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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 90: January 8, 2026
PDF Printable Download: Weekly E-Newsletter with Matt Leaf
Dear Great Falls Americans Enthusiast: The new year has gotten off to a productive start for the Americans as they were business like in dispatching Butte 6-2 on New Year’s Eve at home and then 6-3 in Butte on Saturday night. AJ Prioli led the way at home with a hat trick plus an assist while Cooper Clouse added four assists and Ethan Miller added a goal and three assists. Saturday’s game highlighted the Americans’ depth with five different goal scorers led by Wyatt Hanna’s two goals and Wyatt Rust’s first goal as an American. Cooper Clouse added two assists to extend his 20-game point streak and continues to lead the Americans in points with 19 goals and 34 assists in 31 games.
A quick update on the resumption of the Bozeman game from December 6th. The remaining 8:30 of the 3rd period will be played in Great Falls on Friday, January 23rd at 2:00 PM. The reality is there is no easy way to do this and the situation of having to postpone the remainder of the game due to an injury is unfortunate. The game will resume with Bozeman leading 2:1 and the Americans about to go on a 5:00 power play. Fans are welcome to stop in and support the Americans as they try to earn some critical points in the standings – it will be free to the public.
The Americans are excited for this weekend as we host the division leading Sheridan Hawks and will be wearing a special edition “Rodeo” Jersey that will be auctioned off after the weekend. Just as we take pride in the military presence within our community, we also want to recognize the ranch/rodeo presence that is a huge part of Montana and the Great Falls Culture with the Montana Pro Rodeo Circuit Finals taking place in mid-January. The highlight of the jersey are the “brands” of local and various Ranchers with Americans’ ties. The Auction will run through DASH starting on Friday at 5:00 PM through 8:00 PM next Wednesday. The QR code to activate DASH and to place your bid(s) is to the left and we look forward to seeing you at the games this weekend!
We also want to thank our partners Central Avenue Meats and Hoglund’s Work and Western Wear along with the various ranchers whose brands are highlighted on the jerseys. Some of you may be interested in the history of the brands – we will provide a cheat sheet for all winning bids in the auction but here is a quick summary of the brands that appear:
Annie Busby (Registered on April 20th, 1914). Annie was the first female homesteader in central Montana and is the namesake of Annie’s Taphouse here in Great Falls.
The Horse and Cattle brands for The Hanson Ranch from Killdeer, ND. The Hanson Ranch is part of Cooper Clouse’s family.
The Rocking CT represents the Griffiths Family Ranch from the Mission Valley and is connected to billet Mom Krista Smith.
This brand is from the Max Kuhr Family from Havre, MT and is connected to billet Dad Ryan Smith.
Four O Six Land and Cattle Company (Joe and Ella Jurenka) Chouteau, MT.
Nolan and Nicol Eggen from Fort Shaw, MT and closely connected to our Goalkeeper Coach Marcus Ivey.
Sankey Rodeo Company from Joliet, MT.
The Brandt Miller Ranch from Dutton, MT.
Michael and Kade Ivey – Marcus Ivey’s brother and nephew from Fort Shaw, MT.
Player Profile – #27 Cooper Clouse (Assistant Captain) (Fargo, ND) 5’11” 170 lbs. FOR – Shoots Left DOB 10/20/2005
Favorite Team: Pittsburgh Penguins
Favorite Player: Sidney Crosby
Favorite Movie: Miracle
Favorite Actor/Actress: Jim Carrey
Favorite Food: Pasta/
Favorite Pre-Game Meal: Peanut Butter and Jelly
If you were animal: Cheetah — Because they are fast.
Musical Group You Won’t Miss in Concert: Zac Brown Band
Pre-Game Hype Music: Rock
One Person to be stuck with on a deserted island: Fisher Hannesson
Hobbies other than Hockey: Golf
Three People you would invite to Dinner: Shane Gillis, Donald Trump, Margot Robbie
College/University of Choice: University of North Dakota
Like Most About Great Falls: Not too big, but not too small.
How would you define a successful season: Making the Fraser Cup Finals!
Here are the upcoming dates to add to your calendar:
- January 9th – Home Game versus 7:05 PM Puck drop as we wear our special edition Rodeo Jerseys.
- January 10th – Home Game versus 7:05 PM Puck drop as we wear our special edition Rodeo Jerseys.
- January 9th-14th – Special edition Rodeo Jersey Auction through
- January 16th – Away game at 7:00 PM Puck drop and join our fans at Buffalo Wild Wings for our official Watch Party location.
- January 17th – Away game at 7:00 PM Puck drop and join our fans at Buffalo Wild Wings for our official Watch Party location.
- January 23rd – Completion of game versus 2:00 PM
- January 24th – Home Game versus 3:35 PM Puck Drop as part of a University of Providence Double Header! Toyota Night!
- February 6th – Away game at 7:30 PM Puck drop and join our fans at Buffalo Wild Wings for our official Watch Party location.
- February 7th – Home game versus Butte at the Havre Ice Dome. 7:05 PM Puck drop and join our fans at Buffalo Wild Wings for our official Watch Party location for those who don’t make the trip to Havre.
Thank you to our corporate partners for their continued support.
Eagle’s Nest Level
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Diamond Level
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Platinum Level
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Tammy Quintrell-Stubbs
Gold, Silver and Bronze Level Partners (* new this season)
| All-State Signs | Beacon Ice House | Eagle Mount Therapeutic Recreation* |
| Floors & More Abbey Carpets | Central Avenue Meats | MNoel Photography |
| Havre Youth Hockey | Central MT Lock & Safe | Century Gaming |
| Life in Bloom Floral @ Gift Boutique | Hotel Arvon/Celtic Cowboy | Stifel l Finnicum Financial Group |
| Coca-Cola* | Craftmaster Cabinets | Culligan Water |
| Comparion Insurance | Play It Again Sports | Open Door Wellness |
| Big Sky Laboratory | Cascade Electric | Hampton Inn & Suites |
| Ferrin’s Furniture | Great Falls Hospital | She Bare Wax & Sugar Boutique |
| Jersey Mike’s | Karma Coffee | Murphy Law |
| Scheels | Stockman Bank | Traynor Capital |
| Voices of Hope* | Johnson Distributing | Mountain Title Company |
| Fire Pizza* | Montana Rib & Chop House* | Visit Great Falls |
| Croxford Funeral Home and Crematory | Bish’s RV of Great Falls* | StaRadio |
| Benski Towing & Recovery | Westgate Repair, Inc. | Annie’s Taphouse |
| Sip-N-Dip Lounge* | Special Olympics of Montana* | TDS Fiber |
| Hoglund’s Work and Western Wear |
Thank you for being a part of our hockey family!
Matt Leaf
Great Falls Americans HC Inc
MattL.GFAmericans@gmail.com