McKinney Chamber of Commerce welcomes Allen Americans

ALLEN, Texas – The Allen Americans, the CHL affiliate of the Dallas Stars, celebrated their membership with the McKinney Chamber of Commerce yesterday at the Americans’ office located in The Village at Allen.

Vice President of Ambassadors Cheryl O’Hagan, also a RE/MAX realtor, presented Americans Owner and President Steve Duchesne with a membership plaque and book of business cards. Every Chamber Ambassador is included in the book.

“All of Collin County needs you. I can’t tell you how enthused I am, and we’re going to do everything we can to help you grow,” O’Hagan said.

Duchesne acknowledged the kind words with gratitude. “We’re very excited to be here and really appreciate your support,” Duchesne replied.

McKinney Chamber of Commerce members and fans enjoyed complimentary food and beverages provided by Boston’s Gourmet Pizza. Duchesne signed autographs and posed with his Stanley Cup picture that hangs in the waiting area of the Americans’ office.

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.

Allen Americans announce 2009-10 Ice Angel squad for Inaugural Season

ALLEN, Texas – The Allen Americans held the Ice Angel final auditions in front of a capacity crowd at Dodie’s Place and Sports Grill in The Village at Allen Saturday night.

Of the 13 women that performed Saturday, 11 made the squad.

Former Dallas Desperado Dancers Sylvia Hoefelman of Dallas and Emily Scoville of Allen emceed the event. Scoville will be choreographing for the Ice Angels throughout the season, along with Amy Jo McKinley and Elizabeth Rock. Rock choreographed the routines for the auditions.

Hoefelman and Scoville introduced the dancers two by two and asked the women questions. Then, the dancers performed two routines for the judges.

Judges included two-time Stanley Cup Champion Craig Ludwig, former Ft. Worth Brahma Craig Foddrill, Bar-B-Cutie Owner Michael Schaeffer, Legacy Dance Center Owner Pamela Jager Purcel and Amy Jo McKinley, a veteran of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleading squad, Dallas Mavericks Dance team and Dallas Desperados Dance team. Bar-B-Cutie, located at 208 N. Greenville Avenue, Allen, TX 75002, sponsors the squad.

After the dancers finished their routines, Ice Angel Director BreAnna Foddrill tallied up the scores. Then, the first Ice Angels team members were called to the stage.

“I’m very happy with the group of girls we have. I know we’ve got a strong group of talented ladies that can bring new energy to the CHL and create a fun atmosphere. I’m confident that we can represent the Allen Americans well,” Foddrill said Monday.

The team is made of a diverse group of girls from rookie Michelle Hulsey of Texas Woman’s University to bilingual Jasmin Flores to former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader and former Dallas Desperados Dancer Bobbi Quigley.

Quigley, a mom of one, feels a strong connection with the some of her fellow Ice Angels already. “This audition has been different. I’ve made really good friends throughout the process,” Quigley said today.

She is also looking forward to providing leadership for the squad, since she’s been with a new team before. “I was there the first year for the Desperados and seeing everything from the ground up is really exciting.”

The 2009-10 Ice Angel team members listed in alphabetical order with their respective hometowns:

Courtney Amigh – Plano, Texas
Alyssa Boyles – Plano, Texas
Jasmin Flores – Dallas, Texas
Ashley Gatlin – Irving, Texas
Brittany Gauntt – Flower Mound, Texas
Stephanie Hascal – Plano, Texas
Kristin Hughes – Kilgore, Texas
Michelle Hulsey – Garland, Texas
Brittany Klement – Harlingen, Texas
Elizabeth Thames – Alvin, Texas
Bobbi Quigley – Plano, Texas

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.

Allen Americans Ice Angel auditions conclude tomorrow night

Ice Angel auditions conclude tomorrow night

ALLEN, TX – The Ice Angels, the Allen American’s promotional dance team, will hold their final auditions in front of a live crowd at Dodie’s Place Sports Grill tomorrow night, Aug. 16, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. All media members are encouraged to attend.

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

For any further questions, please contact Lindsey Perkins at lindsey@allenamericans.com or 972-912-1000.

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–

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 announce 2009-10 schedule

Home opener Nov. 7 at Allen Event Center

ALLEN, TX – The Allen Americans will open the 2009-10 Central Hockey League regular season on the road against the Arizona Sundogs on Friday, Oct. 16, at 9:05 p.m. Central Standard Time. They will continue to play on the road for three weeks until the home opener Saturday, Nov. 7, against the Corpus Christi IceRays.

The schedule consists of 64 regular season games, 32 at the Allen Event Center and 32 on the road. The season runs from Oct. 16 through March 20, and the home schedule features 24 weekend games (11 Friday, 11 Saturday, 2 Sunday).

The Americans’ second home game will be against the Ray Miron President Cup Champion Texas Brahmas on Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 7:30 p.m. Other notable dates are MLK Day on Jan. 18 (1 p.m.), New Year’s Day on Jan. 1 (7:30 p.m.) and St. Patrick’s Day on March 17 (7:30 p.m.).

The Americans will play the Metroplex rival Texas Brahmas a total of four times at home: Wednesday, Nov. 11 (7:30 p.m.), Saturday, Nov. 28 (7:30 p.m.), Saturday, Dec. 26 (7:30 p.m.) and Monday, Feb. 15 (1 p.m.).

The 15 teams that comprise the CHL are divided between the Northern and Southern Conferences.

The Northern Conference consists of the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs, Colorado Eagles, Mississippi RiverKings, Missouri Mavericks, Rapid City Rush, Tulsa Oilers and Wichita Thunder.

The Americans belong in the Southern Conference, along with the Texas Brahmas, Amarillo Gorillas, Arizona Sundogs, Corpus Christi IceRays, Laredo Bucks, Odessa Jackalopes and Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees.

Single game tickets are expected to go on sale in October, but season tickets and partial plans are available now. Call 972.912.1000 for more information.

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. – 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday.
–AMERICANS–

Dallas Sports Offseason Report

NFL betting inches closer with the Hall of Fame Game just over a week away, and Cowboys fans can’t wait for the preseason to start. Let’s catch up with America’s team and our other Dallas sports teams in the offseason.

Dallas Cowboys

Interestingly enough, retired Cowboy Michael Irvin seems to be grabbing more headlines than the current roster this offseason, and he did so again when the Cowboys kicked off training camp this week. Responding to criticism of Tony Romo, he asked if Cowboy supporters really want Romo gone:

“Can we get Drew Bledsoe back out here [for] just a week so you guys can really fall back in love with Tony?” asked Irvin, a man with the gift of both Hall of Fame grab and gab. “Let’s put Drew Bledsoe back out here, because sometimes when you have a pretty girl for awhile, you forget how pretty she is. But when you throw the ugly girl next to her, you say, ‘No, I’m really doing well.’ Maybe we need to bring Drew out so we know we’re really doing well.”

Needless to say, fans are concerned about Romo after he reportedly sailed passes over receivers’ heads to start camp. But Roy Williams should be in better shape and Felix Jones could be dangerous catching passes out of the backfield. Plus we all know what Jason Witten can do.

Nothing major to report on the defensive side of the football for Dallas, though it’s worth remembering that a healthy Terence Newman could do wonders for the Cowboys’ pass defense this season.

Dallas Mavericks

While the Cowboys and NCAA football betting darling Texas Longhorns are getting the major press, the Mavericks quietly had their busiest week since free agency started, making a pair of solid depth signings. On July 26, a report indicated the Mavs had signed veteran forward Drew Gooden to a one-year deal. He’s now playing for his sixth team in the last seven years but can still contribute double-digit points most nights.

Two days later, the Mavs bolstered their three-point shooting by signing Tim Thomas. He’s a 36 per cent career three-point shooter and shot 41.3 per cent from beyond the arc in 2008-2009 with the Bulls, Knicks and Clippers.

The Mavs may be a ragtag bunch in the 2009-10 season but their playoff hopes look solid. I’d rank them about eighth in the West in my early NBA predictions.

Dallas Stars

There’s nothing to report on the hockey front, though I’m betting management in Columbus is making a strong push to sign longtime Star defenseman Sergei Zubov to a deal.

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.

–AMERICANS–

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

–AMERICANS–

Allen Americans are looking for 2009-10 Ice Angels

ALLEN, TX – The Allen Americans, Collin County’s newest professional hockey club, are accepting applications for the Ice Angels promotional dance team.

The club is looking for individuals with skating or dancing ability, high energy, poise, good personality and good overall physical appearance. Ice Angel responsibilities include rehearsals, personal appearances, answering fan mail, children’s dance workshops, performances, interviews and photo shoots. Ice Angels must be fully committed to the position and serve as positive role models.

All applicants must be 18 years of age on or before August 8, 2009, and have a high school degree or G.E.D. Also, dancers must reside in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area and have reliable transportation. Ice Angels are required to attend all practices, games and other related activities.

Preliminary auditions will be held August 8 from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at Legacy Dance Center in Frisco. The semi-finals will be held August 9 from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the Farmers Branch Dr Pepper StarCenter. The final audition will be August 15 from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. at Dodie’s Place Sports Grill in Allen.

All interested dancers need to complete the application and waiver located at allenamericans.com and return it to the Allen

Americans office with a $20 registration fee (cash or check payable to Allen Americans) and a non-returnable photo by 5:00 p.m. on August 6, 2009. Applications can be mailed or dropped off at 190 E. Stacy Road, Ste. 1508, Allen, TX, 75002. If mailing the application, please put it to the attention of Ice Angels Auditions.

To help prepare interested applicants, the Americans are holding audition prep classes led by Ice Angels Director and former Dallas Desperados Dancer BreAnna Foddrill. Attendees will learn choreographies similar to the tryout routine and will practice their introductions that are required at the audition. The classes are designed to simulate rehearsals. The location and dates are listed below.

Classes will be held at Legacy Dance Center, which is located at 4040 Legacy Drive #205, Frisco, TX, 75034. The prep classes run from 8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 29, and Wednesday, August 5.

Dancers should wear hot pants, bikers or cropped dance pants, a halter or athletic bra top and dance sneakers. They should also arrive with attractive hair and make-up. Each class costs $15.

For questions, please call BreAnna Foddrill at 817.889.0948.

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 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Saturday.

The Top Ten: Best Sports Movies

After such a lively discussion of the best sports video games, I think it might be time to move to a different discussion – and a different screen.

Today we examine the big screen and some of its most enjoyable representations of sports.

There are many factors that contribute to what makes the best sports movie – a good underdog story, hilarious characters, accidental comedy – all contributed to where these movies rank on this list. Read more

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