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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 44: November 7, 2024
PDF Printable Download: Weekly E-Newsletter with Matt Leaf
Dear Great Falls Americans Enthusiast: Just when the squad disappoints us a little bit on the ice (see last week’s game recap), they go out and 
have a week like they just did. Since the last newsletter, they competed in a very successful “Candy Cup” with the winning team called “Team Why Would You Live in Fargo” (pictured) taking the top prize. The “Candy Cup” is Coach Sears’ annual Halloween tournament where the players are divided into teams with a theme, are encouraged to wear costumes and then compete in a full-fledged tournament played 3-versus-3 cross-ice and with a tennis ball. It is a chance for the players to have some fun, compete amongst themselves and develop some puck handling skills by having to manage a tennis ball. Congrats to Fisher Hannesson, Keegan Hanson, Aiden Kennedy and John Lang for reversing North Dakota’s Cornhole showing and earning the title!
Several players were able to head home for the weekend Thursday afternoon and get away form the game a bit. One exception is Blayne Jusczak who was invited to skate with the Fairbanks Ice Dogs of the NAHL in his hometown. We are always looking to promote our players and provide them an opportunity to skate at a higher level and Blayne will likely be the first of several players we will have invited to skate with NAHL teams throughout the season.
For those who did stick around in town, they were put to work on Saturday as we partnered with Great Falls Youth Hockey to host two “Try
Hockey For Free Sessions”. We had 55 kids aged 4-9 participate in the two sessions and our players helped hand out equipment, skated with the kids and helped them on the ice. Baldy made an appearance during the first session and the participants were introduced to the game and given a chance to give it a try. The Americans used the Alluvion “Get Out and Play” event this summer, the 4th of July parade and a flier in the Great Falls Public Schools Wednesday 
envelopes to all K-4th grade students to get the word out and host a successful event. Not only did the kids get the chance to give our great game a try, but they also scored two tickets to an Americans game this season, plus a stick and jersey from USA Hockey that they get to keep. USA Hockey hosts two of these events each season (one early November and one early February) as a way to grow the game and will have over 10,000 kids give it a try throughout the country each session. Our guys did an amazing job in working with the kids and creating a fun environment and we hopefully have attracted some new players and fans.
We closed out Saturday with our Sled Hockey Exhibition where several of our players
joined Kevin, Zaile and Weston from Eagle Mount Recreation Therapy in sleds for a little cross-ice scrimmage resulting in a 16-15 win for Team White. The guys had a blast and got an extremely intense upper body work out in while being schooled by the regular sled players. We also got back on the ice for a sled practice on Monday with our guys, once again stepping up and contributing to a great experience for these athletes.
So going back to the statement I used to open this newsletter “Just when the squad disappoints us a little bit on the ice (see last week’s game
recap)”, I just want to say how proud I am of how these young men handled themselves during these special events and the quality of individuals we have as part of this team. Our culture is designed to do things the right way and our guys have bought into that – and that bodes well for the expectations we have for these kids on the ice as they have clearly met expectations off the ice.
Our “Think Pink” jersey auction is complete, as the 31 jerseys sold for $5650 that will be donated to “Think Pink For the Girls”. Over 60 bidders participated in the auction from 15 different states and two Canadian provinces. It was great to see individuals, both local and far away, that engaged in the auction for a good cause that are new to the Americans and have joined our hockey family. Be sure to come out on November 23rd as we will be making the formal presentation to “Think Pink For The Girls” for the auction proceeds, plus $1058 from the Americans and City Chevrolet for our donation of $1 for each person in attendance on the “Think Pink” night matched by City Chevrolet. Thank you for all who participated and we are very much looking forward to making this event even bigger and better next season.
This weekend, we are off to Gillette for a two-game set with puck drop both nights at 7:00 PM. This is a big series for our squad to establish
ourselves as an elite team and one who is ready and willing to compete for a championship. Whereas September and October can be used to learn about the team and get into a groove, the calendar switching to November means it is time to make a move and back up the expectations we have with this team. Our weekend off came at a great time – but the next six weeks will really tell us what we have as we head into the holiday break. Stop by Buffalo Wild Wings both nights to enjoy our official watch party with other passionate fans.
Player Profile – #5 EJ Sanchez (Great Falls ,MT) 5’9” 155 lbs. FOR – Shoots Right DOB 05/02/2008
Favorite Team: New York Rangers Favorite Players: Auston Matthews
Favorite Movie: Forest Gump Actor/Actress: Megan Fox
Favorite Food: Steak Favorite Pre-Game Meal: Smoothie
If you were an animal: Bird – So I could fly!
Musical Group You Won’t Miss in Concert: Zach Bryan
Music Guaranteed to get you hyped: Rap
Person stuck with on a deserted Island: Fisher Hannesson
Hobbies other than Hockey: Boxing
Three People you would invite to Dinner: Margot Robbie, Suga Sean O’Malley. Elon Musk
College/University of Choice: University of Wisconsin
Like Most About Great Falls: The people!
How would you define a successful season: Playing and producing in most games!
Here are the upcoming events for you to mark your calendars:
- November 8th and 9th – We travel to Gillette for two games – join other passionate fans at Buffalo Wild Wings for our official watch party.
- Friday, November 15th – Home versus Bozeman at 7:05 We welcome a group from Stifel | Finnicum Financial Group as our presenting sponsor for the evening!
- Saturday, November 16th – Road game versus Helena at 7:05 Official Watch Party at Buffalo Wild Wings.
- November 22nd and 23rd – Military Appreciation Weekend as we host Bozeman (Friday) and Butte (Saturday) and recognize those who have served our country.
- November 23rd – Presentation of donation to “Think Pink For the Girls”!
- November 29th and 30th – Home versus Sheridan with 7:05 puck drop both nights!
- December 1st – Team Christmas Party hosted by the Booster Club!
- December 6th – Road game versus Bozeman at 7:30 Official Watch Party at Buffalo Wild Wings.
- December 7th – Road game versus Helena at 7:05 Official Watch Party at Buffalo Wild Wings.
- December 14-16 – NA3HL Showcase in Blaine, Game times and opponents TBD.
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* |
Thank you for being a part of our hockey family!
Matt Leaf
Great Falls Americans HC Inc
MattL.GFAmericans@gmail.com