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Weekly E-Newsletter (September – March) |
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BALDY’S PUCK DROP“Baldy’s Puck Drop” Weekly E-Newsletter with Matt Leaf
Volume 3: September 21, 2023
PDF Printable Download: Weekly E-Newsletter with Matt Leaf
Dear Great Falls Americans Enthusiast:
It is time to get back to work this weekend and the Americans host the Gillette Wild for a two-game set on Friday and Saturday nights. The players are excited to get back into game action after a fun weekend camping in Lincoln, MT. They were hosted by long time Americans supporters Dave and Cathy Covert and the weekend was an opportunity to bond even further as a team as they did some work for our hosts in winterizing their property, did some hiking and fishing and had a bonfire on Saturday night. The Americans would like to thank the Coverts’ for being such gracious hosts and giving our players the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors of Montana.
I am also happy to announce that our off-ice skill center is now finished, and our players started using it this week to hone their stickhandling and shooting skills while not on the ice. This is a unique type of facility in our league and is a resource that should only make our players better. They will have access to utilize the facility any time they are not on the ice. We would like to thank Nate and Renae Weisenburger for providing the synthetic flooring and, once again, our captains went above and beyond in piecing this very complicated puzzle together so their teammates can start using the facility.
We do have two special functions taking place with the games this weekend. Friday night, we are supporting the Great Falls Community IcePlex Foundation to blast off their Capital Campaign for this season. Several volunteers associated with the Americans spent countless hours at the rink this summer facilitating many of the improvements you likely noticed. But there still is a lot to get done in the coming years and the Foundation is accepting donations of all sizes to be able to continue their expansion plans. For more information, please check out www.greatfallsiceplex.com. On Saturday night, we will be hosting a “Hockey 101” session for any interested fans who want to learn more about the game. The session will start at 6:00 PM in the Eagle’s Nest and it will be your chance to ask about hockey terminology, the rules or basic strategy. Your game ticket gets you in the door and stop on up to, hopefully, get your hockey questions answered.
I would also like to recognize two of our partners for their excellence throughout the year to be award winners from the Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce. The official “Florist” of the Great Falls Americans – Life in Bloom will be receiving the Small/Medium Business of the Year Award. Congratulations to Karen and Greg Beeler for this deserved recognition and thank you for your trust in supporting the Americans. In addition, Scheel’s will be receiving the “Customer Service Champion” Award. Both awards will be presented tonight at the Chamber’s 135th Anniversary and Awards Gala. Finally, I would be remiss if I did not offer our thoughts and prayers to Nathan Bring who unexpectedly lost his mother, Lisa Carlson, this past weekend. Nathan is a local Great Falls player who asked to practice with the Americans this season because he has an unmatched passion for the game. He has been an inspiration to the rest of the players with his work ethic and overall positive energy in just being able to be part of the team. So, please keep Nathan in your thoughts during this difficult time and I know his teammates and hockey family can’t wait to be able to give him a stick tap when he is able to return to practice.
Player Profile – #22 Christian Crutcher (Breezy Point, Minnesota) 5’9” 170 lbs. DEF- Shoots Left
Favorite Team: Washington Capitals Favorite Player: Alexander Ovechkin Favorite Movie: Lets Be Cops Favorite Actor/Actress: Jennifer Lawrence
Favorite Food: Bacon Cheeseburger Favorite Pre-Game Meal: Chicken Alfredo
Musical Group You Won’t Miss in Concert: Drake
Song or Artist Guaranteed to get you hyped: Drake
One Item you would bring with you to a deserted Island: Sword
Hobbies other than Hockey: Hanging with my Buddies
Three People you would invite to Dinner: Elon Musk, Adam Sandler, David Portnoy
College/University of Choice: Bemidji State Like Most about Great Falls: The City
How would you define a successful season: Going to St. Louis and winning the Fraser Cup
Thank you to all of our existing partners for their continued support.
Eagle’s Nest, Diamond and Platinum Level Partners
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Gold, Silver and Bronze Level Partners
| Century Gaming | Great Falls Hospital & Clinic | Anderson Glass-Door | Point S Tire & Auto Service |
| 2 J’s Complex | Borrie’s Italian Supper Club | Murphy Law Office | Stadium Sports Bar & Casino |
| Heidelberg Lounge | Treasure State Eyecare | Craftmaster Cabinets | Floors and More Abbey Carpets |
| Tuttle Tile | Teriyaki Madness | Central MT Lock & Safe | 3D International Restaurant |
| Jersey Mike’s | Noble’s West Side Liquor | Annie’s Taphouse | Hotel Avron-Celtic Cowboy |
| Scheel’s | Croxford Funeral Home | Big Sky Laboratory | Allstate- Tammy Quintrell-Stubbs |
| All State Signs | Highwood Creek Outfitters | Automotive Machine | She Bare Wax & Sugar Boutique |
| Wheat Montana | Stifel Investment Services | Bigelow Endodontics | Best Western Plus Riverfront Hotel |
| Culligan Water | Best Med Urgent Care | Buffalo Wild Wings | Tilleraas Landscape & Nursery |
| Stockman Bank | SpringHill Suites by Marriott | Central Avenue Meats | Todd Neighbor at Comparion Insurance |
| Fuddrucker’s | Play It Again Sports | The Beacon IceHouse | Nate & Renae Weisenburger |
| Life In Bloom | Camparion Insurance | United Materials | Fox Sports Radio, Q106, 109.9 The Wolf |
| Hampton Inn | Traynor Capital | Bravera Bank | Discount Meats |
| KFBB (SWX) | Cascade Electric |
Don’t forget to get your “RTIC” Cooler Raffle tickets, including 20 lbs. of quality Montana Meat from Central Avenue Meats, from any Booster Club member. The drawing will take place during our home game on the 30th.
Thank you for being a part of our family and we look forward to seeing you at the rink.
Matt Leaf
Great Falls Americans HC Inc
MattL.GFAmericans@gmail.com