.  He is also the twin brother of Trevor Ludwig, who played last season with the AHL’s Texas Stars.

“We are very excited to have Tyler join our organization,” said Americans GM and Head Coach Dwight Mullins. “Tyler brings many great qualities to our team. He is a very talented player. He grew up in the Dallas hockey system and he’s a guy I’ve known for a long time.”

Ludwig will also be the first Americans player that has grown up in the Allen area.  Ludwig grew up in Colleyville, Texas, and played his Junior Hockey career seven miles from Allen, in Frisco with the Texas Tornado of the NAHL from 2002-2006. In 154 games with the Tornado, Ludwig scored seven goals and accumulated 55 points.

Ludwig played in seven games for the Texas Stars in 2009-2010; registering four PIM’s and no points. He skated with the Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL last season, playing in 70 games.

“I’m excited to be a part of the Americans team,” said Ludwig. “They have earned respect around the league and are recognized by the AHL, which allows players to grow. I’m looking forward to playing competitive hockey in the area where I grew up. I’ve known Coach Mullins for over half of my life and we have a good balanced working relationship. Allen has had a winning record their first two seasons in the league, and I’m looking forward to being a part of that success.”

Tyler Ludwig will attend Washington Capitals training camp in October.

The announcement was made live today, during an Allen Americans radio show
on KLAK, with Coach Mullins, and Americans Broadcaster Tommy Daniels.

In two previous seasons with Allen, Graham scored 65 goals, and tallied 152 points,
earning him two selections to the CHL All Star Roster. In 2009-2010, along with Justin
Bowers. And last season, with Colton Yellow Horn, and Rookie David Strathman.

“Bruce is a key returning piece to our program.” said Head Coach Dwight Mullins.
“A two time All Star, and a dominate player in our league. He has all the qualities
we want in our players. And will also have a great opportunity to advance his
career, based on the things he accomplished here.”

Graham, a native of Muncton, New Brunswick, was a second round pick of the
New York Rangers, 51st overall, in the 2004 entry draft.

Graham has had four stints in the American Hockey League, over his six year
Professional career, three with the Hartford Wolf Pack, a New York Rangers Affiliate.
And last year in Allen, a late season call up to Lake Erie of the AHL.

“I’m excited to be back in Allen.” said Graham. “This is a great to place live, and
raise a family. We have passionate fans here. It’s a friendly community,
and it’s growing more and more every day, and that’s exciting. We may have a bit of a
different look this season, but overall, we’ll have a solid team again. I expect us
to be a contender.”

Graham played his junior career, with the Muncton Wild Cats, of the QMJHL,
from 2001-2005, scoring 127 points, in 184 games.

The Stars will be one of eight clubs participating.  Four other Western Conference teams will also send prospects: the Columbus Blue Jackets, Detroit Red Wings, Minnesota Wild, and St. Louis Blues.

I’ll be excited to track the progress of Scott Glennie and Jack Campbell, both of whom participated in last year’s tournament.  Defensemen Brenden Dillon and Jamie Oleksiak will also bear watching, as the competition in this tournament should be up there with some of the best they’ve faced thus far in their careers.

You can download the full roster here: Traverse City Roster

Read below for the full Stars’ press release:

***

Frisco, Tex. – The Dallas Stars will be one of eight NHL clubs to participate in the annual NHL Prospects Tournament and rookie camp at the Center Ice Arena in Traverse City, Michigan, from Sept. 10-14.

The tournament runs from Saturday, Sept. 10 through Wednesday, Sept. 14. In addition to the Stars, the tournament features rookie squads from the Buffalo Sabres, Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, Detroit Red Wings, Minnesota Wild, New York Rangers, and St. Louis Blues. Practice sessions and tournament games will be held on the Center Ice Arena’s two sheets of ice – David’s Rink and Huntington Rink.

Dallas’ squad for this tournament features 22 players, including 10 who were selected by the club via NHL Entry Draft. The Stars roster is highlighted by Jamie Oleksiak, Dallas’ first-round selection (14th overall) at this year’s Draft; goaltender Jack Campbell, who won the best goalkeeper award at this year’s World Junior Championships, posting a 4-1-1 record with a 1.70 goals-against-average (GAA) and a .941 save percentage (SV%); forward Scott Glennie, Dallas’ 2009 first-round pick (eighth overall); and former Seattle Thunderbirds defenseman Brenden Dillon. The Stars won the tournament in 2008, which featured a strong performance by Jamie Benn (five goals).

The Stars rookies will be coached in Traverse City by Jeff Pyle, recently named head coach of the AHL Texas Stars, Dallas’ development affiliate. Jeff Truitt, Texas Stars assistant coach, will also be on Dallas’ rookie camp coaching staff. Dallas General Manager Joe Nieuwendyk is scheduled to be in attendance for the tournament along with Director of Player Personnel Les Jackson and the club’s scouting staff.

Dallas’ schedule for the Traverse City tournament is as follows (all times Central):
Date                                 Event                                   Time (Rink)

Sept. 10                            Practice                                   9:30 a.m. (Huntington Rink)

                            vs. Carolina Hurricanes              7:30 p.m. (Huntington Rink)

Sept. 11                            Practice                                   10:00 a.m. (David’s Rink)

                             vs. NY Rangers                              6:00 p.m. (David’s Rink)

Sept. 12                            Practice                                     1:45 p.m. (Huntington Rink)

Sept. 13                            Practice                                     8:30 a.m. (David’s Rink)

                             vs. St. Louis Blues                         3:00 p.m. (David’s Rink)

Sept. 14                       Seventh-Place Game              3:00 p.m. (David’s Rink)

                            Fifth-Place Game                         3:30 p.m. (Huntington Rink)

                            Third-Place Game                        7:00 p.m. (Huntington Rink)

                             Championship Game                  6:30 p.m. (Huntington Rink)

As it seems to every summer, the news comes in little bunches.  Unfortunately, summer plans don’t always line up with postings.  So, in this case, the news is getting to you a little later than planned.  All apologies for the delays, but hopefully it’s still news to you.  If not, bear with us – as hockey season gets closer, the postings will be a bit more timely!

This past week, the Allen Americans announced the signing of defenseman Steve Kaunisto for the 2011-2012 season.

Originally acquired in a three-for-one trade with the Wichita Thunder in exchange for goalie Chris Whitley, Kaunisto will join some familiar faces in Allen.

“I’m really excited to come to Allen” said Kaunisto. “From the people I’ve talked to around the league, and what I’ve seen myself, this is the best place to play in the CHL. Both Ryan Hand, who played in Allen last year, and David Strathman who I played with in Junior Hockey, told me I’m going to love this place. I’m really excited, and can’t wait to put on an Americans jersey.”

Kaunisto should be a nice fit for the Americans, who like to take chances at times with an aggressive defense.

“I’m the type of defenseman that likes to use my speed and jump up and join the rush. I can play both defense and forward, so I think my versatility will be an asset to the team”

Kaunisto played in 62 games for Wichita last season scoring five goals and 15 assist. prior to that, he spent a partial season with Reading of the ECHL.

“Steve is an up-tempo player, and see’s the ice very well. said Head Coach and GM Dwight Mullins.”He will be big key in our system.”

Kaunisto spent four seasons, at Lake Superior University, of the CCHA, from 2006-2010, playing in 154 games, scoring 14 goals, and 45 assists.

The Native of Sault Ste. Marie MI, will turn 25, October 10th.

Fans may remember him from his time with Rio Grande Valley the last two season.  Although the team struggled, Clouthier was one of the memorable name tags on the ice, racking up over 300 penalty minutes in a Killer Bees uniform.

And, he’s big.  Very big.  Almost-as-tall-as-Bruce-Graham big…and Clouthier out-weighs Big Graham.  The native of Ottawa Ontario, stands 6’5, 240 pounds, and was a former second round pick of the New Jersey Devils, back in the 1999 entry draft, 50th overall.

“Brett will bring an instant presence to our club” said Head Coach and GM Dwight Mullins. “He is a great teammate, and will be looked upon to provide a leadership role with our group. The style of game Brett plays will make him an instant fan favorite”.

“I’m thrilled to be coming to Allen”, said Clouthier. “As a matter of fact, this was my first choice on where I wanted to play. No disrespect to anyone in McAllen, I enjoyed my time there, but at this point in my career, I want to win a Championship, and I feel Allen gives me the best chance to win that Championship. I’ve heard nothing but great things about Allen, and the Americans organization. I’m excited, and can’t wait to get things going”.

According to Allen’s press release, Clouthier has had five stints in the American Hockey League, playing with the Albany River Rats, Binghamton Senators, and Providence Bruins. The Most games played in the AHL, came in the 05-06 season, when he played in 79 games for Binghamton. Clouthier began his Junior Career in 1998 playing with Kingston of the OHL.