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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 69: August 7, 2025
PDF Printable Download: Weekly E-Newsletter with Matt Leaf
Dear Great Falls Americans Enthusiast: Time sure does fly and it is a very exciting time of the year. Our players will start arriving in town next week and we are just a little over a week away from our official season kick-off with our 3rd Annual Cornhole Extravaganza, two weeks from our Blue-White Game and less than a month away from our season opener versus Helena on September 5th. Equipment and apparel have been ordered, ice has been reserved and our corporate partners have been supportive as we enter our third season as the owner of the Great Falls Americans.
The schedule for the 2025-26 season is finalized and we’re excited for our home schedule this season as we will have some new and exciting promotions coming up. Stay tuned to Baldy’s Puck Drop for the latest happenings, but for now, set the following dates aside! Both season tickets and individual game tickets are now on sale online at www.greatfallsamericans.com.
2025-26 Home Schedule
|
Date |
Time |
Vs. |
Date |
Time |
Vs. |
|
Aug. 17 |
12:00 |
* Alumni |
Nov. 28 |
7:05 |
Helena |
|
Aug. 23 |
7:05 |
* Blue-White |
Dec. 6 |
7:05 |
Bozeman |
|
Sept. 5 |
7:05 |
Helena |
Dec. 31 |
6:05 |
$ Butte |
|
Sept. 6 |
7:05 |
# Bozeman |
Jan. 9 |
7:05 |
$ Sheridan |
|
Sept. 12 |
7:05 |
Badlands |
Jan. 10 |
7:05 |
$ Sheridan |
|
Sept. 13 |
7:05 |
Badlands |
Jan. 24 |
3:35 |
Butte |
|
Sept. 27 |
7:05 |
Helena |
Feb. 7 |
7:05 |
Butte @ Havre |
|
Oct. 24 |
7:05 |
% Sheridan |
Feb. 13 |
7:05 |
Gillette |
|
Oct. 25 |
7:05 |
% Yellowstone |
Feb. 14 |
7:05 |
Badlands |
|
Nov. 15 |
7:05 |
Bozeman |
Feb. 28 |
7:35 |
Gillette |
|
Nov. 21 |
7:05 |
& Yellowstone |
Mar. 1 |
1:05 |
+ Gillette |
|
Nov. 22 |
7:05 |
& Yellowstone |
Mar. 7 |
7:05 |
= Butte |
* Free To Public # 3rd Annual Tailgate Party
% “Think Pink” Breast Cancer Awareness
& Military Appreciation $ Special Edition Rodeo Jerseys
+ Skate with the Americans = Fan and Billet Appreciation
Baldy, our Booster Club members, coaching staff, a few players and our “Great Falls Tourism” wrapped team bus participated in the 4th of July parade and handed out over 2000 otter pops and flyers with our season schedule and QR code for a chance to win some great 4th of July themed prizes. We had 100 entries in the “Enter to Win” contest and handed out seven prize packages to the lucky winners. It was another successful opportunity to support and engage in the community.
It is time to meet your 2025-26 version of the Great Falls Americans. You can also follow along through our social media channels as we introduce a new player each day.
|
Player |
Pos. |
Year |
Ht. |
WT. |
Hometown |
2024-25 Team |
|
Jarret Averett |
F |
2007 |
6’0” |
145 |
Sydney, MT |
Richland Rangers HS |
|
Colton Bacon |
F |
2008 |
6’0” |
171 |
Billings, MT |
Montana Wolves/Billings Bulls |
|
Ty Brander |
D |
2005 |
5’10” |
140 |
Airdrie, ALB |
Great Falls Americans |
|
Tallen Caron |
F |
2006 |
6’1” |
180 |
Kenora, ONT |
Sioux Lookout Bombers |
|
Cooper Clouse |
F |
2005 |
5’11” |
175 |
Fargo, ND |
Great Falls Americans |
|
Owen Cronk |
F |
2007 |
6’2” |
185 |
Great Falls, MT |
Great Falls Americans |
|
Gavin Denis |
F |
2006 |
5’10” |
165 |
Rhinelander, WI |
Great Falls Americans |
|
Oscar Gribauvel |
G |
2006 |
6’4” |
205 |
Pine City, MN |
Bozeman IceDogs |
|
Wyatt Hanna |
F |
2006 |
5’10” |
190 |
South Jordan, UT |
Jaun Diego Catholic HS |
|
Fisher Hannesson |
D |
2005 |
6’0” |
180 |
Fargo, ND |
Great Falls Americans |
|
Keegan Hanson |
D |
2005 |
6’2” |
185 |
Fargo, ND |
Great Falls Americans |
|
Riley Hattan |
F |
2008 |
6’1 |
220 |
Kalamazoo, MI |
Biggby Coffee AAA 16U |
|
Clayton Homiston |
D |
2007 |
6’6” |
200 |
Perris, CA |
Pasedena Pats 18U |
|
Jarod Lemieux |
F |
2005 |
6’0” |
195 |
Morillo, ONT |
Okanagen Lakers |
|
Reid Lezubski |
F |
2008 |
5’8” |
140 |
Chestermere, ALB |
Calgary Rockies U17 |
|
Kiefer Lundmark |
F |
2006 |
6’2” |
180 |
Detroit Lakes, MN |
Detroit Lakes HS |
|
Logan Mese |
F |
2007 |
5’7” |
150 |
Kenai, AK |
KPHA Ice Hawks U18 |
|
Cole Murphy |
G |
2006 |
6’1” |
185 |
New Prague, MN |
New Prague HS |
|
Wyatt Rust |
D |
2007 |
5’10” |
190 |
Anchorage, AK |
Team Alaska 18U AAA |
|
EJ Sanchez |
F |
2008 |
6’0” |
190 |
Great Falls, MT |
Great Falls Americans |
|
Jaxen Savage |
F |
2006 |
6’0” |
170 |
Kenora, ONT |
St. Thomas Aquinas Saints |
|
Carson Sears |
D |
2008 |
6’2” |
190 |
Great Fall, MT |
Great Falls Americans |
|
Jase Troyer |
F |
2006 |
5’9” |
150 |
Great Falls, MT |
Great Falls Americans |
|
Bryce Webb |
D |
2007 |
6’1” |
210 |
Anchorage, AK |
Windy City Storm 18U AAA |
|
Jacob Weber |
F |
2008 |
6’1” |
175 |
North Pole, AK |
Artic Lions HS |
|
Kale Witt |
G |
2006 |
5’9” |
165 |
Detroit Lakes, MN |
Great Falls Americans |
There will likely be 2-3 players that will still be added prior to the first games, so stay tuned and we will introduce them when they are signed.
The fan activations coming up in August include a special #1 Fan Jersey Auction where you can be the first, and only, fan to have a version of either our home or away 2025-26 jerseys for the start of the season. We will officially be launching our new jerseys during our Blue-White game on August 23rd, and this auction will take place leading up to the game. Another unique opportunity is your chance to coach the Americans during the Blue-White game as we will be auctioning off two “Bench Experience”
activations where the auction winner will be able to work with Coach Sears or Coach Leaf on the respective bench during the early part of the game. We will also auction off some specialty items signed by our alumni in attendance for alumni weekend and don’t miss out on your chance to purchase your reduced-price Montana Air National 
Guard “chuck-a-pucks” in advance for the season. That’s right, you won’t need to worry about buying your pucks at each game, purchase them in advance for the season and they will be waiting for you at the “chuck-a-puck” table when you arrive for the game. You simply need to register with DASH (QR code left) to be fully activated and alerted to all the great opportunities we will present throughout the season.
Next up is our 3rd Annual Cornhole Extravaganza at the Beacon IceHouse on Saturday, August 16th and will be part of an Alumni weekend
where several of our past players will be attending to catch up and meet the 2025-26 version of the Great Falls Americans. As usual, the Cornhole event will include a live band (Clint Reimann) at 7:00 PM. Registration for Cornhole is now open at www.greatfallsamericans.com or by scanning the QR code to the right. The alumni weekend will culminate with an alumni skate (open to the public) on Sunday the 17th. On Monday, August 18th, we will officially start our training camp.
This week concluded our summer activities which included our Youth Skills and Drills Sessions, our Summer Sled Hockey sessions and three “Try Hockey for Free” sessions that our staff and players helped with as we partnered with Youth Hockey to give 32 four-nine year-old prospective players a chance to give the game a try. The hope is to transition these players into youth hockey programming at the start of the season and continue to grow the game in Great Falls. And, thanks to our new Platinum Partner Northwestern Energy, you’ll get a chance to meet our sled hockey athletes from Eagle Mount Therapeutic Recreation at our home game on Friday, September 12th.
Here are the upcoming dates to add to your calendar:
- August 15-17 – Great Falls Americans Alumni All former players and fans are welcome to attend various activities culminating with an alumni game at 12:00 Noon on Sunday the 17th.
- August 16th – 3rd Annual Cornhole Beacon Icehouse. Cornhole will start at 1:00 PM with the Clint Reimann band playing at 7:00 PM.
- August 18th – Start of Great Falls Americans Pre-Season Main Camp!
- August 18th – Media Availability during practice 10:00-11:30 AM followed by press conference with staff and select players at 12:00 Noon.
- August 21st – Meet and greet the 2025-26 version of the Great Falls Americans at Buffalo Wild Wings – 7:45-9:00 PM.
- August 23rd – 3rd Annual Blue/White Game 7:05 Ice
- August 26th – “Singo” with the Americans at Annie’s Taphouse– 6:30 PM
- September 5th – Home opener versus Helena for start of 2025-26 7:05 PM Puck Drop!
- September 6th – Annual GFA Tailgate party prior to the game versus The Band “After Five” will be playing from 5:00-6:45 with plenty of food, drink and camaraderie. Puck drop is 7:05 PM.
- September 12th – Northwestern Energy Salute to Great Falls Sled Hockey during home game versus Badlands Sabres. 7:05 PM Puck Drop!
- September 13th – Home game versus Badlands Sabres featuring “Point S Tire & Auto” Tricycle Race during 1st
Finally, I would like to personally thank those partners who have renewed for the 2025-26 season.
Thank you to our renewing, and new, 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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|
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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 | Craftmaster Cabinets |
| 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 |
Thank you for being a part of our hockey family!
Matt Leaf
Great Falls Americans HC Inc
MattL.GFAmericans@gmail.com