Allen Americans gain grit with signing of forward Huculak

Americans sign forward Liam Huculak

ALLEN, TX – The 6-foot-5, 225-pound winger adds more muscle to the already strong Americans’ lineup. He joins hard hitters Britt Dougherty and Nathan O’Nabigon on the front line.

Head Coach and General Manager Dwight Mullins describes Huculak as “a big, strong forward that plays with an edge and can skate extremely well considering his size.”

Fans can expect the 26-year-old to be a pest on the ice. “My main job is to aggravate the other team,” Huculak said Monday.

Huculak was involved in 20 fights in the 2008-09 season with the ECHL’s Bakersfield Condors. He had 11 points and 168 penalty minutes in 51 games.

After speaking with the coaching staff, coming to the Americans seemed like a good opportunity for Huculak. “I liked what I heard from [Associate Coach and Director of Player Personnel] Bill McDonald and [Head Coach and GM] Dwight Mullins. It sounded like a really good fit. You get that feeling, you know?”

Not only did the opportunity feel right, but Allen is also a good location to play hockey with its close proximity to three American Hockey League teams located in Austin, Houston and San Antonio.

“I’m looking to move up, and this is a good place for calls to happen,” Huculak said.

Huculak was invited to attend the Texas Stars’ training camp in September. The Texas Stars are the Dallas Stars’ AHL affiliate in Cedar Park near Austin. Huculak will see a familiar face there, as teammate Bruce Graham will be attending as well. Huculak and Graham played together last year for the Condors.

Huculak graduated from Colgate University in 2007, where he played four seasons for the Raiders. The Lethbridge, Alberta, native served as captain during his senior year. Before attending school, Huculak played two seasons in the British Columbia Junior Hockey League.

After graduating he signed with ECHL’s Idaho Steelheads before being traded to the Columbia Inferno. Next season will be his third year playing professional hockey.

Attached picture courtesy of Michael Duffy/Bakersfield Condors.

The Americans, the Dallas Stars’ CHL affiliate, begin play this fall in the newly built Allen Event Center. Season tickets are on sale now, and corporate partnerships are also available. For information, call 972.912.1000 or visit allenamericans.com. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday.
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Americans nab another power forward in O’Nabigon

Addition to roster gives Americans more physicality on front line

ALLEN, TX – The Allen Americans of the Central Hockey League (CHL) announced the signing of left-winger Nathan O’Nabigon today.

Self-described as a no-nonsense power forward that is responsible on both ends of the ice, the 26-year-old will have a presence in the offensive and defensive zones and has experience playing for championship teams.

“He’s the type of guy that goes quietly about his work, but he’s got some edge about him,” Americans Associate Coach and Director of Player Personnel Bill McDonald said.

O’Nabigon comes to Allen from the CHL’s Rocky Mountain Rage, who suspended operations for the 2009-10 season. He had 31 points in 63 regular season games last season. The 2009-10 season will be his second year playing professional hockey.

The 6-foot-2-inch, 200-pound forward is excited about building the club from the ground up. “I want to be there from the start and help where I can. I think it’s a great opportunity,” O’Nabigon said.

The reputation of the Americans’ coaching staff was a large part of O’Nabigon’s decision to come to Allen. “I know that [Associate Coach] Mac’s been around for a long time and has a lot of connections. He knows a great deal about hockey and he’s a straight-up, legit guy.”

Before signing with the Rage, the Longlac, Ontario, native played four seasons for the University of New Brunswick, winning the Canadian Interuniversity Sport Championship in 2006-07.

O’Nabigon also won a championship during his four-year junior career in the Ontario Hockey League. He skated away with the Memorial Cup as a Kitchener Ranger in 2002-03.

“All the research and homework we had on him was all positive, from his junior team to his college team to the team he was with last year,” McDonald said. “He’s a quality individual, and we’re excited to get him down here.”

Attached photos courtesy of the Central Hockey League.

The Americans begin play this fall in the newly built Allen Event Center. Season tickets are on sale now, and corporate partnerships are also available. For information, call 972.912.1000 or visit allenamericans.com. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday.

Allen Americans add Veteran Defenseman to Star-Studded Lineup

Erik Adams comes to the Allen Americans from the Colorado Eagles in a trade for future considerations

ALLEN, TX – The Allen Americans announced today that they have acquired veteran defenseman Erik Adams from the Colorado Eagles in exchange for future considerations.

Adams, 29, comes off his eighth professional season and fourth with the 2009 Ray Miron President’s Cup Finalist Eagles. The 6-foot, 205-pound defender posted 38 assists and 66 penalty minutes in 64 games last season and had two 5-game point streaks.

“Erik brings a solid veteran presence to our defense. He will be a key component to the success of the club,” Americans Head Coach and General Manager Dwight Mullins said Tuesday.

After graduating from Denver University in 2002, Adams began his professional career in the ECHL. Following the 2002-03 season, he signed with the New Mexico Scorpions in 2003. Adams went to Colorado in 2005.

The Thunder Bay, Ontario, native is a well-rounded defenseman known for hard hits in his own end of the ice while also contributing offensively. “He’s very versatile and can play in all situations,” Mullins said.

Adams is looking forward to being a member of the new CHL team. “In talking with the coaching staff, the organization sounds first class. Also, there’s a lot of hype and excitement about the club in the [Dallas/Ft. Worth] area.”

picture: Thomas Miller/Colorado Eagles

The Americans begin play this fall in the newly built Allen Event Center. Season tickets are on sale now, and corporate partnerships are also available. For information, call 972.912.1000 or visit allenamericans.com. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday.

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Allen Americans send Justin Bowers to Phoenix Coyotes NHL rookie camps

Star center Bowers asked to join Coyotes’ camp

ALLEN, TX – The Allen Americans of the Central Hockey League announced that center Justin Bowers will attend the National Hockey League rookie camp of the Phoenix Coyotes.

Bowers first heard about the Coyotes’ interest from Americans Head Coach and General Manger Dwight Mullins. “I was immediately excited. When you get invited to your first NHL camp, it’s huge,” the Nova Scotia native said.

Bowers is looking forward to getting a chance to compete with players of NHL caliber. “I’ll be with other draft picks and players they’ve invested money in. It’ll be my chance to show them what I’ve got,” the 24-year-old said.

Mullins believes that Bowers’ passion for hockey will intensify after the camp. “Justin has such a competitive drive and he loves to play. This happening for him will only fuel that fire,” the head coach said.

Bowers is the second Allen American to receive an invitation to a NHL rookie camp. Goalie Chris Whitley will be going to play with the Stanley Cup Finalist Detroit Red Wings in September.

Bowers isn’t nervous yet. “I’m sure I will be [nervous], but I like to think of myself as a confident hockey player. I’m going to go there and play my game. I’m sure nerves will be part of it, but, as of right now, I’m just looking forward to it.”

Bowers racked up 15 goals and 30 assists in 44 games for the Dayton Bombers of the ECHL last year. He also played a total of 27 games in the American Hockey League with the Lake Erie Monsters and Quad City Flames. The forward is six feet tall and weighs 186 pounds.

The Americans begin play this fall in the newly built Allen Event Center. Season tickets are on sale now, and corporate partnerships are also available. For information, call 972.912.1000 or visit allenamericans.com. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday.

picture credit: copyright 2009@proactimage.com

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