Allen Americans Announce Schedule Change

Feb. 19, 20 games at Arizona moved to Feb. 17, 18

ALLEN, Texas – The Central Hockey League announced today that there has been a schedule change for the Allen Americans and Arizona Sundogs.

The games scheduled for Friday, Feb. 19, and Saturday, Feb. 20 at Arizona have been moved to Wednesday, Feb. 17, and Thursday, Feb. 18. The start times will remain 7:05 p.m. Mountain Standard Time, 8:05 p.m. Central Standard Time.

The Americans open their inaugural season Oct. 16 on the road against the Sundogs and play their first home game in the Allen Event Center Saturday, Nov. 7, at 7:30 p.m versus the Corpus Christi IceRays.

Full, half and eight-game season ticket plans, as well as group tickets, are on sale now. For more information, call 972.912.1000.

The Americans, the Dallas Stars’ CHL affiliate, begin play this fall in the newly built Allen Event Center. 32, 16, and 8-game season ticket plans and group tickets are on sale now. Corporate partnerships are also available. For information, call 972.912.1000 or visit allenamericans.com. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday.

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Ice Angel tryouts conclude this Saturday at Dodie’s

Ice Angel tryouts conclude with Finals this Saturday at Dodie’s

ALLEN, TX – After a solid showing this weekend at the Ice Angel preliminary and semifinal tryouts, potential members of the first squad will find out if they made the final cut this Saturday, Aug. 15, at Dodie’s Place Sports Grill. The final auditions will take place in front of a live crowd from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Ice Angels Director BreAnna Foddrill is happy with the interest in the new squad. “They are a beautiful group of girls,” she said Wednesday.

The preliminary auditions were held last Saturday at Legacy Dance Center. The women learned one dance routine and then performed in front of the judges in groups of three and four.

Those that made the cut returned to auditions Sunday at the Dr Pepper StarCenter in Farmers Branch. They learned a new routine and performed both dances in front of the judges.

An obstacle course on the ice followed the dance routine to measure the prospects’ skating abilities. At the end, there was a freestyle time that allowed the women to show off skating tricks.

The dancers will practice tonight to polish the routines at a mock dress rehearsal in preparation for Saturday night.

Foddrill empathizes with the prospects since she’s been with them from the beginning. “I am nervous for every girl. I’ve seen them all in prep classes and I know they’ve put a lot of work into it. I wish I could take them all.”

The final auditions will consist of the two dance routines with a brief question and answer period. The selections for the team will be announced Saturday night in front of the live crowd.

The Ice Angels will be the promotional dance team for the Allen Americans, the CHL’s newest hockey club. The squad is sponsored by Bar-B-Cutie, which is located at 208 N. Greenville Avenue, Allen, TX 75002.

Dodie’s Place Sports Grill is located at 190 E. Stacy Road #1320, Allen, TX 75002.

The Americans, the Dallas Stars’ CHL affiliate, begin play this fall in the newly built Allen Event Center. Season tickets and partial plans 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. – 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday.

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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