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BALDY’S PUCK DROP Weekly E-Newsletter (September – August) |
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Baldy’s Puck Drop” Weekly E-Newsletter with Matt Leaf
Volume 50: December 19, 2024
PDF Printable Download: Weekly E-Newsletter with Matt Leaf
Dear Great Falls Americans Enthusiast: Apologize for the tardiness for those who look forward to waking up to the Newsletter early on Thursday morning. Obviously, a busy last week on the road and a long bus ride home the last two days. As much as we appreciate our driver Rex, it simply is not a smooth enough ride to be able to put together a newsletter while riding on the bus – especially as Rex navigated the wind yesterday. It is good to be home safe and allow our players to get some time off during the holidays.
Overall, we would consider our Showcase a successful one. They played three intense 2-1 games (winning the first two while falling short on Tuesday morning in a very competitive game) that very much felt like playoff hockey as they saw teams from different divisions. It was a great experience for our players to play these types of games and it is especially rewarding for them to be able to do so in front of so many scouts and their own families and friends. We had a fantastic support network there with several parents, grandparents and even billet parents Ryan – Krista Smith and Adam – Pam Stanczak making the trip to support our team.
A huge part of what makes the Showcase succesful is the chance to play in front of college scouts at all levels. The normal process is these scouts will be waiting outside our dressing room after each game and ask to talk to certain players they are interested in. We had some great success here as according to my notes, we had eleven different players talk to rough twelve different schools and in some cases the payer talked to multiple schools over the three games. Afterall, the promotion and development of these young men as players and people are why we do this, so tack that on to the two wins and we can call it a success. I’ll also note that even though some of the younger players may not have been called out by a college coach (they are generally going to be recruiting age-out players now), they were still seen and identified as a future prospects.
It is hard to believe there are only 19 regular season games remaining and the 2nd part of the season should be an exciting one. We have cemented ourselves in 3rd place with a good chance to move up a spot and secure home ice for the first round of the playoffs. We have put ourselves in a good position to be able to accomplish our goals and we have a great group of players both on and off the ice. We look forward to a mini break for the holidays and will be back to work on the ice on the 28th in Havre as we prepare for our New Years Eve game versus Butte.
Thank you to all those who participated in our special “Baldy Christmas Ornament” sale and congrats to Joseph Maroney (Power, MT) for
winning the special GFA “Stocking Stuffer” package drawn from those who purchased an ornament. The package includes a GFA Blanket, Scarf, Beanie, Mini-Stick, Special Edition pin set, GFA Support Banner and official game puck.
Finally, I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas from the Great Falls Americans and we will be back with a shortened version of Baldy’s Puck Drop next week as we prepare for the New Year’s Eve game. In the meantime – thanks for your continued support and be safe.
Player Profile – #9 Sebe Perez (Captain) (Tuscon, AZ) 5’9” 175 lbs. FOR– Shoots Right DOB 09/17/2004
Favorite Team: Pittsburgh Penguins Favorite Player: Sidney Crosby
Favorite Movie: Trolls Actor/Actress: Salma Hayek
Favorite Food: Steak Favorite Pre-Game Meal: Pasta
If you were an animal: A Hawk- Get to fly around
Musical Group You Won’t Miss in Concert: Victor Ray
Music Guaranteed to get you hyped: Oliver Tree & Arden Jones
Person stuck with on a deserted Island: A Kraft Brother
Hobbies other than Hockey: Lifting
Three People you would invite to Dinner: Sabrina Carpenter, Sidney Crosby, Teddy Swims
College/University of Choice: University of Notre Dame and Hobart College
Like Most About Great Falls: My teammates and billet family.
How would you define a successful season: College hockey offers and winning the Fraser Cup!
Here are the upcoming events for you to mark your calendars:
• December 28th – The Americans will practice at the Havre Ice Dome and then conduct clinics with their youth teams.
• December 31st – Home game versus the Butte Irish – 6:05 PM Puck Drop!
• January 3rd – Game at Yellowstone at 7:05 PM. Official Watch Party at Buffalo Wild Wings.
• January 4th – Game at Yellowstone at 7:05 PM. Official Watch Party at Buffalo Wild Wings.
• January 10th – Home game versus Helena – 7:05 PM Puck Drop!
• January 11th – Road game versus Butte at 7:30 PM. Official Watch Party at Buffalo Wild Wings.
Thank you to all our existing Eagle’s Nest, Diamond and Platinum Level partners for their continued support.
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Gold, Silver and Bronze Level Partners (* new this season)
| 3D International Restaurant and Lounge | All-State Signs | Annie’s Taphouse |
| Comparion Insurance-Todd Neighbor | Automotive Machine | Beacon Ice House |
| Eagle Mount Therapeutic Recreation | Benski Towing & Recovery | Big Sky Harley Davidson* |
| Floors & More Abbey Carpets | Big Sky Laboratory | Bravera Bank |
| Hoglund’s | Cascade Electric | Central Avenue Meats |
| Hotel Arvon-Celtic Cowboy | Central MT Lock & Safe | Century Gaming |
| Life in Bloom Floral & Gift Boutique | Coca-Cola* | Craftmaster Cabinets |
| Montana Air National Guard* | Culligan Water | Ferrin’s Furniture |
| She Bare Wax & Sugar Boutique | Great Falls Hospital | Hampton Inn & Suites |
| Stifel |Finnicum Financial Group | Highwood Creek Outfitters | Jersey Mike’s |
| Tilleraas Landscape & Nursery | Johnson Distributing | Karma Coffee* |
| Murphy Law | Open Door Wellness* | Play It Again Sports |
| Purvis Chiropractic* | Scheels | STARadio |
| Stockman Bank | TDS Fiber* | Teriyaki Madness |
| Traynor Capital | Visit Great Falls* | Westgate Repair Inc* |
| Mountain Title Company* | Croxford Funeral Home and Crematory* |
Thank you for being a part of our hockey family!
Matt Leaf
Great Falls Americans HC Inc
MattL.GFAmericans@gmail.com