Great Falls Americans Junior A Hockey www.gfamericans.com

Media Relations * 417 Central Ave. Suite 303 * Great Falls, MT 59401 * Phone (406) 403-8146

2019-20 Americans Hockey Prospectus

QUICK FACTS COACHING STAFF Name ...... Great Falls Americans (Junior A) Head Coach ...... Greg Sears (2nd Season) Seasons ...... 1979-1980, 1994-2003, 2011-Present Email ...... [email protected] Location...... Great Falls, Phone ...... (715) 566-2811 Population ...... 58,505 Record at Great Falls ...... 41-11-0-1 Team Owner ...... Jim Keough Assistant Coaches ...... Joe Engelhart (2nd Season) National Affiliation ...... NA3HL Ethan Hayes (2nd Season)

Division...... NA3HL Frontier Key Newcomers National Association ...... USA Hockey Viktor Wennberg ...... 5-11, G, Stockholm, CA Team Mascot ...... Baldy The Eagle Garrett Peters ...... 5-10, F, Anchorage, AK Team Colors ...... Red, White & Blue Hendrik Robel ...... 6-2, D, Berlin, Germany General Manager ...... Greg Sears Jack Olson ...... 5-10, F, White Bear, MN Public Relations/Media ...... Mr. Kevin Scott Lindros Beard ...... 6-1, F, Copperton, UT “Voice of the Americans” ...... Jeremy Williamson Levi Mese ...... 6-0, F, Kenai, AK Home...... Great Falls Ice Plex

Capacity...... 1,500 Key Returners

Viktor Wennberg ...... 5-11, G, Stockholm, Sweden 2018-19 Season Recap Nick Ramstad ...... 6-0, F, Red Wing, MN Overall Record ...... 41-11-0-1 Levi Mese ...... 6-0, F, Kenai, AK Home Record ...... 22-4-0-1 Nick Torres ...... 5-10, D, Long Beach, CA Road Record ...... 19-7-0 Justin Ohnstad ...... 6-2, D, New Brighton, MN Neutral Record ...... 0-0-0 Luke Richesin ...... 6-0, D, Clovis, CA 2019-20 Preview Jack Olson ...... 5-10, F, White Bear, MN Returning Players ...... 11 Brody Boyce ...... 5-11, F, Colorado Springs, CO Players Lost ...... 16 ??? ...... 6-0, G, Plymouth, MN

Key Losses ??? ...... 6-1, G, Great Falls, MT Nate Simpson ...... 5-10, D, Claremont, CA ??? ...... 6-0, D, Oak Creek, WI Jens Juliussen ...... 5-9, F, Anchorage, AK Payton McSharry ...... 6-2, F, Anchorage, AK Cam McIntosh ...... 6-1, G, Great Falls, MT Sean McLean ...... 6-4, F, Scarborough, Australia Hendrik Robel ...... 6-2, D, Berlin, Germany Drew Scites ...... 6-0, G, Plymouth, MN Lindros Beard ...... 6-1, F, Copperton, UT Great Falls Americans Hockey 417 Central Avenue, Suite #303, Great Falls, MT 59405

2019-20 Great Falls Americans Hockey Roster

No. Name Pos. Shot Height Weight Hometown 1 Viktor Wennberg G 5’11” 160 Stockholm, Sweden 2 Brandon Peterson D R 6’0” 170 Oak Creek, WI 3 Brody Boyce F R 5’11” 195 Colorado Springs, CO 6 7 Levi Mese F R 6’0” 160 Kenai, AK 8 Nick Ramstad F R 6’0” 175 Red Wing, MN 9 Reed Bartelings F R 5’7” 160 St. Paul, MN 10 13 Ben Rinckey F L 5’10” 175 Eagle River, AK 14 Cody Dearing F L 6’0” 181 Anchorage, AK 16 Jack Olson F R 5’10” 165 White Bear, MN 17 Nick Torres D L 5’10” 145 Long Beach, CA 18 Justin Ohnstad D R 6’2” 170 New Brighton, MN 19 20 21 Blake Nerney F L 6’1” 160 St. Louis, MO 22 Luke Richesin D R 6’0” 215 Clovis, CA 24 Garrett Peters F R 5’10” 160 Anchorage, AK 26 Trent Cowden D L 5’11” 185 Simi Valley, CA 27 33 35 68 Dylan Olson F R 6’0” 160 White Bear Lake, MN 91 93 Braydon Smith D L 6’0” 180 Brocket, AB

Team Owner Jim Keough (8th Season) Head Coach/General Manager Greg Sears (2nd Season) Assistant Coach Joe Englehart (2nd Season) Assistant Coach Ethan Hayes (2nd Season) Hockey TV “Play-By-Play” Jeremy Williamson (8th Season) Commentator & “Voice of the Americans” Public Relations/Media Coordinator Kevin Scott (6th Season) Billet Coordinator Vikki Bertelson (5th Season) Education Coordinator/Academic Ryan and Angel Turoski (8th Season) Advisors Team Doctors Gregory Tierney, M.D., Paul Johnson, M.D. & Michael A. Dube, M.D. Team Chiropractor Jerald D. Wiley, B.S., D.C. Team Dentist Dr. Kenneth Small Team Optometrist Dr. Pat Stibel

Great Falls Americans Hockey 417 Central Avenue, Suite #303, Great Falls, MT 59405

2019-20 Great Falls Americans Hockey Schedule

Day/Date Game Time Location SEPTEMBER Fri. Sept. 13 vs. Gillette Wild 7:30PM Great Falls Ice Plex Fri. Sept. 14 vs. Gillette Wild 7:30PM Great Falls Ice Plex Thurs. Sept. 19 @ Butte Cobras 7:30PM Butte Community Ice Center, Butte, MT Sat. Sept. 21 vs. Butte Cobras 7:30PM Great Falls Ice Plex Sat. Sept. 28 vs. 7:30PM Great Falls Ice Plex

OCTOBER Fri. Oct. 4 @ Sheridan Hawks 7:30PM M&M Center, Sheridan, WY Sat. Oct. 5 @ Sheridan Hawks 7:00PM M&M Center, Sheridan, WY Fri. Oct. 11 vs. Helena Bighorns 7:30PM Great Falls Ice Plex Sat. Oct. 12 vs. Helena Bighorns 7:30PM Great Falls Ice Plex Sat. Oct. 19 vs. 7:30PM Great Falls Ice Plex Sun. Oct. 20 vs. Yellowstone Quake 3:00PM Great Falls Ice Plex Thurs. Oct. 24 @ Butte Cobras 7:30PM Butte Community Ice Center, Butte, MT Sat. Oct. 26 vs. Missoula Jr. Bruins 7:30PM Great Falls Ice Plex

NOVEMBER Fri. Nov. 1 vs. Gillette Wild 7:30PM Great Falls Ice Plex Sat. Nov. 2 vs. Gillette Wild 7:30PM Great Falls Ice Plex Fri. Nov. 8 @ Helena Bighorns 7:05PM Helena Ice Arena, Helena, MT Sat. Nov. 9 @ Helena Bighorns 7:05PM Helena Ice Arena, Helena, MT Fri. Nov. 15 vs. Missoula Jr. Bruins 7:30PM Great Falls Ice Plex Sat. Nov. 16 vs. Butte Cobras 7:30PM Great Falls Ice Plex Fri. Nov. 22 vs. Sheridan Hawks 7:30PM Great Falls Ice Plex Sat. Nov. 23 vs. Sheridan Hawks 7:30PM Great Falls Ice Plex Fri. Nov. 29 vs. Missoula Jr. Bruins 7:30PM Great Falls Ice Plex Sat. Nov. 30 vs. Missoula Jr. Bruins 7:30PM Great Falls Ice Plex

DECEMBER Fri. Dec. 6 vs. Yellowstone Quake 7:30PM Great Falls Ice Plex Sat. Dec. 7 vs. Yellowstone Quake 7:30PM Great Falls Ice Plex Fri. Dec. 13 @ Butte Cobras 7:30PM Butte Community Ice Center, Butte, MT

Sun. Dec. 15 NA3HL Showcase Super Rink, Blaine, MN vs. TBA 00:00PM (MST)

Mon. Dec. 16 NA3HL Showcase Super Rink, Blaine, MN vs. TBA 00:00PM (MST)

Tues. Dec. 17 NA3HL Showcase Super Rink, Blaine, MN vs. TBA 00:00PM (MST)

Tues. Dec. 31 @ Helena Bighorns 7:05PM Helena Ice Arena, Helena, MT

JANUARY Fri. Jan. 3 @ Gillette Wild 7:05PM Spirit Hall Ice Arena, Gillette, WY Sat. Jan. 4 @ Gillette Wild 7:05PM Spirit Hall Ice Arena, Gillette, WY Fri. Jan. 10 @ Bozeman Ice Dogs 7:30PM Haynes Pavilion, Bozeman, MT Sat. Jan. 11 vs. Helena Bighorns 7:30PM Great Falls Ice Plex Sat. Jan. 18 @ Bozeman Ice Dogs 7:30PM Haynes Pavilion, Bozeman, MT Fri. Jan. 24 @ Helena Bighorns 7:05PM Helena Ice Arena, Helena, MT Great Falls Americans Hockey 417 Central Avenue, Suite #303, Great Falls, MT 59405

Sat. Jan. 25 vs. Bozeman Ice Dogs 7:30PM Great Falls Ice Plex Fri. Jan. 31 @ Bozeman Ice Dogs 7:30PM Haynes Pavilion, Bozeman, MT

FEBRUARY Sat. Feb. 1 @ Bozeman Ice Dogs 7:30PM Haynes Pavilion, Bozeman, MT Fri. Feb. 7 @ Sheridan Hawks 7:30PM M&M Center, Sheridan, WY Sat. Feb. 8 @ Sheridan Hawks 7:00PM M&M Center, Sheridan, WY Fri. Feb. 14 @ Yellowstone Quake 7:30PM Riley Arena, Cody, WY Sat. Feb. 15 @ Yellowstone Quake 7:30PM Riley Arena, Cody, WY

Mon. Feb. 17 NA3HL Top Prospects New England Sports Village, Attleboro, Tournament MA TBA vs. TBA 0:00AM Frontier Roster l Northeast Roster (MST) TBA vs. TBA 0:00PM Frontier Roster l Coastal Roster (MST)

Tues. Feb. 18 NA3HL Top Prospects New England Sports Village, Attleboro, Tournament MA TBA vs. TBA 0:00PM Frontier Roster l Central Roster (MST)

Fri. Feb. 21 @ Missoula Jr. Bruins 7:05PM Glacier Ice Rink, Missoula, MT Sat. Feb. 22 vs. Bozeman Ice Dogs 7:30PM Great Falls Ice Plex Fri. Feb. 28 @ Missoula Jr. Bruins 7:05PM Glacier Ice Rink, Missoula, MT Sat. Feb. 29 @ Butte Cobras 7:30PM Butte Community Ice Center, Butte, MT

2019-20 Great Falls Americans Address/Ice Plex Location

Mailing Address: Great Falls Ice Plex Address: Great Falls Americans Hockey 4001 29th Street SW 417 Central Avenue, Suite #303 Great Falls, Montana 59405 Great Falls, Montana 59401 Great Falls Ice Plex Information/Directions

2019-20 Great Falls Americans Media List

Media Contact Information:

Kevin Scott Great Falls Americans Public Relations/Media Coordinator Phone: 406-403-8146 Email: [email protected]

Jeremy Williamson Great Falls Americans Hockey TV “Play-By-Play” Commentator/” Voice of the Americans” Phone: 406-868-2524 Email: [email protected]

Great Falls Americans Hockey 417 Central Avenue, Suite #303, Great Falls, MT 59405

Newspaper: : Sports Department Phone: 406-791-1470 or 406-791-1444 Website: http://www.greatfallstribune.com/sports General Sports Desk: [email protected]

Sports Editor: Scott Mansch ([email protected]) Office Phone: 406-791-1481

Sports Writer: Lee Vernoy ([email protected]) Office Phone: 406-791-6569

Local Television Stations:

KRTV: (CBS-TV, Great Falls) Phone: 406-791-5455 Website: http://www.montanasports.com General Sports Desk: TBA

Sports Director: Tom Wylie (tom@.com) Office Phone: 406-791-5455

Weekend Sports Anchor: Isaiah Dunk ([email protected]) Office Phone: 406-791-5455

Digital MontanaSports.com Producer (KTVH, Helena): Richie Melby ([email protected]) Cell Phone: 406-750-6257

KFBB-TV: (ABC-TV/FOX Network, Great Falls) Phone: 406-540-2100 or 406-453-4370 Website: http://www.swxrightnow.com/montana General Sports Desk: [email protected]

Sports Director: Leo Goldman ([email protected]) Cell Phone: 406-540-2084

Weekend Sports Anchor/Reporter: Hailey Sutton ([email protected]) Office Phone: 406-540-2100

Streaming Games Online:

HOCKEY TV Website: https://www.hockeytv.com/#/ Subscription Cost: https://www.hockeytv.com/#/pricing

Great Falls Americans Hockey 417 Central Avenue, Suite #303, Great Falls, MT 59405

2018-19 Great Falls Americans Hockey Schedule/Results

Please click on "Results/Story" for Stats/Game Story for each game. ** = Home Team Day/Date Game Results/Story Record Fri. Sept. 7 @ Missoula Jr. Bruins 5-0 W 0-0 (Home) / 1-0 (Road)

Fri. Sept. 14 @ Yellowstone Quake 3-2 W 0-0 (Home) / 2-0 (Road) Sat. Feb. 15 @ Yellowstone Quake 13-1 W 0-0 (Home) / 3-0 (Road) Fri. Sept. 21 vs. Yellowstone Quake 6-0 W 1-0 (Home) / 3-0 (Road) Sat. Sept. 22 vs. Yellowstone Quake 4-1 W 2-0 (Home) / 3-0 (Road) Fri. Sept. 28 vs. Butte Cobras 12-1 W 3-0 (Home) / 3-0 (Road) Sat. Sept. 29 @ Helena Bighorns 7-1 L 3-0 (Home) / 3-1 (Road) Fri. Oct. 5 vs. Gillette Wild 9-2 W 4-0 (Home) / 3-1 (Road) Sat. Oct. 6 vs. Gillette Wild 6-2 W 5-0 (Home) / 3-1 (Road) Thurs. Oct. 11 @ Bozeman Ice Dogs 5-3 W 5-0 (Home) / 4-1 (Road) Fri. Oct. 12 @ Gillette Wild 7-2 W 5-0 (Home) / 5-1 (Road) Sat. Oct. 13 @ Gillette Wild 5-1 W 5-0 (Home) / 6-1 (Road) Fri. Oct. 19 vs. Helena Bighorns 4-2 L 5-1 (Home) / 6-1 (Road) Sat. Oct. 20 vs. Missoula Jr. Bruins 5-3 W 6-1 (Home) / 6-1 (Road) Fri. Oct. 26 vs. Helena Bighorns 8-3 W 7-1 (Home) / 6-1 (Road) Sat. Oct. 27 @ Missoula Jr. Bruins 5-1 W 7-1 (Home) / 7-1 (Road) Fri. Nov. 2 vs. Missoula Jr. Bruins 5-1 W 8-1 (Home) / 7-1 (Road) Sat. Nov. 10 vs. Bozeman Ice Dogs 5-1 W 9-1 (Home) / 7-1 (Road) Sat. Nov. 17 vs. Missoula Jr. Bruins 2-1 L 9-2 (Home) / 7-1 (Road) Fri. Nov. 23 vs. Gillette Wild 8-2 W 10-2 (Home) / 7-1 (Road) Sat. Nov. 24 vs. Gillette Wild 4-1 L 10-3 (Home) / 7-1 (Road) Fri. Nov. 30 vs. Helena Bighorns 5-4 L (SO) 10-3-0-1 (Home) / 7-1 (Road) Sat. Dec. 1 @ Missoula Jr. Bruins 7-3 W 10-3-0-1 (Home) / 8-1 (Road) Fri. Dec. 7 @ Butte Cobras 9-1 W 10-3-0-1 (Home) / 9-1 (Road) Sat. Dec. 8 @ Helena Bighorns 4-1 L 10-3-0-1 (Home) / 9-2 (Road) Sat. Dec. 14 vs. Bozeman Ice Dogs 5-2 W 11-3-0-1 (Home) / 9-2 (Road)

Sun. Dec. 16 @ NA3HL Showcase Schwan Super Rink, Blaine, MN

vs. Louisiana Drillers** 3-0 L 11-4-0-1 (Home) / 9-2 (Road)

Mon. Dec. 17 @ NA3HL Showcase Schwan Super Rink, Blaine, MN

vs. Skylands Kings 2-1 W (SO) 12-4-0-1 (Home) / 9-2 (Road) (NJ)**

Tues. Dec. 18 @ NA3HL Showcase Schwan Super Rink, Blaine, MN

@ Northeast 5-3 L 12-4-0-1 (Home) / 9-3 (Road) Generals (MA)

Fri. Dec. 28 @ Bozeman Ice Dogs 4-3 W (OT) 12-4-0-1 (Home) / 10-3 (Road) Sat. Dec. 29 @ Butte Cobras 14-4 W 12-4-0-1 (Home) / 11-3 (Road) Mon. Dec. 31 @ Missoula Jr. Bruins 10-3 W 12-4-0-1 (Home) / 12-3 (Road) Fri. Jan. 4 @ Gillette Wild 4-1 W 12-4-0-1 (Home) / 13-3 (Road) Sat. Jan. 5 @ Gillette Wild 6-1 W 12-4-0-1 (Home) / 14-3 (Road) Fri. Jan. 11 vs. Butte Cobras 8-0 W 13-4-0-1 (Home) / 14-3 (Road) Sat. Jan. 12 @ Butte Cobras 6-1 W 13-4-0-1 (Home) / 15-3 (Road) Fri. Jan. 18 vs. Helena Bighorns 5-4 W (OT) 14-4-0-1 (Home) / 15-3 (Road) Sat. Jan. 19 vs. Missoula Jr. Bruins 8-2 W 15-4-0-1 (Home) / 15-3 (Road) Sat. Jan. 26 @ Helena Bighorns 2-1 W 15-4-0-1 (Home) / 16-3 (Road) Sat. Feb. 2 @ Butte Cobras 5-1 W 15-4-0-1 (Home) / 17-3 (Road) Fri. Feb. 8 @ Bozeman Ice Dogs 5-0 W 15-4-0-1 (Home) / 18-3 (Road) Sun. Feb. 10 vs. Butte Cobras 5-2 W 16-4-0-1 (Home) / 18-3 (Road) Fri. Feb. 15 vs. Yellowstone Quake 5-0 W 17-4-0-1 (Home) / 18-3 (Road) Great Falls Americans Hockey 417 Central Avenue, Suite #303, Great Falls, MT 59405

Sat. Feb. 16 vs. Yellowstone Quake 5-1 W 18-4-0-1 (Home) / 18-3 (Road)

Mon. Feb. 18 @ NA3HL Top New England Sports Village, Prospects Tourney Attleboro, MA Northeast Division 2-1 W (OT) FRONTIER WINS 2-1 (OT) vs. Frontier Division Frontier

Coastal Division vs. 3-2 W (SO) COASTAL WINS 3-2 (SO) Frontier Division Coastal

Tues. Feb. 19 @ NA3HL Top New England Sports Village,

Prospects Tourney Attleboro, MA Central Division vs. 6-4 W Central CENTRAL WINS 6-4 Frontier Division

Fri. Feb. 22 @ Bozeman Ice Dogs 3-1 W 18-4-0-1 (Home) / 19-3 (Road) Fri. Mar. 1 @ Helena Bighorns 3-2 L 18-4-0-1 (Home) / 19-4 (Road) Sat. Mar. 9 vs. Butte Cobras 14-0 W 19-4-0-1 (Home) / 19-4 (Road) End of Regular Season

2019 NA3HL Playoffs: Frontier Semi-Finals Best-of-3

2019 NA3HL Divisional Semifinals: Great Falls WINS the best-of-three series 2-1

#3 Bozeman Ice Dogs (29-16-5-0) vs. #2 Great Falls Americans (40-9-0-1) Day/Date Game Results/Story Location/Series/Record

Fri. Mar. 15 vs. Bozeman Ice Dogs 3-2 W (OT) GF Great Falls Ice Plex, Great Falls, MT Great Falls leads series 1-0 20-4-0-1 (Home) / 19-4 (Road) Sat. Mar. 16 @ Bozeman Ice Dogs 5-3 L GF Haynes Pavilion, Bozeman, MT Series Tied 1-1 20-4-0-1 (Home) / 19-5 (Road) Sun. Mar. 17 vs. Bozeman Ice Dogs 6-2 W GF Great Falls Ice Plex, Great Falls, MT Great Falls WINS series 2-1 21-4-0-1 (Home) / 19-5 (Road)

2019 NA3HL Playoffs: Frontier Finals Best-of-3

2019 NA3HL Divisional Finals: Helena WINS the best-of-three series 2-1

#2 Great Falls Americans (41-11-0-1) vs. #1 Helena Bighorns (42-9-0-2) Day/Date Game Results/Story Location/Series/Record Thurs. Mar. 21 @ Helena Bighorns 5-3 L GF Helena Ice Arena, Helena, MT Helena leads series 1-0 21-4-0-1 (Home) / 19-6 (Road) Fri. Mar. 22 vs. Helena Bighorns 4-0 W GF Great Falls Ice Plex, Great Falls, MT Series Tied 1-1 22-4-0-1 (Home) / 19-6 (Road) Sun. Mar. 23 @ Helena Bighorns 5-1 L GF Helena Ice Arena, Helena, MT Helena WINS series 2-1 22-4-0-1 (Home) / 19-7 (Road)

Great Falls Americans Hockey 417 Central Avenue, Suite #303, Great Falls, MT 59405

2018-19 Great Falls Americans Season Summary

Overall Home Road Neutral Regular Season 38-8-0-1 19-4-0-1 19-4-0 0-0 Playoffs 3-3-0 3-0 0-3 0-0 Season Total 41-11-0-1 22-4-0-1 19-7-0 0-0

2019-20 Frontier Division Team: Website/Arena Links

NA3HL Frontier Division Teams Click on the Website & Arena Link to view information and directions to the ice rinks. ** = New NA3HL Team for the 2019-20 Season Team Location Rink Bozeman Ice Dogs Bozeman, MT Haynes Pavilion Butte Cobras Butte, MT Butte Community Ice Center Gillette (WY) Wild Gillette, WY Spirit Hall Ice Arena Great Falls Americans Great Falls, MT Great Falls Ice Plex Helena Bighorns Helena, MT Helena Ice Arena Missoula Jr. Bruins Missoula, MT Glacier Ice Rink **Sheridan (WY) Hawks Sheridan, WY Sheridan Ice M&M’s Center Yellowstone (WY) Quake Cody, WY Riley Arena

2019-20 Great Falls Americans Season Preview

Great Falls Americans Hockey continues quest for a spot at Fraser Cup National Tourney

By Kevin Scott

GREAT FALLS, Mont., September 6, 2018 — The Great Falls Americans Junior A Hockey team is looking to bounce back after last season’s Frontier Divisional Semi-Finals loss to the Helena Bighorns (2- 0). Great Falls, under the direction of new coach Greg Sears, is entering their fifth season in the North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) after having played in the now defunct American West Hockey League for three seasons. During the 2017-18 campaign, the Americans posted an overall regular season record of 34-11-2 with 17 wins coming at home at the Great Falls Ice Plex.

In 2017-18, Great Falls made their fifth playoff appearance after returning to the ice in 2011. The Americans were swept in the Frontier Divisional Semi-Finals in two games in their best-of-three series against the Helena Bighorns. The Great Falls NA3HL franchise ended their season (including two games in playoffs) with an overall record of 34-12-3.

The Butte Cobras were formed in the off-season and will join the Great Falls Americans in the Frontier Division along with the Bozeman Ice Dogs, Helena Bighorns, Yellowstone (WY) Quake and the Gillette (WY) Wild for the 2018-19 season.

Head Coach and General Manager Jeff Heimel left the program after the 2017-18 season to begin his duties at the first-ever coach of the inaugural Argos hockey team that begins play for the first time in September 2018. Greg Sears, a former assistant coach with the NA3HL’s Yellowstone Quake, was hired in May 2018. Sears inherits 13 returning players from last year’s talented team that made the playoffs.

Training camp for all players for the new season began in September competing for a roster spot.

The Great Falls Americans will start out the year with a core group of returning players Including Brandon Peterson, Payton McSharry, Nick Ramstad, Jens Juliussen, Ben Rinckey, Luke Richesin, Trent Cowden, Nate Simpson, Drew Scites and Great Falls natives Cam MacIntosh and Great Falls Americans Hockey 417 Central Avenue, Suite #303, Great Falls, MT 59405

Braxton Lorenz. In addition to leadership, these veterans are looked upon to provide depth and experience throughout the year and they know what it is like to win at a high level.

Drew Scites, who came over after nine games from the , finished the season in Great Falls with an overall record of 11-0-0-0 and 357 saves. The Plymouth, Minnesota native was awarded the 2017-18 NA3HL Goaltender of the Year and was a top goalie in the Frontier Division. He was also named to the 2017-18 All-NA3HL and All-Frontier Division First Team that was released by the NA3HL in April 2018.

A few key players who won’t be returning due to college commitments and eligibility requirements include Forwards Brandon Vukasin and Kyler Mack, who were recruited to play with Heimel’s University of Providence team, and Michael Fary, who is attending and playing college hockey with Aquinas College in Michigan. Former Great Falls American Connor Barta also plays for Aquinas College. Garrett Peters, Jack Olson and Lindros Bears are newcomers that should give the team an immediate impact on the ice.

Greg Sears brought on a new coaching staff for the 2018-19 season. His assistants are Joe Engelhart and Ethan Hayes. Also returning to the staff this season is Team Owner Jim Keough (7th Season), Hockey TV “Play-By-Play” Commentator and “Voice of the Americans” Jeremy Williamson. Williamson was also a former Great Falls American player. Kevin Scott is returning as the Public Relations/Media Coordinator as his duties include the Great Falls Americans website (www.gfamericans.com), game recaps and press releases and media-related information. Kevin also has a FREE Weekly Email Newsletter for fans, and you can get more information for the E-Newsletter by going to the Americans website. Vicki Bertelsen (Billet Coordinator) and Ryan and Angel Turoski (Education Coordinator/Academic Advisors) also return for another season with the Americans.

The upcoming schedule for this season looks to be very challenging as every Frontier Division team looks to be much improved from the 2017-18 season. Great Falls opens the season with a three-game road trip with a game against the Missoula Jr. Bruins (Sept. 7th) followed by a two-game series in Cody, the following weekend (Sept. 14-15) against the Yellowstone Quake. Great Falls makes their first appearance at the Great Falls Ice Plex on September 21-22 when they host Yellowstone, the defending Frontier Division champions.

Great Falls will once again participate in the NA3HL Showcase Tournament in Blaine, Minnesota in December. All NA3HL teams will compete against other squads outside of their division in the three-day tournament (Dec. 16-18) that will count in the standings. The Americans play their final home game and last game of the regular season on March 9th against the Butte Cobras. The Americans final road game will be in Helena, Montana on March 1st when they visit the Bighorns but not before selected league players will participate in the 2019 NA3HL Top Prospects Tournament in Attleboro, Massachusetts at the end of February. The two-day all-star format event features many college scouts in the NCAA, junior leagues, and the NHL in attendance.

The Americans remain optimistic and excited for the new season under new mentor Greg Sears and staff. They hope to make the playoffs and get a chance at the Silver Cup National Tournament this season.

CONTACT:

Kevin Scott Great Falls Americans Public Relations/Media Coordinator Cell Phone: 406-403-8146 Email: [email protected]

Visit our website: http://www.gfamericans.com Join Us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greatfalls.americanshockey Twitter: https://twitter.com/@gfamericans

“North American 3 Hockey League”: http://www.na3hl.com

Great Falls Americans Hockey 417 Central Avenue, Suite #303, Great Falls, MT 59405