Americans Weekly Update – Hebert Returns, Combs Retires, Costello 3ICE Injury, Where Are They Now

Some big happenings around the Allen Americans since the last update and a look at news for some former Allen players. Here goes:

– The Americans announced the signing of Grant Hebert for the 2023-24 season. Hebert joined the Americans last season in January after playing at the University of Maine. In 37 games as a rookie, Grant had 26 points (8G, 18A). A powerful skater with great vision and ability to carry the puck, look for Hebert to compete for a top six forward spot in his first full season in Allen. Allen has now announced four players for the 2023-24 season. Forwards Colton Hargrove, Liam Finlay, Hebert and defenseman Matt Brassard.

– Jack Combs had a career year last season with 95 points (36G, 59A) which was second in the ECHL behind his teammate, Hank Crone. Jack played more games (70) than any other forward on the team and played in every situation. It was an amazing season for the 35-year-old. Despite the great season it was pretty much a foregone conclusion Combs would retire to pursue a coaching position. That happened this past week with Jack announcing his retirement to become an assistant coach at Lindenwood University in his hometown of St. Louis.

I asked Jack what his role will be at Lindenwood since college programs have several assistants and also asked him what it was like playing his last pro season in Allen with his close friend (and coach) Chad Costello. Here is what Jack had to say:

“My role at Lindenwood will be individual skills and special teams.”

“Last season in Allen was honestly how I envisioned going out with the exception of not winning the Kelly Cup. Playing for Chad was awesome and being able to see him firsthand excel at being a head coach was very special. I am really going to miss everything about playing in Allen, but I am also very excited to put down roots for my family at home and to be challenged right away with an amazing opportunity to stay involved in the game I love so much.”

– It was quite a ride for Jack Combs over his 14-year pro career that saw him play in the AHL. ECHL and CHL in North America and overseas in Russia, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland and Romania. Here are a few of his stats:

• 162 AHL games (40G, 39A), points per game average of .49
• 350 ECHL games (189G, 246A), points per game average of 1.24
• In 2014-15 playing for Allen, Jack had 56 points (22G, 34A) in just 32 games (1.75 PPG) before leaving for Europe.
• Combs played 162 of his 350 ECHL games for the Allen Americans. He is only #9 on the all-time Allen games played list (ECHL only) but is #4 in goals (79), #3 in assists (134), #3 in points (213) and #2 in points per game (1.31).
• Combs and Costello had amazing chemistry and friendship. They played together on six different teams (Allen Americans, Bridgeport Islanders, Colorado Eagles, Iserlohn Roosters, Tulsa Oilers and Worcester Sharks).
• If you look at ECHL points per game since 2009-10 when Combs first played in the league the top two (minimum 275 ECHL games played) are Costello (1.50) and Combs (1.24). No other player is above 1.08.

– If you watch 3ICE you saw Chad Costello, take a puck to the ear in the tournament in Grand Rapids a couple of weeks ago. The injury was bad enough to keep Chad out if his team’s (Team Johnston) game in Newark last week. Team Johnston won the tournament in Newark and has finished its regular season (each team plays three times). Most teams in the eight-team league have one or two games remaining. Team Johnston is currently in second place but will have to wait out the final two regular season weeks to see if they finish in the top four and advance to the championship finals in Philadelphia on August 12. FYI, the top team in 3ICE is Team Murphy who has played twice and won both weeks. Colton Hargrove, Hank Crone and Matt Register are on Team Murphy.

– Former Allen player John Snowden (2013-14) has had quite the career since retiring from hockey in 2014. A scratch golfer, John went to Orlando to attend a PGA golf school to become a teaching pro and while living in Orlando (coaching youth hockey) was hired as an assistant coach for the Orlando Solar Bears. After three years in Orlando, he was recruited to become an assistant coach in Newfoundland (2018-19) and became head coach mid-season when the head coach had to step down because of health issues. Snowden led Newfoundland to its first and only Kelly Cup in 2019. In 2021 John was promoted to assistant coach of the AHL Toronto Marlies. The entire Marlies’ coach staff was let go after a second-round playoff loss last season. It didn’t take long for John to find another coaching position as he has been hired as an assistant coach for the AHL Lehigh Valley Phantoms. I had a chance to catch up with Snowden to ask about his new position and the family. Here is what he said:

“I will be working with the forwards, running the power play, 6-on-5 and will handle the 5-on-5 offensive side of the puck.”

“Kids are doing great and growing up FAST! Hockey has been good, and they are pretty good little players. Both of the boys are also playing baseball. My golf game is almost nonexistent at this time in our lives with kids’ sports taking over.”

One of the most memorable games in Snowden’s pro career of over 700 games came when he was playing for the Fort Worth Brahmas on February 13, 2013. John scored five goals including four straight goals in the second period as Fort Worth beat Arizona 7-1.

–  Where are they now? Here are a few of the Allen Americans players from the past that have signed for the 2023-24 season showing where they will be playing.

• Dyson Stevenson – Glasgow, Scotland (congrats on his marriage this past weekend)
• Josh Brittain – Dundee Scotland
• Vincent Arseneau – Providence (AHL)
• Alex Lavoie – Grenoble, France
• Branden Troock – Solna, Sweden
• Olivier Archambault – Spisska Nova Ves, Slovakia
• Dante Salituro – Hannover, Germany
• J.D. Dudek – Coventry, England
• Josh Winquist – Esbjerg, Denmark
• Nick Albano – Innsbruck, Austria
• Braylon Shmyr – Trondheim, Norway
• Tyler Sheehy – Straubing, Germany
• Les Lancaster – Tampere, Finland
• Stepan Falkovsky – St. Petersburg, Russia
• Hank Crone – Chicago (AHL)
• Jakov Novak – Laval (AHL)
• Corey Mackin – Innsbruck, Austria
• Brett Neumann – Sheffield, England
• Aidan Brown – Miercurea Ciuc, Romania
• Xavier Bernard – Bakersfield (AHL)

– The upcoming season will be the 15th for the Allen Americans franchise. The team is hoping to have a 15th anniversary alumni game, likely in March as an under card to an Americans game. It was a big hit when the Americans had an alumni game for the 10th anniversary and a 15th could potentially be even bigger.

– Per team President Jonny Mydra, ticket sales are up 30% over the same time last season. The 2023-24 season is shaping up to be a success both on and off the ice.

– I saw where the AHL regular season will run one week longer on 2023-24 than last season and the AHL playoffs will be the same. That means a lot of teams make the playoffs and they last a long time. Here is how it might impact the Americans in getting help from Belleville for the playoffs:

• Belleville’s last regular season game is April 20.
• Allen’s last regular season game is April 14.
• Five of seven teams in the AHL North Division (Belleville’s division) make the playoffs.
• The AHL playoffs are five rounds.

DID YOU KNOW: Since 2006-07 the only ECHL player with more than one 100-point season is Chad Costello who had three straight (2014-17). Here are the seven players with one 100-point season:

• Hank Crone – Allen (2022-23)
• Tyler Donati – Elmira (2009-10)
• Justin Donati – Elmira (2009-10)
• Ryan Kinasewich – Utah 2009-10)
• Kevin Baker – Florida (2008-09)
• David Desharnais – Cincinnati (2007-08)
• Brad Schell – Gwinnett (2006-07)

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