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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 105: July 2, 2026
PDF Printable Download: Weekly E-Newsletter with Matt Leaf
Dear Great Falls Americans Enthusiast: Summer has arrived as the Americans came of a successful Prospects Camp. A few veterans participated along with some tendered players and some local Montana High School kids. Thus far, eight players who were part of our Prospects Camp will be part of our team this upcoming season while there are still a few contracts out. I would also like to recognize the local Great Falls High School kids who participated and got a taste of the speed and skill level needed for Junior Hockey. They are: Brodie Carper, Brock Ciafardone, Wilson Giles, Ryder Grassman, Kason Heck, Mav Ivey and Brett Wagner. We look forward to them and a few other Montana High School kids joining the Americans family in the future. Coach Sears also made a trip to Vegas to scout, and a few other returning payers have signed. Although it may be a younger team next season, we are pleased with the skill level and excited to get the season started. Time will fly by between now and the opening of our main camp.
From the business side of things, our schedule is finalized but still waiting for league approval and the official release date. I anticipate we should be able to release our schedule within the next week or two. A special thanks goes out to those partners who have renewed for the coming season, since the last edition, they are; 1st Liberty Federal Credit Union, All-State Signs, Best Western Plus Riverfront Hotel, Bravera Bank, Buffalo Wild Wings, Central Avenue Meats, Century Gaming, Craftmaster Cabinets, Floors & More Abbey Carpets, Hoglund’s Work and Western Wear, Life in Bloom Flower & Gift Boutique, Mountain Title Company, Northwestern Energy, Russell Country FCU, Stockman Bank, The Peak Health & Wellness and our newest partners Golden Triangle Graphics and Sletten Construction. It may not be hockey 
season, but it can still be a busy time of the year as we prepare for next season and continue to work with our partners on creating value to all involved.
I am very pleased to announce a couple more college commitments. Wyatt Hanna (South Jordan, Utah) has committed to attend and play hockey at Utah State University this Fall. Wyatt played in 49 games for the Americans last season and accumulated 21 points. Utah State is a public, agricultural land-grant, and space-grant research university founded in 1888 and located in Logan, Utah. Known as the Aggies, the University hosts 30,000 students and offers 370 degrees with a club hockey program playing at the ACHA Division II level.
In addition, Aiden Mulheran (Excelsior, MN) had committed to the University of Colorado located in Boulder, CO. The Buffaloes are an ACHA Division I Hockey Program and the University is a public research university
known for its strong programs in aerospace, environmental science, and engineering. Founded in 1876, the University of Colorado has 35,000 
students and offers over 270 areas of study. Wyatt and Aiden are our sixth members from the 2025-26 team to advance onto college hockey, joining Kaden Rhyder to University of Jamestown, Cooper Clouse to Hope College, Owen Cronk to the University of Providence and Fisher Hannesson to the University of Mary. The Americans are proud of their accomplishments and look forward to following all their continuing careers at the collegiate level.
Players are continuing to sign their contracts as the summer has progressed and we want to welcome the following to our family for the 2026-27 season (previously announced highlighted):
| Player | Position | Year | Hometown | 2025-26 Team |
| Jarret Averett | Forward/Def | 2007 | Sidney, MT | Great Falls Americans |
| Colton Bacon | Forward | 2008 | Billings, MT | Great Falls Americans |
| Zach Bohan | Goalkeeper | 2008 | Rochester, MN | Rochester Century HS |
| Logan Knowles | Defenseman | 2009 | Spokane, WA | Spokane Jr. Chiefs 18U AA |
| Ayecan Mcleslie | Forward | 2008 | Spokane, WA | Spokane Jr. Chiefs 18U AA |
| Jarrett Parker | Forward | 2007 | Des Moines, IA | Des Moines Capitals 18U AAA |
| Jacob Piccioni | Forward | 2008 | Billings, MT | Team Wyoming 18U AAA |
| Paxon Sacre | Forward | 2008 | Des Moines, IA | Des Moines Capitals 18U AAA |
| Shaun Lerner | Forward | 2007 | Calgary, ALB | Bow River Bruins U21 |
| Isaac Algyer | Defenseman | 2007 | Rochester, MN | Rochester Century HS |
| John Gue | Defenseman | 2009 | Peyton, CO | Wilkes Barre/Scranton Knights |
| Jaxon Kruzich | Goalkeeper | 2008 | Ramsey, MT | Billings HS |
| Reid Lezubski | Forward | 2008 | Chestermere, ALB | Great Falls Americans |
The 2026-27 season schedule is in the hands of the league waiting on final approval and release. We hope to be able to announce our schedule in the next week or two and we are extremely excited about some of the promotions we will be activating this season. A few key dates to keep in mind include opening weekend on September 11th and 12th (4th Annual Tailgate Party on Saturday the 12th), the NA3HL Showcase on December 20th-22nd and the regular season will conclude March 12th-13th. We look forward to continuing our “Think Pink for the Girls” Breast Cancer Awareness weekend in October, Military Appreciation in November and a chance to honor our Rancher/Rodeo tradition in January. One new activation that is being planned for this season is a small business appreciation weekend in February. Stay tuned to GreatFallsAmericans.com and our social media channels for the latest schedule information and the sale of season and individual game tickets in the coming weeks. And mark your calendars for our 2nd Annual “Teddy Bear Toss” on December 12th presented by Russell Country Federal Credit Union.
Another first-time activity this summer is supporting two Jr Americans youth teams (9U and 11U) in summer programming by taking them to a Summer Showdown Tournament in Vegas
on July 16-18. With the Ice Plex having summer ice, it was time to start a summer program for local kids to continue their development without having to travel throughout the state and beyond in an environment that will allow them to still participate in other sports. This is the first step in supporting our local players with practical programming that will prepare them to play for the Americans someday.
As part of USA’s Gold Medal winning Olympic Hockey Teams and the Nation’s 250th birthday, we will be running a blowout sale on several items during the 4th of July Weekend, including Buy One Get One Season Tickets. Over 45 items are available at rock bottom prices with the sale running from July 2nd-6th. We’ll also be out in full force during the 4th of July Parade, handing out flyers and Otter Pops to those in attendance as we celebrate our Nation’s Independence. A special thanks goes out to Slabtek for providing the
vehicles for the parade. Click on the QR Code (Right) to become activated and not miss out on any of our activations throughout the season.
Finally, our 4th Annual Cornhole Extravaganza is set for August 22nd with registration now open. Click on the QR code to the left and enjoy a fun-filled afternoon with our 2026-27 players prior to our intense pre-season training camp starting on August 24th. The Annual Blue-White Game is scheduled for August 29th and, once again, is open to the public.
Here are the upcoming dates to add to your calendar:
- July 2nd -6th – 4th of July 250th Celebration Blowout Sale on DASH
- July 4th – Great Falls 4th of July Parade
- August 22nd– 4th Annual Cornhole Extravaganza, Beacon Icehouse
- August 24 — 28th – Great Falls Americans Main Camp
- August 29th – Annual GFA Blue-White Game.
- September 11th – Regular Season Begins – Home and Season Opener
- September 12th – Home game with 4th Annual Tailgate Party Featuring the Live Band, “After Five”
- October 23-24th – “Think Pink” Breast Cancer Awareness Weekend-Presented by Benefis Health
- November 2026 – Military Appreciation Month-Presented by 1st Liberty Federal Credit Union
- December 12th – 2nd Annual Russell Country Federal Credit Union “Teddy Bear Toss”.
- December 20th-22nd – NA3HL Showcase, Blaine, MN.
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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Gold, Silver and Bronze Level Partners (* new this season)
| 3D International Restaurant & Lounge* | All-State Signs | Annie’s Taphouse |
| Beacon Ice House | Bravera Bank | Central Avenue Meats |
| Central MT Lock & Safe | Century Gaming | Craftmaster Cabinets |
| Coca-Cola | Eagle Mount Therapeutic Recreation | |
| Floors & More Abbey Carpets | Golden Triangle Graphics* | Great Falls Clinics |
| Hoglund’s Work and Western Wear | Jersey Mike’s | Life in Bloom Floral @ Gift Boutique |
| Mountain Title Company | Murphy Law | Open Door Wellness |
| Rainbow Senior Living | Scheels | Sletten Construction* |
| TDS Fiber | Visit Great Falls |
Thank you for being a part of our hockey family!
Matt Leaf
Great Falls Americans HC Inc
MattL.GFAmericans@gmail.com