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Americans' Got Talent: Will a championship follow in franchise's fourth season?
BY Kevin Hageland, khageland@starlocalnews.com
Much has been made of the Allen Americans' additions to the front office over the summer.
And rightfully so as the franchise added former Dallas Stars Mike Modano, Ed Belfour, Craig Ludwig and Richard Matvichuk (all members of the 1998-99 Stanley Cup-winning team) with Matvichuk signing on as Allen's defensive coach while Modano, Belfour and Ludwig became minority owners.
But the Americans believe they have collected more than just big names heading into the 2012-13 season, which commences Saturday (7:05 p.m.) and Sunday (4:05 p.m.) with home games against the Arizona Sundogs.
But the Americans have felt that way before.
That's why first-year Allen head coach Steve Martinson was brought in to replace Dwight Mullins, who coached the Americans in their first three seasons.
While Mullins led the team to the CHL Finals in its inaugural season, 2009-10, and the best regular season record in 2010-11, the Americans were continually tripped up in the playoffs. The club advanced a round less each year, with many noting the Americans' postseason downfall being because the club was more finesse than grit.
This team is looking to change that perception.
"We didn't want prima donnas, we wanted tough team guys that would all pull the same way," Ludwig said. "And I think we were able to find the players that fit what we were looking for, so we are going to be a tough team to play. You don't want to beat us, because if you do, we're going to make you pay for it."
Though that's not to say skill has been sacrificed along the way.
"We don't put toughness ahead of winning games," Martinson said. "We were able to bring players back and also got some of the top guys from the [East Coast Hockey League] as well as guys that were successful in the [American Hockey League]. And I like what I've seen so far because we have a good blend of size, speed, toughness and skill."
Among those returning when training camp opened last week were forward Jarret Lukin, an initial member of the franchise, and forwards Nino Musitelli, Kip Brennan and goalie Chris Whitley, who all previously played for Allen but were on different teams last season.
But a training camp spot is no guarantee of a position on the opening-day roster.
"We welcome tough decisions," Martinson said. "I don't think we wanted to get to the preseason and realize, 'we've got to get more skill and we've got to get better.'"
The Americans made some tough decisions in the offseason, not bringing back Colton Yellow Horn and Bruce Graham, both of whom had been on the CHL All-Star Team and played for Allen since 2009-10.
"We were just looking for some different guys," Martinson said. "Fans thought those guys were great, but now we've got some new great players."
Finding those players was a bit easier than in previous seasons.
"When you've got some Hall of Famers as part of the organization," Ludwig said, "maybe you get a few more calls from guys who want to play here."
It wasn't just the Hall of Famers that the team sold though.
"This franchise has a very unique atmosphere," Martinson said. "I told anyone interested in coming over to look up Allen, Texas, and look up the quality of life they could have here."
Among the new blood is forward Daryl Bootland, who played in the ECHL last year.
"It was a bit of a tough season in Kalamazoo," Bootland said, "so when I had this opportunity, I jumped on it."
The team also signed forward Scotty Howes, who was an ECHL Playoff MVP with the Alaska Aces in 2010-11. Howes isn't the only Allen player to hold that distinction as returning forward Jason Deitsch was a CHL Postseason MVP with the then Texas, now Fort Worth, Brahmas.
"We want guys that have had playoff success," Martinson said. "Because all that really matters is winning that last game."
Among the other players the Americans brought into training camp were Anthony Maiani, Ryley Grantham, Trevor Ludwig, Jamie Schaafsma, Mike Montgomery and Andrew Howes, all of whom scored goals in the team's back-to-back 3-1 preseason wins over the Brahmas last weekend.
But as those scores show, last weekend wasn't all about offense.
"We have put a lot of focus on our defense," Matvichuk said. "And I think we've got some tough, physical defenders that can also move the puck."
Among the defenders in training camp were Derek Matheson, Mike Berube, Trevor and Tyler Ludwig. That quartet helped block the way for goalies Aaron Dell and Steve Silverthorn, who picked up the respective preseason wins between the pipes.
Allen's preseason success, and big names, is something the league has taken note of.
"I've talked to other CHL coaches and general managers," Matvichuk said, "and we've definitely got a target on our back."
Trevor agreed with that assertion.
"Whether it's good or bad, we can't fly under the radar because we've got so many guys who have won championships," he said.
And they are all looking for another one.
"We have one step left and that's to win it all," Matvichuk said. "Anything less than a championship is unacceptable."
Saturday is the start of that process, but Martinson warns it will be a long one.
"We can talk championship now, but there are a lot of little steps that lead to that, just like there are a lot of little steps that lead to scoring a goal," he said. "The first step is assembling the right team and I think we've done that."
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