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, Montana Phone ...... (715) 566-2811 Population ...... 58,505 Record at Great Falls ...... 41-11-0-1 Team Owner ...... Jim Keough Associate Coach ...... Ethan Hayes (1st Season) National Affiliation ...... NA3HL Email ...... @gfamericans.com Division...... NA3HL Frontier Key Newcomers National Association ...... USA Hockey Ivan Royo ...... 5-9, D, Jaca, Spain Team Mascot ...... Baldy The Eagle Nick Silance ...... 6-0, F, Eagle River, AK Team Colors ...... Red, White & Blue Jake Hayes ...... 6-0, F, Anchorage, AK General Manager ...... Greg Sears Tommy Janes ...... 6-0, D, Anchorage, AK Public Relations/Media ...... Mr. Kevin Scott Braydon Rachow ...... 5-8, F, Eagle River, AK “Voice of the Americans” ...... Jeremy Williamson Vincent Marroni ...... 5-8, G, Plymouth, MI Home...... Great Falls Ice Plex Henry Chavez ...... 6-1, F, San Jose, CA Capacity...... 1,500 Harley Nyhuis ...... 5-11, F, Rancho Mirage, CA 2018-19 Season Recap Bryson Fletcher ...5-8, F, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA Overall Record ...... 41-11-0-1 Cody Benjamin ...... 5-11, D, Fairbanks, AK Home Record ...... 22-4-0-1 Kellen Harris ...... 5-9, F, Anchorage, AK Road Record ...... 19-7-0 Logan Rachow ...... 5-11, D, Eagle River, AK Neutral Record ...... 0-0-0
Key Returners 2019-20 Preview Viktor Wennberg ...... 5-11, G, Stockholm, Sweden Returning Players ...... 10 Nick Ramstad ...... 6-0, F, Red Wing, MN Players Lost ...... 23 Levi Mese ...... 6-0, F, Kenai, AK Key Losses Nick Torres ...... 5-10, D, Long Beach, CA Nate Simpson ...... 5-10, D, Claremont, CA Luke Richesin ...... 6-0, D, Clovis, CA Jens Juliussen ...... 5-9, F, Anchorage, AK Jack Olson ...... 5-11, F, White Bear Lake, MN Payton McSharry ...... 6-2, F, Anchorage, AK Brody Boyce ...... 5-11, F, Colorado Springs, CO Cam McIntosh ...... 6-1, G, Great Falls, MT Blake Nerney ...... 6-0, F, St. Louis, MO Sean McLean ...... 6-4, F, Scarborough, Australia Brandon Peterson ...... 6-2, D, Oak Creek, WI Trent Cowden ...... 5-11, D, Simi Valley, CA Dylan Olson...... 5-11, F, White Bear Lake, MN 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
(Updated: March 5, 2020) No. Name Pos. Shot Height Weight Hometown 1 Viktor Wennberg G 5’11” 160 Stockholm, Sweden 2 Brandon Peterson D R 6’2” 190 Oak Creek, WI 3 Bryson Fletcher F R 5’8” 150 Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 4 Clay Walker F L 5’8” 160 Great Falls, MT 5 Cody Benjamin D L 5’11” 220 Fairbanks, AK 6 Henry Chavez F L 6’1” 165 San Jose, CA 7 Levi Mese F R 6’0” 175 Kenai, AK 9 Kellen Harris F R 5’9” 160 Anchorage, AK 10 Nick Torres D L 5’10” 145 Long Beach, CA 13 Blake Nerney F L 6’0” 150 St. Louis, MO 15 Henry Fusco F R 5’10” 155 White Bear Lake, MN 16 Jack Olson F R 5’11” 165 White Bear Lake, MN 18 Harley Nyhuis F R 5’11” 150 Rancho Mirage, CA 20 Dylan Olson F R 5’11” 160 White Bear Lake, MN 21 Brody Savoia F L 6’0” 135 Prior Lake, MN 22 Luke Richesin D R 6’0” 210 Clovis, CA 23 Braydon Rachow F L 5’8” 220 Eagle River, AK 24 Viacheslav Nilov F L 6’1” 178 Ryazan, Russia 25 Nick Ramstad F R 6’0” 170 Red Wing, MN 27 Brody Boyce F R 5’11” 200 Colorado Springs, CO 30 Vincent Marroni G 5’8” 190 Plymouth, MI 31 Matt Maniglia G 5’10” 180 Brooklyn, NY 33 Trever Mellen G 6’1” 155 North Branch, MN 40 Logan Rachow D L 5’11” 190 Eagle River, AK 44 Jake Hayes F L 6’0” 170 Anchorage, AK 49 Tommy Janes D R 6’0” 165 Anchorage, AK 61 Ivan Royo D L 5’9” 165 Jaca, Spain 91 Nick Silance F L 6’0” 165 Eagle River, AK Red Highlight = Returning Player from 2018-19 Season
Team Owner Jim Keough (8th Season) Head Coach/General Manager Greg Sears (2nd Season) Associate Coach/Assistant General TBA (1st Season) Manager Hockey TV “Play-By-Play” Jeremy Williamson (8th Season) Commentator & “Voice of the Americans” Public Relations/Media Coordinator Kevin Scott (6th Season) Billet Coordinator Serena Sears (1st 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 Sat. 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. Helena Bighorns 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. Yellowstone Quake 3:00PM Great Falls Ice Plex Sun. Oct. 20 vs. Yellowstone Quake 1:00PM Great Falls Ice Plex Thurs. Oct. 24 @ Butte Cobras 7:30PM Butte Community Ice Center, Butte, MT Sat. Oct. 26 vs. Missoula Jr. Bruins 3:00PM 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 Thurs. Dec. 12 @ Butte Cobras 7:30PM Butte Community Ice Center, Butte, MT
Sun. Dec. 15 NA3HL Showcase NSC Super Rink, Blaine, MN @ Granite City (MN) 3:15PM Lumberjacks (MST)
Mon. Dec. 16 NA3HL Showcase NSC Super Rink, Blaine, MN @ Alexandria (MN) 5:35PM Blizzard (MST)
Tues. Dec. 17 NA3HL Showcase NSC Super Rink, Blaine, MN vs. L/A 10:45AM (Lewiston/Auburn) (MST) Nordiques (ME)
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
Great Falls Americans Hockey 417 Central Avenue, Suite #303, Great Falls, MT 59405
Sat. Jan. 18 @ Bozeman Ice Dogs 7:30PM Haynes Pavilion, Bozeman, MT Fri. Jan. 24 @ Helena Bighorns 7:05PM Helena Ice Arena, Helena, MT 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 Frontier vs. South 9:00AM Frontier Roster l South Roster (MST) Frontier vs. Coastal 3:00PM Frontier Roster l Coastal Roster (MST)
Tues. Feb. 18 NA3HL Top Prospects New England Sports Village, Attleboro, Tournament MA Frontier vs. West 6:00AM Frontier Roster l West 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 7:05PM 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: Great Falls Tribune: Sports Department Phone: 406-791-1470 or 406-791-1444 Website: http://www.greatfallstribune.com/sports General Sports Desk: [email protected]
Sports Editor: TBA (@greatfallstribune.com) Office Phone: 406-791-1481
Sports Writer: Lee Vernoy ([email protected]) Office Phone: 406-791-6569
Sports Writer: Grady Higgins ([email protected]) Office Phone: 406-791-1462
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 ([email protected]) 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]) Office Phone: 406-540-2084
Weekend Sports Anchor/Reporter: Elijah Collins ([email protected]) Office Phone: 406-880-6947
Sports Anchor/Reporter: Jeremy Schnell ([email protected]) Office Phone: 406-540-2086
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 Whitney Rink in the 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 11, 2019 — The Great Falls Americans Junior A Hockey team is looking to bounce back after last season’s Frontier Divisional Finals loss to the Helena Bighorns (2-1). Great Falls, under the direction of second year head coach Greg Sears, is entering their sixth 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 2018-19 campaign, the Americans posted an overall regular season record of 38-8-0-1 with 19 wins coming at home at the Great Falls Ice Plex.
In 2018-19, Great Falls made their sixth playoff appearance after returning to the ice in 2011. The Americans edge the Bozeman Ice Dogs (2-1) in the Frontier Divisional Semi-Finals before being swept in the Frontier Divisional Finals in three 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 41-11-0-1.
The Sheridan (WY) Hawks 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, Butte Cobras and the Gillette (WY) Wild for the 2019-20 season.
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 Viktor Wennberg, Brandon Peterson, Levi Mese, Nick Ramstad, Nick Torres, Blake Nerney, Luke Richesin, Jack Olson, Dylan Olson and Brody Boyce. 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.
Great Falls Americans Hockey 417 Central Avenue, Suite #303, Great Falls, MT 59405
A trio of players including a pair of forwards in Jens Juliussen and Payton McSharry and goaltender Drew Scites were standouts on the 2018-19 Americans squad.
Jens Juliussen, the 5’9” forward from Anchorage, Alaska, who came over in a December 2016 trade along with teammate McSharry from the Missoula Junior Bruins, currently hold the record for the Americans for most assists in one season (59) and 90 in a career. He was also selected to play at the 2019 Top Prospects Tournament for the Frontier squad that finished with a 1-3 record
Payton McSharry, the 6’2” forward who calls Anchorage, Alaska home, played two seasons for Great Falls was also a member of the Frontier Division team at the Top Prospects Tournament in Massachusetts in February and scored four goals in three contests. Payton led the Americans in scoring (11th overall in the NA3HL) during the 2018-19 campaign with 90 points in 47 regular season games including 48 goals. In April 2019, he was one of six players in the Frontier Division to make the All- Frontier Division team and was named to the All-NA3HL Third team.
Minnesota native Drew Scites was 22-8-1 behind the net for the Americans during the 2018-19 season including 3-3 in the playoffs against the Bozeman Ice Dogs and Helena Bighorns. Drew recorded 693 saves (0.935 save percentage), 1.96 GAA (Goals Against Average) and four shutout victories while leading the Americans to a 41-11-0-1 overall record. During the 2017-18 season he was named the Frontier Division and NA3HL Goaltender of the Year in his first season in an Americans uniform.
Eight key players who won’t be returning due to college commitments and eligibility requirements include Four forwards Payton McSharry (Iowa State), Jens Juliussen and Sean McLean (Maryville University in Missouri), and Lindros Beard (University of Utah). Two defensemen also have committed to college including Nate Simpson (Maryville University in Missouri) and Trent Cowden who will join the Rams of Colorado State while two goaltenders including Great Falls native Cam McIntosh will be on the roster of the University of Jamestown Jimmies in North Dakota and Drew Scites will join McSharry at Iowa State.
Greg Sears returns for his second year behind the bench along with Associate Head Coach/Assistant General Manager Ethan Hayes. Also returning to the staff this season is Team Owner Jim Keough (8th Season) and 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. Ryan and Angel Turoski (Education Coordinator/Academic Advisors) also return for another season with the Americans. Serena Sears (Billet Coordinator) is the new Billet Coordinator this season.
The upcoming schedule for this season looks to be very challenging as every Frontier Division team looks to be much improved from the 2018-19 season. Great Falls opens the season with a two-game home series with a game against the Gillette (WY) Wild (Sept. 13-14). The following weekend, Great Falls makes their first road appearance when they travel to the Mining City to face the Butte Cobras on Thursday, September 19th and then return to the friendly confines of the Great Falls Ice Plex for a Saturday showdown against Butte.
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. 15-17) that will count in the standings. The Americans play their final home game on Saturday, February 22nd against the Bozeman Ice Dogs. The Americans final road game will be in Butte, Montana on February 29th when they visit the Butte Cobras but not before selected league players will participate in the 2020 NA3HL Top Prospects Tournament in Attleboro, Massachusetts on February 17th- 18th. 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 second year mentor Greg Sears and staff. They hope to make the playoffs again and get a chance at the Silver Cup National Tournament this season.
Great Falls Americans Hockey 417 Central Avenue, Suite #303, Great Falls, MT 59405
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