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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 109: September 3, 2026
PDF Printable Download: Weekly E-Newsletter with Matt Leaf
Dear Great Falls Americans Enthusiast: The first normal (mostly) week of practice is winding down after a successful Main Camp culminating with an entertaining Blue-Red Scrimmage in front of over 100 fans on Saturday night. Red came away with the regulation 3-2 win and then followed that up by winning the exhibition shootout. Paxon Sacre earned “1st Star of the Game” honors with two goals for Team Red while Defenseman Logan Knowles was awarded “2nd Star of the Game”. Overall, the coaching staff was pleased with the effort and level of play.
This week started with a media and physical day on Monday. Players completed a video profile, headshots for both the league and Americans’ use and then were subjected to pre-season physicals that allows us to best support the players’ health throughout the season. Tuesday saw the players get into a regular practice routine on-ice and then started their off-ice conditioning program at the Peak Health & Wellness Center. They’ll finish their skate on Friday morning and then will get the Labor weekend off to relax – well earned. They’ll be back at work Monday morning to start their final preparations for opening weekend.
We are excited to announce two players who have been added to our roster since the scrimmage on Saturday. They are:
| Player | Position | Year | Hometown | 2025-26 Team |
| Jace Troyer | Forward/Def | 2006 | Great Falls, MT | Great Falls Americans |
| John Stephens | Goalkeeper | 2008 | Aurora, CO | Connecticut Chiefs 18 AAA |
Welcome aboard John and Jase as they both joined the team at practices this week.
Only eight days until our Toyota Opening Night versus the Yellowstone Quake followed by our annual Tailgate Party with the band “After Five” on Saturday. We are planning a special Magnet Schedule give-away – presented by Slabtek (Concrete Lifting) and AJ Concrete – for those in attendance. Some new merchandise items are now included in our online store and will be available game nights and there will be new beer options as we transition to a draft beer system for this season. Come early and secure your refrigerator magnet schedule as supplies will be limited. Then check out the merchandise table while you enjoy a craft beer.
In honor of opening night, we have partnered with DASH for a special countdown activation where we have a different item or experience available for auction each day. Stay tuned to our social media and check out
the Americans’ page on DASH (QR Coode) to place your bid and earn your special Americans’ experience or novelty item. And, while on DASH, get your season chuck-a-pucks. The Montana Air National Guard “Chuck-A-Puck” is back for its second season with special prizes awarded from Teriyaki Madness, Play it Again Sports, Fire Pizza and The Sip-n-Dip Lounge during each home game. You can purchase your pucks at a discounted rate for the season in advance through DASH – simply choose the number of pucks (1-2-3 or 5) you would like to “chuck” and stop by the merchandise table to pick them up. You can purchase your season “chuck-a-pucks” through DASH by scanning the QR code to the right.
Our “Lucky Program” continues with prizes given out to fans with specially signed programs from Scheels, Howard’s Pizza and Annie’s Taphouse. Some exciting new merchandise options include T’s (some of the new designs are shown below), Hoodies and Hats as well as limited edition specialty items during each of our themed weekends. There is a lot to like about the Great Falls Americans 2026-27 season. Scan the QR Code (left) to purchase your tickets and merchandise and don’t miss out on any of the live action this season.
Here are some of the new designs available on T-shirts/hoodies this season. A special thanks to Golden Triangle Graphics for the designs and support as our new merchandise partner.
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Baldy’s Puck Drop will be back next week with the start of our weekly player profiles and an update on what to expect during our opening weekend. In the meantime, enjoy your holiday weekend and don’t forget to activate with DASH.
Here are the upcoming dates to add to your calendar:
- September 11th – Toyota Home and Season Opener versus Yellowstone Quake. Magnet Schedule Give-Away presented by Slabtek (Concrete Lifting) and AJ Concrete. 7:05 PM Puck Drop.
- September 12th – Home game versus Gillette Wild. 4th Annual Tailgate Party Featuring the Live Band “After Five” starting at 5:00 PM. Puck drop at 7:05 PM.
- September 18th – Home game versus Butte Irish presented by Northwestern Energy. 7:05 PM Puck Drop.
- September 19th – Home game versus Sheridan Hawks. Puck drop at 7:05 PM. Return to the Point S Tire & Auto Tricycle Races.
- September 25th – Come meet the Americans at OKTOBERFEST at Annies Taphouse and Homestead 1909. 5:00-10:00 PM.
- September 26th – Away game at Helena. 7:05 PM with Official Watch Party at Buffalo Wild Wings.
- October 23rd-24th – “Think Pink” Breast Cancer Awareness Weekend-Presented by Benefis Health-Sletten Cancer Institute
- November 6th-7th 2026 – Military Appreciation Weekend-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.
- January 8th and 15th – Rodeo/Rancher Appreciation.
- February 12th and 13th – Local Business Appreciation presented by Comparion Insurance- Todd Neighbor and Great Falls Chamber of Commerce.
- March 12th – Home game versus Badlands Sabres – Billet Appreciation presented by Toyota.
- March 13th = Home game versus Bozeman – Fan Appreciation presented by Toyota.
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* | AJ Concrete* | All-State Signs |
| Annie’s Taphouse | Beacon Ice House | Benski Towing & Recovery |
| Big Sky Laboratory | Bravera Bank | Cascade Electric |
| Central Avenue Meats | Central MT Lock & Safe | Century Gaming |
| Comparion Insturance- Todd Neighbor | Craftmaster Cabinets | Coca-Cola |
| Croxford Funeral Home | Eagle Mount Therapeutic Recreation | Ferrin’s Furniture |
| Fire Pizza | Floors & More Abbey Carpets | Golden Triangle Graphics* |
| Great Falls Clinics | Hampton Inn & Suites | Homestead 1909* |
| Jersey Mike’s | Kubota-Johnson Distributing | Life in Bloom Floral & Gift Boutique |
| Mountain Title Company | Murphy Law | Open Door Wellness |
| Play It Again Sports | Rainbow Senior Living* | Scheels |
| She Bare Wax & Sugar Boutique | Sip-N-Dip Lounge | Slabtek* (Concrete Lifting) |
| Sletten Construction* | Stifel l Finnicum Financial Group | TDS Fiber |
| Visit Great Falls | Voices of Hope | Westgate Repair Inc. |
Thank you for being a part of our hockey family!
Matt Leaf
Great Falls Americans HC Inc
MattL.GFAmericans@gmail.com