Americans Year in Review--Part 1
June 9, 2010 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Allen Americans News Release
ALLEN, Texas (Part 1 of 2) - The Allen Americans had a great inaugural season in the Central Hockey League, finishing with a 42-17-5 record in the regular season and two wins shy of winning the Ray Miron Presidents' Cup. Here's a look back at the first half of Americans first season:
May 9, 2009 - Owners Doug Miller and Steve Duchesne announce the expansion club's name, the Allen Americans, and reveal the logo to the public. The logo spotlights the colors of the City of Allen and Collin County (red, white and blue). It combines a star, shield and flying puck to design a unique, edgy logo that reflects the patriotism of Allen and the affiliation with the Dallas Stars. The design was voted the best logo in the league later in the season.
Oct. 13, 2009 - Fans have the first opportunity to meet the team after the end of training camp at Boston's The Gourmet Pizza.
Oct. 16, 2009 - The Americans start their inaugural season on the road against the Arizona Sundogs. The expansion club wins 1-0 as goalie Charlie Effinger posts a shutout. Christian Gaudet scored the first and only goal of the game, and Head Coach and General Manager Dwight Mullins recorded his first professional victory. Allen began the season 5-1-1 on the road.
Oct. 30, 2009 - Goaltender Charlie Effinger becomes the first player in franchise history to get called up to the American Hockey League. The Texas Stars, the Americans' AHL affiliate, recalled Effinger.
Nov. 4, 2009 - The CHL announces that Charlie Effinger is named Sher-Wood/TPS CHL Goaltender of the Month for October. He was 3-0-0 in October, including a shutout in his first start and a call-up to the Texas Stars. Effinger was traded Feb. 28 to Missouri after going 8-3-1 with two shutouts.
Nov. 6, 2009 - Nino Musitelli's 17-game point streak begins. The forward gathered 21 points during the stint and finished the season with the longest point streak in the CHL. While the Americans were on the road, the Allen Event Center opened its doors for its first big event with country superstar Reba McEntire. The arena received high accolades for being an intimate, first-class facility with great acoustics, and the musical guest wowed the crowd with her performance.
Nov. 7, 2009 - Allen plays the first hockey game in the Allen Event Center against the Corpus Christi IceRays. The club lost the home opener but finished the regular season with an impressive 23-5-4 record at the AEC.
Nov. 11, 2009 - Hockey's most prized possession, the Stanley Cup, made an appearance in Allen at the Event Center as the Americans wore the first specialty jerseys of the year in honor of Veterans Day. The club raised over $36,500 for the Texas National Guard of Collin County and the Texas National Guard Family Support Foundation through a live auction of the game-worn camouflage jerseys and picture sales with the Cup.
Nov. 15, 2009 - The Americans hand the Colorado Eagles their first regulation loss in a 5-3 road victory for Allen.
Nov. 19, 2009 - In his first game with the Americans, rookie Mike Willemsen scores his first professional goal at the AEC. Two goals later, the forward became the first American in franchise history to record a hat trick.
Nov. 21, 2009 - Chris Whitley earns his first professional shutout in a 4-0 victory over Corpus Christi at the AEC. He made 33 saves.
Nov. 22, 2009 - Chris Whitley is named Oakley CHL Goaltender of the Week for the first of three times this season. On Jan. 25, he became the first goaltender to win three in times in one season since the 2007-08 season. Whitley won the award Jan. 3 as well.
Nov. 30, 2009 - Justin Bowers is named Oakley CHL Player of the Week. He had four goals=8Btwo were game winners=8Band four assists for a total of eight points in four games.
Dec. 11, 2009 - Allen picks up talented forward Colton Yellow Horn. Yellow Horn finished the season with 10 goals and 25 assists to make for 35 points in 43 games.
Dec. 15, 2009 - Players take part in a holiday event with 20 children from the Boys and Girls Club of McKinney at Dick's Sporting Goods. The athletes assisted the children in picking out presents for loved ones with a $100 gift card courtesy of Dick's.
Dec. 26, 2009 - The Americans and their cross-town rival, the Texas Brahmas, play the first of the two-game North Texas Vintage Game Series in remembrance of the Metroplex's early hockey rivalries. The Americans wore Dallas Black Hawks jerseys, and the Brahmas donned Fort Worth Wings sweaters. Allen won the first game 3-2 at the AEC.
Jan. 13, 2010 - Both Allen alternate captains participate in the 2010 All-Star Game. Justin Bowers was voted to the starting lineup, and Bruce Graham was named a reserve. It was the first All-Star Game for both forwards in their first seasons in the league. Each player tallied an assist in the talent showcase.
Central Hockey League Stories from June 9, 2010
- Don'T Forget About Justin Quenneville's Retirement Party Tonight - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Americans Year in Review--Part 1 - Allen Americans
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- Let There be Light - RiverKings Aid Softball Project - Mississippi RiverKings
- Stanley Cup Watch Party At River Spirit Casino - Tulsa Oilers
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